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Crofting Law Blog
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Kennedy says hell will freeze over before he resigns and that the Cabinet Secretary for Crofting should stand down!
In an exclusive interview with The Oban Times, published today, Colin Kennedy, Convener of the Crofting Commission, said that "hell will freeze over" before he resigns. He went onto say that Fergus Ewing MSP, cabinet secretary responsible, for crofting, is contravening crofters' human rights by not allowing access to their own share of European funds. Mr Kennedy said: "The MSP should be standing down himself".
Mr Kennedy also made reference to alleged "cronyism within the Crofting Commission" and to practices "within the commission that are not fair and equitable".
The Oban Times further reported Mr Kennedy as saying there is a real crisis in the Scottish Government as it tries to cover its back and leave itself open to legal challenges that could cost it millions.
The conflict between the Crofting Convener and the Cabinet Secretary has now reached an extraordinary stage. It is clear that despite the Crofting Commission stating that they supported the Scottish Government's stance over SRDP funding of common grazings and 'immediate' payment of monies to shareholders this is a view not shared by Colin Kennedy. As convener of the Crofting Commission he should be expressing the views of the Board and not his personally held views.
The Framework Document between the Crofting Commission and the Scottish Government (April 2016 – October 2018) [PDF] sets out the broad framework within which the Crofting Commission will operate and defines key roles and responsibilities which underpin the relationship between the Crofting Commission and the Scottish Government.
Paragraph 21 of this Framework Document states:-
The Convener is responsible to the Scottish Ministers and, in common with any individual with responsibility for devolved functions, may also be held to account by the Scottish Parliament. The Convener shall ensure that the Crofting Commission's policies and actions support the wider strategic policies of the Scottish Ministers; and that the Crofting Commission's affairs are conducted with probity.
Current activities would appear to be a breach of that on the part of the Convener.
Under Paragraph 22 the Convener has a particular leadership responsibility on the following matters:-
Ensuring that the Crofting Commission fulfils the aims and objectives set by the Scottish Ministers; 
Formulating the Board's strategy; 
Ensuring that the Board, in reaching decisions, takes proper account of guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers; 
Promoting the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources; 
Encouraging high standards of propriety and regularity; 
Representing the views of the Board to the general public; and 
Promoting diversity throughout the organisation.
He does not appear to be ensuring that the Crofting Commission fulfils the aims and objectives set by the Scottish Ministers.
He does not appear to be ensuring that the Board, in reaching decisions, takes proper account of guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers (or at least he is disputing that guidance).
He does not appear to be promoting the efficient and effective use of staff and other resources. That was clear from him closing and walking out of the meeting in Brora.
He does not appear to be encouraging high standards of propriety and regularity.
He does not appear to be representing the views of the Board to the general public. He is only representing his own personal views which appear to be in divergence to those of the Board. Perhaps even "diametrically opposed", being the phrase used by Fergus Ewing MSP to describe how Mr Kennedy's own views compared to those held by the Scottish Government.
So again he appears to be in serious breach of the Framework Document.
In terms of Paragraph 23 the Convener shall also "ensure… that the board is working effectively". Recent actions by him cannot mean that it is.
Section 1(3) of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 states:-
The Commission shall discharge their functions in accordance with such directions of a general or specific character as may from time to time be given to them in writing by the Scottish Ministers.
Directions have been given to Mr Kennedy. He appears to be ignoring those directions.
The seven principles of conduct underpinning public life (as identified by the Nolan Committee in 1995) are as follows:
1. Selflessness
Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or other friends.
2. Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.
3. Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit.
4. Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.
5. Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.
6. Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.
7. Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.
The Scottish Executive took the Nolan Committee recommendations one step further with the introduction of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000 which brought in a statutory Code of Conduct for Board Members of Devolved Public Bodies and set up a Standards Commission for Scotland to oversee the ethical standards framework.
The Scottish Executive also identified nine key principles underpinning public life in Scotland, which incorporated the seven Nolan Principles and introduced two further principles:-
8. Public Service
Holders of public office have a duty to act in the interests of the public body of which they are a Board member and to act in accordance with the core tasks of the body.
9. Respect
Holders of public office must respect fellow members of their public body and employees of the body and the role they play, treating them with courtesy at all times.
Does the latest outburst in The Oban Times comply with these 9 principles and especially numbers 4, 7, 8 and 9?
A Scottish Government spokesman is quoted by The Oban Times as saying:-
Serious allegations about Scottish ministers were attributed to Mr Kennedy in the press following the Crofting Commission's meeting in Brora on September 28.
The Scottish Government has requested further information from the convener in relation to these allegations and will give this further consideration, as appropriate. While this matter is ongoing, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity [Mr Ewing] will continue to monitor the situation at the Crofting Commission closely.
Matters have surely today reached the point of no return. The ball is in Mr Ewing's court.
Brian Inkster
This entry was posted in Common Grazings, Crofting Commission and tagged Brora, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Colin Kennedy, Convener of Crofting Commission, Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, Crofting Commission, Crofting Commission Board, Crofting Minister, cronyism, Ethical Standards in Public Life etc. (Scotland) Act 2000, Fergus Ewing, Fergus Ewing MSP, Framework Document, hell will freeze over, human right, immediately, leadership, Nolan Committee, resigns, Scottish Government, Scottish Ministers, Scottish Parliament, seven principles of public life, SRDP, SRDP funding, Standards Commission for Scotland, statutory Code of Conduct for Board Members of Devolved Public Bodies, The Oban Times on October 13, 2016 by Brian Inkster.
Has the Convener lost his memory?
The Convener of the Crofting Commission, Colin Kennedy, gave an interview to Gordon Brewer on Sunday Politics Scotland by phone from the Isle of Coll. This followed on from my own interview with Gordon Brewer at the BBC studios at Pacific Quay in Glasgow.
What struck me from Mr Kennedy's responses to Gordon Brewer's questions was that he appeared to have lost his memory. I will look at some of those responses and explain why:-
Mr Kennedy's assertion that the Commission have acted wholly within the law at all times and have not received legal advice to the contrary
Gordon Brewer asked:-
Are you going to stay in the post?
Colin Kennedy responded:-
I have no intention of resigning.
Gordon Brewer:-
Colin Kennedy:-
As matters stand, I believe the commission have acted wholly within the law at all times and until such times as we have legal advice to the contrary, I will maintain my position.
View from the Crofting Law Blog on Mr Kennedy's assertion that the Commission have acted wholly within the law at all times and have not received legal advice to the contrary
Has Mr Kennedy forgotten that he had deleted from the Crofting Commission's website his own guidelines on "immediate" payment of funds when it was shown that the law did not insist upon that.
Has Mr Kennedy forgotten already that Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary responsible for crofting, wrote him a letter which stated that Mr Ewing saw "little merit" in and "wholly disagrees" with his interpretation of the law?
Indeed Mr Ewing referred to the Scottish Government's position as being "diametrically opposed" to Mr Kennedy's position. He went onto say that it was "not sustainable for the Scottish Government and one of its public bodies to take opposing interpretations of the law".
The Board of the Commission (including Mr Kennedy) subsequently accepted and supported the Government's position in this regard.
Has Mr Kennedy also forgotten the meeting that he and other commissioners had with Mr Ewing at Holyrood?
At that meeting Mr Ewing told Mr Kennedy that the action taken by the Crofting Commission to remove grazings committees from office was wrong, that the decisions should be rescinded and an apology given to the grazings committees in question.
Following Mr Kennedy walking out of the Board Meeting at Brora the remaining commissioners accepted Mr Ewing's position and the apology was issued.
First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, referred to it as being "disappointing" that Mr Kennedy was not a party to that apology.
Mr Kennedy being unaware that the commissioners have no confidence in him
Gordon Brewer said:-
Okay, but the commissioners have said they no longer have any confidence in you. Which is not brilliant from your point of view is it?
I am unaware of the commissioners having said they have no confidence in me.
You are not aware of that?
The Crofting Law Blog's view on Mr Kennedy being unaware that the commissioners have no confidence in him
Mr Kennedy has been known to go into hiding but he must be on a different planet if he is suggesting that he does not know what was discussed at the Special Meeting in Brora.
It was headline news following that meeting.
Perhaps commissioners didn't use the exact words "no confidence" at their meeting but calling on Mr Kennedy to resign is a vote of no confidence if ever there was one.
Mr Kennedy's understanding of the Commission's Standing Orders
So as far as you are concerned what? The Crofting Commission is carrying on its work as per normal?
Colin Kennedy replied:-
Well I would suggest at this moment in time that the Crofting Commission conducted a meeting on 28th September which is in non compliance or in accordance with the standing orders of the Crofting Commission and therefore it would appear in my view to be ultra vires.
The Crofting Law Blog's view on Mr Kennedy's understanding of the Commission's Standing Orders
Is Mr Kennedy not familiar with the Commission's Standing Orders? Surely the Convener should be?
The relevant provisions for present purposes are:-
6.4 The Chief Executive will call a Special Meeting of the Commission when required to do so by the Convener of the Commission. A Special Meeting will also be called by the Chief Executive if in receipt of a written request stating the business of the meeting from another member of the Commission and seconded by a majority of the Commission. The meeting will be held within 21 days of the receipt of the requisition by the Chief Executive.
6.5 Where the Convener requires a Special Meeting, and considers that there is particular urgency, the Chief Executive may call the meeting without giving the
7 days' notice normally required at 6.1 above, provided every effort is made to contact members to give as much notice as possible prior to the meeting.
These provisions were followed and a Special Meeting duly convened.
The Crofting Commission have stated:-
When the Convener left the board meeting on 28 September in Brora the remaining commissioners requested a Special Meeting. This was held in line with the Crofting Commission's Standing Orders.
Crofting Commissioners should be commended for doing so and allowing important business that Fergus Ewing MSP had requested them to deal with to so be dealt with.
The Convener was content to abandon the scheduled meeting and not deal at all with the business of the day.
Mr Kennedy's views on the inexplicable
So right. You think that they still have confidence in you but that they have held an ultra vires meeting without you for reasons that are inexplicable?
The Crofting Law Blog's take on Mr Kennedy's views on the inexplicable
What can you say!
Mr Kennedy's assertion that decisions have been based on legal advice and papers presented to the Board
Gordon Brewer pointed out:-
The substance of this is about you, they allege, that you made various determinations about things like payments in the form of edicts – that they weren't really consulted.
Colin Kennedy retorted:-
Absolutely incorrect.
At no time under my leadership have any decisions been taken without full endorsement of the board and based on legal advice.
And if I could comment prior to those decisions as per the board minute of 15 September 2015, prior to taking any of those decisions a formal request was made to the Chief Executive to obtain legal advice to support the papers presented to the board on which the board took the decisions.
The Crofting Law Blog's view on Mr Kennedy's assertion that decisions have been based on legal advice and papers presented to the Board
I am unsure what the board minute of 15 September 2015 is. I have located one from 16 September 2015 but that does not appear to be of any relevance to the matter at hand.
However, has Mr Kennedy forgotten that the Chief Executive provided clear advice to the Board that they could not appoint a grazings constable where a grazings committee was removed from office?
Despite that advice the Board went onto appoint three grazings constables in three such circumstances which appears to be a contravention of the legal advice received on at least three occasions.
General comment from the Crofting Law Blog on Mr Kennedy's memory
It would appear that when analysed Mr Kennedy's responses in each instance are somewhat flawed. The accurate position in each instance can actually be found in the archives on this blog.
Perhaps Mr Kennedy should refresh his memory by reading through the blog before he gives his next press interview.
However, the flaws in his responses highlight a serious divide between him and the Scottish Government and one that you would think the Scottish Ministers cannot tolerate for much longer.
Image Credit: Sunday Politics Scotland © BBC Scotland
This entry was posted in Common Grazings, Crofting Commission and tagged BBC Scotland, Brora, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Chief Executive of the Crofting Commission, Colin Kennedy, Common Grazings Committee, Convener of Crofting Commission, Crofting Commission, Crofting Commission Board, Fergus Ewing, Fergus Ewing MSP, First Minister, Gordon Brewer, Grazings Committee, Grazings Constable, Grazings Constables, hiding, Holyrood, illegal grazings constable, immediately, legal advice, Nicola Sturgeon, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, no confidence, resign, resignation, Scottish Government, standing orders, Sunday Politics Scotland, vote of no confidence on October 11, 2016 by Brian Inkster.
Sunday Politics Scotland: Chaos on the Croft
Sunday Politics Scotland on BBC One Scotland this week looked at the crisis in the Crofting Commission.
Presenter Gordon Brewer introducing the topic said:-
Now Chaos on the Croft.
The body responsible for protecting and regulating Scotland's crofting is embroiled in some dramatic internal politics of its own.
As Len Cooksley reports pressure is increasing on the head of the Crofting Commission to resign after the Scottish Government became involved.
Len Cooksley:-
Scotland has nearly 20,000 crofts overseen by the Crofting Commission.
After suspending two local grazing committees on Lewis on the grounds of financial missmanagement it was forced into a u-turn.
There were claims the commission were both heavy handed and may have acted illegally.
Now the Scottish Government's got involved. It called on the commission and its convener, Colin Kennedy, to apologise.
Last week Mr Kennedy walked out of a commissioners meeting. Those that remained issued that apology and then passed a vote of no confidence in Mr Kennedy.
The First Minister gave her take on events in parliament earlier this week.
Nicola Sturgeon MSP:-
I note that crofting commissioners have unanimously called on the convener to resign.
The Scottish Government have requested further information from the convener in relation to last week's events.
While the Government would not ordinarily intervene in the internal operations of an independent statutory body the legislation does give Scottish Ministers power to act if required.
MSPs are watching developments with interest.
Tavish Scott MSP:-
There is no doubt that there has been a fall out amongst commissioners and that has been caused by the behaviour of the convener of the Crofting Commission.
What this organisation needs now is a new convener, a reconstituted board and the ability to get back what it is meant to do and that is work for crofters right across Scotland.
We understand Mr Kennedy has no plans to resign but would make no further comment.
The implication is clear: either he jumps or he'll be pushed.
Well earlier I spoke to Brian Inkster who is a lawyer and blogger specialising in crofting matters.
Well the crofting commissioners have no confidence in their leader. He won't resign and the Scottish Government is threatening to get involved. What on earth is going on?
Brian Inkster answered:-
Well it all goes back to December time last year when they decided to put out of office a grazings committee in Lewis. The first one was Mangersta and then subsequently into 2016 they put out two other grazings committees: one in Upper Coll and the other in Lochaber.
Right but what I don't understand is that Mr Kenedy the man who is the commissioner is accused of issuing edicts on things like payments over common grazings and peoples backs are up about this. But how can he do that surely the commissioners have to decide to do this.
Brian Inkster:-
Well the commissioners should be deciding to do it. It looks as though he has been instrumental in pushing these issues forward.
There were three sort of main issues I suppose.
The first one was payment by grazings committees to shareholders in common grazings of monies that had come into grazings funds. His argument was that these monies had to be paid out immediately. So there would be immediate payment to the shareholders and if monies were required back to maintain the common grazings they would issue a levy onto the shareholders.
Nowhere in the law did it say that these immediate payments had to be made and indeed it just didn't make any kind of logical or common sense approach to deal with it in that way.
Subsequently there were two other issues.
One was that he was seeking to stop common grazings committees receiving SRDP funding – which is really grants from the governmnet to assist in the maintenace and improvement of the common grazings.
And latterly there was an issue around VAT registration where it was being said that common grazings could not be VAT registered whereas historically they always have been.
Right, now, what happened? At some point the commissioners had a vote of no confidence.
That was just over a week ago in Brora. That was on the back of Colin Kennedy walking out of a meeting. He closed the meeting and walked out on the basis that the commissioner for the Western Isles said he was no longer declaring an interest in the Western Isles cases which he had previously done and was now wanting to vote on any issues concerning the Western Isles.
On the face of it you would think that if the commissioners have no confidence in him he has to go but he doesn't does he because he was elected?
He was elected and there is nothing in the law that says if the commissioners have a vote of no confidence he must go. One would imagine that if all the commissioners are against you, if the Scottish Crofting Federation, NFU Scotland, MSPs across all cross parties and the press are all saying it's time to go you would think what is the point of clinging on here.
The Scottish Government has threatened to become involved. What can they do?
In terms of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, Scottish Ministers have the power if they consider that a commissioner is unable or unfit to exercise the functions of a member or unsuitable to continue as a member they can then remove a member from office.
Now, Brian Inkster, just to give us a little sense of what the background to this is because it is quite complicated. But is the issue underlying all this the use of land and the fact, for example, wind farms wants to come in or housing wants to come in and it is about whether the common ground is allocated to the community the funds from it or to individuals.
It is linked to the funds that come into a common grazings. On a common grazings, especially as you mentioned wind farming, so in recent times the potential for larger sums of money to come into a common grazings exists. And it is linked to the distribution of those monies and there was an insistance on the part of the convener that those monies had to be paid out as soon as it was received. That there was no ability to hold onto the money to use it to spend on improvements within the common grazings. The Scottish Government said that was not the correct view in law.
Alright, we will have to leave it there. Brian Inkster thank you very much indeed for joining us.
Well earlier I spoke to Colin Kennedy. He is the Crofting Commission boss who is in the middle of all of this controversy. I spoke to him on the telephone from Coll.
But the Scottish Government has said it has the power to get involved. If they do get involved and say you have to go you will have to go won't you?
That will be the case, yes.
So just to be clear on that. If the Scottish Government says look given that your commissioners have voted no confidence in you we don't think you can stay in post you will have to resign.
That may be the case.
Why are you so determined? You walked out of the meeting didn't you, the other week? Why have you fallen out with all of the commissioners?
No I didn't walk out of a meeting.
I formally declared the meeting closed in light of an advancement by a commissioner supported by the deputy accountable officer that they had obtained information from the standards commission which I requested sight of prior to determination which failed to materialise.
Accordingly given the nature of the business at hand I had no alternative other than to formally close the September meeting of the Crofting Commission prior to my departure.
So right. If they still have confidence in you why would they do that?
I couldn't comment on what they do at informally constituted meetings.
Alright Colin Kennedy we have to leave it. Thank you very much for joining us.
N.B. For a limited period (29 days) you can watch this episode of Sunday Politics Scotland on iPlayer (at about 54 minutes in)
Image Credits: Sunday Politics Scotland © BBC Scotland
This entry was posted in Common Grazings, Crofting Commission and tagged apologise, Brian Inkster, Brora, Chaos on the Croft, Colin Kennedy, common grazings shareholders, Convener of Crofting Commission, Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, crofting blogger, Crofting Commission, Crofting Commission Board, Crofting Commissioners, crofting lawyer, declaration of interest, Deputy Accountable Officer, First Minister, Gordon Brewer, Grazings Committee, immediately, Inksters Solicitors, Isle of Coll, Isle of Lewis, Len Cooksley, levy, Lewis, Lochaber, Mangersta, Mangersta Common Grazings Committee, MSPs, NFU Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, no confidence, resign, Scottish Crofting Federation, Scottish Government, Scottish Ministers, shareholders in the common grazings, SRDP, SRDP funding, Sunday Politics Scotland, Tavish Scott, Tavish Scott MSP, ultra vires, Upper Coll, Upper Coll Common Grazings Committee, VAT, VAT registered, vote of no confidence, Western Isles, wind farms on October 10, 2016 by Brian Inkster.
Cabinet Secretary "wholly disagrees" with Crofting Commission Convener
A clash has begun between Fergus Ewing MSP and Colin Kennedy
Breaking news on BBC Radio Scotland this morning:-
Scottish Govt warns chair of public body responsible for crofting it disagrees with his handling of Western Isles land dispute #bbcgms 0750
— Gary Robertson (@BBCGaryR) 17 August 2016
The BBC has seen a letter written by the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing MSP, that says he "wholly disagrees" with the Crofting Commission's stance on Common Grazings Committees and the distribution of funds received by them.
BBC Scotland reporter Gary Robertson said:-
The Scottish Government is going head to head with the Convener of the public body responsible for crofting.
In a hard hitting letter seen by BBC Scotland the rural affairs secretary, Fergus Ewing, has told the Convener of the Crofting Commission that he wholly disagrees with his handling of a bitter dispute over shared land in the Western Isles.
BBC Scotland reporter Jackie O'Brien has seen the correspondence and Gary Robertson asked her what the background was.
Jackie O'Brien said:-
Well this has been a protracted and slightly complicated dispute involving the way that the ground crofters share is managed through what they call common grazings committees which are made up of crofters.
Now earlier this year two committees on Lewis, one in Mangersta and the other in Upper Coll, were removed from office by the Crofting Commission.
This happened after questions were asked over financial records and some transactions including the fact that the Upper Coll committee had not distributed or as they call it disbursed income from croft house sites to individual crofters but had put all of the money into a crofting township fund instead.
Now the Commisssion in the meantime appointed what they called constables to manage the land whilst committee accounts were investigated.
One of the committees has been reinstated but there is still annoyance and outrage over the way that this whole affair has been handled. Some say it is belligerent and unlawful and there have been calls for the resignation of the Crofting Commission Convener, Colin Kennedy.
Gary Robertson asked:-
So what exactly does Fergus Ewing say in this letter?
Jackie O'Brien responded:-
Well the rural affairs secretary has been trying to calm the waters and has been quite diplomatic on this to date. But there is no sign of it in this letter which I have seen that he has sent to Colin Kennedy.
He confirms that contrary to Mr Kennedy's views the Crofters (Scotland) Act does not require the immediate disbursement or pay out of funds by a grazings committee. He says that as it currently stand the Scottish Government sees little merit in the Crofting Chairman's views which he says he wholly disagrees with.
The letter goes on to say that the Government's view is diametrically opposed to Mr Kennedy's and that it is not sustainable for the Scottish Government and one of its public bodies to take opposing interpretations of the law.
Gary Robertson then asked:-
Any response from Colin Kennedy himself?
Jackie O'Brien confirmed:-
I did speak to him last night. He is adamant that he has done nothing wrong. He claims that all of the decisions which have been made have been made during/since he has been Convener have been based on papers supplied by the Commission's executive.
He has also insisted that not a single matter on this has ever had to go to a vote or at board level and he says that all decisions are taken by means of reasoned debate and consensus.
Gary Robertson then asked Jackie O'Brien:-
What is your sense of the implications of this clash?
Well the contents of this letter shows the Government is clearly pointing the finger at Mr Kennedy who is an elected Convener. This is backed up by the fact that Fergus Ewing has said in his letter that he is also very concerned about the risk that policy decisions may be taken without a clear mandate from the Crofting Commission's board. This implies that not everyone on the board supports the way things have been handled.
Now the Commission's board does happen to be meeting today, and in his letter Fergus Ewing has asked for its position on the matter to be made clear after this meeting. But he warns that if the Commission continues to subscribe to an entirely different view he will then have to consider what action to take. It is not clear what that action could be but that could put further pressure on him to resign.
View from the Crofting Law Blog
The Scottish Government clearly takes the same view regarding the law on the common grazings debacle taken from the outset on the Crofting Law Blog. It is good that they have done so and made their position clear in such strong terms.
The law on the matter has in my view been fairly clear. It is also, it transpires, clear to the Scottish Government.
Why has it been so unclear to the Crofting Commission?
Despite repeated requests from me to the Crofting Commission asking them to justify their position with reference to statute and case law they have failed to do so. They have simply ignored me. If they had papers from their executive that backed up their position in law surely they would have referenced those to me.
The Chief Executive of the Crofting Commission, Catriona Maclean, suggested in a meeting of the Scottish Government Crofting Stakeholder Forum that the law on the matter would follow "in due course" after the Commission had drawn up new guidelines for grazings committees to follow. Putting the cart before the horse was never a good idea!
The Convener of the Crofting Commission, Colin Kennedy, has said to BBC Scotland that the Commission were following advice given in papers produced by their executive. Oh no they weren't! The Crofting Commission specifically ignored the advice given by the executive and appointed grazings constables in circumstances where they knew that to do so was illegal. How many other times has this happened?
Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that a paper [PDF] was considered by the Crofting Commission at a February 2016 Policy in Development meeting. In that paper it was, somewhat alarmingly, stated:-
There is a degree of irony in that the Commission may be requiring grazing committees to adhere to regulations while not being clear about the procedure it is itself employing in directing this.
Thus did the Commission actually have papers from the executive to consider when making some of their decisions or were they simply making it up as they went along?
We also, of course, know that the Commission has chopped and changed its position on the matter, tried to hide the fact they have done so and ultimately made a massive U-Turn. Does that demonstrate having done nothing wrong?
In light of the stance now taken by the Scottish Government against the Convener surely his tenure in office must be in question more so than it ever was. Especially if he continues with the adamant view that he has done nothing wrong when all of the evidence that has so far come to light would perhaps suggest otherwise.
The Crofting Commission are having a board meeting today. On the agenda [PDF] is 'Grazings committees – a practical approach to the management of common grazings' with a paper on that topic for discussion. A practical approach would no doubt be a welcome approach from most crofters. But let's hope the Commission have now got a clear understanding and grasp of what the law actually is when applying a practical approach.
A little bit of humbleness, signs of regret and an apology would not go amiss at today's meeting in light of the letter from Fergus Ewing.
A statement from the Crofting Commission on the outcome of today's meeting is awaited with bated breath.
This entry was posted in Common Grazings, Crofting Commission and tagged BBC, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Scotland, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Colin Kennedy, Common Grazings, Common Grazings Committee, common grazings debacle, Common Grazings Funds, Convener of Crofting Commission, crofters, Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, Crofting Commission, Crofting Commission Executive, crofting township, crofting township fund, Fergus Ewing, Fergus Ewing MSP, Gary Robertson, Grazings Constable, Grazings Constables, immediately, Isle of Lewis, Jackie O'Brien, Lewis, Mangersta, Mangersta Common Grazings, Mangersta Common Grazings Committee, practical approach, resign, resignation, Scottish Government, Upper Coll, Upper Coll Common Grazings, Upper Coll Common Grazings Committee, Western Isles on August 17, 2016 by Brian Inkster.
You might think that, I couldn't possibly comment
There comes a point where actions speak louder than words
To date the Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity with responsibility for Crofting, Fergus Ewing MSP, has not said much on the question of 'The Common Clearances'.
Rhoda Grant MSP asked the Scottish Government:-
whether it is satisfied with how the Crofting Commission has acted in all matters relating to the dismissal of the Mangersta grazing committee.
Fergus Ewing MSP answered:-
The Crofting Commission is a non-departmental public body that takes regulatory decisions within the bounds of its duties and powers. Such decisions are taken independently and at arm's length from Scottish Government.
Rhoda Grant MSP also asked the Scottish Government:-
whether it will establish an inquiry into the workings of the Crofting Commission.
The Scottish Government has no current plans to do so.
In addition Rhoda Grant MSP asked the Scottish Government:-
whether it has confidence in the convener of the Crofting Commission.
The Scottish Government is confident that the Crofting Commission board is able to deliver the functions of the commission.
That may have been the Scottish Government's position on 27 June 2016. The massive U-turn taken by the Crofting Commission on 29 June 2016 should change that stance.
That U-turn and the manner in which it was executed demonstrates that the Crofting Commission got it wrong. They handled the whole Mangersta affair very badly indeed from start to finish. In light of this there can be no confidence that the board or their Convener is able to deliver the functions of the Commission.
The watershed moment was reached on 29 June. The Scottish Government can no longer sit on the fence. There has been as good an admission as any that the Crofting Commission failed the shareholders of Mangersta. In so doing they failed in their regulatory duties and should be made to account for those failings.
A day before the U-turn representatives of the Scottish Crofting Federation met with Fergus Ewing MSP. Commenting on that meeting the Chair of the Federation, Fiona Mandeville, said:-
We also had constructive discussion on the Crofting Commission crisis. We are very supportive of a majority elected Commission and fear that the common grazings debacle can jeopardise this. We therefore asked Mr Ewing to consider a procedural review of the Commission. At his request, we will send him a note outlining details of our recommendations forthwith.
In the wake of the U-turn, Fergus Ewing MSP should take heed of that request for a procedural review and actually now instigate it.
The Scottish Government can no longer hide behind suggestions that the Crofting Commission are at "arm's length" from the Scottish Government.
The fact is that the Crofting Commission and their Commissioners are answerable to the Scottish Government.
Under and in terms of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993:-
The Crofting Commission shall discharge their functions in accordance with such directions of a general or specific character as may from time to time be given to them in writing by the Scottish Ministers. [Section 1(3)]
The Scottish Ministers may (a) confer functions on; (b) remove functions from; (c) otherwise modify functions of, the Crofting Commission, where they consider it appropriate to do so to ensure that the Crofting Commission carry out their functions efficiently and effectively. [Section 2A(1) and (2)]
In so doing Scottish Ministers may modify any enactment (including the 1993 Act). [Section 2A(3)(b)]
The Scottish Ministers may remove a member of the Crofting Commission from office if satisfied that the member is unable or unfit to exercise the functions of a member or is unsuitable to continue as a member. [Paragraph 9(1)(e) of Schedule 1]
The Crofting Commission must provide the Scottish Ministers with such information in respect of the exercise, or proposed exercise, of the Crofting Commission's functions as the Scottish Ministers may, from time to time, require. [Paragraph 20 of Schedule 1]
So, far from being a body that the Scottish Government should consider to be at arms length from it, the Crofting Commission is one that is directly accountable to and ultimately under the control of the Scottish Ministers.
That being the case the Scottish Government should not, like the Crofting Commission, ignore the law involved. They should apply the law, as set out above, as necessary to make the Crofting Commission accountable for their actions over the Mangersta debacle.
Following the U-turn by the Crofting Commission, former members of Mangersta Common Grazing Committee stated:-
We continue to believe that there should be an inquiry into the functioning of the Crofting Commission.
An inquiry is necessary to answer questions such as:-
Why did the Crofting Commission reopen a case investigated, resolved and closed by the Crofters Commission?
On whose insistence and on what evidence was the case reopened?
Was there undeclared conflicts of interest by Crofting Commissioners involved in the matter?
What legal advice was sought by the Crofting Commission on the matter? From whom, when, on whose insistence and on what basis? Was such legal advice followed?
Why were inconsistencies applied by the Crofting Commission to the handling of this case compared to others being dealt with contemporaneously?
Why was the removal from office of the Grazings Committee at the time deemed justifiable and necessary?
Why did the Crofting Commission ignore and not respond to the legal position put forward on behalf of members of the dismissed Grazings Committee?
Why did the Crofting Commission refuse to revisit their decision (saying that they could not in law do so) but ultimately did just that?
Why did the Crofting Commission ignore their own guidelines on the investigation of questions of financial impropriety which they had stated were a matter for the civil or criminal courts?
Why did the Crofting Commission purport to appoint a Grazings Constable when there is no basis in law to do so and then sought to extend that appointment, again when there is no basis in law to do so?
Why was the particular Grazings Constable in question appointed, on what basis and was a conflict of interest declared by any Commissioners relative to that appointment?
Was the Grazings Constable really independent and impartial or was he provided with instructions for the discharge of his appointment by the Crofting Commission?
Why did the Convener of the Crofting Commission, Colin Kennedy, attend a meeting of the shareholders of the Mangersta Common Grazings and refuse to leave when a conflict of interest had been declared by him?
Why and on what basis in law, when shareholders questioned the legality of the Commissioners proposals at that meeting, were they told that if all shareholders did not accept them, the Commission would not allow shareholders to reform a committee?
Did the Crofting Commission's handling of the matter result in the resignation of William Swann as a Commissioner?
Why did the Crofting Commission issue guidelines on the management of grazings funds, then delete those guidelines and claim that they had never said what they had said in them?
Why did the Crofting Commission insist that funds had to be paid out by Grazings Clerks to shareholders "immediately" when Roseanna Cunningham MSP, on behalf of the Scottish Government, clarified on 21 June 2016 that "the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 does not require the immediate disbursement of funds by a grazings committee"?
Why did the Crofting Commission insist on common grazings funds being managed in a way that defied logic and was not set out anywhere in law?
Why did the Crofting Commission not take cognisance of the statement by Minister of State for Scotland, Lord Kirkhill, in the House of Lords on 6 April 1976 regarding the Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill that "there would seem to be nothing [in the bill] to prevent a voluntary arrangement being made whereby any crofter's share would be diverted to the grazings committee"?
These are questions that the Scottish Ministers can no longer ignore following the recent U-turn by the Crofting Commission. The Scottish Ministers must comment properly on them and, if necessary, take appropriate action under and in terms of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993.
The only way that they will be able to properly pass such comment and take such action is following a focused and detailed investigation into how and why the Crofting Commission handled the Mangersta situation in the manner that they did.
That case is no longer ongoing and is not subject to court proceedings. The Crofting Commission therefore cannot hide from, prevent or delay an investigation specifically focussed thereon. Fergus Ewing MSP must now instigate just such an investigation for the future stability, survival and sustainability of crofting in Scotland.
Image Credit: House of Cards © BBC
This entry was posted in Common Grazings, Crofting Commission and tagged Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity, Chair of Scottish Crofting Federation, Colin Kennedy, Common Grazings Funds, conflicts of interest, Convener of Crofting Commission, Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993, Crofters Commission, crofting, Crofting Commission, Crofting Commissioner, Crofting Reform (Scotland) Act 1976, Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill, Crofting Reform (Scotland) Bill 1976, Fergus Ewing, Fergus Ewing MSP, financial management, Fiona Mandeville, Grazings Constable, Guidelines, House of Lords, immediately, inquiry, legal advice, Lord Kirkhill, Mangersta Common Grazings, Mangersta Common Grazings Committee, resignation, Rhoda Grant, Rhoda Grant MSP, Scottish Crofting Federation, Scottish Government, Scottish Ministers, sub judice, U-turn, William Swann on July 4, 2016 by Brian Inkster.
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This blog explores crofting law. It is brought to you by Inksters Solicitors, a law firm specialising in crofting law, with offices in Glasgow, Inverness, Forfar, Portree, Wick and a visiting base in Lerwick. The main authors of posts on this blog are Brian Inkster and Martin Minton.
A Practical Guide to Crofting Law on Film
New Book to Demystify Crofting Law
Mairi Gougeon takes on a new role of Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment
Fergus Ewing remains in place to oversee Crofting Law Reform
Crofting Law at the Royal Highland Show
Brian Inkster on A Practical Guide to Crofting Law on Film
Simon Jeffreys on A Practical Guide to Crofting Law on Film
A Practical Guide to Crofting Law on Film | Crofting Law Blog on New Book to Demystify Crofting Law
Crofting | Air An Lot | life on a croft in Ness on Abuse of power within the Crofting Commission?
Mairi Gougeon takes on a new role of Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment | Crofting Law Blog on Fergus Ewing remains in place to oversee Crofting Law Reform
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Maybe THE Holy Grail: the original picture sleeve to "Street Fighting Man" soon withdrawn.
1972 STP Press Kit
From the RPM: Life In Analog Darkroom Vaults: Here's a special treat –a bangled fist full of ultra-rare, unpublished (until now) and scarcely seen images taken at the Stones benefit concert for the Nicaraguan earthquake victims at the Los Angeles Forum on January 18, 1973 by a Sports Illustrated photographer assigned to cover the Super Bowl. He had some extra time to kill and so brought his camera to the Fabulous Forum to check out the show. RPM managed to obtain the bulk of the stash: about 90 different slides from the film shot that day.
Stand-up counter display for "It's Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It)"
A variation on the "Welcome To New York" boot of Mick's 29th birthday show (July 26, 1972) at Madison Square garden. Been looking for an affordable copy of this one for a long time!
LP cover of my scarce promotional only LP, of which 400 were reportedly issued to radio stations in the U.S. and U.K. A Holy Grail collectible
What follows are the pages, cover to cover, of a 1966 Rolling Stones Tour Programme.
A selection of picture sleeves for various 45-rpm singles and EPs from the 1960s. From "RPM: Life In Analog" personal collection.
Test pressing of "Little T+A" (B-side of "Waiting On A Friend") 45-rpm single, taken from the "Tattoo You" album, 1981. From "RPM: Life In Analog" personal archives
Test pressing for the 1981 "Waiting On A Friend" 45-rpm single, from "Tattoo You" LP. Courtesy "RPM: Life In Analog" personal collection.
Test pressing for "(Doo Doo Doo Doo) Heartbreaker" 1973 45-rpm single (backed with "Dancin' With Mr. D"), taken from the "Goats Head Soup" LP. From the "RPM: Life In Analog" personal archives.
Close-up test pressing label for 1973 "Dancin' With Mr. D" single from "Goats Head Soup" LP. From my personal collection.
Test pressing for "Dancin' with Mr. D" 45-rpm single, 1973. From my collection.
Back cover and tracklist for the scarce "Love You Live" promotional EP.
Gimme Shelter — or at least my collection of rare TMOQ records of the film soundtrack. Cover illustration by the great William Stout.
I'm ready for my close-up Mr. DeMille.
She comes in colors everywhere … she's like a rainbow.
Just doin' what the man says in the title. I think this about covers all of my variations of "Get Your Rocks Off" — including the magnificent rare splash wax Mushroom Records variation. One of my favorite '72 onstage shots of Mick in gold lame jacket, enviable rock & roll hair, cat-swallowed-mouse expression, and hand on hip.
One of my favorite one-of-kind items from my collection: an actual gate card that was hanging in Chicago Stadium during the Stones' tour stop there in 1975, complete with nine different color-coded tickets (all unused, un-punched, and pristine, lightly glued to a thick paper stock backing) and seating directions for ticket-holders navigating the stadium for the Stones show. I obtained this unique item directly from the surviving son of a longtime vendor and employee of Chicago Stadium, who had passed away and who apparently, punched and collected tickets among other duties for many rock shows and sports events. Seems he had the foresight to save a few notable mementos from the era. This was one of them.
A selection of Rhapsodic Wax from the "RPM" (that would be me!) LP archives' all of the following were made by The Swinging Pig underground record label out of Luxembourg, Germany and limited to 250 copies on multi-colored splash wax and presented in gatefold editions (as were the regular black wax, and one-color wax editions).
FULL CIRCLE: Andy Warhol's early career included designing album covers. He did a couple of Stones LPs over the years (Sticky Fingers, Love You Live). This shot, part of a series from 1975, was used for the rare 'Emotional Tattoo' bootleg of Emotional Rescue/Tattoo You/Some Girls mid-late '70s recording sessions.
BACK TATTOO: Rear of 'Emotional Tattoo' LP
Original Stampers, Blood & Guts of possibly the most famous bootleg ever made.
PAINT IT BLACK (LIGHT): Original black light poster, presumably dating from '69-'71 (with a Hyde Park-era Mick on top).
EIGHT INCH, er, TRACK GOODNESS: 8-track cartridge of the seminal (get it?) "Sticky Fingers" LP
Rare, out of print Stones book featuring Dominique Tarle photographs
GOLD GOATS: Mounted RIAA gold record presented to longtime Stones Producer (and occasional percussionist) Jimmy Miller for '73's "Goats Head Soup" signifying 500,000 copies sold.
Test Press labels for "Some Girls"
BETWEEN THE BUTTONS: An array of STP 1972 badges, buttons, promo swag and press kit (nope, I do not have this one)
WHITE (LABEL) WHALE: Stones first U.S. LP with bonus picture insert and white label promotional label, 1964. A Mac Daddy collectible that still eludes 'RPM' capture!
TMOQ's "Bright Lights Big City"
Bootleg '69 tour EP.
"Let It Bleed" acetate.
Back cover to my copy of the Ultra-Rare radio sampler serviced to DJs and press in 1969. Reportedly only between 200 copies were issued to U.S. radio, with another 200 being sent overseas. A Holy Grail amongst Stones collectors.
Original T-shirt and design from the 1973 European tour
Splash wax version of a classic Stones boot, "Bring It Back Alive," recorded in Charlotte, NC, 1972.
Although the era depicted in the pic is off by a year, this is a great boot and a great shot for the classic bootleg.
Folder for the official 1975 U.S. Tour of The America's '75 press kit pack
A sampling of my "Exile"-related ephemera, including Japanese release, eight-track tape, songbook, and jukebox-EP. For more "Exile" pics, see my post on the album in the "Rolling Stones" and "features" section
A lovely splashed wax version of the Brussels boot by Royal Sound.
Mick Jagger's jumpsuit, 1972!
1973 Australian Tour program
A lovely example of the TMOQ title, "Winter Tour 1973," capturing the Nicaraguan earthquake relief effort concert held at the L.A. Forum, Jan. 18, 1973.
Stones '73 concert LP on Caution bootleg issued on colored wax.
Mock-up/paste-up of "Some Girls" interior sleeve artwork.
Original amplifier used circa '71-'72 tours and warehoused by the Stones
Original amp used circa '71-'72 tours.
Original recording tape reels for "Exile" at the Stones official archive site.
Original tape reel canisters for "Jumpin' Jack Flash," as seen at the official Rolling Stones archives site.
The mother pressing plates for TMOQ's "London Roundhouse" bootleg
The master pressing plates for TMOQ's "London Roundhouse" bootleg.
Get Your Yah Yah's Out outer box containing the acetate
Ron Wood's personal "Some Girls" test pressing acetate.
The esteemed artist and illustrator William Stout did this amazing cover for the "Dragon Slayers" bootleg of the Stones' '72 Houston and Fort Worth shows.
Promotional poster for the "Sticky Fingers" LP, 1971.
Gimme Shelter film publicity/press stills
Apple acetate
Early T-shirt/iron-on design, circa 1973
1972 Philadelphia Spectrum ticket
From my personal collection, an unused ticket for the second of the Stones' three-night stand at MSG, on their iconic '72 U.S. tour. From the archive of a ticket manufacturer affiliated with MSG's box office.
International music magazine pull-out poster from 1974 to coincide with the "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" LP. Note "Leo" graffiti referring, presumably, to Mick's astrological sign
This just might be my tattoo (if I got one): Cover to the double boot LP, "Winter Tour 1973" issued by TMOQ
Original press wire photographs (from the "RPM" vaults and private collection): Jagger at the Nicaraguan Benefit Concert, L.A. Forum, Jan. 18, 1973
MICK'S MUG: Original wire photo close-up of Jagger on-stage, 1969 tour. From the "RPM" archives.
BIRTHDAY BOY: Original wire photo of Mick's 29th birthday cake celebration, last night of '72 U.S. Tour at Madison Square Garden. July 26, 1972
JAGGER GYMNASTICS: Utilizing the skills he learned as a boy guesting/helping on his dad's physical fitness program in the '50s — yes, true! — Mick does some acrobatic moves of his own on the '72 tour. Original wire press photo from the "RPM" archives.
Funny, it's Keith who looks as though he nevr went to bed before hitting the stage. Mick in the silky pajamas outfit (hated 'em!) on the '75 U.S. tour. Original publicity photo from the promotional press kit for the Stones 1975 Tour of The Americas.
SHATTERED CHIC (SHEIK?) IN THIS TOWN: Jagger at the mike on the '78 "Some Girls" tour. Original press wire photograph from the "RPM" archives.
LIP SERVICE: Original promotional press kit photograph for the "Some Girls" album, 1978.
Rare Andy Warhol-photographed cover of promotional-only EP tie-in to the 1977 "Love You Live" double album. My copy.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


A strong source of Conservative Jewish life.
Open/Close Menu A strong source of Conservative Jewish life.
Back by popular demand! Whether you danced with us in the Fall or not, we will be learning new dances for both Beginner and Intermediate classes, so join us!


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We guarantee our Art Deco Diamond and Amethyst Ring, 14K White Gold to be high quality, authentic jewelry, as described above.


The most complete study of the antebellum African American slave narrative, including not just the canonical texts but dozens that have been overlooked.
The most complete study of social strata and class differentiation among the enslaved of the antebellum South.
Written by an eminent scholar of African American literature who has spent a career studying slave narratives.
"The distinction among slaves is as marked, as the classes of society are in any aristocratic community. Some refusing to associate with others whom they deem to be beneath them, in point of character, color, condition, or the superior importance of their respective masters." Henry Bibb, fugitive slave, editor, and antislavery activist, stated this in his Narrative of the Life and Adventures of Henry Bibb (1849). In William L. Andrews's magisterial study of an entire generation of slave narrators, more than 60 mid-nineteenth-century narratives reveal how work, family, skills, and connections made for social and economic differences among the enslaved of the South. Slave narrators disclosed class-based reasons for violence that broke out between "impudent," "gentleman," and "lady" slaves and their resentful "mean masters." Andrews's far-reaching book shows that status and class played key roles in the self- and social awareness and in the processes of liberation portrayed in the narratives of the most celebrated fugitives from U.S. slavery, such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Jacobs, William Wells Brown, and William and Ellen Craft.
Slavery and Class in the American South explains why social and economic distinctions developed and how they functioned among the enslaved. Noting that the majority of the slave narrators came from the higher echelons of the enslaved, Andrews also pays close attention to the narratives that have received the least notice from scholars, those from the most exploited class, the "field hands." By examining the lives of the most and least acclaimed heroes and heroines of the slave narrative, Andrews shows how the dividing edge of social class cut two ways, sometimes separating upper and lower strata of slaves to their enslavers' advantage, but at other times fueling pride, aspiration, and a sense of just deserts among some of the enslaved that could be satisfied by nothing less than complete freedom.
The culmination of a career spent studying African American literature, this comprehensive study of the antebellum slave narrative offers a ground-breaking consideration of a unique genre of American literature.
William L. Andrews is E. Maynard Adams Professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has authored, edited, or co-edited more than 40 books on African American literature and history. He is the recipient of the Jay B. Hubbell Medal for lifetime achievement in the study of American literature.


Illustrator Wendy MacNaughton and author Caroline Paul have created a funny chart that outlines your choices for communication tools.
On a more serious note, there is a point to make here. With every communication you intend to initiate, choosing the right vehicle should be part of the planning. This could be as elaborate as a communication to introduce a new product or brand or a simple communication to announce an idea you have or something you want other folks to look at or work at. In this day and age the availability of communication tools has grown enormously and sometimes the choices can be overwhelming.
So what guidelines can we use to sort out if we will call someone, organize a meeting, send a text message, handle by skype, facetime or google+ hangout or even send a paper document in the mail? Time management considerations are part of the choices but also the preferred method of communication by your intended audience. The cost of choosing the wrong communication tool can be huge, time wasted by confusing or vague understanding of your message to lost business opportunities due to unclear communications.
Communication is all about exchanging information with the aim to change or impact behavior. The best way to accomplish that is to be as personal as possible, given time and location constraints. So if at all possible, use a telephone or a personal meeting to communicate so you can quickly read the responses of your communication partner and change, clarify or react on their responses. As time and location constraints will make this impractical you may need to resort to email, snail mail, or a group call or video conference. One thing to consider is the reliability of your chosen tool. Although a video conference allows you to have a better understanding of the other person by adding visual clues to the sound, having a bad connection can be so annoying that it distracts from your message and starts having an impact on the effectiveness of your communication or appreciation for the points that you are trying to make. Another point I need to make is that phone conferences, if not carefully managed can be very confusing. People typing on their keyboards while at a phone conference can disrupt the sound, people talking over each other can delay or muddle the flow of the conversation. Be careful with using text messaging as people are inclined to respond immediately and generally don't give the topic or the response much thought. Also, text messages on a mobile phone can be intrusive while an email or snail mail just patiently waits there until proper attention can be given to the message.


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Tag Archives: Blasphemy law
Pakistan, Religion
By Shamila Ghyas
Pakistan has never been safe for Hindus, Christians, Shias, Ahmadis, skeptics, and pretty much anyone who can walk by themselves on their own two feet. Scratch that, make it 'everyone' – the ones who can't walk, who can't see, can't talk, little girls, babies; Pakistan is not safe for anyone.
A Christian simply walking happily outside a mosque is enough for him to be booked for blasphemy. An Ahmadi referring to himself as a Muslim is asking for a major beating by a dozen men at the very least. This could expand to a zealous mob burning his whole house down and smashing a washing machine screaming ecstatically "Yaaayyy" (this happened!) And as we all know, even a mock wedding on TV with a religious song playing in the background is enough to make everyone involved "wajibul qatal."
The list is endless. Murder happy nation, we are.
Now, the one group of people, it had still been somewhat safe for had been the 'debonair' scholars that routinely came on TV to brainwash everyone. The likes of Amir Liaqat, Maulana Tariq Jameel, Hafiz Saeed, Junaid Jamshed and others.
Amir Liaqat has enticed people to kill, poked fun at his callers, given babies away like cellphones in his shows, fed mango to a poor victim like he was waterboarding him, and has acted like a complete buffoon (I am being polite here). Hafiz Saeed, considered a terrorist everywhere except in Pakistan, gets the best microphone and seat in the house when he is around. His Twitter account where he likes to rant (terrorists are so tech savvy these days) has been suspended but I am fairly certain, Pakistan had nothing to do with that. Terrorists are allowed to have a voice here, you see.
Junaid Jamshed, singer/heartthrob turned fashion designer/religious scholar also routinely came on TV preaching religion, singing naats, as well as stating his personal misogynistic views for all to watch, learn and follow.
No one had any issue. Not when he said women should not drive. Not when he said secular laws of the West are a curse.
No one also had any issues when he, along with the other scholars, did not speak up for people who had been accused (wrongly) of blasphemy. When they were brutally killed by the 'crazed vigilante savage squads.' When people were hacked, burnt and murdered. When a poor woman who was thrown into jail even after repeatedly apologizing for something she had not even done. None of them spoke up.
Not even when a Christian couple was thrown into a brick kiln. Shahzad Masih and Shama Bibi both had their legs broken by the mob so they could not run; they were dragged by a tractor, then thrown into the brick kiln. When the four-month pregnant woman did not burn properly, she was pulled out and wrapped in a cotton cloth before being thrown back in so she would burn faster – all this in front of their two children.
Continue reading Then they came for me… →
Blasphemy lawJunaid Jamshed
Will Qadri's hanging lead to blasphemy law reforms in Pakistan?
Mumtaz Qadri, the murderer of former Governor Salman Taseer, has been hanged in a prison in Rawalpindi. Is Qadri's death a victory for anti-blasphemy law campaigners or will it fuel more religious violence in the nation?
Arshad Mahmood, an activist based in Islamabad, lauded Prime Minister Sharif and his government for not pardoning Qadri. "I am glad that Sharif didn't succumb to the pressure from religious groups, who are extremely powerful in Pakistan. The hanging will yield positive results for the future of the country," Mahmood told DW.
See more » http://www.dw.com/en/will-qadris-hanging-lead-to-blasphemy-law-reforms-in-pakistan/a-19082554
Blasphemy lawMumtaz QadriSalman Taseer


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Home International Politics Could the US and Saudi Arabia break up?
Could the US and Saudi Arabia break up?
Allow me to speculate a little wildly on a few factors regarding the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia.
Sorry, it's not you, it's me… Ok it's you.
It is fair to say the alliance between Saudi Arabia and the West, in particular the USA, is among the most problematic in an already problematic international environment. Aside from the fact that the warriors who burst out of its sands in the 7th century destroyed what was left of the once glorious Roman Empire, and almost destroying our heritage with it; it also fought in the war which attempted to wipe the fledgeling Israeli State off the map in 1948; 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers were citizens of Saudi Arabia, and its mastermind was a member of one of its most important families; its Wahabist religious leaders fund the spread of a violent purist islamic ideology throughout the world; and it is head despot in the despotic OPEC cartel, which has manipulated the oil price for decades.
Really, it is quite a list.
But when Saddam Hussein's troops invaded Kuwait in 1990, the US rushed in its own to secure Saudi Arabia's borders. Given the US economy's reliance on oil, regardless of President or Party since the Cold War, the US and Saudi Arabia always had to be close, and the day Obama met the Saudi king will be a day that will live in infamy.
But events over the last few years may have loosened the ties which bind what used to be the freest country on the planet to one of the least. Thanks to fracking, the US now produces more oil than it needs, and if it ever decides to change its laws, it could export it, too. The Obama administration, which had done everything it could to stop fracking's development, has tried to claim responsibility for the economic recovery which resulted from it… Anyway, the biggest upside of all this in the long term is that the US, with plenty of its own oil, no longer needs Saudi Arabia like it used to.
We are still a little unsure of reports Saudi Arabia may be planning something in Syria, but the massive military exercise it is conducting near the border appears to be the real thing. So with the US in less need of Saudi Arabia, and Saudi Arabia less trusting of the US, we may in the near future see a Saudi Arabia off the leash.


Place sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan of boiling water, and cook until tender but firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, and immediately immerse in cold water to loosen skins. Drain, remove skins, chop, and mash.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Mix mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, milk and butter in a separate medium bowl. Blend sweet potato mixture into the flour mixture to form a batter.
Preheat a lightly greased griddle over medium-high heat. Drop batter mixture onto the prepared griddle by heaping tablespoonfuls, and cook until golden brown, turning once with a spatula when the surface begins to bubble.


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package net.floodlightcontroller.core.web;

import java.util.Map;

import net.floodlightcontroller.core.module.ModuleLoaderResource;

import org.restlet.resource.Get;

public class LoadedModuleLoaderResource extends ModuleLoaderResource {
    /**
     * Retrieves information about all modules available
     * to Floodlight.
     *
     * @return Information about all modules available.
     */
    @Get("json")
    public Map<String, Object> retrieve() {
        return retrieveInternal(true);
    }
}


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Why is this news?: Urban Meyer owns up to 2013 deficiencies
All your Ohio State news in one helpful place.
By Meredith Hein@MeredithHein Jun 8, 2015, 6:03pm EDT
Share All sharing options for: Why is this news?: Urban Meyer owns up to 2013 deficiencies
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
"Knowing his team's deficiencies, where they had strayed from his plan and where his plans needed to be altered, then making the changes needed to fix them are a big part of what makes Meyer a national championship coach."
-Fox Sports
While at a camp in Fort Wayne, IN, Sunday, Urban Meyer admitted that his 2013 Buckeye squad was not ready for a shot at the national title.
"Deep in my heart, I knew something wasn't quite right as we prepared to play a very, very good team called Michigan State," said Meyer. "We lost the game. The sun wasn't going to come up in Ohio.
Alabama had just lost the Iron Bowl to Auburn with the unlikely missed field goal return by Auburn cornerback Chris Davis to end the game, meaning that it would likely have been Ohio State facing freshman Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston and Florida State in the national title game that year.
"Deep in my heart, I knew we weren't ready for that," said Meyer.
The loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship game in 2013, followed by a loss to Clemson in the Orange Bowl, were Meyer's first losses in his two-year tenure at Ohio State. While most coaches won't admit to their team's faults, Meyer owned up to the Buckeye's shortcomings of that season, which may be an indication of how the team was able to rebound in 2014.
Following the disappointing 2013 postseason, Meyer worked to change the culture at Ohio State, working to overcome previous deficiencies and, ultimately, to earn a national championship far earlier than could have been expected.
"What's in a jersey number? In the college football world—a whole lot."
-Adam Rittenberg, ESPN
In this video, Adam Rittenberg analyzed some of the most important numbers in college program histories. Some, like the No. 1 jersey traditionally worn by Michigan wide receivers, or USC's 55 worn by linebackers like Willie McGinest and the late Junior Seau, are meant to be passed on to future players who earned the number. Others, like Archie Manning's 18 and Peyton Manning's 16, are meant only for specific players.
"You'll find plenty of 45s in the stands at Ohio Stadium, but none on the field. That's Archie Griffin's number and no player will wear it again. While some numbers should be passed along to others to continue the legacy, others should be frozen in time just as we remember those who wore them," said Rittenberg.
Ohio State had three jersey numbers mentioned on the list:
No. 2: Chris Carter, Mike Doss and Malcolm Jenkins
No. 36: Chris Spielman and Tom Cousineau
No. 45 Archie Griffin
Griffin's 45 remains one of eight jersey numbers retired by Ohio State. Five of the other jerseys, Troy Smith (10), Les Horvath (22), Eddie George (27), Vic Janowicz (31) and Howard "Hopalong" Cassady (40), were also Heisman Trophy winners. Chic Harley (47) predated the Heisman Trophy. Bill Willis (99) remains the only defensive player whose jersey has been retired.
"Pick a college program and certain numbers will tell a story—of greatness, of leadership, or inspiration of history," said Rittenberg. Numbers help guide us through college football—its past, its present and its future."
"And I sat there thinking to myself, 'What am I waiting for? I know this is the place'" McCall said. "So I went ahead and told the world what it was."
-Ari Wasserman, Northeast Ohio Media Group
Demario McCall, the No. 2 running back in the 2016 recruiting class, knew he was going to commit to Ohio State when he watched the Buckeyes pummel Oregon in the inaugural College Football Playoff Championship. Perhaps head coach Urban Meyer knew too, which is why, during McCall's March 28 unofficial visit to Ohio State, Meyer bluntly asked "What are you waiting for?"
McCall, an Ohio native from North Ridgeville near Cleveland, was also heavily recruited by West Virginia and Michigan State, but officially committed to Ohio State in March after receiving an offer last May. He attended two camps at Ohio State last summer after receiving his offer. Last year, McCall also received offers from Notre Dame, Tennessee and Georgia.
Three of 2016's top-five running backs, including the four-star McCall, are already committed to Ohio State. Five-star prospect Kareem Walker committed to Ohio State in January, and four-star George Hill committed last June. McCall is the smallest of the group at 5'11", 180 lbs., but anticipates that he could be used in a role similar to Dontre Wilson or Jalin Marshall as an H-back.
On a team already stacked at running back, the three 2016 commits will have to battle it out. McCall is more than willing to work to earn his spot as a starter: "There comes a point in life where there's competition and you have to work for it," McCall said in an interview. "I am prepared. I have no doubt. I am willing to take the challenge and work for it."
Save the dates! The Buckeyes' @B1GHockey schedule has been announced -->> http://t.co/G3MEItdATB #GoBucks #B1GHockey pic.twitter.com/GMOcYkpksj
— Ohio State M Hockey (@OhioState_MHKY) June 3, 2015
The Big Ten released conference schedules for the 2015-16 men's ice hockey season last week. Each team will play 20 conference games, including 10 each at home and away. Each team will play every other conference team four times in the regular season.
The Big Ten began sponsoring ice hockey in the 2013-14 season. Currently, six Big Ten teams have men's hockey programs: Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin. Minnesota has won both conference championships to date.
Ohio State's first conference home game is scheduled for Jan. 15 against Michigan, with Big Ten play continuing through March. The Big Ten Hockey Tournament will take place March 17-19 in Minnesota.
You can check out the full schedule here.
If you ever wanted to buy a restaurant…
Here's a roundup from last night's Tony Awards
Some awesome reasons to love Ohio
Motivation to hit up Dunkin


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Q: how to build count and say problem in javascript I am trying to solve the below problem in JavaScript
The count-and-say sequence is the sequence of integers beginning as follows:
1, 11, 21, 1211, 111221, ...
1 is read off as one 1 or 11.
11 is read off as two 1s or 21.

21 is read off as one 2, then one 1 or 1211.

Given an integer n, generate the nth sequence.

Note: The sequence of integers will be represented as a string.

Example:

if n = 2,
the sequence is 11.

So I want to create a function which pass N integer and gives it value
Here is my code:
let countAndSay = function (A) {
    if (A == 1) return "1"
    if (A == 2) return "11"
    let str ="11"
    if(A > 2){
     // count
    }
}

I don't understand the logic for how to build this.

A: You need to be able to dynamically determine the number and type of chunks a string has, which can be done pretty concisely with a regular expression. To come up with the string to deconstruct on index n, recursively call countAndSay to get the result of n - 1:

let countAndSay = function (count) {
  if (count === 1) {
    return '1';
  }
  const digitsArr = countAndSay(count - 1).match(/(\d)\1*/g);
  // You now have an array of each chunk to construct
  // eg, from 1211, you get
  // ['1', '2', '11']
  return digitsArr // Turn the above into ['11', '12', '21']:
    .map(digitStr => digitStr.length + digitStr[0])
    .join(''); // Turn the above into '111221'
};
console.log(
  countAndSay(1),
  countAndSay(2),
  countAndSay(3),
  countAndSay(4),
  countAndSay(5),
);

A: Here's a function that generates the next string of numbers based on the previous string you feed it:
function next(s) {
    s = s + "*";  // add a flag value at the end of the string
    var output = "";
    var j = 0;
    for (var i = 1; i < s.length; i++) {
        if (s.charAt(i) != s.charAt(i - 1)) { // if the character changes, concatenate the amount (i - j) and the digit
            output += (i - j) + s.substring(j, j+1);
            j = i;
        }
    }
    return output;
}

Then you'd need to recursively run next N times.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Chinese individuals and entities sold $854 million more in US commercial real estate than they bought in the fourth quarter, according to Real Capital Analytics. That was the third quarter in a row that Chinese real estate investors were net sellers, and it was the lowest level of commercial real estate investment from the country since 2012.
Is U.S.-Style Multifamily America's Next Big Export?


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ARC Gloria Embarks Marine Corps Students for First Time
March 2, 2020 March 2, 2020 newsroom
February 22, 2020 (Google Translation) – ARC "Gloria", the flagship of the Colombian Navy, set sail from the main dock of the ARC Naval Base "Bolívar", with the first contingent of future Marine Corps. Accompanied by civil and military authorities in the region, the departure ceremony that commemorated the 50th anniversary of the first cruise around the world, was chaired…
March 2020ARC Gloria, armada Colombia, Marine Corps
ARA Granville Visited Rio de Janeiro
March 2, 2020 newsroom
February 20, 2020 (Google Translation) – In the morning of today, the ARA "Granville" corvette entered the port of Rio de Janeiro, after 12 days of sailing, and once all the sailboats participating in the regatta crossed the finish line in the Iate Clube of the city, ending the competition. The corvette was received by the Consul General of the…
March 2020ARA Granville, Mar del Plata, Ocean Regatta, Rio de Janeiro
Navy provides survey support in Antarctica
February 21, 2020 – Nine members of the Maritime Geospatial Warfare Unit recently sailed to Australia's Davis research station in Antarctica on RSV Aurora Australis to begin survey operations as part of the Davis Aerodrome project. The team will conduct survey operations to identify potential sites to land construction equipment and materials for a proposed all-seasons, paved runway near Davis…
March 2020Antarctica, Davis Station, RAN
NUWC Keyport and CFMETR Ready Marine Mammal Monitoring System
February 24, 2020 – Marine Mammal Monitoring (M3R) is an underwater acoustic sensor system being adopted by the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division, Keyport for use in a testing range in the northwest Salish Sea operated jointly by the U.S. Navy and Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental & Test Ranges (CFMETR). M3R utilizes a system of hydrophones and computer algorithms…
March 2020Area WG, CFMETR, Marine Mammal, NUWC Keyport
A Quick Look at the Biggest Explosion Ever Seen in the Universe
Astronomers have discovered the biggest explosion seen in the Universe in a galaxy cluster 390 million light years away.
March 2020black hole, Chandra X-ray Observatory, Harvard, NASA
Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Cooperstown
February 28, 2020 – The Navy will christen its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS), the future USS Cooperstown (LCS 23), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, Feb. 29, in Marinette, Wisconsin. Mrs. Alba Tull will serve as the ship's sponsor. In a time-honored Navy tradition, Mrs. Tull will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine…
March 2020Fincantieri, LCS 23, Marinette, USS Cooperstown


text:
Home / Events / Agonism, Palimpsests, and Thinking About Penal Change
Agonism, Palimpsests, and Thinking About Penal Change
Philip Goodman, University of Toronto and Katie Quinn, University of Missouri-St Louis
In this presentation we examine the curious stability of outdoor penal labour in California in the 20th century against a shifting social and penal field. Analysing state archival data on prison highway and forestry camps between 1915 and 2000, we frame the persistence of these practices as evidence of a penal labour palimpsest.
We demonstrate how the agency and interpretive innovation of penal administrators – as the architects and interpreters of this palimpsest – served as a stabilising mechanism akin to, but distinct from, existing theories of path dependence. Zooming out from the intricacies of the historical record, we position this case as revealing some of the limits of strict theories of path dependence and, instead, as offering a more dynamic understanding of the complex, intersecting and malleable ways in which history matters.
Phil and Katie's article 'The palimpsest of outdoor penal labour in California, 1915–2000' which was published in the Howard Journal of Crime and Justice, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1111/hojo.12503 will be sent to attendees ahead of the presentation for background reading.
This event is part of the Social Analysis of Penality across Boundaries Workshop Series organised by Professor Richard Sparks, Scottish Centre for Crime & Justice Research, and Professor Máximo Sozzo, Universidad Nacional del Litoral in Argentina.
Photo Credit: Taken from Goodman and Quinn's paper in the Howard Journal of Crime and Justice. This is from the Californian Division of Forestry, 1968.


Hello. I was inquiring myself if there is a way to estimate, or even figure out with precision the shipping costs of a random comic book that shows up here. That taking into account that I am a "international" buyer. I have been interested into several comics, but I am afraid that the shipping cost will equal or even surpass the cost of most of the cheap offers.
You can always review the exact shipping cost for any item listing, to any item location before you make a purchase. Just click on the Shipping tab on any item listing page to review the shipping cost.


A new light-scattering phenomenon from a planar aligned nematic liquid-crystal film is observed and studied. This new phenomenon exhibits ring patterns in the orthogonal polarization. A simple model based on optical interference has been developed, and its predictions agree well with experimental observation.


Area grandmother receives gift of life - Are You a Well Being? : Are You a Well Being?
There was a time last year when area grandmother Barbara Midkiff, 62, thought she would not survive her polycystic kidney disease, which is a genetic disease that usually presents when a person is in their 40s or 50s.
Midkiff had an extremely rare match type and many people she knew were tested, no one was a match. One August afternoon, she was lying on her couch, looking at a photo her daughter had just texted her of her 5-year-old grandson when her phone started ringing. It was her transplant coordinator letting her know about a 5-year-old boy in the Intensive Care Unit. And he was a match.
The next few moments were a blur for Midkiff. She hit her knees and prayed for the boy and his family.
Shortly after that call, the child, named Lukas, died from a brain aneurism and his mother, Lola Gomez of Arlington, decided to donate his kidney among other organs.
More than 101,000 people in the U.S. are on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Less than 17,000 people receive one each year. In Midkiff's case, there is no cure for polycystic kidney disease. Barbara is the fourth child in her family and all three of her siblings had the disease.
As she watched her siblings go through life battling complications associated with the disease, she tried to prepare for what she thought was the eventual truth: she would also get it.
In January 2015, that truth became all too real.
In the next few months, Midkiff learned that six out of every 100 people would be a match for her. The bright side: the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced a rule change last summer, saying that if a patient was difficult to match and a potential match became available, then they can move to the top of the transplant waiting list.
Dr. Tariq Khan, surgical director of Texas Health Fort Worth's kidney transplant program, performed Midkiff's transplant on Aug. 28, 2015.
The kidney transplant program at Texas Health Fort Worth cares for patients with end-stage renal disease by evaluating whether a kidney transplant is safe and beneficial, providing guidance on donor options and placing the patient on a waiting list if qualified. Once a donor kidney is available, the patient is quickly notified to prepare for surgery.
Midkiff, a mother of four and grandmother of seven – with two more on the way – said she has an enormous amount of respect and appreciation for what Gomez did.
After months of letters and texting, the two met in person in February.
For more information about the kidney transplant program at Texas Health, click here.


Tesla is producing the Model 3 at speed. The company's $35,000 entry-level electric vehicle, which entered production last July, is a key part of its expansion as it works to fulfill the 400,000 or so $1,000 reservations on the books. On Tuesday, a leaked e-mail revealed that Tesla is managing to sustain its 2,000-per-week production rates from the previous quarter and it's set to triple that in just two months' time.
The internal e-mail from CEO Elon Musk shared with Electrek says that "congratulations are in order" as the company produced 2,000 Model 3s per week for three weeks running, with rates of 2,020 in the first, 2,070 in the second and 2,250 in the third. This was in addition to 2,000 Model S and X vehicles. The company plans to stop production for three to five days at both Fremont and Gigafactory plants to make upgrades that will enable a rate of up to 4,000 per week in May, followed by a second set of upgrades to reach 6,000 per week by the end of June.
Model 3 production as shown at the Model 3 handover last July.
All eyes will be on Tesla's next earnings report, which NASDAQ estimates will take place on May 2. Consensus recommendation for the stock gives it a soft "buy" rating, but further delays in the Model 3 could shift the mood.
If Tesla can ramp up production, it will gain the expertise to help with future projects like the Model Y sports utility vehicle.


text:
Uchiwaya Ryo
Marugame Uchiwa Fans
Type of Uchiwa
Uchiwaya
Marugame.
Uchiwa
About Uchiwaya Ryo
A product of tradition and craftsmanship
-Value of Marugame Uchiwa fans-
Uchiwaya Ryo is a Marugame Uchiwa fan boutique that exclusively carries hand-made bamboo fans. All products are locally produced by craftsmen in the Marugame City region. The Uchiwa fan production starts from sourcing high quality local bamboo and continues through a multi-step process. Each Marugame Uchiwa fan is a product of the finest materials and craftsmanship that has been handed down through generations.
We aim to create Marugame Uchiwa fans that spark joy by being practical while maintaining its historical value. Visit us to browse a wide variety of Marugame Uchiwa fans at Uchiwaya Ryo.
About Marugame Uchiwa Fans
History and culture that has continued for over 400 years, since the Edo period
It is said that the chief priest of Konpira Shrine devised the "Shibu Uchiwa," a fan coated with fermented persimmon tannin, bearing an official seal of the shrine in 1633. Later, they became prevalent nationwide as a souvenir of the Konpira Shrine pilgrimage.
Around 1887, the Marugame Uchiwa were exported to China and the United States. The increase in export shaped the current manufacturing practice that consists of specialized production processes including cutting out frames from bamboo, mounting leaves on the frames and painting the leaves.
Kagawa Prefecture became Japan's number one producer of bamboo fans due to the materials, including woodblocks, knives, paper, glue, and bamboo, being located and sourced in Marugame City.
Each fan is sourced from a single bamboo tree
Unique feature of Marugame Uchiwa fans
The production of the fans starts from procuring a giant timber bamboo (3-5 years old), which is then used for making fan frames. Identifying an optimal bamboo tree for intended size and design is one of the essential skills of the craftsman.
Craftsmen work together on the procurement, a challenging task, to cut down and transport bamboo exceeding 10m in length. Depending on the size and design, approximately 100 to 200 fan frames can be produced from a single bamboo tree.
Current situation of Marugame Uchiwa fans
Although 90% of fans in Japan are made in Marugame City, most of them are machine-made plastic fans. Among the fans that are used in Japan, 99% of bamboo fans are imported, which indicates domestic share is extremely small.
Although marketed as Marugame Uchiwa fans, many low-priced fans are made of bamboo frames made in China. Currently, just over a few dozen craftsmen, including certified members and trainees, are engaged in traditional production of Marugame Uchiwa fans, but the number is decreasing due to the aging population.
Relaying tradition to the future
In 1997, Marugame Uchiwa fans were designated as one of the Japanese Traditional Crafts by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
In the following years, trainees have been recruited from the public to learn the craftsmanship as part of the successors training program. Most of the existing craftsmen were trained in this program.
The market share of genuine handmade Marugame Uchiwa fans is too small to endorse the authentic craftsmanship behind the quality, making the numbers of the craftsmen difficult to grow.
We are working hard to spread the true value of Marugame Uchiwa fans that are traditional, practical and enjoyable.
We believe it is our mission to relay the valuable tradition of Marugame Uchiwa fans and revitalize the industry through increasing the numbers of craftsmen in Marugame City.
丸亀うちわ ホームページ
by 香川県うちわ協同組合連合会
Copyright © 2020.UCHIWAYA-RYO.


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Gone Home, the Fullbright company's evocative house-exploration game, is being remade with an old-school JRPG look. Because why not?
It all looks a little bit, well, bright compared to the original, but hey, these are probably early screens. I get a very To the Moon vibe from this, which is never a bad thing.