text:
Christmas present from the EU - what's in the ninth package of sanctions
Switched to personality
The ninth package of sanctions, unexpectedly easily agreed upon and promptly put into action by European politicians, was, as you know, clearly tied in time to the oil price ceiling. However, the expected effect of such synchronicity will definitely not be. And not only because prices have not fallen from the ceiling.
The package itself, since we really wanted to move it from the negotiation stage into reality, turned out to be not only short in essence, but also overly deliberate in terms of targeting. For almost everyone whom the European Commissioners were so eager to offend, the 9th package is like a dead poultice.
The sanctions lists of the ninth package include 200 people and organizations, including three deputy prime ministers and nine ministers at once. There have never been so many, not to mention governors and deputies. Soon, it seems, there will be no one left behind the brackets.
They even gave quite specific explanations about the vice-premiers in the EU. So, Victoria Abramchenko is already to blame for the fact that "carried out control over attempts to redirect grain from Ukraine without the consent of Ukraine". But Tatyana Golikova, according to the EU, and in fact "approved the decisions of the Russian government on mobilization."
There are very big doubts that T. Golikova will refuse responsibility "for the introduction of the Russian education system in new territories." But hitting on Alexei Overchuk, "responsible for providing budgetary support to Belarus," actually seems like a serious stretch.
So it won't take long to push the Belarusian allies into direct confrontation with the EU and the Kyiv regime, which Minsk still manages to avoid. But, in principle, package No. 9 at least contains logic regarding the officers of the Main Computing Center of the Armed Forces and the developers and manufacturers of combat systems.
They didn't leave
What everyone else is guilty of is known only in the EU, where they are literally eager to somehow support the Russian fifth column, but they find it all somewhere else. Artists, columnists, bloggers and pop "star dust" - but among these, who are not really needed abroad, everyone who wanted to, it seems, has already departed along the route: suitcase - Moscow - railway station - abroad.
European journalists have already noticed that the naive expectation that the defendants have real estate or some assets that can be blocked did not materialize. It seems that in the West they were judged according to their own, or rather, according to our Russian renegades, who, with the beginning of the SVO, literally rushed abroad to save the goods acquired by overwork.
As it turned out, the new Russian victims of the sanctions do not own any banks or financial structures. If there are shares or blocks of shares somewhere, then, as a rule, in structures that are far from the sphere of sanctions. In the best possible scenario for the sanctioners, someone could have something offshore.
In this case, something to bite, it seems, could even work out. But so far, nothing has been heard from anyone. And this is not at all surprising. Pay attention, even in the Moscow representation of the EU, which, oddly enough, is still functioning properly, pouring mud on our government and the whole country, they recognized the severely limited nature of the ninth package.
This means that the sanctions have been "calibrated", a word they have chosen, in such a way as to minimize the negative consequences for the Russian population. Truly touching concern for you and me. The main thing is to make it difficult for Russia to produce a new weapons and renovation of the old. You might think that the same "population" does not work at defense enterprises.
Most likely, the EU understands quite well that the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, is absolutely right when she says that
"The package of EU sanctions will cause socio-economic problems in the EU itself."
But to admit it openly is to sign something like capitulation in the economic war. And there after all and until real quite close.
Finance has long sung all the romances
Recall that since December 16, a number of Russian media outlets have been sanctioned, including the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, the National Media Group and the RT television channel. Almost on the same list with them are the political parties of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, "A Just Russia - Patriots - For Truth", the Liberal Democratic Party, "New People", "United Russia". To frighten all this public is a hopeless business.
The defense industry was also under attack from the EU - Tochmash Design Bureau, Ural Automobile Plant, Votkinsk Plant and Kazan Optical and Mechanical Plant, Shvabe Optical Holding. And also only two banks - the Moscow Credit Bank (MKB) and the Far East Bank. All the rest who could be punished, and even those who could not, as you will affect the population, have long been on all lists. However, they continue to work stubbornly.
These banks, by the way, were given a reprieve until the summer to close correspondent relationships and transactions. They are still allowed to participate in the financing and servicing of international trade in fertilizers and agricultural commodities. Other Russian banks, however, too.
Under milder sanctions in a special list - without freezing assets, was the All-Russian Bank for Regional Development (RRDB). This is an old list, which already contains Rosneft, the owner of almost all the shares of this bank.
Utilization of fear
The European Commissioners were clearly in a hurry to ban new investments and even loans in the Russian energy and mining sectors. In such a hurry that they immediately introduced a whole set of exceptions for "certain critical raw materials."
In general, you can't go anywhere, but if you really want to, then you can. Can be into the mining and production of bauxite and aluminum, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron ore, mineral fertilizers (including phosphate rock and potassium), molybdenum, nickel, palladium, rhodium, scandium, titanium, vanadium and rare earth elements.
Wow list, isn't it? And it is not at all surprising that, while preparing its ninth sanctions package, the European Union gave Russia some indulgences. Thus, Russian titanium, aluminum, copper, nickel, palladium and iron ore are excluded from import and transport sanctions.
What is this, if not an admission of mistakes, and a statement of fear of the coming large-scale crisis in the most advanced industries due to the cessation of supplies of Russian raw materials. Strategic in most cases, mind you.
However, sub-sectors such as the extraction of lead, zinc, tungsten, gold, silver, diamonds and other precious stones fell under the ban on new European investment. The supply of construction materials is now also under sanctions, which could undermine a powerful construction boom in Russia.
Maybe, but it is unlikely to undermine, since those who want to replace the Europeans, without losing too much in the level of technology, literally line up. Needless to say, a lot was also banned in the eight previous packages, including investments in Russian oil, gas and coal production.
And what is the result? Nothing more than zilch, in comparison with which even the price ceiling looks like a very serious measure. The effect of it, however, if it will be, is very, very delayed.
Alexey Podymov, Anatoly Ivanov
vgudok.ru, 1prime.ru
Lech from Android. 23 December 2022 04: 56
About five years ago, I demanded that the US State Department impose sanctions against me... until now, the bastards have not imposed... this is discrimination.
And to our bourgeoisie who brought abroad the assets seized from the Russian economy, I'll tell you straight ... how good it is that the Anglo-Saxons gave you a kick in the ass ... they deserve it ... it's bad that the GDP is too loyal to you.
smart ass 23 December 2022 06: 56
What position do you actually hold to demand this?!
And I'm actually a citizen of Russia ... is that not enough for you?
No comments))))))))))))))))))))
rotmistr60 23 December 2022 06: 04
turned out to be not only scanty in essence, but also overly deliberate in terms of targeting.
In the EU itself, they admit with great regret that they have exhausted themselves and completely exhausted themselves with regard to the introduction of new sanctions. Those who are more sane are already loudly saying that sanctions hit Europe more than Russia, and the United States contributes to this with its actions. But in spite of everything, they continue the sanctions "binge", assuming that the hangover will be very difficult and one cannot do without a "dropper" (if it is at hand by that time).
They also said about the oil price ceiling that it doesn't matter to us, but the ruble exchange rate hit sharply, in the end we will all pay for it
Quote: Clever man
It hasn't kicked yet... but some people really want it... especially inside the country.
From 62 to 72 it didn't bang?! And there is no need to limit oil prices?))
Oil doesn't necessarily have to do with it... it could be a combination of factors.
The Central Bank of Russia is not accountable to the government and conducts its own monetary policy.
It's hard to say what's on Nabibulinna's mind.
Diana Ilyina 23 December 2022 18: 06
Calm down, the dollar was over a hundred, we experienced nothing like that ...
What you worry about is that your husband will come and bring money
skeptick2 23 December 2022 10: 51
Quote: Lech from Android.
Until I freaked out
Are you looking at this course? Have you ever seen the drop curve?
As for the article - it pleases. I once again learned that the next sanctions of the West only once again only benefit us. I am peaceful and happy.
Nastia makarova 23 December 2022 11: 55
I was 90 and nothing terrible happened
Many things were...
When the trees were big
Code more than half of the ZRV were not frozen.
When the country was not under the yoke of the most severe sanctions, the end of which is not visible.
When there was no war.
When the state was forced not to rebuild on a military footing.
When a lot of foreign companies and investors still continued to work in Russia, and did not flee from it.
When the GDP, albeit little by little, but grew.
When there was at least a ghostly chance to catch up with that same Portugal.
Alas, the situation has changed. Sharp. And it has become much more difficult to operate with reserves and methods of stabilizing the economy. Nabiullina is well aware of this. Who was rumored to have already tried to leave her seat. It was painfully uncomfortable for her to sit in her chair, apparently.
have you seen life in Portugal? we have a family with an income of 100-130 thousand lives much better than most Portuguese, although if you translate into euros, you get beggars
I am glad that our (your?) family lives better than the Portuguese one.
But in this case, a reasonable question arises: what was the basis for the desire of the guarantor to catch up with this nasty Portugal? Maybe he's off topic? Not aware that a Russian family lives better than a Portuguese one? And no one needs to be chased?
By the way, is 100-130 thousand a monthly income of a Russian family or an annual one? If annual, then the guarantor was right in his desire.
If it's monthly, then I'm sorry, I don't observe such families in my environment (outside the Moscow Ring Road). I just don't see it. Something with vision...
This is in what place and where did the GDP declare about catching up and overtaking Portugal? Why lie, and even so crooked?
And you do not follow the speeches and speeches of our guarantor at all? Are they not interested in you?
In vain. You can learn a lot from them.
I personally advise you to find the famous program article (then still the future president of the country) "Russia at the turn of the millennium" dated December 31, 1999. And study it carefully. And with surprise to find in it the words of the current guarantor that the Russian economy is able to catch up and overtake Portugal in such an important indicator as per capita GDP (PPP). Vladimir Vladimirovich assures us of this, as always, concisely and clearly. And the term determines the implementation of this unprecedented economic breakthrough - 15 years.
However, recently the guarantor for some reason does not remember his former dreams.
You that the husband will come will bring money)
Eule 23 December 2022 16: 52
Quote: rotmistr60
exhausted about the introduction of new sanctions
Would read science fiction, or something. The real sanctions are described in the "Year of the Dragon" - the official got into the car, it stalled. Got out - started up. Picked up the phone - it turned off. I gave it to someone and stepped aside - I earned it. And there with all the equipment. Up to the non-descent of water in the "smart toilet".
parusnik 23 December 2022 06: 31
Mice, different satiety, gnaw, fat cat, watching ..
Nikolay Malyugin 23 December 2022 06: 33
The fact that the people who left were in no way connected with either the country or the army is a misfortune, first of all, of the country from which they left. Many of them work remotely. And here it is necessary to distinguish between who is still beneficial for our country, and who is harmful. Not everything is so simple in our kingdom.
In addition, mostly active residents of the country, entrepreneurs who tried to build something to organize the work of people, left. Poor people a priori cannot even leave for Kazakhstan
Is it Galkin and Pugacheva who organize labor?
I am very glad that all this slag has gone abroad ... our country doesn't fucking need such entrepreneurs.
In Kazakhstan, these runners are milked by local Nazis like cider goats.
2 Level Advisor 23 December 2022 07: 42
I personally know 2 people who employed almost 30 people - in white and they paid a lot of taxes - now in Georgia, they are thinking - how to transfer a business .. Do you think it is useful and good when tens of thousands of people are able to build a business and (or) earn themselves and "put in the budget", and not receive from the budget - disappear from the economy? is it slag? not a very far-sighted remark .. does everyone live at the expense of the budget? and for those who worked for them, now sit on the budget?
it's quite real .. and what will be milked and what will be ruined .. the economy of OUR country, what is good about it? what will she get in return?
as a result, the Russian Federation loses .. and loses a lot - money, prospects, development .. we are a capitalist country, and with the departure of small capitalists, those who left, and this is basically not buy-sell, but doing something, that and " over the hill" can be implemented .. at such a pace, you can completely turn into a feudal one, when everyone depends on the "big gentleman who is somewhere out there" .. not in vain, for example, the same IT people at least 100000 left, the government thinks how return it back, they have a deeper understanding of the situation than you do .. and you are all about the "Pugalkins" ..
Quote: Level 2 Advisor
You are all about the "Pugalkins" ..
And I personally know entrepreneurs who do not run anywhere, but work in Russia and regularly pay taxes.
Should I shed tears or something that these runners decided to run abroad?
This is their choice, not mine, and the price is so penny and penny.
And the fact that it was IT people turned out to be the fault of those who relied on such unreliable personnel.
It was necessary to select people who did not flee abroad like cowardly hares.
Well, yes, not everyone is running .. those that nafig no one needs abroad are definitely not running .. but am I talking about this?
They definitely don't need your tears, but they cost a lot .. and not a little .. for the economy and development of the country .. You, Alexey, judge with emotions .. and the economy doesn't care about emotions .. it either loses or gains .. put for small business (yes, even if everyone disappears) - there was an attitude in the Union - and in vain, by the way, the same Stalin started far-sightedly in his time, but did not have time to develop this direction .. and now - you definitely shouldn't think that all this is - will not affect in any way in the end, in any case, to think that this does not affect anything - well, it's very reckless and short-sighted ... a good example, my friend, who is engaged in circuitry, left, and stayed with the window production shop .. you feel the difference ?
You know the slogan cadres decide everything... select, train, hire people who will be the backbone of any enterprise - this is the success of any economy.
And if excuse me, the frames are leaking like water through your fingers, then what kind of economy is this ... stepping on your own foot.
I'm not judging by emotions ... I would never hire an unreliable employee and I advise all entrepreneurs not to do the same stupid things.
Lech stop using illegal drugs
I work in a private organization in which there are 7 hypermarkets and 300 staff members. I imagine the owner took it and left. The office wouldn't even last a month after that
Igor_Lvovich 24 December 2022 09: 47
More of them would leave. We don't need hucksters, we need production workers, and there are plenty of specialists to buy and sell.
Non-fighter 23 December 2022 10: 16
I personally know 2 people who employed almost 30 people in white
Business working "in the white" is either from the field of unscientific fiction or "at gunpoint", or other incidental circumstances, I have seen some options. "At gunpoint" is when I worked for a large oligarchic company. They worked "in the white" and even paid off normally when calculating, because "with such control as we have, it will honestly be cheaper."
There may also be a foreign company, "wife's toy", etc.
in white, I meant the salary and the people who will lose it, they don't know about the rest .. and it's not the whiteness of the salary that makes sense, but the fact that now they won't have any .. and with a reduction in the labor market, with normal salaries - It's getting harder to find a job..
and why did these cowards run? mobilization would not touch the majority
And why would you not sign up for the medical unit as a volunteer at the front? Or are you just pushing slogans on the site and hiding behind the kids?
Do you like to talk about honor when men lose their lives and you cook borscht and play independent and strong
I imagine the owner took it and left.
I can't imagine how a capitalist will once again leave a profitable business ... he will sell it, but he won't leave it at all.
AdAstra 23 December 2022 09: 34
And when he sells, he will first of all think about his pocket or about hired workers?
if the business is profitable, then it was easier to give 200 thousand to the military commissar and get away from mobilization than to run away
You don't understand some business is part of life
Mishka78 23 December 2022 11: 13
IMHO - the more personal sanctions, the better for Russia.
At least stolen goods will not be taken to London.
And there, you see, someday a normal government will come and ask where a civil servant with a salary of 400k / month has a mansion for a couple of billions.
tralflot1832 23 December 2022 12: 57
And what about the Votkinsk plant, what didn't please the EU?
Fan-fan 23 December 2022 21: 23
political parties of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, "Fair Russia - Patriots - For Truth", LDPR, "New People", "United Russia". To frighten all this public is a hopeless business.
With this statement, the authors hit the mark. These "geese" really do not frighten anything.
evgen1221 25 December 2022 11: 53
As they wrote, they had fun, counted, shed tears with their sanctions. The calculation was on the first blow of the sanctions, it didn't work, it became more painful for myself. Wait, by inertia, they introduce it and already with a bed of straw, because they won't be able to print money for a long time. Another thing is the self-esteem of citizens of the Russian Federation who will use and sell to the West everything that is possible for promises not to be touched, not to be touched yet.
Ilgizl 29 December 2022 02: 27
In general, they left critically important resources for themselves, which will allow them to feed their economy again with these supplies.


Actually I am doing part time job, secretly.
Sometime I have to go out to find extra income for myself. You know it very hard nowadays. Everything was very expensive. So the solution is I have to work part time. On the morning I work at Airport and at the night time I worked as a Chef at The Other Office Restaurant. After I finished my work at Airport, I rushing to go home to change my clothes. Then I proceed to The Other Office Restaurant and I started cooking some dishes to be serves to customer like Bacon Cheese Burger, French Onion Soup, Super Chunk Fruit Salad, Triple Berry Cheesecake, Spitfire Roasted Chicken, Pumpkin pie and much more. The owner of the restaurant give me salary RM 800 per month. It ok for me but I still need more. This is my first part time job as Chef and I happy with this job.
Before I become Chef and Mafia leader, I was a farmer. Even before I work at Airport Miri. Full time farmer take care of his small farm. I brought this farm last year and I plant various vegetables and fruits. I plant strawberry, wheat and many more. With this way, I can generate another income. Even though it generate slow income but it is stable.
For conclusion, this is my way to generate side income. Do you want to follow me? Gotcha. Happy reading.
I am working person full time with Facebook as I seat in front of my lappy all the time. Hail !!!!!! Facebook!!!!


text:
Intervals
Nataša Muševič – Dot: Intervals
August 23rd - September 5th 2013, @Križevniška cerkev, Trg Francoske revolucije, Ljubljana
Exhibition opening: Friday, August 23rd, 7pm, with music support by Some1Else and Bartillier
Exhibition guided tour: Monday, August 26th, 7pm
Opening hours: every day from 4pm till 10pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm till 9pm
In 2014: From May 30th till June 25th 2014, @Dimenzija napredka gallery, Solkan, Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Project Intervals by Dot RWM on Vimeo
The particle and wave duality of nature exists on any scale in any dimension. If we considered objects in nature around us just as bodies with mass and discard their wave function, this perception would lead to pure ignorance.
The steps of the chaotic system around us, the basic intervals that combine into infinite possibilities that form our world, our universe, and especially their fractal nature allow us a visualization of a basic stable system of natural flow, an illustration of phase systems of many body problem / multiple wave function. By shifting them into the human scale, the project depicts the texture of the universe in the form of a harmony made of intervals extrapolated from the data on the basic frequencies on both quantum and (inter-)planetary scale.
But at the end it is up to the observer to decide whether the observed objects are just a group of circulating bodies or merely waves trapped in a form.
Sound installation Intervals is a first solo art piece by intermedia artist and musician Nataša Muševič – Dot, striving to research the existence of naturally present intervals in our universe. The installation consist of numerous spherical objects circulating around the installation's central axis, being driven by sound i.e. by their own resonance.
The installation itself is an audial and physical illustration of sequences of intervals, the proportions of which are derived from empirical research data and scientific measurements. In search of perfect harmony, the author compared frequencies of natural intervals present in electrons rotation with the relations of the frequencies of the planets in our Solar system. These proportions were then transformed into sound, but they still preserve their mutual correlations and are thus presented in a harmonical form.
The idea of Intervals originates in wave–particle duality theory, which explains the frequency properties of matter at the atomic scale and adapts it to the viewer's visual scale. Thus the author poses the question of boundary between matter and waves and offers the viewer to rethink the question: is the circulating sphere truly substantive or is it just a sound frequency? Is the world around us really physically perceptible or are we merely surrounded by different forms of waves?
http://projectintervals.wordpress.com/ // Photo by Helena Božič.
There has been numerous attempts by the world musical theorists and nations to find the ultimate harmony in which to write music. Harmony, as we know it culturally, is like language, it depends on its cultural origin and is passed on by the members of society. Diverse range of known musical harmonies include the standard major and minor harmonic progressions known in the west, but also diverse harmonies of India where intervals follow one another at ¼ tone, rather than ½ known in the West. From pentatonic Scale to Middle Eastern harmonies, we clearly observe musical harmony to be a part of a culture.
But where do the natural emotions expressed through melodies in a certain harmony come from? Are there any natural ways to explain intervals used in a harmony and where do musicians instincts of intervals come from?
The project Intervals aims to find a relativistic sort of a harmony that is derived from empirically/scientifically measured steps/values from which the nature around us is build. There are many constants known to humankind, which themselves alone point to the periodical repetition of some values throughout observed systems. Some constants are compound/bound to the forces and physical theories explaining their origins (G=gravity constant) and therefore are nor scalable across all physical phenomena (example quantum world). But there are also constants, on the other hand, that are free from being bound to certain physical scale or theory and are therefore mainly mathematical in origin (Pi). While physics always aims to be subjective (even Einstein's relativity theory only solves any given problem at once for merely one point of view), mathematics seems to approach more distant/objective description of nature around us.
The project therefore tries to gather data empirically tested and measured by means of physical experimentation and translate them into the world of mathematics. This transformation is at the same time one of the core concepts of Intervals, because the root of subjective harmony which Western world has culturally accepted as normal (major and minor) is equally problematic to creation of objective harmony-music composition, as physics is to objective physical theories. As a musician Nataša tends to have the professional deformation of striving to find a 'perfect harmony', the problem which has been troubling many people around the world for many centuries. And while each new harmonic theory enables us to express certain view of the world, Nataša's is yet another try.
This text is an extract from the author's extensive study about the project. It is fully accessible here.
Nataša Muševič aka Dot is a music producer, singer, song writer, record label manager and a multimedia artist. She moved to London at the age of 19 to study sound engineering and later finished her honours degree in Recording Arts at London's SAE Institute. During her years in London Nataša managed Immigrant Recordings with Subeena which was the first dubstep record label managed by female producers, and later on funded her own record label Read Write Music. Natasha's work in intermedia art extends to collaborative projects such as Magnetic Matrix (with Marko Batista), Sonične Skulpture (with Boštjan Čadež, Marko Batista and Satja Lumbar) and Sonosthesia (with Jernej Marušič a.k.a. Octex). Her interest in multimedia art aims to include continuous research of sonic frequencies which have always been the main focus of Nataša's creations and also part of her first solo intermedia project Intervals.
Maja and Igor Muševič, Igor Križanovskij, Jaša Bizjak, Marko Batista, Darko Brlek, Alenka Banovec, Željko Pelicon, Marko Peljhan, Pajo, Adam Muzafirovič, Dominik Mahnič, Brane Filipič, Maja Kocjan, Gašper Premože, Andraž Tarman, Boris Petovar, Primož Žagar, Peter Kolobarič, Slavko Glamočanin,Tjaša Flis, Blaž Remškar, Srđan Prodanovič, Aleksandar Pejić, Žiga Kranjec, Boris Šaletič, Matija Praznik, Jernej Černologar and to all, who believed it's possible.
Intervals pdf
Project was developed as a co-production between Zavod Projekt Atol and Ljudmila, with the support of Festival Ljubljana.
Production of the project was supported by Ministry of Culture.
Vzpostavljeno iz »https://wiki.ljudmila.org/w/index.php?title=Intervals&oldid=10885«

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Home > ETD > 1115
Body Dissatisfaction, Verbal Commentary, Social Influences and Cigarette Smoking
Nicole Bennett
In the United States, about a quarter of adolescent girls report clinical levels of body dissatisfaction, and approximately 15% of adults smoke cigarettes. Body dissatisfaction can predict the development of an eating disorder, and smoking is linked with dozens of diseases, both of which can lead to premature death. The current study tested body dissatisfaction as a mediator of the relationship between frequency of positive verbal commentary and smoking, and the relationship between sociocultural influences (perceived family, peer, media, and significant other pressures) and smoking, while controlling for body mass index. Participants included 397 female undergraduates (Mean age = 20.32) recruited from universities and online communities, who completed an online survey. Participants were primarily Hispanic (33.4%), followed by Asian/Pacific Islander (28.2%), and White (20.1%). Results demonstrated no significant mediation effect of body dissatisfaction on the relationship between sociocultural factors and smoking, and there were no significant predictors of smoking (ps > .05). Increases in perceived pressures from peers, family, media, and less positive verbal commentary predicted greater body dissatisfaction (ps < .001). Increases in pressures from significant others (p < .01) and BMI also predicted greater body dissatisfaction (p < .05). Contrary to previous research, body dissatisfaction and smoking were not significantly associated (p xi > .05). Our findings corroborate prior research regarding the impact of sociocultural factors on body dissatisfaction and expand upon it by including pressures from significant others. Possible explanations for the lack of significant predictors of smoking are discussed, as well as ways to potentially modify the Tripartite Model of Influence for future studies to include smoking. Overall, these findings have implications for body dissatisfaction prevention/intervention efforts that emphasize the importance of focusing on sociocultural factors.
School of Behavioral Health
Holly E. R. Morrell
Sylvia M. Herbozo
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Psych.D.
body dissatisfaction; body image; social influence
Doctoral Project
Bennett, Nicole, "Body Dissatisfaction, Verbal Commentary, Social Influences and Cigarette Smoking" (2021). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 1115.
https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/1115
Clinical Psychology Commons


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text:
'Dirty Dancing' star Patrick Swayze dead at 57
Source: Agencies | September 15, 2009, Tuesday | Online Edition
ACTOR Patrick Swayze, who went from Broadway dancer to Hollywood star in box-office hits like "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost," died yesterday after a two year battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57.
Swayze died at home with his family at his side, his publicist said.
He became a pop culture icon with 1987's "Dirty Dancing," which defied Hollywood expectations to become one of the most-watched movies of all time.
Swayze played the swaggering dance instructor Johnny Castle in the film opposite Jennifer Grey's sheltered teenager Frances "Baby" Houseman, who becomes smitten with him while on vacation at a New York resort during the 1960s.
Swayze was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly forms of the disease, in January 2008. He said at the time that the cancer had already spread to his liver.
But the actor and former dancer vowed to fight the disease and had treatment with an experimental drug. He then surprised Hollywood by filming a new detective series for television called "The Beast" in which he played the grueling lead role. The series was broadcast earlier this year.
"Dirty Dancing," which was made for a modest budget and almost scrapped by its studio, became a massive box-office hit, earning Golden Globe nominations for both stars and spawning the Oscar-winning hit single "(I've Had) The Time of My Life."
Producers did not have high hopes for the film but it reaped US$64 million at the US box office and US$214 million worldwide.
Swayze co-wrote and performed the song "She's Like the Wind" for the movie's soundtrack, which went to No. 3 on the pop music charts. The film remained widely popular more than two decades later and recently spawned a stage musical version.
'GHOST'
In 1990 "Ghost" was an even bigger hit than "Dirty Dancing" with a domestic box office take of more than US$217 million and US$505 million around the world.
Swayze starred as Demi Moore's deceased lover, Sam, in the tear-jerker romance, which was nominated for a best film Academy Award.
Whoopi Goldberg won an Oscar for her supporting role as a spiritual medium who helps Sam communicate with his girlfriend from beyond the grave. Goldberg said it was Swayze who convinced director Jerry Zucker to cast her.
Swayze was born in Houston on Aug. 18, 1952, and was introduced to performing early. His father was a champion rodeo cowboy and his mother owned a ballet studio.
Swayze trained in dance from a young age and performed for New York City ballet companies before moving to Broadway.
His portrayal of Danny Zuko on Broadway in "Grease" caught the attention of Hollywood and he moved to the West Coast in the late 1970s, appearing in small TV and film parts.
His breakout roles came in 1983's boyhood drama "The Outsiders" and 1984's "Red Dawn" in which he and future "Dirty Dancing" co-star Grey played teenagers fighting invading Russians.
After "Dirty Dancing" and "Ghost," Swayze suffered several career setbacks, including a battle with alcohol.
Attributing some of his problems with drinking to his sudden fame and the Hollywood lifestyle, he moved back to Texas with wife Lisa Niemi but worked in such films as "The Green Dragon" and "Donnie Darko," both in 2001.


And I mean a tiny bit!
How clever! They titled the song according to how many people will probably react to it!
I think the more cynical among us may be a little I-thought-that's-what-we-were-getting-with-ICE-CREAM-SUICIDE about it, but the limited earwitness accounts of the little previews the DEVIL GUN members shared a little while back did mention a heavier sound with some harsh vocals. And listen to Botan go! She sounds like an idol, and then she sounds like an idol who's done a little bit of work with Corpsegrinder on getting that growl down right.
So look on the bright side: DEVIL GUN sounds like they'll be pretty fun!


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Posted in Mississippi History, Sights & Landmarks October 06, 2021 by Daniella DiRienzo
One Of Only A Few Antebellum Houses Still Standing On Mississippi's Gulf Coast, Old Brick House Offers A Unique Glimpse Into The Past
Some Mississippi cities, like Natchez and Columbus, have tons of well-preserved antebellum buildings. Other areas of the state aren't as fortunate. For instance, the Old Brick House is one of only a couple of antebellum houses still standing on Mississippi's Gulf Coast. Having weathered numerous hurricanes and several centuries, it's a Gulf Coast landmark, offering visitors a unique glimpse into the past.
Living up to its name, Biloxi's Old Brick House is, well, old! In fact, it's touted as "one of the most historic structures in South Mississippi."
SC/Google
The exact date of the home's construction is unknown, but is estimated to be between 1835 and 1840.
The_Loup_Garou/TripAdvisor
Age is only half of what makes Old Brick House special, though.
Rarity is the other half. With countless hurricanes ravaging the Gulf Coast throughout the centuries, buildings from the antebellum period (1783-1861) aren't very common.
Luckily, the Old Brick House has withstood the test of time… and hurricanes, including Katrina, during which a seven-foot storm surge smashed into the home.
FEMA Photo Library/Wikimedia
Its ability to endure is due to its unique construction. Not only is it a brick structure, but it's three brick layers thick!
The Old Brick House has overcome more than hurricanes over the years, though. In the 1950s, after falling into disrepair, the Biloxi Garden Club stepped in and raised money to restore the Old Brick House.
By 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places; and in 2019, the city of Biloxi gave it a new life as an event venue.
Between its historic appeal and idyllic location on the Back Bay, it's as if this dwelling was meant to be an event venue all along!
Want to learn more about the Old Brick House? For more information, visit the City of Biloxi website.
So, did you know about Old Brick House? What about its historical significance? Ever attended an event at the property? If so, what'd you think? Tell us!
This isn't the only historic home in the state. Click here to read about another that dates back to the 1700s!
Address: Old Brick House, 622 Bayview Ave, Biloxi, MS 39530, USA
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Mississippi In Your Inbox
Daniella DiRienzo
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for the past 25 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships, working for The Royal Obsession and Anatomie clothing. In the years since, she's had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as Parents & Kids Magazine and Girl Meets Strong. She's also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
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Lofstedt Reviewed: When it comes to health and safety, politics can kill
Submitted by sglenister on Fri, 11/05/2012 - 16:22
On the day the Queen's Speech reiterated the government's plans to reduce the state inspection of businesses, experts at the IER's Reviewing Lofstedt conference discussed the human cost of cuts to health and safety.
By Sarah Glenister
A big thank you to everybody who came to our Reviewing Lofstedt event on the future of health and safety legislation at Hamilton House in London recently – we hope you found it as interesting as we did!
The speakers waded through political rhetoric and the populist myths entangled with health and safety law to expose the most important truth – work can kill and make us ill if business is not properly regulated and employers are poorly advised.
The full-day conference kicked off with a speech from Professor Ragnar Lofsedt, author of 2011's review: "Reclaiming health and safety for all", which was followed by a lively question and answer session.
Lofstedt explained the process of writing the review, including visiting sites with health and safety inspectors and taking evidence from organisations including the Institute of Employment Rights.
He suggested there needs to be a greater understanding of risk across the UK, rejecting tabloid claims that health and safety legislation has gone too far, and recommending that education be provided to employers, workers and students on the dangers they face.
The professor stressed that health and safety legislation is not holding firms back, but rather is "vital" for corporations. He also made it clear that he recommended the consolidation of regulations by 35% and never mentioned nor endorsed the 50% cuts that have since been mentioned by coalition leaders.
Delegates were also treated to some breaking and exclusive news, with Professor Lofstedt announcing he has been asked to conduct a second review into how the government are implementing his recommendations, and MP Andrew Miller arriving to the conference straight from hearing the Queen's Speech.
Eight speakers took the stage and gave detailed and thoughtful analysis of the review as well as of the broader health and safety landscape.
Here are some of the themes that emerged on the day:
It could have been worse
The broad conclusion of the day's event was that the outcome of the Lofstedt Review was not as bad as it could have been, but there is much room for improvement. Several delegates joined speaker Hilda Palmer, of the Hazards Campaign, in calling on the professor to "speak truth to power", suggesting he is in an excellent position to take the issues concerning trade unions and health and safety campaigners to the top.
But although Lofstedt's opposition to slashing regulations was welcomed and his emphasis on simplifying and consolidating broadly endorsed, several problems were found with the report.
Political distortion
The influence of politics on health and safety legislation was covered by several speakers, including Professor Lofstedt himself.
He stressed to delegates that he started the review aiming for a "frank and full discussion" that left politics outside of the room. His concern since the publication of his report was that his recommendations have been twisted or ignored by right-wing leaders, who continue to push for strident cuts in health and safety regulations, which the government insists on describing as "red tape".
But the professor's claim that he is only interested in making good, scientific, evidence-based recommendations was later brought into question by academics Dr David Whyte of the University of Liverpool and the University of Stirling's Professor Andrew Watterson.
Whyte described as "reckless" Lofstedt's practice of making "piecemeal recommendations" without hearing evidence, and questioned why a government that has made its plans to cut health and safety legislation clear "unreservedly" welcomed the review.
Meanwhile, Watterson added that the recommendations were full of "policy-based evidence" rather than evidence-based policy.
Rhetoric and undefined language
One critical point made by Whyte was that the implementation of health and safety legislation is instructed by the government's designation of workplaces as low or high risk, but these terms have been left undefined, allowing politicians to describe even dangerous areas such as docks and airfields as "low risk" and thus subject to less vigorous regulation.
Steve Cottingham of O H Parsons Solicitors later criticised Lofstedt's recommendation that the phrase "so far as reasonably practicable" becomes "the key principle at the heart of Great Britain's health and safety legislation". He suggested the introduction of this phrase would undermine regulations, detract from the clear understanding of "strict liability" and make it easier for employers to cut corners when it comes to protecting their staff from workplace hazards.
Another area in which the Loftstedt Review was criticised was in its avoidance of investigating occupational health concerns, including common issues like work-related stress, respiratory diseases and musculoskeletal disorders.
Watterson argued occupational diseases have been the victim of "political neglect" and a "don't look, don't find, don't record" approach that serves to disguise the potentially devastating impact of work on people's wellbeing.
Hilda Palmer suggested that it is imperative that the "invisible iceberg" of occupational health problems is exposed and the myth busted that work-related illness is rare. She revealed alarming statistics on the number of people suffering and dying from occupational diseases.
Meanwhile, Hugh Robertson, TUC Senior Policy Officer of Health and Safety, said heath and safety was too important to be left in the hands of politicians and he criticised the government for completely ignoring occupational health issues, noting that sickness absence is mostly the result of stress and musculoskeletal disorders. He said the "shelf-life of politicians is less than the shelf-life of cancer", accusing the government of failing to address long-term problems that may not affect their chance of winning the next election.
The problem of the self-employed
Professor Lofstedt suggested in his keynote speech that self-employed people who pose no risk to the health or lives of others should be exempt from health and safety laws. But several speakers and delegates expressed deep concern with this proposal, noting that "self employment" is a complex legal term, often abused by employers to divest themselves of health and safety responsibilities.
Cottingham described this behaviour as a "scandal", citing many cases where employers had failed to properly care for "self-employed" staff which ended in successful tribunal claims against the company.
Hugh Robertson, TUC Senior Policy Officer of Health and Safety, stressed that health and safety law should not only be about prosecution for wrongdoing, but also providing guidance to employers and self-employed people and the responsibility for providing this advice should fall on the HSE.
Dan Shears, GMB National Health and Safety Officer, presented a case study involving security workers, who he said are vulnerable to attack yet fail to be compensated for injury due to confusion surrounding employer liability caused by tiers of subcontracting. Shears discussed the work and recent successes of the GMB SafeGuard Charter for security staff.
The Queen's Speech
Miller brought delegates right up to date by quoting the Queen's speech – published only hours before – in which it was declared: "Legislation will be introduced to reduce burdens on business by repealing unnecessary legislation and to limit state inspection of businesses."
It seems, then, that the government are ploughing ahead with their attempts to deregulate in terms of health and safety and that the warnings made by experts – including those involved in Professor Lofstedt's Review – have gone unheeded so far.
Hopefully, Lofstedt's "review of the review" due to start in Autumn 2012 and report in January 2013, will highlight this anomaly, reign in those media moguls and politicians who continue to argue for cuts and confirm the view that rather than health and safety being unaffordable, we cannot afford to continue to cut health and safety.
For a detailed examination of the undermining of health and safety law, see David Whyte and Steve Tombs' publication Regulartory Surrender: Death, Injury and the Non-Enforcement of Law.
Interested in finding out more about the response to the Lofstedt Review? The Reviewing Lofstedt conference will be coming to Liverpool on Tuesday 22nd May. David Whyte and Professor Andrew Watterson will be repeating their speeches alongside a selection of new speakers.
Book and pay for your place online here
Lofstedt
Sarah Glenister


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Red Dog: True Blue
Available on VOD: 1 december 2017
Director: Kriv Stenders
Cast: Levi Miller (Pan), Bryan Brown (Gods of Egypt, Australia), Hanna Mangan Lawrence (Beyond the Reach), Jason Isaacs (The Infiltrator, Fury, The OA)
An iconic Australian story of family, friendship and adventure, between a young boy and a scrappy one-of-a-kind dog that would grow up to become an Australian legend.
TheGuardian.com: From its sweetly self-referential start, the Red Dog prequel offers a very rewarding journey – with plenty of dem feels.
Maketheswitch.com.au: 'Red Dog: True Blue' is one of the best children's films I've seen in a long time. I've said it before and I'll say it again, but children's movies always seem to pack more of an emotional punch than adult movies these days. I know from the sound of the sobbing in the cinema I was in that I wasn't the only one with tears in my eyes at the end. It's one for the whole family to enjoy, and an important one to support.
Urbancinefile.com.au: With Bryan Brown and the stunning Pilbara region as its greatest assets, True Blue is a sweet film.
Darrens-world-of-entertainment.blogspot.nl: Red Dog True Blue's warmth and fuzziness may prove to be the ideal antidote for those seeking a feelgood flick to start 2017 off with.
Residententertainment.com: a really great story and also has a lot of heart. a lovely family film that's a good choice to take young kids to see. 8.5!
Filmblerg.com: The scenery is magnificent and importantly Miller's boundless enthusiasm and great chemistry with the dog keep things light.
Heavymag.com.au: A smooth, enjoyable ride for the whole family.
Heyuguys.com: But it's what the red dog represents that is moving, for he's a means of exploring Mick's youth, with touching finale that is steeped in the idea that the memories the protagonist has will never go away, moments he'll always cherish, albeit with a friend he no longer has. It's hard not to get emotionally stirred, even if you are a cat person.
Previewfilms.com.au: Wholesome family viewing this respectable continuing chapter in the franchise is funny, poignant, has a great soundtrack containing great Aussie songs, but most importantly has heart and soul.
Sbs.com.au: A simple coming-of-age story that benefits from a great cast and moments of inspired craziness.
Supermarcey.com: A surprisingly strong and crowd pleasing prequel that was definitely better than it had any right to be. It did still capture all the humour, adventure, heart and Aussie spirit that made RED DOG such a joy to watch.
TheReelWord.net: This delightful prequel continues the legacy sincerely with an emphasis on modesty and greater attention to character development.
Director: John Stockwell
Cast: Wesley Snipes (Expendables, Blade, Chi-raq, Brooklyn's Finest), Anne Heche (The Other Guys, John Q), Dave Annable (Brothers & Sisters), Gene Simmons (Expecting Mary)
A team of special forces soldiers approach the designer of a high-tech military compound to investigate the disappearance of another team guarding the facility. The compound, known professionally as a Temple, is an artificial intelligence powered facility designed for interrogating high level prisoners. Upon entering the Temple, the soldiers quickly find the earlier team horrifically slaughtered but no evidence as to who is responsible.
Almost immediately, the crew begins to experience strange and horrific supernatural phenomena as they attempt to uncover who killed the previous team. Soon enough, they find a lone survivor, a dangerous terrorist who may hold the key to who killed the soldiers. But as the story goes on, we'll learn that there's more to it than we've been told and a dark secret the soldiers share may hold the key to surviving The Temple.


The benefits of a seasonal cleanup on your residential or commercial property are plentiful, and October is the perfect time of year to give your landscaping a little TLC.
Preparing your property for the upcoming winter season involves more than simply covering your barbeque and storing outdoor furniture. At Green Thumb Landscaping, we know that having some expert assistance in preparing your landscaping, gardens, and lawn will help your home or business look its best next spring and summer.
Ah yes, raking leaves. In recent years, the leaves have fallen so late that many municipalities have already completed their collections when the last ones have fallen. Keep going! Don't leave them on your lawn.
Raking the leaves off your lawn keeps your grass healthy and ready to grow next spring. If left on your lawn, you have the potential for mould and pests to invade over the winter months.
Raked leaves provide an excellent natural mulch for your gardens beds over the winter season. Unlike your lawn, your gardens will appreciate the warm blanket of your leaves and the added nutrients as they decompose. Be sure to mulch your leaves before you pile them on the gardens (run through them with your lawn mower and shred them).
Decomposing leaves are very slippery and can pose a hazard if they are left in, or near, areas where you walk or play.
The best time to seed and overseed your lawn is in the fall when the ground and soil is still relatively warm and the air is cool. In October, there is still plenty of sunlight to help your seeds take hold before the snow flies.
Seeding and overseeding will help to bring your old grass, worn-out, or stressed grass back to life. Our hot summers take a toll on your lawn, and adding seed and fertilizer will help to reinvigorate your landscape.
Adding quality seeds to your lawn will help to thicken your grass and create a more lush, attractive lawn. Overseeding will help to bring a healthy green colour back into your landscaping.
Performing a seasonal cleanup is key to having a beautiful property, but doing it right can be time-consuming. Contact the experts at Green Thumb Landscaping. We'll help make your landscaping look great now, and next season.


Cumin lamb is my favorite lunch special at Chinese Halal Cuisine on Bellaire, the subject of this week's Café Review. The pungent aroma of this spicy lamb dish might remind you of Tex-Mex, since cumin, chiles and garlic are major components in Chinese Muslim Uyghur cooking.
China's Xinjiang Province in the westernmost part of China, is where many Uyghurs live. It borders Afghanistan, along with several other predominantly Muslim countries, and Chinese Halal cooking has become very popular throughout the region. It's also the inspiration for Indo-Chinese cooking at such Houston Desi restaurants as Masala Wok, Halal Wok and others.


Led by Neil Howlett, Dr Nick Troop and Dr Daksha Trivedi, behaviour change research at Herts has focused on using behavioural science, particularly in the field of physical activity, to produce translational research knowledge with local and national partners in public health promotion.
Neil Howlett is on the core committee of the Behaviour Science and Public Health Network. This network were lead contributors to Public Health England's national strategy: Improving People's Health: Applying behavioural and social sciences to improve population health and wellbeing in England.
Our research aims to produce trans-disciplinary collaborations to embed behavioural science into public health efforts to reduce the burden of unhealthy behaviours in the most disadvantaged communities.
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials of physical activity and sedentary behaviour interventions for inactive adults. The findings showed that changes in physical activity can be achieved through intervention up to a year after completion and highlighted a number of behaviour change techniques (BCT) that were associated with effectiveness (e.g. action planning, instruction on how to perform the behaviour, prompts/cues, self-reward).
Additional reviews have looked at the most effective BCTs in physical activity interventions for people with dementia and for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Reviews in progress are focused on physical activity to help with bereavement and assessing the effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing for physical activity.
Previous research has suggested that theory has been used inconsistently, and has rarely been applied to the design, implementation, and evaluation of physical activity interventions. The COM-B model of behaviour suggests that behaviour results from an individual having sufficient capability, opportunity, and motivation. Our research analysed the content and predictive validity of the COM-B for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). The findings suggested that capability (habits, action planning, and self-monitoring) and motivation (intention, self-efficacy, and exercise self-identity) are key in performing regular MVPA. A parallel analysis was completed for sitting behaviour showing capability (habits and self-monitoring) and opportunity (subjective norms) to be key.
The Active Herts programme is a community physical activity programme for inactive adults, with additional cardiovascular disease risk factors and/or mental health issues. Active Herts implements the best BCTs in the intervention materials/delivery and evaluates key drivers of MVPA from the COM-B as secondary outcomes. In two areas programme users are receiving a BCT booklet, regular consultations, a booster phone call, motivational text messages, and signposting for 12 weeks of exercise classes.
In another two areas programme users are also receiving 12 weeks of free tailored exercise classes, with optional exercise 'buddies' available. An outcome evaluation is assessing changes in physical activity as the primary outcome, and sporting participation, sitting, wellbeing, psychological capability, and reflective motivation as secondary outcomes. A process evaluation is exploring the views of programme users, programme providers, and commissioners about what has worked best and why.
We provide robust evaluation for key partners such as the charity HENRY, who are testing a novel volunteer-led delivery of a programme to improve the behaviour and knowledge of parents and young children around nutrition and physical activity. Our evaluation of these projects comes from funders such as the Big Lottery and the Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund.


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Home Business The price of change
The price of change
Shanghai's Expo budget is a dizzying US$58 billion, US$16 billion more than was spent on the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Funds have been channeled into everything from major infrastructure projects – including a new terminal at Hongqiao Airport and four lines for the already extensive subway system – to last-minute initiatives intended to crackdown on law-breakers. The city that greets Expo visitors will be very different from the one to which locals are accustomed. To some this is cause for optimism; to others it is not.
Above ground, Shanghai is undergoing a major facelift involving the renovation of historical buildings and the construction of new property developments.
The city's historic Bund district has been restored to the 1930s feel of its semi-colonial days. One of the Bund's most iconic buildings, the Peace Hotel, has undergone a massive makeover in time for the Expo. The project took three years and cost US$73 million to complete. The hotel is fortunate it will survive to greet Expo visitors: The price of Shanghai's overhaul was paid by many other old buildings.
The food market on Wujiang Lu, the old lower-middle class neighborhood Dongjiadu, the 106-year-old Shanghai Rowing Club, and the art deco-style National City Bank of New York building all met their demise at the hands of demolition crews. Around 18,000 families have also been relocated from the Expo site, mostly to suburbs on the outskirts of Shanghai.
Optimism persists
Despite the sometimes drastic changes, a distinct atmosphere of positivity pervades the populace. Many local business owners are looking forward to the increase in customers, especially bar and restaurant operators.
"The Expo will bring more people into China, create more job prospects, and provide opportunities for businesses in the service industry to do well. In the long run the Expo is a very positive thing for the restaurant industry, and we are prepping for a very busy season," said Muna Li, manager of café and bar Abbey Road in the popular Hengshan Lu area of Puxi.
Restaurants like the Blue Frog chain are definitely feeling the positive effects. "Since the beginning of the year we've noticed an uptick in our business. There is a lot more traffic that is Expo-related, whether it's engineers or people who are working in the pavilions," said Bob Boyce, CEO of Blue Horizon Hospitality Group, which owns the Blue Frog. "I think most people in the business are just looking forward to a really fun year. I don't know of many that are apprehensive."
Those whose businesses run contrary to the image Shanghai authorities want to present are justifiably apprehensive. For example, the high-profile pirated DVD emporiums on trendy Dagu Lu have turned into ghosts of their former selves. The storefronts appear to only carry legal Chinese DVDs, and customer traffic is much sparser. "We only sell legitimate DVDs now," Eric, a staff member at one store, said. "The Expo police have been raiding the street frequently, and we have to be extra careful. It's bad for business."
A hawker who sells pirated books from a street cart warned his customers against coming back to the same location to find him again. "Because of the Expo, I'm being chased around. I don't know where I'll be tomorrow," he lamented.
Prohibitions against the sale of pirated DVDs or street-vendor fare aside, some new regulations that could impact local businesses are seen as moves in the right direction by the wider citizenry. In March, authorities implemented a citywide ban on smoking in indoor public spaces, requiring restaurants and office buildings to set up nonsmoking areas. While a similar ban was tried (and failed) in Beijing during the Olympics, some believe it will take hold in Shanghai.
"There's been a growing awareness of the risks of smoking in China in recent years, and customers are more health-conscious now. Most people see the smoking ban as a good thing," said Abbey Road's Li. That said, a common sight in Shanghai restaurants these days are ashtrays placed directly beneath no-smoking signs.
In line with the smoking ban, city authorities are also trying to raise awareness of social etiquette. Large-scale public seminars are being held on how to wait in line, stand single file on escalators, assist tourists with directions and abide by traffic rules. At subway stops, Expo volunteers hold signs directing commuters to let passengers off the train first before boarding. Informational videos reiterate the message on board the trains. Signs warning against spitting, running red lights, and jaywalking have been posted to keep guests and residents in line ? and appear to be working.
"Shanghai is using the Expo to bring up standards of living. The city is evolving, and this will mark a new level of sophistication and professionalism. The Expo will leave behind a better Shanghai," said Boyce.
Ingenuity prevails
Nevertheless, if there's one thing Shanghai's local vendors are known for, it's their ingenuity. Upon entering one particularly cramped DVD store off Yannan Lu, a clerk was quick to slide open a newly installed false back wall, revealing rows of the usual pirated foreign DVDs inside. Customers were browsing unconcerned.
As the clients left the store, the clerk handed out a card. "Call this number if we're closed," he said. "We've moved our stock to another place, and I can take you there. Or we can even deliver."


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Let's be honest ….everyone's on welfare
In the hate campaign currently being conducted by the Coalition and the mainstream media against the welfare state and the poor, deserving or otherwise, one very inconvenient fact goes unmentioned: everyone is a recipient of welfare. How is this? Because much of welfare is not identified as welfare.
People generally think of welfare as being merely benefits to paid the unemployed, sick and disabled, which include housing and council tax benefit as well as what would once have been known as the dole and incapacity benefit. The reality is that you are also on welfare if you receive any of the following:
1. Child benefit.
2. Tax credits , either while working or after retirement.
3. The state retirement pension – this is far from being fully funded by contributions for the large majority of the population, even if 30% of the income tax and tax and national insurance contributions paid throughout their working lives was notionally deemed to be a pension pot.
4. Private pensions and other forms of saving which benefit from tax relief.
5. A public sector pension, none of which are anything like fully funded.
6. NHS treatment for yourself or your children – free dental treatment for children
7. State schooling for yourself or your children.
8. Private education for yourself or your children where the school is a charity.
9. University education for you or your children – this is still heavily subsidised despite tuition fees.
10. Carers receiving state benefits.
11. Those in homes for the elderly paid for by the taxpayer or who are in receipt of taxpayer funded help in their own homes.
12. Those benefitting from taxpayer subsidised rail, underground, tram and bus fares, especially those with free travel cards.
13. Those in housing with rents held below the market rate such as council housing and Housing Association properties.
14 . Those exercising their Right to Buy a council or Housing Association property at a heavy discount.
15. Those taking advantage of free or subsidised entry to public establishments such as libraries museums , art galleries, parks, sports fields, swimming pools, sports centres and youth clubs.
16. Those taking advantage as a spectator of any artistic or sporting activity subsidised by the taxpayer, for example, the Royal Opera House, National Theatre, the Olympics and Wembley Stadium.
17. Those taking advantage of the multiplicity of taxpayer funded groups to promote specific activities and parts of the population, for example, women, gays and ethnic minorities.
18. Public service employees who are union representatives allowed time off for union work.
19. Those who have benefitted from a charity, especially those which receives taxpayers' money.
20. Those who have benefitted from a not-for-profit body other than a charity which receives tax breaks and/or public money.
21. Those over 60 receiving the winter fuel payment receiving.
22. Those over 75 receiving free TV licences.
There are also all the benefits which no longer exist, but which benefitted millions of people alive today and indirectly millions of their descendants who inherited their parents' property and enjoyed a higher standard of living when children because of these massive subsidies of their parents.
23. Mortgage Interest Relief at Source, or MIRAS
24. Free University education
25. University maintenance grants
Finally, there are the general economic circumstances which politicians promote that benefit parts of society disproportionately. They can also be considered welfare in the sense that the advantage gained is due to government action.
Loose tax regimes favour the better off, for example, those regimes with plenty of scope for avoidance, and the creation of circumstances which produce increases in the value of assets favours only those who already possess the assets or can afford to purchase them when there is still steam in the inflationary potential of their value. That is what has happened in spades with the British housing market over the past twenty five years. This was brought about by successive governments allowing mortgages to be granted recklessly with little or no deposit and on insane multiples of earnings, a virtual moratorium on council house building and massive levels of immigration.
A case could also be made for saying any taxpayer funded employment, whether funded through direct public provision or the sub-contracting of work to private business, charities and other not-for-profit enterprises is a form of benefit because without the state funding the employment would not exist. Beyond that can be included the private business, charities and not-for-profit who profit from the expenditure of public employees. The last two examples are probably pushing the definition of welfare too far, but they do illustrate how inter-dependent the state and private business is. This is unsurprising when over 40% of GDP is spent by public bodies, both national and local.
Let us have an end to this vicious hate campaign against the welfare state and recognise it for what it is: a fundamental part of our society in which everyone shares to a lesser or greater degree.
By Robert Henderson | Posted in Economics, Getting Wealthier?, Social Policy | Tagged laissez faire, welfare | Comments (0)
Laissez faire economics makes you richer – Oh yeah?
The proponents of laissez faire economics claim that it creates more wealth than any other economic system. There is precious little evidence for this. The one and only bootstrapped Industrial Revolution took place in a Britain which was highly protectionist in its international trade . It was also with a domestic economy which had considerable restraints on the unrestrained operation of the market in the laws governing the employment of agricultural workers and apprentices, the lack of easy communications, especially roads, throughout much of the country, the power of custom drawn from a pre-industrial society and a very powerful social hierarchy. Every state which has industrialised since Britain has also done so behind protectionist walls.
Laissez faire did not become the dominant elite ideology until the Industrial Revolution had been running for more than a century. By 1850 Britain was comfortably the dominant industrial power in the world. Between 1860 and the outbreak of the Great War Britain followed a policy as near to true free trade as any country has ever done. The result was her economic dominance was broken, most notably by the USA and Germany, countries which were conscientiously protectionist throughout the period.
From the end of the Great War until the 1930s Britain attempted unsuccessfully to resurrect the pre-1914 economic conditions until the economic catastrophe which became the Great Depression – created under the rule of laissez faire – finally forced the British elite to abandon the ideology, a change symbolised by Britain's departure from the Gold Standard in 1931. This abandonment lasted until 1979 when Thatcher reintroduced the ideology in a new and arguably more virulent form.
During the modern period of greater protection and state involvement in the economy which ran from the Depression until the 1980s, Britain's economy did not cease to grow. Wages steadily rose, GDP expanded. 1950s and 1960s Britain was a world in which unemployment reached just about as low as it can (around 300,000 was the fewest to which it sank) and living standards were rising rapidly, Britain made most of the things it consumed, it was at the forefront of high technology, the country was largely self-sufficient in food and manufactured goods and most of its energy was supplied by publicly owned utilities fuelled by a native coal industry. All of this happened in a Britain where inequalities of wealth and income were steadily declining, a trend which the laissez faire school would have us believe diminishes incentive and hence economic growth.
Whether overall Britons would have been more prosperous under continuous laissez faire from 1860 to the present day is a question which is impossible by its nature to categorically answer. However, the creation of the first Industrial Revolution and the strong growth experienced between 1931-1979 , both in circumstances bereft of uninhibited laissez faire , suggests that at best it would have made little difference and at worst would have resulted in further economic catastrophes, the cost of which would have comprehensively outweighed any higher profits gained during boom times. When the colossal sums being put at risk in the present recession are considered and placed with the catastrophic losses of the Depression, those sums alone (and that ignores the other less dramatic economic slumps of the past century and a half) suggest that a century and half of stable economic progress would have left Britain considerably better off today than it is.
What is highly probable, based on the experience of the period 1979 to the present, is that unemployment would .have been much higher than it was from 1945-1979. Since 1979 the rate of dole claimants has never dropped below 800,000 and the real rate of unemployment is has been much higher than the claimant rates. How much higher is debatable, but the measure favoured by the government based on a household survey of those seeking work has remained well over a million and currently stands at 2.46 million. In addition, there are nearly 3 million on long term sick benefit, many of whom could probably work (the figure of long-term has risen from around 600,000 in the early 1980s) and the very large numbers of people kept off the unemployment registers by being in higher education and very large numbers working part time who want to work full time. The real unemployment total in 2009 is probably 5-6 million, but it could even be higher. The Daily Telegraph recently estimated the figure for just those who wanted to work but could not at 5.7 million (Telegraph 12.11.09 5.7m and climbing: the real unemployment toll Edmund Conway)
The prime thing to note about Britain's periods of protectionism and state involvement in the economy since the Industrial revolution began is that, although there were periods of recession as the trade cycle ran its natural course, these economic periods never produced catastrophic economic failures such as that experienced in the 1930s or that which we are now living through. Even the financial upheavals of the 1970s, which were caused primarily by the oil price hike in 1973 and over-powerful unions rather than the economic policies being followed, did not produce anything like as severe a financial crisis as that of the 1930s or the present. Moreover, the Depression and the present turmoil are not the only severe crises which arose during the time of laissez faire, they are merely the most dramatic, most notably the banking crisis of 1907 when reputedly bankers led by J P Morgan averted a crash of 1930s proportions.
A fair summation of the experience of the past three centuries is that there is no obvious correlation between rates of GDP growth and personal enrichment and the balance between laissez faire and state intervention by means of protectionism and economic control of the domestic market. What can be said is that state intervention produces a much more stable economy than laissez faire policies. That in itself is valuable for it prevents great economic upheaval . Consequently, even if it could be proved that laissez faire policies increase wealth in the short to medium term more quickly than would happen in an economy such as Britain had for the first 30 years after 1945, there would be a powerful argument that the long term benefit of greater stability of a state interventionist regime might well make that the preferred economic state because it would offer greater security and certainty.
If laissez faire is such a wealth maker its supporters need to explain why it leaves so many poor in supposedly rich countries. In Britain, most Britons could not live on their savings for more than a month, approximately 50% of Britons have no private pension provision and around a third of the population live in rented accommodation despite the criminally lax mortgage regime of the past twenty five years. If it were not for the safety net of the welfare state, a very large proportion of the British population would be as insecure now as they were 100 years ago. Indeed, the absurd cost of both rented and purchased property in present day Britain arguably makes it more difficult now for the ordinary person to raise a family than it did even thirty years ago because of the need for both people in a relationship to go out to work to pay the housing costs and the shortage of money left over after paying for housing. The vast swathes of poverty in the USA, much of which would not look out of place in the Third World, tell an even starker story. The laissez faire advocates also need to explain the success of much more statist economies such as Sweden, France and Germany, who are at least as economically successful as Britain and arguably more successful.
The laissez faire practitioners have for forty years or more attempted to justify free market solutions on the grounds of "trickle down", the idea that if the economically successful are provided with the right laissez faire conditions they will make massive amounts of money which will enrich society in general including the poor because the creation of wealth will filter down through society to the very bottom of the economic pyramid. It simply has not happened. American blue-collar wages today are much as they were in 1970 and if anything are declining. The picture in Britain is not dissimilar.
But wealth is much more than money or property. It is also about free time, a sense of long term security of employment, the ability to comfortably raise a family and a sense that their homeland was just that, a homeland. Fifty years ago most people had a short trip to work. Their work was secure. They could raise a family on a single full time wage and obtain decent housing. The country had not as yet been seriously affected by mass immigration.
Today anyone under the age of 30 in normal social circumstances will struggle to provide the wherewithal to start a family and will probably have to live a long way from their work, that is, if they have a job. Their sense of a homeland in which they are privileged has gone. The fact that we have more technological toys does not make us richer. Indeed, for most people it merely adds unnecessary complication and frustration to their lives.
The part of society which has suffered most in Britain is the white working class. Their natural employments, especially in the heavy and extractive industries, have been wilfully destroyed. New council estates destroyed long established working class communities with their informal social support systems, while massive immigration provided ever more intense competition for jobs, especially unskilled and semi-skilled jobs, and social goods such as NHS services, council housing and schools. In addition, the ever more frenzied privatisation, whole or piecemeal, of the past 30 years reduced the quality and scope of public provision, most notably in council housing, the NHS, the vital utilities (energy and water) and public transport. This of course affects everyone to a degree, but it disproportionately disadvantages the less well off because they are the people most in need of public services.
To illustrate how perilous the position is of many Britons wanting work today I will quote this paean of despair by a middle-aged working-class Briton which I took from the uk.politics.misc newsgroup:
"Yesterday I saw my husband with tears in eyes again, because he cannot get full-time work to support us. When I met him ten years ago, he was working 12 hour shifts, and even now, he refuses to go on the dole. I don't understand why you refuse to believe that he and others like him simply cannot find work any longer. He is 50, and the agency books are full of 20-something Poles – what do you think? And don't say he's aiming too high – he has always earned minimum wage and still does. He is already hanging his head in shame, and not because he is lying, but because there is simply no work for him, and when there is, he is ignored. He has worked all his life in menial jobs – he cannot deal with not working. What shall I tell him?
"Many of them [Jobs] are advertised in Poland and employees are recruited directly from Poland – see above. This happens because it seems that British employers do not want British workers. Perhaps you can explain to me why there is not one factory or warehouse job advertised here, when the place is full of factories and warehouses, and every person that you pass in the street along these roads where the factories and warehouses are located, are Eastern European, when 5 years ago they would have been British? There is less work now than then, so what is the reason?"
But even if the "trickle down" had occurred and the poor had got richer in absolute terms compared with what they had in 1979, that would not be the end of the story. Wealth is not merely about who has what but about the power relationship between the rich and the poor. Money is power and the larger the disparity in wealth and incomes, the greater the power of those who have the most.
If I am rich I can afford to go to law to harass and intimidate someone who cannot afford such costs. I can protect myself with servants. I can buy influence in government. I can give a poor man employment or take it away from him. I can do any number of things to exert my will directly and indirectly over anyone who is not rich.
The objective facts say that it is wealth which primarily determines life outcomes. It allows privileged access to all the goods of life and these then become threaded into the structures of individual lives. To be born to educated parents is a boon which stems in all probability from those parents having been born to educated parents. To be free of the worries of having enough money for the necessities of life frees the person to do other things. To live in comfortable and uncrowded circumstances creates a sense of calm and security. Does anyone believe in their heart of hearts that the behaviour of the poorest, least well-socialised sections of society would not change radically for the better if they were all suddenly given middle class incomes? Of course they would because suddenly they would be removed from the stresses they experience being at the bottom of the material heap.
As income and wealth inequality in Britain is substantially wider now than it was in the 1970s, the poor in Britain today have less power in their relationships with those better off than they had thirty years ago. Add in the emasculation of unions, the destruction of the natural employments of the working class such as heavy and extractive industries, the use of mass immigration to lower wages and increase competition for jobs and the position of the poorer sections of society is dramatically weaker than it was when Thatcher came to office.
It is telling that Western businessmen who ostensibly support the idea of the positive effects of competition arising from "free markets" and "free trade" never want it for themselves. Instead of rubbing their hands when this supposedly wealth creating circumstance arises , they always happily accept a state subsidy or push for protectionist practices when it is to their advantage. None of the US airlines had any hesitation in grabbing billions of dollars from the Federal government after 911. Large companies publicly complain of government regulation while secretly welcoming it because they can bear the cost of it more easily than their smaller competitors. Multinationals shamelessly play one country off against another in their search for massive subsidies and other favours before they deign to operate in a countr
It has been ever thus. The two greatest names of the early Industrial Revolution, Josiah Wedgewood and Matthew Boulton, were happy to climb on the Enlightenment bandwagon with its beliefs in the Universality of Mankind and advocate lesser tariffs and freer trade – until the proposed freeing threatened their own businesses. What goes for businessmen goes for the individual worker. Who has ever met someone whose job was threatened by "free trade" speaking in favour of it?
Countries play the same game, cheating wherever they can. And the more powerful the state the greater the cheating, both in terms of helping particular industries with direct state aid and in the formulation of the treaties governing world trade. Hence, the USA presents itself as the ultimate champion of free enterprise whilst being both now and throughout its history one of the greatest of protectionists and state subsidisers of its industries – that it is seen widely as an enterprise society is one of the great propaganda triumphs of history.
Its behaviour after 911 is symptomatic of the unequal nature of modern "free trade". The US not only handed, as mentioned above, billions to its ailing private airlines, but put up protective tariffs to protect its steel producers.
Abe Lincoln's used to put this question to pro-slavers who said slavery was a boon for the slave because they were provided for and were free of normal responsibilities: "What is this good thing that no one wants for himself?" The question should be put to the the laissez faire disciples.
The truth about laissez faire economics is brutally simple: "free markets" and "free trade" are simply part of an elite ideology and like all elite ideologies they serve the purposes of the elite first, second and last. If it does not suit their purposes the elite will exempt themselves from the requirements of the ideology while insisting everyone else continues to honour the official ideological line. Those not of the elite who espouse it act merely as useful idiots to promote the interests of the elite.
By Robert Henderson | Posted in Conquest by other means, Economics, Elite Mischief, Getting Wealthier? | Tagged free markets, free trade, immigration, laissez faire, nationhood | Comments (0)


Event Description: So-called "law enforcement" couldn't even be bothered with the LAW…..stopped across the pedestrian walkway, which is illegal. NEVER used a blinker or signal of any kind, changing lanes back and forth!!! COMPLETELY ignored the speeders, the ones jerking and swerving in and out of lanes, and the ones driving in TWO lanes right in front of them!!!!! YOU TAX DOLLARS, HARD AT WASTE!!


Throughout 2017, the San Francisco Chronicle provided extensive coverage of the 50th Anniversary of the Summer of Love.
The Sixties: A Journal of History, Politics, and Culture, John Murphy reviews the "Revisiting the Summer of Love, Rethinking the Counterculture" conference from this past July.
What have the Hippies Contributed to the US Economy?
The Haight-Ashbury hippie movement was the most financially lucrative social movement in American history.


We can create a beautiful long and low arrangement full of lush green foliage and beautiful flowers in keeping with the theme of your day for your ceremony table. This can then be moved to your top table.
We can also create large arrangements in urns or milk churns that sit either side of the table, altar or church gates as well as pedestal arrangements on our new acrylic plinths or rustic barrels for example.
We can also create pew ends and aisle arrangements to decorate the ceremony.


By the end of summer many flower planters are looking a little tired and that's okay because you know that they will not make it through the winter. However, in many areas you still have a good 2-3 months of decent whether before the cold, so why not spruce up your planters for fall.
Here in our zone 6 garden, so many of the summer flower planters have grown past their prime.
The only thing looking good in this large planter, on my front porch is Lamium 'Orchid Frost.' I dug up the begonia in the back, and re-potted it to bring inside. Then I cleaned up any dead or poor looking foliage, and created a beautiful planter for the fall.
As always, keep in mind the thriller (tall), filler (bushy), and spiller (trailing) theory, to create a stellar looking planter.
Here's a few ideas and tips for fall planters.
For more from our gardening category click HERE.
Do you have a garden tip to share? Submit your posts HERE.


"It all started with a very slow bartender at a gallery opening," says composer Raphael Mostel of his longtime collaboration with architect Steven Holl. The two met about a decade ago while waiting in line for drinks at the opening of an appropriately inter- disciplinary event, a show featuring the work of composer John Cage and video artist Nam June Paik. Since then, the two have worked together, consulting with each other on myriad projects including one of Holl's commissions, set to open later this year, a Maggie's Centre at St. Bartholomew's Hospital in London.


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Home Schools Battle Ground Academy Rematches Headline Week Three of TSSAA Playoffs for Williamson County Teams
Rematches Headline Week Three of TSSAA Playoffs for Williamson County Teams
It's Week Three of the TSSAA state football playoffs, and five Williamson County teams are still alive, some of which have interesting rematches of earlier games. Here's a look at the games for each this week.
4. The Battle of the Woods rematch
One of the best rivalries in the mid-state renews Friday, when Brentwood (10-2. 366 points scored/254 points allowed) and Ravenwood (10-2, 337/205) meet at Brentwood on Friday in quarterfinal action of the 6A playoffs.
In what was probably a mild upset at the time, Brentwood won at Ravenwood, 31-28, on Sept. 14. The Bruins erased a 14-point, first-half deficit and avenged last year's loss to the Raptors behind quarterback Cade Granzow (7 of 11 for 215 yards and three touchdowns passing, 13 rushes for 56 yards), whose scoring strike to now-departed Chayce Bishop was the last of 28 unanswered Brentwood points.
Granzow has been terrific all year, and last week, was 14 of 28 passing for 182 yards, but was even better on the ground, rushing 18 times for 82 yards and three scores, one coming in overtime in a 27-24 win over Independence that avenged a regular-season loss.
His counterpart, Ravenwood's Brian Garcia, has also starred in 2018. Last week, Garcia threw five touchdown passes and ran for another in lifting Ravenwood to a 43-36 win over Cane Ridge, handing the Ravens their first loss. Cane Ridge beat Ravenwood in the playoffs last season.
The key matchup may be Ravenwood's offense against Brentwood's defense, because both sides have a knack for making huge plays when it matters.
Garcia has a ton of weapons, running backs Tony Rice and William Baine, receivers Andrew Mason and Anthony Holmes being the main ones. Last week, it was Garcia hitting Mason with a 12-yard pass with five seconds left that helped the Raptors advance.>
But Brentwood's defense has play-makers, too. It has Tank Starr making life tough up front for offenses, and safety/wide receiver Walker Merrill on the back end. In between, linebacker Xiere Howard got things done all year; he recovered a fumble last week and had a touchdown in the last meeting. Last week, defensive back James Scott recovered a fumble in the second overtime to end the Independence game.
3. Fairview gets a surprise quarterfinal opponent
Last week, in this space, I wrote that, if Fairview (10-2, 440/212) beat East Nashville, it would, "in all likelihood," have a game with Pearl Cohn this week. That wasn't exactly a reach; Pearl Cohn's opponent was Stratford, which the 9-2 Firebirds had pounded, 55-0, earlier in the season.
That's why they play the games. Stratford (4-8, 252/344) pulled a stunner heard across the state by a 32-27 final. It's another crazy chapter in within a crazy season under interim coach Thomas Porter, who replaced Jerrell Cogmon earlier in the season.
Fairview's path to victory is no secret: It's getting the ball to Mr. Football finalist Kam Harris-Lusk and letting him make plays. That's something that unconventional coach Chris Hughes has been great at doing this year. A pair of seniors, quarterback Brock Harris and Blake Russell, are important cogs in the Yellowjackets' offense, too.
2. The BGA-FRA sequel
Battle Ground Academy (10-2, 430/126) has cruised into the semifinals of Division II-AA with 37- and 20-point wins. That's not out of character for the Wildcats, who won nine of their 10 by at least 20 points.
The one sub-20-point win? That was a 14-3 victory over Franklin Road Academy (8-4, 346/196) on Oct. 11. The two play again Friday, with BGA hosting this time.
If you like watching college prospects, you'll love this one. FRA receiver Lance Wilhoite (Oregon commitment) and defensive lineman Tymon Mitchell (Georgia) are big-time players. BGA linebacker Chico Bennett (Georgia Tech) gives the Wildcats a threat at tight end, too. Defensive backs Antonio Stevens and Garnett Hollis have another year of high school, but both are major-college prospects.
And yet other players may well decide this. BGA quarterback Nick Semptimphelter has been great in his first year as a starter, and guides an offense that also features running back Tiy Reed.
1. The BA-MBA grudge match
Brentwood Academy was rolling along with a 24-game winning streak until Oct. 5, when McCallie pulled a 25-24 road upset on Oct. 5. After a bye week for BA, Montgomery Bell Academy saddled the Eagles with a losing streak with a 25-24 road upset.
Of course, MBA may still feel it has a score to settle from losing 28-14 to the Eagles in last year's state title game. The year before, BA also knocked off the Big Red in the state title match.
The Eagles will ride the rushing attack of quarterback Wade Williams and Tomario Pleasant. On defense, BA has a potent front seven with stars such as linebacker Devyn Curtis and defensive lineman Thomas Gore. Keep an eye on MBA linebacker Jackson Hannah, a Nebraska commitment, too.
Brentwood Academy Sports
Dr. Brandon Downs
Ford Lincoln of Franklin
infiniti of cool springs
Orthopaedic Specialists
Ravenwood
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Search Continues for Teen Escapee from Walnut Youth Academy on Stewarts Ferry Pike