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July 17, 2019 - Which Chipmaker is a Better Buy – NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) or Intel Corp. (INTC)?
July 16, 2019 - 3 Soaring Biotech Stocks With More Fuel in the Tank
July 15, 2019 - 3 Brand-Name Growth Stocks That Keep Getting Better With Age
July 12, 2019 - The Top Megacap Stock of 2019 Will Surprise You
July 11, 2019 - Forget Google: Here Are 3 Artificial Intelligence Stocks to Watch
July 10, 2019 - Better Buy: Amazon vs. Netflix
July 9, 2019 - 3 Top Biotech Stocks to Buy in July
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July 5, 2019 - Better Buy: Facebook vs. Twitter
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Home / Featured / Better Buy: Amazon vs. Netflix
Better Buy: Amazon vs. Netflix
Posted On July 10, 2019 1:33 pm
In the age of low interest rates and technological change, disruptive growth stocks have reigned supreme. Two of the best-performing tech market leaders in the past few years have been Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN) and Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX). As you can see, both stocks have absolutely trounced the broader market, nearly quadrupling over the past five years, versus just a 66% gain for the S&P 500.
If you're thinking of putting new investment dollars behind one of these two leaders, you might think that you've missed the boat. But remember, you could have also said that four years ago…or three years ago…or two years ago…or last year. In general, high-quality companies with excellent products and managements keep on winning, so let's investigate which of these two stocks is the better bet today.
The case for Netflix
Netflix is far and away the leader in over-the-top streaming television. In fact, Netflix pioneered the streaming revolution. Though it began as a mail-order DVD subscription service in 1997, CEO Reed Hastings saw the future of internet television early on — certainly earlier than legacy network and cable television companies that were quite comfortable with the traditional cable model.
Netflix began its streaming service in 2007 — the same year that the iPhone came out. At first, the offering was mostly second-rate films and television shows, but Netflix gradually improved the service every year as it gained more and more subscribers.
2013 marked a pivotal year, when Netflix released its first large-scale original series, House of Cards starring Kevin Spacey. After analyzing data showing that a large number of people who liked Kevin Spacey movies also enjoyed the original British House of Cards, Netflix put a big budget and major film director David Fincher behind the new venture.
The data-plus-hiring-top-talent recipe worked like a charm, and Netflix hasn't looked back since. Every year, Netflix ramped up its original content spending, piling up subscribers and attracting top talent. Netflix was also a visionary in terms of targeting international markets, which now make up a majority of its subscriber base. As of last quarter, Netflix had amassed 149 million global streaming subscribers — good for a stunning 25.2% year-over-year growth, even though Netflix is already the largest global streaming service. Not only has Netflix been able to grow subscribers, but it has also raised prices several times in the past few years without very much in the way of churn. That shows tremendous pricing power.
Some reasons for caution
Though Netflix has a tremendous lead in subscribers, it has poured basically all of that subscriber revenue into more and more content and marketing. Though the company has been posting profits on a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, Netflix has also spent far more on new self-funded original series. Last quarter, management revealed that it will now have negative $3.5 billion in free cash flow in 2019, revised upward from its negative $3 billion target at the start of the year. Just recently, The Information reported that Netflix content head Ted Sarandos told several company executives that Netflix will need to become more efficient with its content spending going forward.
Competition is also coming online soon. After a slew of industry mergers, large media companies have gotten their acts together on streaming and are just now beginning to launch their own services — often taking content they previously sold to Netflix with them.
For instance, Netflix has been able to stream Disney (NYSE:DIS) movies over the past few years, but Disney didn't renew that deal, instead opting to launch its own Disney+ streaming service, coming in November for just $6.99 per month — nearly half the price of Netflix. Disney is also now in control of Hulu and thus may be able to bundle both services to attract a broader streaming customer base.
Word on the street is that AT&T (NYSE:T), which bought Time Warner in 2018, will be launching its own WarnerMedia streaming service next year. NBC parent Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) will also be launching its own streaming service soon and is taking important content with it, including The Office, which has been one of the most-binged shows on Netflix. Comcast will take back The Office in 2021, when its streaming offering should be up and running.
However, the market doesn't appear to be too worried about these competitive threats at the moment. Netflix is currently valued at $166 billion, and the stock trades for a lofty 135 PE ratio and a whopping 65 times next year's earnings.
The case for Amazon
Most people are very aware of Amazon, though you might not be aware of just how deep Amazon's reach is. Founded in 1994 by visionary leader Jeff Bezos, Amazon began as an online bookseller, one of the first businesses to sell goods via a new invention called "the internet." Since then, Amazon has…
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Q: ChromeProxyService: Failed to evaluate expression how to solve? I'm debugging a code but every time I try to see the variable values it shows this message. does anyone know how to resolve?
Flutter 3.3.10 • channel stable • https://github.com/flutter/flutter.git
Framework • revision 135454af32 (5 weeks ago) • 2022-12-15 07:36:55 -0800
Engine • revision 3316dd8728
Tools • Dart 2.18.6 • DevTools 2.15.0
google chrome version 109.0.5414.75 64 bit
I searched the internet and it was telling me to update flutter to a version greater than 3.0 and google chrome to the newest version and even so it continues to give this error.  I tried to run the project in another browser but the same error message appears. in short, none of the solutions I've found to date allowed. I even formatted the computer and today I have Windows 11

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Local Restaurants: The tourists will not just connect with fantastic people staying next to the fresh gushing river , butas well enjoy the several other activities this place has to offer. There quite a lot of fun for all the vacationers , such as fishing at the river , relishing magnificent sights along with other amazing places to visit. A perfect dining place for people who enjoy food.
North 82 is famous for its tasty seafood and steaks. If you have a love for these , you are sure to enjoy the exceptional taste available at North 82. You enjoy an excellent variety of beverages also , to relish along with these uniquemeals. It is absolutely an unforgettable experience for your taste buds , family as well as friends.
Local Restaurants: Since many years , the city of Sault Ste . Marie is a well known option among visitors. North 82 is regarded as the most visited eating venue in this city by these travelers. All adventure seekers enjoy their much loved snacks when they are here. The feel in this eating venue is tourist-friendly offering delicious meals for adventure lovers.
North 82's Sunday brunch menu is fantastic enough to really enjoy your Sundays.
North 82 has a nice and relaxing ambience to spend family-time with your dear ones. Regardless of whether you're a family group of four or organizing a bigger family event , the restaurant is the great location to make wonderful memories. If you are planning a birthday party or just an official dinner or lunch for your friends and relatives , you can arrange it in our party rooms.
Are you a large number of friends holidaying to this location? North 82 is an excellent place for refreshments and lengthy chats.
North 82 amazes its customers with an awesome menu . Everyone definitely relishes his favorite dish here. The dishes are not expensive. Great taste in addition to superb service is what the restaurant's skilledand extremely proficient chefs ensure so eachguest will get worth for money.
. Because of a huge traveler crowd , the restaurant takes special caution in making sure they possess the right experience.


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About Mount Royal
Bissett human resources students among the best in western Canada
Team triumphs at business case competition
From left to right: Meredith Johnson, Layli Ataie, Christian Cook, Jennifer Miko and Colleen Berner.
Students from Mount Royal's Bissett School of Business placed second at the fifth annual HRC West Case Competition last month.
The team of four from the Bachelor of Business Administration - Human Resources program competed against 16 post-secondary institutions under the name Insightful HR.
"Layli Ataie, Colleen Berner, Meredith Johnson and Jennifer Miko invested heavily in this event by competing internally to be selected to the team, practicing and prepping for close to three months and attending the event at SAIT on March 2 and 3," says Bissett School of Business professor and Insightful HR's coach, Christian Cook, PhD.
Ataie echoes Cook's account of the effort involved preparing for the competition.
"Some weeks we met twice to practice. Christian would provide us with a business case to work through and every session was treated like event day. This gave our team an amazing chance to practice what the competition would actually be like."
A polished presentation
Anticipation was high on event day. On the Saturday morning, each team was handed a case to analyze and had a maximum of three hours to prepare a persuasive argument to a panel of judges from various industries.
Insightful HR was quick on their feet and their learnings kicked in. The group delivered a polished 20-minute presentation and responded to 10 minutes of questions from the judges.
"They eloquently responded to intense questions in a very public forum," said Cook.
The finals of the competition involved a second presentation to the entire case competition delegation in front of a new panel of judges and over 100 audience members.
Insightful HR delivered a strong performance and came in behind the University of Lethbridge.
"My hope is that Insightful HR feels as proud of themselves as we do of them, in the Bissett School of Business and across the University," said Cook.
All members of the Insightful HR relished the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with Professor Cook.
"Working with Christian was a fantastic experience. I have had her as a professor for a previous human resources course, but it was even better having her as our coach to learn from on a weekly basis," says Miko.
"She went above and beyond to make sure we were prepared for event day," said Johnson.
"Christian provided so much guidance and knowledge and we definitely could not have done it without her," said Ataie.
Berner explained that Cook's goal was to set Insightful HR up for success, and she nailed that goal.
"She has so much knowledge within the HR field and it was so nice to be privy to that. She is an inspiring business woman," says Berner.
Women taking risks
Cook believes that some women cannot picture themselves taking part in business-related activities and that this self-assessment needs to change.
"Not all women get close enough to the line of sight to see themselves, and to encourage others, in participating, risk taking, leading, winning and taking on business roles, and certainly competitions of this nature and caliber."
Insightful HR is a concrete example of what can be achieved when confidence, hard work and a supportive faculty are combined. The all-women group are role models who demonstrate that it is possible to achieve success in education, business and leadership.
Miko offers a piece of advice for individuals to succeed in business.
"Always take on any opportunity that comes your way and have confidence in yourself. MRU has an amazing business community and there is so much to learn from other students, professors and industry professionals."
Cook continues to play a significant role in empowering female students at MRU and agrees that the University's faculty are doing their part. "MRU continues to find ways where female students can see the achievements of others and envision a path to success, and for them to see it is possible here, and in business, and in leadership post-graduation."
"This was also the largest case competition of its kind and this story, and these women starring in it, are important to highlight," said Cook.
First in western Canada
HRC West is the first business case competition in western Canada dedicated entirely to human resources.
This competition is an opportunity to connect post-secondary students with industry professionals, meet future business leaders and gain real-world HR experience.
Berner recommends that HR students apply to participate at the annual HRC West Case Competition.
"It is a great learning experience from an HR discipline perspective and also from a self-growth perspective."
The sixth-annual HRC West Case Competition will take place in Kamloops, BC. Interested participants can contact Kelly Aslanowicz, senior manager, Business Development, CPHR BC & Yukon.
Learn more the Bissett School of Business and its programs.
April 9, 2018 — Rob Petrollini
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speaksfreely – Happy Online Shopping!
Technology has now become a major part of everyone's lives. Be it at home doing chores or at work making reports, we all use technology to perform our tasks more efficiently. Be it at school creating projects or at just outside having fun, we all use technology to perform our stuffs more effectively.
However, there's another aspect in our lives where technology is greatly used – making transactions online.
You see, the rise of technology has not only given us a chance to perform our tasks more efficiently in an actual setting. You also see, the rise of technology has not only given us a chance to perform out stuffs more effectively in an actual setting.
It has also given us a chance to perform tasks in a digital setting easily. It has also given us a chance to perform stuffs in a digit setting conveniently. And yes – one of which is making transactions online.
But the question is: How can one do this safely?
How can one do this safely – with all those dangers and other threats that, believe it or not, come with the said rise of technology?
It's one thing to visit a website with http on it. It's another thing to visit a website with https on it. You see, a website with an https on it is probably the safest amongst others. This also means that when making transactions online, you'll be able to do it without worrying too much about getting scammed due to the https' added encryption – further making the website safe to use for any kind of transactions.
It's also one thing to visit a website that's pretty much misleading. It's another thing to visit a website that's pretty much straightforward. You see, a website that's pretty much straightforward is probably the safest amongst others. This also means that when making transactions online, you'll be able to do it without worrying too much about getting swindled due to the straightforward's added decryption – further making the website safe to use for any kind of transactions.
Do you know any other ways to make transactions online safely? Let us know in the comments section below!
On another hand, what do you think about getting water bottles through airport security?
Buying online is more convenient, but you also have to consider the convenience of the product itself. Will it start after just one press of a button? Or do you need to undergo several steps before it could operate?
Aside from that, you also have to consider if it's easy to maintain. If it needs frequent maintaining and you know you can't service it properly often, that don't purchase it. You might damage its operation. It's best to go with a product that you can maintain with ease. Do your research on the necessary oil change then compare different inverters.
If the manual is available online, read it first before you make your final decision of whether or not it's the right one for you.
Is the manufacturer well-known? Are their products popular and known to be of high quality? Have they existed in the industry for quite some time now? Is the company well established? Do they deliver worldwide? These are the few questions you need to find the answers to when trying to buy a generator online.
How much power can it supply? Portable inverters may not have enough energy to run everything in your house, but it can support a lot of appliances. It's best to consider the kind of engine and the amount of power you need it to provide. Calculate how much power you need before buying a generator.
Read the reviews of the customers before you purchase a particular inverter generator. Inverter generators have been recognized to be better than the conventional type we were used to. There are a lot of companies selling this popular item nowadays. The choices are too many, so it's best to read product reviews first. And while you're at it, check if the product creates a loud hum. A portable inverter generator shouldn't be as noisy as your vacuum cleaner. Do check what customers say about the durability of the product too. Online reviews should guide you and tell you if the generator has that "good quality" feel. It must look and feel durable for it to be considered high-quality. Reading reviews will help you identify which ones are worth your money. After all, you wouldn't want to waste $600 for a low-quality inverter generator, would you?
If you don't know much about the popular inverter generator, then I suggest you learn more about this equipment to help you decide.
Most of us are skeptic about purchasing stuff online, while some may have already been used to it. Well, the doubts we have are probably founded on the reality that some products perform the opposite of what they claim to be once we've received them. Some items might arrive defective, some may have missing parts, and some may not work at all. So, with all these problems, what should you do when you're looking for the best cleaner for your pool?
Step 1: Only go to trusted websites.
The websites from where you're about to order your cleaner should be trusted and well-reviewed by previous customers, just like https://Pooljudge.com/best-pool-cleaner/. This site has been proven to be true to its words, and the information it provides about items are useful for anyone looking for a cleaner. How do you know a website can be trusted? If there are positive comments about them and if they offer a thorough analysis of their products.
Step 2: Don't give out bank details too soon.
Unless you're planning to purchase the product, don't give out your account details yet. Some websites might have a representative assigned to message you to give them your bank account information. Don't give in. Keep the info to yourself until you've decided to place your order. Don't trust anyone immediately just because they're in a fancy suit in their profile picture. Psychologists call this "expert fallacy" where one dresses up as if he's some expert, but he's actually a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Step 3: Read product reviews before buying.
To avoid being tricked online, read the customers' reviews about the item you want to purchase online. Don't just read a couple of reviews, give some time to read at least 10, to help you decide and discover if the product really features what it claims to have. Be patient and read like your whole bank account depends on it. This is an excellent way of avoiding online shopping issues.
And there you have it! Just follow these three easy steps when looking for the best pool cleaner online.
Online shopping has changed the game for consumers and businesses alike. Most of everything you need is right at your fingertips. A visit to the store has become one of those things to do without WiFi or by choice instead of being the only way to get what you want. But with the conveniences come the risks of having credit card details and other sensitive information stolen by cybercriminals. If you want to keep your personal data secure, here are some of the things worth keeping in mind.
Choose reputable online shops. Shop from trusted websites. Come up with a list of online shops where you can buy the things you need. Look for the top-rated sites or ask for recommendations from friends. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and just go for the most trusted ones instead of trying out something that you are not really sure you can trust.
Be wary of anything that requires additional information. Avoid sharing personal details like your birthday. You just need to pay with your credit card and other personal information should be irrelevant to the transactions.
Install and keep your internet security software updated. If you are an online shopper, make sure that you have a top-notch anti-malware and internet safety software installed on your computer or mobile device. Avoid using machines who do not have any protection. Cybercriminals employ sophisticated tools of their own to compromise your computer or smartphone. You need quality protection to ensure that you can continue shopping online as safely as possible.
We encourage everyone here to speak freely. The best way we can guide others is through our experience. We had bad encounters online and also good encounters. To get started with a good vibe, we will list here the websites where we purchased products that comes with good deals and perks.
I came across this site when I was thinking of what the best gift I can give to my husband on his 35th birthday. I researched online which websites I can order limited clothing designs and Mr. Porter was always on the list. I gave them a chance and ordered a polo shirt. The product came on time and it was the right size and color. I was impressed, since then, I bookmarked them for future purchases.
I'm addicted to clothes. I really like it when my friends praise my style and ask me where I bought my clothes. I usually buy it from Shoptiques. I like this online shop because it lets you view the catalog of over 50 boutiques in the US. I don't have to travel just to get a nice dress. What I really like about their site is their sizes chart. It is accurate and I never had an instance where I ordered the wrong size, thanks to this guide.
You can tell by them itself that you will get discounts and perks. What I like about Bargain Babe is they collect and hunts deals from different websites and clothing brands so it will be easier for you to find the best deal for you by just going to their site.
Shop USA is your one-stop-shop for clothing, gadgets, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, and many more. The website provides guides and explanation of their policies which is a plus. We like websites who are very informative on what you will get, what are your rights, and about their disclaimers. Another good thing about Shop USA is all of their shipments are insured. So you don't have to worry about losing your money.
Overstock is our to-go-to website whenever we want to find out about latest gadgets and deals. They ship internationally that's why they have contact center. You can access their chat support around the clock. They good variety of products from baby stuff to kitchen products, they have it all. They've been in this industry for years now, but still here they are. So far, we didn't encounter any problems with the items we ordered from them.
Speaksfreely is a revolution to make the world wide web become a safer place for everyone. Stop the scams and fraud threats by spreading awareness and sharing personal experiences.


Hailing from Asbury, New Jersey comes masterful studio artist Michael Jameson. Born May 20, 1955 Michael Jameson spins an infectious funk sound distilled for the NYC back alley set, the perfect soundtrack to smokey streets, neon lights and early morning affairs. With a foundation in the rhythms of American music, Jameson's an artist that successfully travels that line of taking retro elements of American Popular music and bringing them into the contemporary landscape.
Since the 70s Michael Jameson is a well-versed showman on the east coast live circuit, airtight production perfectly translated to the stage for anyone lucky enough to see the man and his band. Growing a wide and loyal base of fans and converts one show at a time, like a fine wine Michael Jameson will get you moving faster and longer than you thought possible. Sweeping guitars for your pumping fists, sweet synths for your swiveling hips and thumping beats for your feet Michael Jameson plays for any crowd that's there to do one thing, move.
A true Jersey Native, Michael Jameson got his start among the local scene, quickly cutting his teeth toward a solo career that has sustained a characteristic longevity. Performing locally with a series of house bands and getting acquainted with established studio musicians Jameson started to develop his own typical sound.
Michael Jameson ventured further up the east coast towards NYC maintaining a natural talent for song writing and performance the whole way. His music evokes the feel of a sunny afternoon in Greenwich Village, in the park, people of all shades of the rainbow mingling and glistening in the sweet summer sweat. Love and friendship is in the air and a good vibe is felt by all.
Releasing his first record Summer Love in 2009 Michael Jameson hit the roadonce again to support his new release. Finding a great response nation wide Jameson went back into the studio to expand upon his first release, resulting in his latest self titled effort which contains favorite tracks from his first album and also new song itching to be heard.
Drawing from a wide spectrum of influence, Jameson has a definite knack for skipping genre tropes in order to best serve the song, resulting in an immensely eclectic catalogue for music fans period. Channeling chameleon greats such as Talking Heads, Lionel Richie and Prince on his self-titled effort (available now on iTunes through Blue Pie Records) Michael Jameson and his band are bursting with great songs and good times.
Michael Jameson is a Blue Pie artist and is out now on Blue Pie for the world. For more information go to www.myspace.com/michaeljamesonband or search "Michael Jameson" on Google.


Billie Joe Armstrong's new band, The Longshot, had just started touring, but it looks like their run will be shorter than expected. The band has announced that they are postponing all of their remaining scheduled dates immediately, citing a family emergency.
"One of our band members @longshot is dealing with a very serious family emergency. It's with heavy hearts we need to announce tonight's show in Santa Ana and the rest of the West Coast shows will be postponed. We love you all and we will be back. Please send good vibes to each other," stated Billie Joe Armstrong in an Instagram posting.
The group was expected to play tonight (May 9) at the Rickshaw Shop in San Francisco, with additional West Coast dates booked for Seattle and Vancouver, before making the trip to the East Coat later in the month and early June with stops in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Toronto, Brooklyn and Philadelphia.
The Longshot issued an EP in early April, which was soon followed by a surprise full-length album titled Love Is for Losers. You can stream the disc via Spotify or purchase the album via Amazon and iTunes.


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Nationals land Papelbon in trade with Phillies
SportsMLBDetroit Tigers
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jonathan Papelbon reacts after getting the final out against the Chicago Cubs in a baseball game, Friday, July 24, 2015, in Chicago. Papelbon was traded to the Nationals on Tuesday. (AP Photo/David Banks)
PUBLISHED: July 28, 2015 at 7:36 p.m. | UPDATED: June 17, 2021 at 6:22 a.m.
MIAMI >> The Philadelphia Phillies have traded All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals.
The Nationals announced the deal Tuesday in Miami, where they opened a series against the Marlins. Papelbon is Philadelphia's career saves leader with 123 and is 17 for 17 in save chances this season. Papelbon also is Boston's saves leader with 219.
The Phillies will receive Double-A right-hander Nick Pivetta for Papelbon.
As part of the trade, Papelbon's $13 million option for 2016 becomes a guaranteed $11 million salary.
The 34-year-old right-hander had said he wouldn't accept a trade unless he would remain a closer, which means the Nationals will likely move Drew Storen into a setup role. Storen is 29 for 31 in save opportunities for the NL East-leading Nationals this season.
The Phillies are a major league-worst 37-63. They signed Papelbon to a $50 million, four-year deal in November 2011.


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Musings about film and history
'There is no equality, there is always a winner and a loser'
'Exactly'
Interview, the film might be summed up in that exchange between Sienna Miller's character Katya and Steve Buscemi's character Pierre. Katya is a star, a sex kitten who lives in a high rise appartment. Buscemi is a Washington reporter, sent against his will, to interview this starlet, to find out what motivates her.
They both resent the fact that they have to spend any time with the other. Katya has been there, done it and got the picture, she can't face another interview and thinks the press are scum. Pierre thinks that the starlet is vacuous and irritating, he turns up for the interview without doing any preparation and unsurprisingly its a disaster. He doesn't know or care about her, she has nothing but contempt for him. Then because of a car accident, she takes him up to her appartment and an evening of talking and drinking begins.
Discussion is a way to communicate between human beings. In this film, discussion is used communicate indeed. But it communicates all sorts of things that normally are viewed as unconstructive. Both characters make clear their contempt for the other. He views her as an idiotic pretty head, she views him as an ugly old man, who looks like her father. Both of them though want to control the situation, both of them see social interaction as a competition, an occasion to anialate the other person. What that produces of course for both of them is an agreeable frisson. The old reporter gets to kiss the young starlet, she gets to know that her sexuality charms and delights him.
There is more to it than that though, they genuinely do manage to charm each other because their impressions are actually wrong. Miller is not a braindead fool, but is impressively cunning and witty. Buscemi, she discovers is a guy she can feel attracted to. Their flirting works ultimately because they are in some sense both attracted to each other. When Buscemi says to her that he feels like a father to her, its true. When Miller responds affectionately to him, it has a certain truth to it too.
But neither can retain that for long. Every comment comes with a barb. Every overture or opening is seen as a vulnerability and neither of them actually care about how or whether they lose. The night is rounded off with Buscemi leaving Miller's apartment and a twist in a tale- which you'll have to see the movie to find out. But the essential truth is that this film is a contest where there needed not be a contest, an exchange of fire where there needed not be such an exchange. Whether they sleep together or not comes second to the fact that for a moment they both taste the flavour of intimacy, but both draw back before they can sip.
That drawing back is at times a conscious lie. By telling an untruth, even in a moment of intimacy, the two characters end up betraying that intimacy. By telling an untruth, they reserve the right to opt out of intimacy. Both Buscemi and Miller are lying throughout their conversation- she provocatively kisses him and invents scenarios which aren't true, he tells her stories which are blatantly false. Both are in the utmost degree whores- she is constantly referred to by both of them as a whore, a crack whore, a whore, and he also is a whore, selling his stories to the best bidder. Both of them are for sale- and yet neither of them really have anything they want to buy. Miller's character seems to have no joy in life, no empathy with Buscemi's character. He seems to cynical to find any friendship or emotion which pleases him.
This film is a tragedy for both characters. Part of the reason it is a tragedy is that neither of them could diagnose their own condition. Miller doesn't at the end believe that she has lost anything- she is still the sexy young woman about town. Buscemi may believe he has lost, he might not have got the sexual fulfillment he might have wanted. The real loss though is the opportunity to meet another person's subjectivity and try and understand, neither character can break through the walls to do that, they both have to lie to maintain the illusion that they exist invulnerable within a world they presume cheats them at every stage. Both of them hate humanity and hate themselves. That is the tragedy.
Right at the beggining of the film, Buscemi's character talks to his mute brother. He shows real concern but the brother isn't a human being, it's not fair because the brother can't respond and its not fair because Buscemi can't really engage. Miller acts the same words, for her too its not fair because though everyone loves her, she can't love. This film includes amusing, sexy dialogue, and communication. But despite words upon words upon words, neither of the characters are ready to converse.
Every piece of communication in this film is subject to doubt, every time someone says something you can rely on the fact that they are lying, that their words don't mean what they mean. Every exchange is a feint, a tactic, unreal because of that. You can only really relate to the injured or the mute. These two people present for all their undoubted wit and sexiness, a dystopian nightmare for the human soul, where all conversation is like wrestling.
This film, like Closer before it, is an examination of the worst in human nature, its worth seeing and its worth avoiding the fate of its characters.
Crossposted from Bits of News
Posted by Gracchi at 3:21 am 0 comments DiggIt! Del.icio.us
Labels: Cinema
James Purnell's nonstory
James Purnell was all over the news today for a scandal or an embarrassment, term it what you care. A mix up at an NHS hospital resulted in the minister being included in a promotion photo that he was too late in reality to attend. His image was photoshopped in with a couple of other MPs. The Tories are demanding an apology or even resignation, the press are on the hunt and have been all day and the BBC are making it the story of the hour. But nothing has actually happened beyond a minor mix up. Even if Purnell had deliberately wanted to fake the photograph, who cares. He was late, he missed something for a reason we don't know, and the photo was faked, end of story.
You might wonder why I'm writing about this. Because amidst all the rubbish about BBC bias and leftwing and rightwing newspaper bias, this is what is irritating about the media today. It is this bias towards triviality. This led the BBC Radio 4 News at 6 o'clock this evening (after Burma), this not efforts to come to a treaty about oil in the Caspian, not human rights abuses in Africa, not the climate change summit in America. This was the second most important thing according to the BBC going on in the world today- it makes one wonder. This is a non-story, it is a nothing, a scandal that doesn't exist. It is so far from a story that I don't even care whether Purnell photoshopped the image personally having arrived late because he slept in.
This is precisely the kind of media bias that hurts us all- not a bias leftwards or rightwards but a bias towards stupidity and triviality. If this is the kind of thing that gets broadcast on the news, I'd rather they didn't broadcast the news. Tell us about Turkmenistan, tell us about China (on which we get almost no information) or about our own government's economic policies- explain concepts like inflation- educate us- don't get wrapped up in stupid crises. Purnell, I know from friends involved with his previous job at pensions is actually a rather good minister. Lets start getting rid of ministers for stupidity and not making tiny mistakes. This goes for politicians as well of all parties.
To all involved, just stop, this is hurting us, hurting democracy.
Posted by Gracchi at 7:30 pm 10 comments DiggIt! Del.icio.us
Labels: UK politics
Hillary's Robotic Laugh
Posted by Gracchi at 3:18 pm 3 comments DiggIt! Del.icio.us
Labels: Frivolity
Zodiac and the art of Comprehension
Film is a medium for communicating- a medium for communicating a message. Viewers of a film assemble pieces of the film, finding a story amidst the shots and scenes that they see, finding a meaning often in the portraits on the screen. Critics often, including your correspondent, do that too, putting together the various shots, the various ways of seeing things that the film embodies. For a moment, we become involved in a story which is not our own, which seems to us a signifier of much larger and more powerful currents. We interpret our lives, as Slavoj Zizek has argued, through the media of film. Consequently in some sense, we become film, through investigating and contemplating the film our object, we ourselves assimilate its conclusions, turning slowly into that which we investigate.
David Fincher's film, Zodiac, definitely explores such ideas. Zodiac concerns an investigation into the identity of the notorious serial killer who terrorised southern California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. In real life the killer was never caught and there remain several plausible theories as to who it might have been. But Fincher's film isn't really so concerned with the Zodiac himself or why he committed these murders- he can't be, we just don't know, as with the effects that those murders had on those investigating them. The film is about the investigators- both a pair of journalists and a pair of police officers- who for a variety of reasons become deeply involved within the case.
Three of these characters become deeply involved because of their roles, as the officers assigned to the case and the San Francisco Chronicle's crime reporter, but one of them doesn't have any such direct connection. For him and increasingly for the other three the Zodiac is an intellectual phenomenon. He tells his wife at one point in the film that all he wants is to be able to see the Zodiac and know that that is the man who terrified all those people for so long. There is no sense of justice in this. Afterall the Zodiac committed according to the police officer at one point, only 5 murders, whereas there are hundreds of murders in California during the time he was active and almost certainly unsolved murders as well by the legion. But this man presented a conumdrum, he sent codes in ciphers which still defy the US police, he left very few clues and those that he did leave were contradictory. In addition, as he became more famous the chances of fake letters and phone calls rose, so there was also the question of which calls and letters to decipher.
One is tempted to say but this is the generation of Vietnam and Chile and countless other disasters. All the minds involved in searching for the Zodiac were tempted by the intellectual complexity but also by the simplicity. For taking on the question of Vietnam exposes one to all sorts of moral dilemmas- there are difficult choices to make every time you put down a foot. The Zodiac case though was complicated but also simple. Simple for it was clear- there was a murderer, there were victims, there was a problem. In so many intellectual problems there isn't such an easily graspable issue- the deaths of American soldiers have to be weighed against the deaths of Iraqi civilians for example.
Fincher shows us how these intelligent men became dominated by the cause. Behaving at times like a madman, the cartoonist Robert Graysmith loses his marriage, almost loses his children. The Crime Correspondent loses his job and perhaps his mind. The Policemen both end up transferring out of the department, one with issues hanging over him. All of them are upset by the clue that fails to yield. Graysmith in particular is shown as living in a twilight world, where every stranger could be the Zodiac, where every basement could be used to store murdered bodies, where suspision hangs over everyone. The investigation becomes his life. He turns himself into the hunter, and thus becomes hunted by his imaginary Zodiac in every window. The serial killer dominates his conscious life and he becomes taken over by that life- his escape at the end is through solving in his own mind the murder.
There is a sense in which intellectual pursuits can lead this way. In which seeing the world in a flower means that one's world becomes that flower. You can be taken over by seeing the essense of everything as part of a great pattern whose ultimate resolution is to be found in this particular instance. Films provoke this as well- they too are a pattern that we break down and solve and that as Zizek argues can become part of us, can dominate us. The Zodiac as a film suggests that there is peril as well as achievement in obsession. Fincher shows us what happens when a man or men in general are so dominated by one idea that their whole lives become dedicated to it. In a sense during an investigation, they become the investigator and that is all.
Definitely that is the place which Graysmith, superbly played by Jake Gyllenhaal ends up at. Indeed as he is the character whose inner life is really portrayed here, more than any other, it is within him that we can see this at its strongest. But other characters too end up as investigators rather than characters, they lose their humour, take to drink, lose their sense of self and hope for the future, all because of a killer, who has killed a fraction of those killed in the city over the years that he functioned in. They don't learn from this instance but the patterns they derive are false.
Fincher's film calls into question the nature of intellectual obsession, what if your obsession drives you into dark corners and believing that the nature of the world is darkness, you recede ever further into the black whole of a disturbed and suspicious mind. In this film it is neither the Zodiac nor his victims who are the focus, its the slowly disintegrating investigators, who swirl around the murderer, pulled in by the gravitational fascination that they feel to him, to seek light in the heart of darkness.
Crossposted at Bits of News.
What should the US Presidential Candidates be discussing?
Ashok has asked a number of bloggers to think about and address this issue- amongst them me. As a non-American I don't know enough about US domestic policy to really presume to highlight an issue there and thought I'd stick to foreign policy in trying to work out a neglected area. I have two neglected areas that the American Presidential candidates in my opinion ought to at least be thinking about it not discussing. I'll briefly lay out what they are and why they are interesting, without advancing policy ideas because as I hope you'll appreciate both areas are incredibly complicated.
The first issue which I think US politicians ought to think about more is Central Asia, excluding Afghanistan and Pakistan. Part of the reason, many believe, that we face a war on terror is because of the conjunction of dictatorships and oil. Terrorism is seen by many as the reaction of Middle Eastern peoples to their own governments as much as to the West or Israel. Let's take that as a presumption for a moment. If so then conditions in Central Asia are just as worrying. Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are all ruled with varying degrees of corrupt autocracy. Many of those nations have huge oil reserves underneath them or are potential conduits to the outside world for pipelines. They sit on the edge of Southern Russia which has its own problems with radical Islam, and throughout these countries there is an upswell of support for radicals, especially Hizb-ut-Tahrir. The conditions are not good. This region should be a priority for any forward thinking US President who wants to anticipate the problems of the future.
Another region which should be discussed more and isn't and hence represents the second of my points is the Taiwan strait. If there is to be a nuclear war anywhere in the world involving the United States, the probability is that it will arise over the Taiwan strait (the other most likely nuclear war, more likely and another issue that Americans should be thinking about is over Kashmir). Taiwan though is a democracy, its a democracy where many of the people want to vote for complete independence from China but China threatens continuously to invade Taiwan should they vote that way. China tells anyone who mediates that Taiwan is part of China. China also fires missiles over Taiwanese territory and always ramps up military pressure when Taiwan goes to the polls. There is no clearer place in the world where democracy confronts aggressive, nationalistic dictatorship than over the Taiwan strait. The military balance on the South China Sea and Chinese and Japanese recent build ups of power there should also be a major concern for the United States. China ultimately is not just an economic issue, but a political one.
There are two issues- the former especially- which I don't think are being discussed enough in the current Presidential campaign, I hope they get some attention.
This is an interesting meme- I know its an imposition but anyone who reads this can consider themselves asked what neglected issues you think the US Presidential candidates should consider and put it on your blog, with a link preferably back to Ashok, as he is going to compile the suggestions later.
Labels: US politics
Renewed assault on the Blogosphere
Richard Brunton is someone I know through Bits of News. I'd noticed that he hadn't posted for a bit on Bits, and I wondered about it- the reason seems though to have been much more serious than Richard's upcoming wedding (for which congratulations from me), Richard has been threatened by soliciters and by a large company, all of this because of comments left on his blog. His full story, which in my view is tantamount to harrassment by the company and their lawyers, who reached for their writs before doing anything else is here. Rightly terrified, Richard hasn't disclosed the names of the company or their soliciters. The case is fascinating because in the opinion of a lawyer that Richard consulted he had a defence, but it was not worth him taking the company to court because of the disparity of income between him and the company. I don't know anything about the case concerned but it sounds like Richard has been bullied directly by this company, bullied by the fact that they have the wealth and organisation to completely overrun him despite the fact he may well have been in the right.
It fits with the behaviour of Schillings, the firm involved with Tim Ireland in the past, I don't know if that is the firm involved. If Richard's account is true, then it demonstrates that there are plenty of trigger happy law firms out there and that the law on blogging especially commenting isn't yet clear.
Posted by Gracchi at 4:09 am 11 comments DiggIt! Del.icio.us
Self Congratulation
I know its been a slow blogging day- and an article will go up this evening.
But I thought I ought to mention the fact that this blog somehow was voted in at no 10 of the non aligned Blogs in the UK. Iain Dale organised the list and his readers in the case of non-aligned blogs voted for it: can I say thank you to Iain for organising it. Thanks to anyone who voted for me. It made me feel pretty good about life this morning when I learned.
Congratulations as well to other bloggers who have featured-Matt Sinclair, Chris Dillow (of stumbling and mumbling) and Dave Cole all made it. However all of them should have been higher. Matt is definitely one of the top conservative bloggers around, Chris is one of the top bloggers full stop around, Dave Cole doesn't post often but when he does its well thought through and interesting. That is the ultimate problem I have with lists like this, and no matter what the methodology this problem would remain, the best, most thoughtful blogs are not always the most popular. Truth like a basterd comes into the world, said Milton- I'm not sure he was entirely right but analysis is harder to sell than gossip, you can't break stories in the same way and that has proved to be the oxygen of much of the British Blogosphere. Its what Dizzy owes his rise to this year according to Iain Dale. The prominence of the gossip blogger is not something to be celebrated in my view- half truths are so much better peddled by the press, afterall they are professionals at it. Intelligent criticism is not something that the dead trees are so good at.
Ultimately this is a nice accolade to wake up to, and thanks to everyone for voting for me, but I'm not entirely sure that the lists give a true reflection of the strength of the British blogosphere and where it is to be found.
Patrick Graham on Iraq
This is a really good article on Iraq by someone who has been there many times and obviously knows the country very well. Go and read it.
Labels: Middle East
Truth, Politics and Gandhi: Towards an Anglican Political Theory
In the Doctrine of Divorce, John Milton the great English poet commented that truth comes like a bastard into the world with nothing but ignominy to he who gave her birth. Thomas Hardy quoted those words with approval in his poem entitled, Lausanne in Gibbon's Old Garden, when he put them into the mouth of the equally cynical historian. Not all throughout history have agreed with Gibbon and Milton, many have seen truth as a weapon whose potency is underestimated and in the light of the resistance to colonial rule conducted by men like Mahatma Gandhi that perception seemed to take on reality. Indeed the idea that truth itself is an ideological weapon of surpassing strength is what backs up the modern idea of protest as a political weapon. Every Trotskyite standing remotely by his banner for redistribution, every peace advocate marching in their millions through Trafalgar Square, all reject by their presence the idea that Milton so cynically expressed and that Hardy through Gibbon so enthusiastically affirmed.
The position of truth in politics is one of the key questions of our time. Its one that the current Archbishop of Canterbury in his lecture at Kings turned to. Attitudes to it provide a clue in my view to the theological battles in all three major religions about their direction and their implication in modern political struggle. Rowan Williams believes that there is truth within the world and that he as a theist has found it. He also believes that because of that he needs no protection from law or even political activism to vindicate his conduct. All he needs to do to achieve his aims is to explain them and people will come onside. Williams is interested in social change but through explanation and conversion not force.
As such what Williams's speech doesn't do is define the aims of Christian politics- he talks a little about them mentioning denying euthanasia and more support for the poor- but not much. The real interest is in the means and here he creates an opposition and as he would be aware its a very old opposition. On the one hand you have factions or interest groups, on the other the Church of Christ. The distinction between the two is found in their political behaviour. A faction behaves the way it is because it is not linked ultimately to the font of truth, God. It acts with selfishness and attempts to exclude by force others from the conversation. A true Christian Church is not a faction, but operates by the force of example. Because its actions are undoubtedly, in Williams's terms moral, and because any fair judge would admit their morality, any fair judge will follow their examples. The Christian in politics therefore is not so much a politician as he transcends politics, operating by example and proving by conduct and tolerant argument the equal of his more selfish factional counterparts.
Williams provides a brief account of what he thinks that the Christian can morally contribute to the world. He suggests that the Christian can offer both a vision of politics that rises not out of interest but out of a communion with God. He also suggests that the Christian offers a perspective which is universal- as universal as the love of God.
Dr Williams puts his argument in the context of Mahatma Gandhi's movement of satyagraha, soul force. He argues that Gandhi's movement in India offers us a real world example of the work that superior moral example can do. Gandhi, in Williams's argument, is the man who employed these tactics to succeed. By using Gandhi Williams hopes to rescue his argument from the accusation that such a mode of political education- for that is what he is talking about- is otherworldly, unrealistic and utopian. He suggests that we can see in the actions of Gandhi the example which the Church should follow. Williams does not assert that the Church has always followed the path of Gandhi, but asserts that that is the path that the Church ought to follow. The Church ought to assert both the fact that unlike a faction its prescriptions for society are based on truth, and secondly that its prescriptions are universal. They stand upon the foundation of a universal human relationship with God. This Williams finds is identical within all the monotheistic faiths, drawing from Islam the idea that there can be no compulsion in religion and from Christianity the idea of a Christian individual being, to quote John Winthrop quoting the Bible, a city on the hill.
What sense there is in Williams's vision of Christianity in politics depends on your attitude to theology. Williams's argument is based on the fact as he sees it that Christianity is true. There is though a large percentage of the population who feel that they can derive a morality without necessarily believing in Christ or any God whatsoever. To go further there are many Christians for whom Williams's ideas will seem repugnant, many Christians believe that rationality is an untrustworthy guide to the world. From Cromwell's army to Joseph De Maistre the case against reason has been made again and again by learned and less learned Christians of all kinds of congregations. If truth is something only bequeathed by an act of divine grace, that may be predestined to be reserved from some human beings, then the idea of an example forcing a conversion is merely poppycock. It makes divinity an affair of human reason. Your attitude ultimately to Williams's view depends accepting both his moral outlook and his belief that the example of virtue will convince others to be virtuous. It will need no more positive action.
Williams's vision in this talk is of a Christian engagement with politics that is pluralist. Pluralism is the idea that various competing ideas can coexist. That conflicts obviously with the idea of a thesis that is uniquely true and just. If my idea is uniquely true and just, then why should I respect yours. Williams attempts to get through this dilemma by suggesting that a true faith would be unselfish and unworried by human conflict. He suggests that a true faith would reveal its truth by its meekness and its willingness to lead by example. Hence a true faith sits easily with pluralistic understandings of the world.
Making the claim that you have unique access to the truth may though represent a threat to pluralism still. Many of us doubt that Williams is able to make the claim he is making. Furthermore the claim to truth he is making is based not on argument or repeatable experiment, but upon an inner sense of faith. An inner sense which is fundamentally subjective and therefore individual: I can't argue about your religious experiences because I haven't had them. Public discussion becomes more difficult if your argument consists of ultimately saying, I believe x, I have had an experience that is unrepeatable that x, and I will not produce anything else but it because its the truth. Given that pluralistic societies are based around conversation, satyagraha is ultimately not conversation, it is quiet, pacific, quietist insistence.
That brings me to another issue. Williams wants Christians and religious people in general to ground their faith on the fact that they and they only have access to the truth. Again that isn't easy to marry with a pluralistic society, not only does pluralism involve conversation and its difficult to converse about faith, but it also involves compromise. To what extent can you compromise on the truth. Compromise takes two forms. Firstly of course there is the compromise of electoral politics, to what extent would a satyagraha movement be willing to compromise say on euthanasia with a pro-euthanasia party. But of course secondly it takes the form of realising that people will live in ways that you don't like. Would Williams welcome Christians sitting outside gay weddings and passing out leaflets that say that homosexuals are going to hell? I suspect he wouldn't, but that would be another form of his soul force.
Obviously it is harsh to take the Archbishop's lecture and do more than explain its outlook. A lecture of thirty minutes is not sufficient to answer all these questions, and there are plenty more that we could ask both from a theological standpoint and a political standpoint. It is interesting though to watch the Anglican primate making a real effort on these matters. It reflects the fact that during modern times we have become pluralist. Anglicanism and religion in general for most historical time has been monist, banning those that advocate atheism or other religions, persecuting them and persecuting those whose moral conduct the religious disapprove of.
There is a less theoretical concern about this as well. For the Archbishop's concerns don't seem to have reached others. The previous Pope was keen on a reference to God and the unique Christian heritage of Europe within the European constitution. He viewed and politicians in Poland, Spain and Sweden followed him in viewing God as a guarentor of any political system. Far from inspiring via soul force, the Pope wanted legislation to back the special place of the Church in the European community.
The Archbishop seems tentatively to be reaching beyond that, to some kind of compromise with post-enlightenment society. Reaching perhaps towards a compromise between the the insistance that he has a revelation from God and that society no longer automatically will bend its knee to that revelation. He finds that compromise in the idea that human beings will naturally yield to the truth, that Milton and Hardy were wrong.
Perhaps the Archbishop hasn't achieved that yet, but its interesting to see the attempt being made at all.
Sensible Mr Steyn
Well done Mr Steyn. Disputes between Britain and America or any two countries about who has fought more for freedom are about as stupid as they come. Ultimately we can all throw historical insults at each other, and we can all boast of our own accomplishments. Lets deal with the future not the past.
Labels: World Politics
British Blogosphere at its best
There are now around 190 British Blogs referring to the story about Mr Usmanov and Craig Murray- this is the full list at the moment, courtesy of Chicken Yoghurt. Lets keep this list growing in solidarity with the blogs taken down.
Curious Hamster, Pickled Politics, Harry's Place, Tim Worstall, Dizzy, Iain Dale, Ten Percent, Blairwatch, Davide Simonetti, Earthquake Cove, Turbulent Cleric (who suggests dropping a line to the FA about Mr Usmanov), Mike Power, Jailhouse Lawyer, Suesam, Devil's Kitchen, The Cartoonist, Falco, Casualty Monitor, Forever Expat, Arseblog, Drink-soaked Trots (and another), Pitch Invasion, Wonko's World, Roll A Monkey, Caroline Hunt, Westminster Wisdom, Chris K, Anorak, Mediawatchwatch, Norfolk Blogger, Chris Paul, Indymedia (with a list of Craig Murray's articles that are currently unavailable), Obsolete, Tom Watson, Cynical Chatter, Reactionary Snob, Mr Eugenides, Matthew Sinclair, The Select Society, Liberal England, Davblog, Peter Gasston Pitch Perfect, Adelaide Green Porridge Cafe, Lunartalks, Tygerland, The Crossed Pond, Our Kingdom, Big Daddy Merk, Daily Mail Watch, Graeme's, Random Thoughts, Nosemonkey, Matt Wardman, Politics in the Zeros, Love and Garbage, The Huntsman, Conservative Party Reptile, Ellee Seymour, Sabretache, Not A Sheep, Bartholomew's Notes on Religion, The People's Republic Of Newport, Life, the Universe & Everything, Arsenal Transfer Rumour Mill, The Green Ribbon, Blood & Treasure, The Last Ditch, Areopagitica, Football in Finland, An Englishman's Castle, Freeborn John, Eursoc, The Back Four, Rebellion Suck!, Ministry of Truth, ModernityBlog, Beau Bo D'Or, Scots and Independent, The Splund, Bill Cameron, Podnosh, Dodgeblogium, Moving Target, Serious Golmal, Goonerholic, The Spine, Zero Point Nine, Lenin's Tomb, The Durruti Column, The Bristol Blogger, ArseNews, David Lindsay, Quaequam Blog!, On A Quiet Day…, Kathz's Blog, England Expects, Theo Spark, Duncan Borrowman, Senn's Blog, Katykins, Jewcy, Kevin Maguire, Stumbling and Mumbling, Famous for 15 megapixels, Ordovicius, Tom Morris, AOL Fanhouse, Doctor Vee, The Curmudgeonly, The Poor Mouth, 1820, Hangbitch, Crooked Timber, ArseNole, Identity Unknown, Liberty Alone, Amused Cynicism, Clairwil, The Lone Voice, Tampon Teabag, Unoriginalname38, Special/Blown It, The Remittance Man, 18 Doughty Street, Laban Tall, Martin Bright, Spy Blog The Exile, poons, Jangliss, Who Knows Where Thoughts Come From?, Imagined Community, A Pint of Unionist Lite, Poldraw, Disillusioned And Bored, Error Gorilla, Indigo Jo, Swiss Metablog, Kate Garnwen Truemors, Asn14, D-Notice, The Judge, Political Penguin, Miserable Old Fart, Jottings, fridgemagnet, Blah Blah Flowers, J. Arthur MacNumpty, Tony Hatfield, Grendel, Charlie Whitaker, Matt Buck, The Waendel Journal, Marginalized Action Dinosaur, SoccerLens, Toblog, John Brissenden East Lower, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Peter Black AM, Boing Boing, BLTP, Gunnerblog, LFB UK, Liberal Revolution, Wombles, Focus on Sodbury…, Follow The Money, Freedom and Whisky, Melting Man, PoliticalHackUK, Simon Says…, Daily EM, From The Barrel of a Gun, The Fourth Place, The Armchair News Blog, Journalist und Optimist, Bristol Indymedia, Dave Weeden, Up North John, Gizmonaut, Spin and Spinners, Marginalia, Arnique, Heather Yaxley, The Whiskey Priest, On The Beat, Paul Canning, Martin Stabe, Mat Bowles, Pigdogfucker, Rachel North (193).
And he also missed Vino! So that makes 194 blogs concerned with Mr Usmanov!
First political memory
The Thunderdragon has tagged me for my first political memory.
My first memory is one of those Kennedy moments that everyone who was alive remembers which is the resignation of Margerat Thatcher. I remember coming home with my mother, from the supermarket I think, as a kid, and we drove in to our front drive way. I can still remember it really vividly and a neighbour came out and said to my Mum 'she's gone'. There wasn't any question of who 'she' was. I don't remember having any particular view on whether the fact that 'she' had gone was good or bad or discussing it with my parents, but I just remember the moment and getting out of the car. Its a very vivid memory but accompanied by almost nothing in the way of context.
Anyway I think this is quite an interesting meme and in service of that, I'm going to tag, Matt, Vino, Mike Rowley, Welshcakes, Ian Appleby, James Higham, Ashok, Lord Nazh and Yascha. So guys what was your first political memory- (Oh and by the way anyone else who wants to take this up- please do, its quite a cool meme and any of the regular commenters, Pappusrif and Edmund this means you for instance who want to leave a memory in the comments please do as well!)
Labels: Memes
Djuradj, Prince of Montenegro
The Early Modern period of European history is dominated by the rise and fall of Great Powers. Few powers were greater in that era than the mercentile empire of Venice or the power of the Porte, radiating through the Balkans from the fortress of Istanbul. The Venetians and the Turks enjoyed a relationship punctuated by tension and pride. Both heirs to the empire of Constantinople, the second Rome, both empires vied for control and supremacy in the Eastern Meditereanean. And between them there were a group of shifting client states, sometimes independent, sometimes not, whose fortunes rose and fell with factional conflicts in Venice and Istanbul and the boundary between the Republic of Saint Mark and the realm of the Sultan.
Amongst those powers which thrived for a small time was the princely state of Montenegro. Ruled by the house of Crnojevic during the latter 15th Century, Montenegro existed in the shadow of the two great powers and its rulers attempted to secure the backing of Venice to retain an independent base in the Balkans. Their allegiance to Venice was far from sure, several times they demonstrated their independence of their patrons by going to war with the Venetians. By the death of Ivan in 1490, the Crnojevic were facing dangerous times. A Turkish army was on the march through the Balkans, Ivan's son Djuradj went with his Venetian wife to Venice itself to get desperately needed help in 1496. Djuradj ended up though being arrested, he was released in 1498, and present at the seige of Milan in 1499 but then fearing for his freedom he fled to the Turks in 1500 and remained in Turkey till he died. The attempt to build a Crnojevic state had failed.
These events have become the stuff of national history. Montenegro once again is asserting its independence and sites like this one link that Montenegro to the present state. Indeed that site asserts in discussing the Crnojevic that they were nationalists before the term was invented, fighting for the freedom of Montenegro and left a legacy of patriotism in their people's hearts. They cared for the Montenegran state and ultimately were a Balkan version of William Tell, deserted ultimately by the perfidious Italians to the evil designs of the Turks. Nothing could be further from the truth. New research by Diana Wright has brought to light the true nature of the Montenegran principality, through exploring a document left in Venice by Djuradj, his last will and testament. Exploring its concerns allows us to see that Djuradj, far from being a Montenegran patriot, was typical both of his time and place.
Wright's research suggests that Djuradj was an innovater but not in the theatre of politics, in the theatre of love. She suggests, and she uses an Italian form of his name Zorzi that Djuradj was the first writer of love letters in Venice. Reading the testament its possible to see what she means. 17 times Djuradj uses the word consorte to refer to his wife, he leaves her as sole executor of his will. This kind of thing is typical of Venetians at the time: 88% of husbands by this point were leaving their wives as sole executors of their wills. The innovation here may lie less in Djuradj than in the limits of our evidence- its perfectly possible that this isn't the first love letter but it is the first love letter that has survived. In that Wright is justified in asserting Djuradj's importance as a historical figure.
But notice how far we have come from the nationalistic hero of myth- far from being Montenegran and motivated by patriotism, Djuradj was a typical Venetian of his day and married to another Venetian. Reading the testament something else emerges. Djuradj cared little if nothing about his own country, he doesn't mention it. He cared deeply about family honour. He reminded his wife that she had no equal on earth save for Kings and other princes. He plans for his sons, wishing that one be sent to live with the King of France, the other with the Sultan of Turkey, no matter who wins Djuradj wanted a Crnojevic to be on their side. He tells his wife that the rulers of Venice are obligated to them because of what his father did, he tells her that if he dies and she gets back to Montenegro he wants her to endow a monestory with money to whom he gave a vow. All of this revolves not about Montenegran nationalism but around the House of Crnojevic and its prosperity, in heaven and earth.
Wright's research demonstrates how far Djuradj was a typical Balkan nobleman of his time. He was desperate to survive in the brutal world of 15th Century politics. He could side with the Turks or Venetians, indeed he fled to the Turks from the Venetians. Djuradj sought to secure his family, he failed in that but to berate him for not protecting Montenegran independence or to laud him for his contribution is to miss the point. He was not interested in that at all. Rather than being Montenegran, the testament reveals that he was culturally Italian in many ways. We don't know about its influence, but his contact with Turkey was deep throughout his life and he must have absorbed Turkish ways of doing things too. In the swift changing world of Balkan politics, the divisions of 21st Century nationalism make no sense.
Looking at Djuradj, one might almost see him in a line stretching forward to Ali Pasha, the despot of Eastern Greece in the early 19th Century. A whole series of figures arise to my mind, men who attempted to survive under Ottoman rule or with Western support. Djuradj doesn't form part of the history of Montenegran nationalism, his part in history is as a sign of the double face of the Balkans. Looking westwards and northwards towards Italy and southwards and eastwards to Turkey, rulers in the Balkans were constantly caught in a dangerous dance, where they could very easily miscalculate. Djuradj did and his patrimony did not survive, and he is fairly typical of that.
That part of the world has seen vast changes in the twentieth century, probably the greatest since the era of Djuradj's grandfather and the final fall of Constantinople. The Turkish empire has vanished and a series of independent states have replaced it. Attempting to read the history of those states as though the political and ideological world of today is that of yesterday is folly. Djuradj is an interesting example of the way that 15th Century politics worked. His principality was consumed in conflicts over which he had no control and his attempts to control it relied on his ability to influence others, notably the Venetians and even at times the King of France. Attempts which ultimately failed.
Djuradj is an interesting figure- there is more that we don't know about him that could be found out- but Diana Wright's work leaves me in no doubt that the best way to think about him is as a 15th Century prince not a 21st Century patriot.
Cross posted at Bits of News. (The illustration is of his seal)
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US troops have taken 2 ISIS prisoners from the scumbag posse known as 'The Beatles' into custody
On Thursday, President Donald Trump confirmed reports by the Washington Post, CNN, and other media outlets that the United States...
By Jeff Schogol October 10, 2019
The U.S. military has taken custody of a pair of notorious ISIS fighters connected to the torture and execution of Western hostages at the hands of the British-born ISIS quartet known as "The Beatles."
Both scumbags were being held by Syrian Democratic Forces before Turkey's invasion of Kurdish-held northeast Syria.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump confirmed reports by the Washington Post, CNN, and other media outlets that the United States had moved Dipshit 1 and Dipshit 2 out of Syria in case the Kurds lost control of the tens of thousands of ISIS prisoners currently rotting away in prisons across the country.
"They are the worst of the worst," Trump described the two British terrorists, whom the Washington Post identified as Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh.
The U.S. military is holding both men in a secure location pursuant to the laws of war, a defense official told Task & Purpose.
In this file photo, Alexanda Amon Kotey, left, and El Shafee Elsheikh, who were allegedly among four British jihadis who made up a brutal Islamic State cell dubbed "The Beatles," speak during an interview with The Associated Press at a security center in Kobani, Syria, Friday, March 30, 2018.(Associated Press/Hussein Malla)
Kotey and Elsheikh were originally part of a group of four British-born ISIS fighters that included Mohammed Emwazi, the executioner who brutally murdered American journalist James Foley, Army veteran Peter Kassig, American-Israeli journalist Steven Sotloff, and several other hostages before he was dispatched by a drone strike in 2015, according to the Washington Post.
Now that Turkey has invaded northeastern Syria, Kurdish fighters are concerned that Turkish shelling and organized jailbreaks could end up compromising the prison camps holding ISIS fighters and their families.
ISIS Führer Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — living proof that birth control should be retroactive – has called on his minions to storm Kurdish prison camps and free those held there. ISIS successfully broke out hundreds of fighters in Iraq prior to its major successes in 2014.
Making matters worse, the Turkish military has reportedly shelled a Kurdish prison holding "the most dangerous criminals from more than 60 nationalities," Kurdish officials told Reuters.
"This is like a victory for the ISIS fighters," Dianne Foley, mother of James Foley, told the Washington Post. "I just think it's appalling. It's an abdication of our responsibility to ensure safety for our own citizens and allies."
peter kassig
British SAS soldier who died in Syria was killed by friendly 'accidental detonation,' not IED like Pentagon initially claimed
A member of the British Army's elite Special Air Service who died alongside a U.S. special operator during a counter-ISIS...
'That cavalier misdirection cannot stand' — Washingtonians ask judge to reduce 'extremely noisy' Navy Growler flights
"The overflights subject residents to extreme noise for...
Oh my God, the Marines have a laser now
Brace yourselves: Marine grunts now have their hands...


1/2 fl. oz. (14.7ml) Use Indio Retirement Fragranced Spiritual Oil to get rid off all your enemies and to remove all evil sent to you. Oils can be used to dress candles, it could be use on the body and or to make any kind of rituals. *Please read ingredients before any contact with the skin to avoid any allergic reaction.


Sets of true waterslide transfers that allow you to create a Retinue of Men at Arms for Medieval Wargames and Rule Sets. Making them ideal for the likes of Osprey's Lion Rampant Rules etc.
The Perfect way to create a full Retinue . The set includes enough waterslide transfers/decals to complete a full box of Fireforge Sergeants as the Retinue of Baron William Latimer. Set includes decals for shields and coat badges.
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I Am Chipmunk is the debut album by English grime and R&B MC, Chipmunk released on 9 October by Columbia Records. Unknown to many, the album . This is the complete discography of the fictional music group Alvin and the Chipmunks. 2, plus the version of "The Chipmunk Song" with Canned Heat as a bonus song at the end of the album); Christmas with the artist who had drawn the Chipmunk Punk cover); Christmas With The Chipmunks (Liberty. This is a comprehensive listing of official releases by Chip (formerly Chipmunk), a British rapper. His debut studio album I Am Chipmunk was released on 12 October , up single for the second studio album supposedly named Transition. The lead .. "Listen To Grime MC Chip's New Album League Of My Own II".
Chipmunk Punk ()Chipmunk Punk, Urban Chipmunk (), A Chipmunk Christmas ()A Chipmunk Christmas Professional ratings. Review scores. Source, Rating. Allmusic, /5 stars link. Urban Chipmunk was the first country album by Alvin and the Chipmunks, released on The Alvin Show · The Chipmunk Songbook · Christmas with The Chipmunks. Chipmunk Rock is a children's album by Alvin and the Chipmunks featuring covers of various The Chipmunks · The Alvin Show · The Chipmunk Songbook · Christmas with The Chipmunks · Christmas with the Chipmunks Vol. Chipmunks · Chipmunk Punk · Urban Chipmunk · A Chipmunk Christmas; Chipmunk Rock. Jahmaal Fyffe (born 26 November ), better known by his stage name Chip or Chipmunk, is an English rapper and singer. In , he released his debut album, I Am Chipmunk, featuring four songs His follow-up debut album, Transition was released on 18 April In , Chip was nominated for best newcomer.
Complete your Chipmunk record collection. Chipmunk Discography Tracks . Chipmunk - I Am Chipmunk **Produced By Maniac** Album = League of My. Find a The Chipmunks - Chipmunk Rock first pressing or reissue. Complete your The Chipmunks collection. Shop Vinyl and CDs. Find Chipmunk discography, albums and singles on AllMusic. Year, Album, Label, AllMusic Rating, User Ratings , I Am Chipmunk · Sony BMG / Jive. Chipmunk Albums. All albums made by Chipmunk with reviews and song lyrics. I Am Chipmunk (). Chip Diddy Chip Lyrics; Look For Me Lyrics; Oopsy. By the ripe age of 16, North London MC Chipmunk had already been championed as one of the most promising grime rappers on the scene. I Am Chipmunk.
The latest Tweets from Chipmunk (@OfficialChip). This summer needs a @ OfficialChip Album still so you cooking up in studio or what? 5 replies 5 retweets . All the singles and albums of CHIP, peak chart positions, career stats, week-by- week chart runs and latest news. Urban Chipmunk. Alvin and the Chipmunks. Released Urban Chipmunk Tracklist. 1 Chipmunk " Q&A. Ask us a question about this album. Submit. Chipmunks - Urban Chipmunk - littlecityhoneyco.com Music. Chipmunk Punk Vinyl . The original dust cover and album cover are in better condition, but the record.


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Pop Stars and Craft Beer: Lessons in Branding and Trademarking
Using trademarks to build and protect a brand is a great strategy for small businesses, but without the proper considerations, it can ultimately cause more harm than good.
By Peter GascaEntrepreneur, consultant, and author@petergasca
Taylor Swift is no dummy.
At just 25, the superstar country-turned-pop singer is one of the most influential and wealthiest women in show business. Her move from country to pop was controversial and divisive, but it turned out to be an incredibly wise decision. Her first pop album, 1989, sold more copies last year than the next 106 albums combined.
The fact that her album comprised 22 percent of all albums sales in 2014 is not the reason Swift is in the spotlight these days. More newsworthy is the fact that the young business mogul filed late last year for trademark protection on a number of phrases she employs on her album, including:
"Could show you incredible things"
"Nice to meet you. Where you been?"
"'Cause we never go out of style"
"This sick beat"
While she most certainly was not the first person to say these phrases, she is trying to ensure that she becomes the last do it for free.
While the idea of trademarking a phrase may seem audacious, it can be a smart move for entrepreneurs who produce and sell intellectual property and rely heavily on their image to create value. Ultimately, what these trademarks will do for Swift is shift the power of controlling her image from pirated merchandise producers back to her.
Put this in contrast with Lagunitas, a popular regional craft beer producer out of Petaluma, California, which earlier this year filed a suit against a better known and nationally distributed brand, Sierra Nevada, alleging infringement on Lagunitas's trademarked "IPA." The acronym stands for "India pale ale," which is one of the most widely produced styles of craft beer made in the U.S.
While Lagunitas may have had a case for infringement, the public took exception to the lawsuit and lambasted Lagunitas on social media for trying to capitalize on what many people perceived as a phrase almost as common in the industry as the word "beer" itself. Lagunitas, feeling the immense pressure from the public, backed down and withdrew its lawsuit just a few days later, stating in a tweet, "Today was in the hands of the ultimate court; The Court of Public Opinion and in it I got an answer to my Question; Our IPA's TM has limits."
Clearly, the strategy of trademarking to build and protect a brand has pros and cons. Here are a few things to consider before you dive into the trademark fray.
Consider why you are trademarking.
Securing strategic trademarks while building a brand is a good strategy, especially if you have a unique identifier that differentiates you from competitors. Swift certainly has an established brand, but she is smart to consider trademarking popular phrases from her albums as a means of protecting her brand from dilution by people seeking to capitalize on her popularity.
If, however, your goal is to try to secure a trademark for the simple goal of squeezing out or hurting a competitor or profiting from a trend, it could ultimately backfire. For Lagunitas, that was not the strategy behind their lawsuit, but it certainly was perceived as such. The company lost focus on what their brand stood for--namely the high quality of craft beer it produces, not a superficial acronym.
Consider the threats.
For entrepreneurs who produce intellectual property, protecting your "product" is of utmost importance. As the music industry continues to evolve, artists will rely more on tours and ancillary products to generate income. Unfortunately, knock-off products that imitate the artists' likenesses abound, so any strategy that allows you to crack down on infringement of your image and take control of merchandising is a smart strategy.
For craft beer, the industry is growing at an incredibly fast clip and has a great deal of room to grow further. While Lagunitas, or any company for that matter, should certainly not allow others to infringe on a trademark, there was little threat from the use of this acronym, which had already been adopted throughout the industry as standard nomenclature. At this point, the acronym's use by Sierra Nevada, a much larger and more popular brand, could have been leveraged to garner valuable visibility for Lagunitas--just not by way of lawsuit.
Consider your audience.
Taylor Swift is well known for having a good rapport with her tens of millions of fans. While she might have alienated some of her country music followers when she made the jump to pop star, very few fault her for the move. Because of this relationship and her solid reputation, and because most people understand the intensely competitive nature of the music industry, she is more likely not to irk her fans with what some people might believe to be a silly trademark filing.
On the other hand, Lagunitas operates in the craft beer industry, where cooperation and mutual support across the industry is common, and where many companies even collaborate to produce new and innovative offerings. More important, craft beer consumers support the industry more than individual companies, so any effort that might impede the growth or hurt the reputation of the industry is seen as intrusive and arrogant.
What do you think? Do you agree with Taylor Swift's trademark filing? Do you believe Lagunitas should have protected its trademark? Please share your thoughts below.
Published on: Feb 2, 2015
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Description Add option "-exclude" to testgrid command for disabling selected test groups during testing.
Branch CR30241 has been created by apn.
Add option "-exclude" to testgrid command.
It's possible to exclude groups, grids and test cases from test execution.
Dear ski, could you please review CR30241.
Branch CR30241 has been updated by apn.
Branch CR30241 has been updated forcibly by apn.
Branch CR30241 has been deleted by inv.
Add possibility to exclude subgroups from executed groups and test cases from executed subgroups\groups.


Course Description: The 24-hour EMT Renewal Continuing Education course is a review of the skills and knowledge covered in the EMT-Basic course. 24 hours of continuing education and successful completion of practical testing every two years is required by the state to maintain EMT certification. In addition to reviewing core curriculum, the EMT Renewal course is designed to inform participants of changes in emergency care such as new equipment, current research, or issues of general concern to EMS providers.


Neptune Energy today announces the appointment of Odin Estensen as Managing Director of its Norwegian business, based in Stavanger.
Mr Estensen joins Neptune Energy from A/S Norske Shell, where he is currently the Norway Operated Asset Manager.
With more than 28 years' experience in the oil and gas sector, Mr Estensen started his career with Schlumberger before joining Shell in 1990, where he went on to hold various senior roles across Europe, and also to support operations in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
"Having just completed the acquisition of VNG Norge AS, it's an exciting time for Odin to join Neptune and lead our Norwegian business into the next stage of growth.
"I would like to thank Anne for the stewardship she has provided since April and, in particular, her leadership of the integration teams involved with the VNG Norge organisation and business assets. We value her dedication to our business and she will continue to provide key leadership to our legal teams".


Indulge yourself with a beautiful hand-stitched Italian Leather Clutch Bag of supreme quality. The leather clutch bag should be a staple of any woman's closet, completing an outfit and exuding elegance and classic design detail wherever you go. Clutches can be found in pochette and purse sizes and many have wrist straps and mobile phone pockets for ease of use. A delightful substitute for the larger bag, a designer Italian Leather Clutch Bag is the perfect accessory to compliment your daytime or evening attire.


The Oval collection are the interior designers favourite. Beautiful and unusual, these solid glass door knobs make the perfect turning door knob. Positioned horizontally or vertically, these glass ovals really do demonstrate a modern contemporary feel.
Unique design by Liam, solid oval glass door knobs. Beautiful, unusual and popular with interior designers.
The only problem was that I wanted two knobs i.e. for one door, but the description on the website didn't say there were two, so I ordered two but of course got 4!!
Sorry for the confusion Christine. I have work through the glass door handles and highlighted that they are sold as a pair.


NEW YORK (AP) – It was a tally so impressive that President Donald Trump touted it at his State of the Union address: Since May, agents cracking down on the violent gangs terrorizing the working-class suburbs of Long Island had swept up 428 gang suspects, including 220 members of the notorious MS-13.
But the sweep called "Operation Matador" has also been shrouded in secrecy. Federal and state authorities have declined repeated requests from The Associated Press for even basic information made public in most law enforcement operations, such as the names of those arrested and the crimes they are accused of committing.
They won't divulge their ages, immigration status or current whereabouts. And while they say 44 of those arrested have been deported, they refuse to say what happened to the rest, including whether they are even still in custody. Both federal and state officials said releasing more details could endanger the suspect and jeopardize ongoing investigations.
The lack of transparency comes amid accusations by immigration rights groups that the government is using unsubstantiated rumors of gang affiliations to detain people who are wholly innocent. Federal immigration judges have already ordered the release of some detainees arrested on suspicion of being MS-13 members when the government couldn't produce any evidence of gang activity.
Some parents and activists say some of those included in the tally are innocent teenagers who came to the U.S. as unaccompanied minors, spending weeks locked in maximum-security detention centers based on flimsy and false allegations of gang activity. Civil liberties lawyers say that in some cases their alleged "activity" was wearing a black T-shirt or making a hand gesture.
The teenager said she was not a member of MS-13. She said she knew of people in MS-13, as do most people at Brentwood High School, a large high school 45 miles east of New York City. Maybe she's talked with some of them in the hallway.
Although she was released after two months in detention, she remains worried.
The federal agency leading the crackdown, Homeland Security Investigations, said that of the 428 suspected gang members mentioned in Trump's speech, 216 faced a criminal charge of some sort, but wouldn't say whether those charges had anything to do with gang activity or violence. HSI said the remaining 212 were detained for suspected immigration law violations but refused disclose their names as well, citing privacy concerns.
Suffolk County District Attorney Tim Sini has refused to answer questions about MS-13 arrests for more than a year.
In neighboring Nassau County, prosecutors said they "took down the alleged kingpin of MS-13 for the entire Eastern region of the United States" but refused to release the suspect's name.
MS-13, or La Mara Salvatrucha, recruits young teenagers from El Salvador and Honduras – though many gang members were born in the U.S. Long Island has a large population of unaccompanied minors from Central America, including many who were fleeing the violence in their home nations.
The gang has been blamed for at least 25 killings since January 2016 across a wide swath of Long Island. And many others are missing.
In a July visit to Suffolk County, Trump promised his administration would "dismantle, decimate and eradicate" MS-13.
"They're going to jails and then they're going back to their country, or they're going back to their country period," he said.
Last year, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a class-action lawsuit in California claiming some teenagers arrested in the gang crackdown were being wrongly held at detention centers.
A federal judge overseeing the case ruled the plaintiffs deserve prompt hearings and released at least nine. The judge also ordered the government to disclose how many were being held. The government has not yet done so.


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Home / Finance and Money / £3.3m of discretionary grants paid to businesses – but the job isn't finished yet, says Nottingham City Council
£3.3m of discretionary grants paid to businesses – but the job isn't finished yet, says Nottingham City Council
Posted on 8th July 2020 by Media team in Finance and Money, Press Releases
Nottingham City Council has paid its full allocation of discretionary grants to small businesses, called the Nottingham Small Business Fund, but councillors say they wish they could have achieved more.
Over £3.3 million has been paid to around 500 applicants, including businesses in shared office spaces, market traders and charities after Nottingham City Council led the way in lobbying for support for these businesses, who were left out of the government's initial support for small businesses. This led to Central Government announcing a £617 million fund for councils to use at their discretion, £3.3 million of which was awarded to Nottingham City Council.
At the time, Councillor Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Growth and the City Centre, warned that the support was welcome but unlikely to support all applicants, and while the council was able to invite applicants to apply for a second round of funds after initially allocating £2.5 million to applicants, the second round was closed two days early due to excessive demand.
Councillor Leslie Ayoola, Executive Assistant for Regeneration and Safe Nottingham, said: "While Nottingham City Council was pleased its lobbying of government for additional funds for excluded businesses was successful, we were disappointed with the amount allocated to us. Extra support is always welcome, but £3.3 million had to be spread very thinly and ultimately we don't feel we were able to support as many businesses as needed it and wish we could have achieved more. Our own estimate was that it would need more like 25% of the previous grant scheme, around £15 million, to allocate fairly a reasonable grant settlement to businesses.
"We were able to point some applicants to the government's small business support scheme we administer on their behalf. But with overwhelming demand for discretionary grant support, we knew the scheme was pitting businesses against each other at a time when Nottingham has worked so hard together to keep the local economy going, protect jobs and provide opportunities for people in the city. While we've supported 500 businesses, market traders and charities, we could easily have supported 500 more.
"The government said at the start of the pandemic they would stand shoulder to shoulder with local councils and support them through the pandemic crisis – instead, we estimate the financial impact of Covid-19 on local services in Nottingham to be around £85m, leaving us and other councils well short of what was pledged and is required from Government.
"I have a great deal of sympathy with small businesses who have seen promises of support to protect the country's economy and been excluded from these schemes, and would urge government to continue to address the problems Nottingham and Britain faces rather than congratulate itself on a job well done.
"The job isn't finished yet, and if it stays unfinished, businesses will fold, job and redevelopment opportunities will be lost and the economic recovery we all want to see to support our national pandemic recovery could stall."


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Constantia ist eine Serifenschriftart der ClearType Font Collection, die Microsoft für das Betriebssystem Windows Vista entwickelte. Sie ist in erster Linie für Fließtexte in Print- und elektronischen Medien gedacht.

Neben den weiteren neuen Schriftarten Calibri, Cambria, Candara, Consolas und Corbel ist die Schrift im Lieferumfang von Microsoft Office seit der Windows-Version 2007 bzw. der Mac-OS-X-Version 2008 enthalten, ebenso in den kostenlosen Programmen PowerPoint Viewer 2007 und Open XML File Format Converter für Mac. Die Schriften bleiben auch nach Deinstallation dieser Programme erhalten.

Weblinks

 PowerPoint Viewer 2007

 Die Constantia im TypoWiki

Schriftart

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


NEWTOWN - For sale: 24 roosters.
The Rooster Review Auction, with entertainment by Peter Obre , takes place from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. April 29 at Rock Ridge Country Club, Route 302.
Tickets, which must be bought by April 23, are $30 each and available at the Gym at Newtown, Commerce Road; the C.H. Booth Library , 25 Main St. or by calling Wendy Davenson at (203) 426-1997.
The ticket fee covers appetizers and dessert. There will be a cash bar.
C.H. Booth Library, Bagel Delight, Church Hill Physical Therapy, Coach's Deli, Coldwell Banker, Dunkin Donuts, Drug Center, Flagpole Realty, Gallagher Landscaping, Gallery Van-Os, Dr. Henry Gellert , The Inn at Newtown, Chase Bank, Mona Lisa Restaurant, Newtown Bee, Newtown Deli & Catering, Newtown General Store, Newtown Savings Bank , People's Bank , Porco's Karate Academy, Saint Rose Church, The Gym at Newtown, The Toy Tree and Western Connecticut Credit Union.


The easiest and most affordable way to rent a school band or orchestral instrument for your child!
Simply start by renting for an initial trial period to help you determine your child's interest without the large financial investment. Then just continue renting monthly for as long as you like or return at any time, because we all know kids can change their minds! The plan even allows for instrument exchanges without losing your equity. All payments apply toward purchase of the instrument and we offer discounts for early buyout. And don't worry, with our optional damage waiver you get peace of mind with instrument protection for repairs and maintenance costs.
We guarantee your complete satisfaction with every instrument!


text:
var Calendar = require('./components/Calendar');

module.exports.Calendar = Calendar;

// Setting these for example.js until browserify -s with -r is resolved
// might be https://github.com/substack/node-browserify/issues/939
module.exports.React = require('react');
module.exports.ReactBootstrap = require('react-bootstrap');
module.exports.moment = require('moment');

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub