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The Future of Nuclear Energy and the Threats of Coal & Natural Gas
Noam Dolgin
Energy Policy, Israel / Zionism / Middle East
Like most of the world, I have been giving a lot of thought recently to the question of nuclear energy. Just 4 weeks ago, before the Fukushimadisaster, I was asked a question about Nuclear energy while presenting at Tribefest in Las Vegas. I gave my standard answer, an answer that has been haunting me for weeks. "Unfortunately, while nuclear energy may have long term environmental consequences, the imminent threat of climate change and the economic realities of the energy markets make nuclear a necessity in the short term."
What is clear in my answers was a miscalculation of the short term threat of nuclear energy, especially in older reactors. After Chernobyl the world was promised that this type of disaster would not happen again, that safeguards were in place. It is clear now that this was not true. But are all nuclear reactors unsafe? Was it design, location, age or something else that causes this crisis? Which should we close down and which to keep open? Can we keep building modern nuclear facilities, are they safe enough?
We find ourselves faced with a terrible choice. Ideally the world would move towards wind, solar, geothermal and other alternative energies, but this is not the political and economic reality our leaders are choosing. Our societies are instead faced with the short term dilemma, as the grassroots works to change the political and economic landscape, of making the choice between nuclear and carbon based fuels such as coal and natural gas.
"I don't think we are going to pursue civil nuclear energy in coming years," said Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu when asked by Piers Morgan on CNN whether the situation in Japan will affect plans to construct nuclear plants in Israel. "The cloud of radioactivity, the uncertainty of what will happen with it, is the cloud that hangs over the people of Japan, and I think right now hangs over the world… I think we'll go for the gas and skip the nuclear." (Of course Israel is the leading provider of solar and wind technology in the world and has huge renewal energy potential, but that's a discussion for another time.)
Coal extraction leads to thousands of deaths and immense environmental destruction annually (Approx 3500 miners dies each year in China, 50 in the United States). A far larger toll in six months, than have resulted in the 25 years since the Chernobyl disaster.
In both Israel and the United States a move towards natural gas exploration through hydraulic fracturing (fracking) has the potential for similarly disastrous environmental and human health results. Concerns associated with fracking include ground water contamination and air pollution through the use of hydraulic fracturing chemicals and the mishandling of solid, liquid and gas waste. Already a well established practice in the United States, a study published in 2010 by the EPA reported contaminants in drinking water including: arsenic, copper, and more. Many of these contaminants are known to cause a variety of illnesses such as cancer, kidney failure, anaemia, and fertility problems.
In 2008, Israel's Ministry of Infrastructure granted Israel Energy Initiatives (IEI) the right to produce gas and liquid fuel from oil shale in the Elah Valley, where David fought Goliath, without requiring an environmental impact assessment or master plan. In August 2010, Adam Teva V'Din, the Union for Environmental Defence, challenged the legality of those rights, and requested a revocation of IEI's mining license from the Israeli High Court. in November 2010 Rupert Murdoch and Lord Jacob Rothschild purchased shares worth $11 million in Genie Oil and Gas Inc., the company that owns 89% of IEI, Putting a lot of support behind the project and the move to bring fracking to Israel. No ruling has yet been made.
The ongoing nuclear disaster in Fukushima has brought the world's attention back to the dangers of nuclear energy. This is an important awakening to a huge potential environmental threat and hopefully another motivator to implement alternative energy technologies. But while we close old and dangerous nuclear power plants, let us not rush to eliminate the technology entirely if the alternative is an increased dependency on coal and natural gas, even if just in the short term.
As is often the case, a more careful examination of the evidence is needed or our desires to do the right thing in response to the Fukushima disaster may cause us to do more damage than good.
2 Replies to "The Future of Nuclear Energy and the Threats of Coal & Natural Gas"
Deborah Klee Wenger
April 7, 2011 (5:07 am)
Thank you for this analysis. A reminder that there are no simple choices, and that each choice has consequences.
RAFAEL BRATMAN
thanks Noam! Fracking is really a terrible practice that should be stopped worldwide. I'm shocked to learn of IEI's plan to do this in Israel, where water issues are already so critical. Thanks for sharing this important information!
Yasher Koach!


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Eide is a village in Hustadvika Municipality in Møre og Romsdal county, Norway, where it sits on the Romsdal Peninsula at the intersection of the Kornstadfjorden and Kvernesfjorden.

The village is about  southeast of the small village of Visnes. Eide Church, the main church for the municipality, is located in Eide.

The  village has a population (2018) of 1,396 and a population density of .

The village served as the administrative centre of the old Eide Municipality until its dissolution in 2020.

References

Villages in Møre og Romsdal
Hustadvika (municipality)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


There are times in my life when it seems like everything is changing. I recently started a new job and we added a new puppy to our family (which is very exciting!).
Changes like these add more daily responsibilities which often causes increased stress and anxiety. It's a time when I know I need to pause and evaluate what I feel I 'need' to do every day vs. what really has to be done. Do I really need to sort through my coupons to save a dollar when I go out to eat? Do I need to organize my closet? Do I need to complete all the things I planned to do in a given day?
For someone who struggles with anxiety, adjusting to change can be very difficult causing anxiety levels to spike. I know from past experience that I need to ask for help, get enough sleep and prioritize (or de-prioritize) certain things in my life. I need to voice my challenges, talk about them and work together with my family to find solutions.
Do you pay attention to what you need when life changes for you? It's important to recognize the impact that life changes have on you and take steps to manage your emotional well-being. Look for ways to slow down, delegate responsibilities and de-prioritize. Take time to 'just be' and give yourself a break. You aren't a super hero and no-one expects you to do it all. Ask for help and pray for strength. The challenges in your life only make you stronger!
I have purchased your book and it gave me the courage to get CBT. I have suffered for years with SA and felt that there was no hope. I have a little now from reading your book and I'm grateful that you wrote it. I haven't seen improvement yet with my anxiety but, I only been in CBT for almost 2 months and I know my social anxiety is severe because I can't go places by myself. I am practicing the strategies daily. I hope one day I can be comfortable in social situations and do things by myself without worrying about being judged negatively.
Thank you, for giving me a clinch of hope that I can get better.
So happy to hear that you are going through CBT. Taking steps to do therapy for SA is something that you should be very proud of. Be sure to give yourself kudos for every step you take. Sticking with therapy will give you the courage to go into social situations without worrying about being judged. Positive changes will come soon for you! Feel free to contact me directly on email if you want to talk more [email protected].
Thank you so much for responding back!


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INTERVIEW: Cub Sport
Returning with a bold, honest and experimental new sound Cub Sport are cementing themselves as one of Australia's most exciting bands. Their second studio album "Bats" follows the timeline of lead vocalist Tim Nelson not just realising he was gay but also that he was in love with his best friend and fellow band mate Sam Netterfield. It then delves into self acceptance, the growth of the relationship as well as the multiple ups and downs life has. A couple days after their coveted performance at BIGSOUND I had a chat to Tim Nelson about their intimate new record, coming out, the upcoming postal plebiscite and embarrassing Snapchat moments. Check out the chat below;
TB: "Bats" is a very emotional and empowerful affair that sees you addressing coming out and falling in love with your best friend and fellow band mate Sam Netterfield. On the song Chasin' you look at being overseas and realizing all of this. How confusing was this time in your life?
TN: It was pretty confusing. I think it was a lot of denial and a lot of fear mixed together. It took a year for Sam to bring it up with me and for me to actually deal with the situation.
TB: Cause I don't think people really understand how hard it is to come to terms with sexuality in general but then to do it on your own and in a foreign country is not an ideal situation.
TN: Yeah, It was the first time I had really spent some time alone in a long time as Sam and I for eight years have literally done everything together. I guess being alone and stuck with my own thoughts and realisations was a pretty interesting experience. But very important.
TB: The rest of the album is quite the emotional journey and explores the timeline of accepting yourself, coming out and falling in love. It has a bit of a euphoric feel to it. Why did you guys feel like it was so important to share this story?
TN: Well I guess when I was writing the songs I wasn't thinking about the next Cub Sport album or what I wanted the album to be. I was sort of just writing what was coming to me and what I was feeling. For a lot of the songs when I was recording them they were that personal that I was like I don't need to show these to people if I don't want to but then by the time it came around to putting together the second album I had come to terms with who I am a lot more and I felt a lot more comfortable sharing all of this stuff. So far the response to the singles have been really encouraging. We've had people thanking us for being open about it so I'm excited to be able to share our journey and hopefully encourage people who may be in a similar situation, feeling unsure about who they are or struggling to accept themselves.
TB: The record sees the band stepping towards a dreamier indie pop sound that is reminiscent of Savage Garden. What inspired you musically to go towards this sound?
TN: I produced a big chunk of the album. A lot of it is very true to the original demos. I've come to realise I quite like space in music. With these songs it really feels like there aren't things thrown in there for the sake of trying to make it sound bigger. It's kind of just the elements and whats there and you can hear every part. It's honest musically and lyrically and there aren't really parts nestled away, everything is laid out there in every respect. I guess that kinda had an impact on the stylistic change.
TB: Did you guys do anything substantially different with the process of creating this album compared to your debut?
TN: With the debut album it was the first time I had started recording so I recorded those songs as really basic demos and then we went into the studio with John Castle and recorded live drums, guitars, bass and everything over the top and fleshed it out that way. And then I guess between the two albums I've been writing and recording the whole time so my skills with recording have got a little better and production wise I have got better at getting the song to a place that they feel right. So we tried to use the same process by taking all the demos into the studio with John and he recorded in some guitars and live drums but the songs were kind of losing the feeling I was going for. So we ended up taking everything out and John just mixed the demos and tidied it up. Like "O Lord" had quite a considerable make over with the beat. John just has such a good ear for production and has all the skills to make something sound so much shinier.
TB: So what was the hardest song emotionally or musically to create?
TN: When I was writing the songs I didn't really have a goal it was just trying to make sure everything felt right and I think the hardest one to get to a place where it felt right was "O Lord". Because I recorded all the vocals, synths and everything at home and I was feeling really happy about it but the drums that I had in the demo were just a logic loop I pulled in and it felt completely wrong. So it took a little while to build up the beat and the bass and stuff to get it feeling how we wanted it to and John really nailed that. It was a special song to me and for a bit I was like it seems like this one is just not going to come together. And then one day we went into the studio and Sam was just like "we need to get O Lord working" because he really believed in it. And then John sort of just built that from nothing and pulled in some old samples and beats that he archived from the 90's or something. It was really cool.
TB: With the current postal plebiscite I think what the most concerning thing is seeing the volume of negative opinions that are coming forward. You guys have got a strong younger fanbase, what would you say to a 16 year old version of yourself if you were currently trying to come to terms with your sexuality during this very intense political time?
TN: When I was 16 that was around the time I was first finding myself attractive to guys and it was a terrifying thing. Sam was actually the first guy I ever had a crush on even in year 11 *laughs* and I remember being devastated and really hating that and obviously rejected that for years. It's a horrible feeling to hate a huge part of who you are as a person and that was because of the environment I grew up in was quite religious so it was a NO campaign 24/7. I would want to tell young people that you are the way you are because that is the way you're meant to be. And you should love that about yourself and be proud of it and that anyone who thinks otherwise is not worth listening to or putting any energy into. It's sad because there are a bunch of people who don't have a support network, friends or family that they can reach out to about it. So if you're already in doubt and in that stage of questioning who you are and then seeing on TV that you shouldn't be allowed the same rights as the heterosexual person is a horrible thing. Just try to ignore it and remember that there are people out there who love who you are.
TB: Yes exactly! How old are you Tim?
TN: I'm 26
TB: Okay sweet well I'm 23 and I feel like back when I was in high school and realising that I was gay I was repressing it so much because there was no vocal mainstream support reassuring me that what I was feeling was okay. It was always that if you were gay you were instantly weird and not normal. Where as now we have platforms like Youtube, social media and artists like yourself who are very open and political about letting everyone know that it is okay. So it's great to see how far we've come and the progress we've made but now with the plebiscite I feel like we are taking 10 steps back.
TN: Exactly! It's wonderful that there are so many supportive people and love there. It's almost been overwhelming the amount of love and support that we've received from being open about it and it's beautiful. It's such a shame just like what you said, it's like a massive step back even having this debate.
TB: And, congratulations about getting engaged!
TN: Thank you!
TB: I know we spoke about the negative comments and touched briefly on the positive but it must been nice seeing all the positive comments on social media about your engagement and to the lyrical content of these songs and re assuring that this plebiscite will turn into a massive YES result.
TN: Well I hope so! I always wonder if its just all the algorithms that makes all my feeds just YES posts and comments *laughs* I'm just like, everyone wants this! But I do believe and hope that it will become a positive thing and a massive yes vote.
TB: These new songs are very personal and honest. With the release day looming are you having any anxiety about being so vulnerable?
TN: No not really. I'm just excited now! In the creation of the album there have been moments of anxiety along the way and it is a lot to put it out there but in the last couple of weeks with the amount of love we've been shown the anxiety has gone away. I'm just so excited and its exciting that I'm now just excited about it *laughs*.
TB: You guys are pretty avid Snapchatters, what is one of the most embarrassing things to happen mid snapchat?
TN: *Laughs* Most of the time its just when I'm snapping and someone says something really embarrassing or mundane in the background and it's like alright guys I'm snap chatting stop having this boring conversation *laughs*. But yeah I can't really think of anything specific I'm sorry!
TB: Are you some who just goes along with it or do you stop and refillm it and pretends like its just happening for the first time?
TN: *Laughs* Not really! I think most people like especially Sam are so used to me having my phone out and ready to snap so I can do it on the first try.
TB: For the new live shows what can fans expect? Do you think the show will have a different vibe because of the new songs?
TN: Yeah for sure!. We played a bunch of songs for the first time at our Bigsound showcase the other night and it really did feel like a start of a new era for us. Like when we were practicing the set I was like this is so exciting. It was only a half hour set so we cut a bunch of old songs and I was only singing for the whole set instead of playing guitar or keyboard and it felt great. The response to the new songs was great and very encouraging. I love singing them, they are probably the most fun songs we have ever had out. It's a new phase for Cub Sport I think, I don't quite know how to describe it. But, come to a show! *laughs*.
TB: What song from "Bats' are you most excited to perform live?
TN: "Good Guys Go" is really fun to perform because in the pre chorus there are effected vocals and that is something I just played around with during the recording process and I was like this is really cool. And then doing it live I have two mic's, one normal one and one with distortion and delay. It's just fun and something new for me. And then on the Big Scary tour we were playing "Solo III" and it's a pretty special song and Sam sings the bridge in it in the live show and it felt like the audience latched onto the fact it was such a special song for all of us to be performing together.
TB: If I could form a supergroup with Cub Sport and any other band or artist it would be…
TN: Frank Ocean, Solange and Kanye West. It would be like a seven piece band.
TB: My band members would describe me as…
TN: Oh that's a hard one, I feel like I'm a little bit obsessive. Because we are self managed and with Sam and I being together it feels like Cub Sport has become my whole life.
TB: Most mornings I…
TN: wake up really early because I can't control it and then cuddle Missy and Indy (his dogs).
TB: If we weren't called Cub Sport or Cub Scouts we would be called?
TN: Oh my goodness it took us so long to come up with a name in the first place and then when we had to change our name it took us so long as well so I feel like it would take me weeks to get an answer back to you *laughs*.
Cub Sport's second studio album "Bats" will be released on September 22.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Contact Source is a special type of control that displays an icon if the contact was imported from an external CRM, such as Salesforce.com. In the example form shown, the Contact Source control displays the Salesforce icon and is outlined in red.
This component has only one property that can be changed: Style.
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It is located about 40km from Pai and covers an area of 1,252.2 km2 in ampur mae tang of Chiang Mai province and amphur Pai of Mae Hong Son province. The park is ruggedly mountainous and the spring of Pai river, Ping river and Mae Tang river. The climate is cool all year round. The Huay Nam Dang National Park has a beautiful nature and is one of the places from where one can see the sea of mist.
It is a part of Huay Nam Dang National Park and located 2km from the main highway (1095). You have to walk about 500 meters from the parking lots to the hot ponds that are boiling and covered with steam.
Kong Land is located about 7km from Pai. It is a steep cliff that has been eroded by wind and water for a long time. It is one of the best scenic view points in Pai and very suitable for a sunset view.
This bridge was built in 1942, during the World War II, located just before Pai town. The Memorial Bridge was built with iron and was important to transport weapons to Myanmar (Burma) over the Pai river during the war period.
Wat Klang is an old temple located next to the bus station. Its pagoda is outstanding in Thai Yai style and has Buddha images in various postures for each day of the week at the base.
Wat Phra Thart Mae Yen is one of the oldest temples of Pai town. There is a white pagoda approximately 3 meters high. In the assembly hall there is a Buddha image in reclinging posture and wall paintings about the Buddha. This temple is located on the hill so it is the great view spot that you should not miss.
Rafting is a popular activity at Pai. It has many programs according to the distances. You can choose either bamboo rafting or rubber rafting to appreciate the nature on the riverbank.
The elephant camp is located near the hot springs about 8 km away from Pai town. The elephant trekking route will pass through the hot springs, the villagers' farms and forests, and you will be entering the Pai river. Here you will have a chance to swim and dive with the elephant.


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Europe | Spain
The message of El Ejido
Feb 17th 2000 | madrid
THE town of El Ejido, in southern Spain, used to sit in a desert. Now, thanks to artificial irrigation and intensive farming, it is one of the richest parts of Andalucia. But it is also, as Spain found out on February 5th, a powder-keg of racial resentment.
Some 11,000 of El Ejido's population of 50,000 are immigrants brought in to work on the farms. Most of them are Moroccans. In recent weeks, three Spaniards have been murdered, apparently by Moroccans. The racial violence that followed the third killing was the worst ever seen in modern Spain. Youths rampaged through the streets, burning down the immigrants' shacks and pelting them with stones. Fully 500 riot police now keep a shaky peace in El Ejido.
The clashes came in the middle of a fierce debate about the future of immigration. El Ejido may be thought an extreme case. Immigrants are vital to the local economy, picking tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables that are grown under plastic awnings to intensify the sun's rays. For everyone, the work is hot and unpleasant. But half the immigrants are there illegally, and are therefore particularly badly paid and poorly treated. They have been described as living in virtual slavery, brutalised by employers whose own families were similarly brutalised a couple of generations back. Illegal workers have no rights under the law, and the rate of suicide among them is high.
Last December, Spain passed a law making it possible for 70,000 illegal immigrants to take up residency and bring in their dependants. The new law was advertised as one of Europe's most liberal. Now Spain's centre-right government, getting cold feet, says it will tighten up the law if it is re-elected next month. The issue divides the cabinet. Jaime Mayor Oreja, the interior minister, worries that so many newcomers cannot be easily absorbed, while the jobs minister, Manuel Pimentel, argues that Spain needs more immigrants to make up for its falling birth rate.
Spaniards like to think of themselves as tolerant. This is an easy virtue when there are few foreigners to be intolerant of. As more immigrants arrive, racist activity and attitudes increase. Recent studies show that up to 30% of Spaniards show xenophobic tendencies, and the number of neo-Nazi activists known to police doubled between 1998 and 1999. The violence in El Ejido was exacerbated by outsiders who had been alerted by Spanish-based neo-Nazi websites.
Two generations ago, when their country was one of Europe's more backward, many Spaniards left home and sought work abroad. In principle, they want to treat their newcomers well. In practice, the transition from being a nation that exported labour to one that imports it is proving difficult.
This article appeared in the Europe section of the print edition under the headline "The message of El Ejido"
Europe February 19th 2000
Rebuilding the Balkans—theory and practice
Death on the Danube
The end for Kohl's heir-apparent
No let-up in Chechnya
Younger, fresher, and harder right
Wim Kok, the Netherlands' modest achiever
From the February 19th 2000 edition
Climate climb-downs fail to damage Germany's Greens
Pragmatism paints a paler shade of Green
A campaign to "de-Russify" Ukraine is under way
Another failure for Vladimir Putin
Spain's economy is recovering from the pandemic, but problems persist
The government must grapple with chronic issues


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Издаден през януари 1970 година, Bridge Over Troubled Water е петият и последен албум на Саймън и Гарфънкъл. Във време когато оптимизмът на 60-те години на XX век е заместен от всеобщо безпокойство, едноименната песен от албума дава така нужното и красноречиво послание на надежда. Разнообразният в стилистично отношение албум дебютира в Билборд на 14 февруари и достига до първото място като се задържа там 10 седмици. Той съдържа в себе си четири сингъла стигнали до първа позиция. Bridge Over Troubled Water е отличен с награда Грами за Най-Добра Песен, Най-Добър звукозапис, Най-Добър Аранжимент за песента Bridge Over Troubled Water и Най-Добър Албум На Годината, което е и най-красивият завършек в кариерата на поп дуото.

Списък на песните
 Bridge Over Troubled Water – 4.52
 El Condor Pasa (If I Could) – 3.06
 Cecilia – 2.55
 Keep The Customer Satisfied – 2.34
 So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright – 3.41
 The Boxer – 5.08
 Baby Driver – 3.15
 The Only Living Boy In New York – 3.57
 Why Don't You Write Me – 2.46
 Bye Bye Love – 2.53
 Song For The Asking – 1.50

2001
През 2001 година албумът е преиздаден от Sony Music Entertainment, като са включени и две бонус парчета:
 12. Feuilles – 1.42
 13. Bridge Over Troubled Water – 4.46

Членове
 Пол Саймън – вокал / китари
 Арт Гарфънкъл – вокал
 Фред Картър, младши – китари
 Хал Блейн – барабани
 Джо Осбърн – бас
 Лари Кнехтел – пиано / клавишни / аранжор

Източници
 Книжката от преиздадения албум от 2001 година.

Музикални албуми от 1970 година


I sell dreams. The largest business deals I have put together are never quantity purchases of ColorMetrix or ProofPass.com. Instead while talking with a customer or prospect I see a need or the customer sees a use of the technology that goes beyond the current functionality. This is when it gets fun. Instead of selling a piece of technology now I am selling a dream of what the technology will do for the client in the future.
These conversations always seem to start at a cocktail reception after normal business hours. This is when you have time to let your brain go and think about all the kinks and imperfections in your workflow that hinder color quality on a daily basis. For your sake I am selfish, I just want to hear about those concerns related to global verification of color utilizing internet based tools. I need to know how I can help you. How I can make your life easier and the satisfaction of your customer's color needs something you hardly ever think about because it just works.
One such conversation began at a cocktail reception hosted by the company that would become my largest client. I was approached by a senior executive who I had worked with previously when we both held jobs with different companies. He asked if I could build an easier to use version of the ColorMetrix product for a very specific use. After jotting some notes on the back of a cocktail napkin (yes this really does happen sometimes), I said I am sure we can. The cool thing about selling software is that anything is possible given enough time and money.
Several months later he called to say he had funding. Yes, it really was that simple. I never provided a proposal (until after we had a deposit check). He purchased based upon the dream we shared. Obviously his past relationship with me convinced him I could deliver but he still had to believe that this new product was possible. The sale was made on the back of a cocktail napkin that he had hung onto for months. No fancy PowerPoint presentations. No twenty page proposal written over several days. I had sold the decision maker on the dream.
Your Challenge: You know that capital expenditure request that has been sitting on your boss's desk for three months? I guaranty you it is not sitting there because of a lack of funding. It is sitting there because you have not sold her on the dream. I would be willing to bet you have not sold yourself on the dream. Dream the dream for yourself and then sit down with your boss and sell them the dream as well.


We are experienced in Interior Finish Outs for the most demanding clients. Our standards of care and workmanship are of the highest caliber. We meet deadlines and assure client satisfaction.
Engineers and Architects rely on our ability to build exactly as specified. We never cut corners and have resources and suppliers who can help us conform to the most exacting specifications.
Terrell Glass and Mirror is accustomed to working directly from Architect Blueprints. We understand how to coordinate with other trades to improve the flow of even the most complex projects.
We have made it our business to keep our technology up-to-date so that we can interface with General Contractors, Architects, and Engineers.
Our office is fully trained on I Square Software and can work with online files to manage a project from start to finish.
Terrell Glass and Mirror is listed in Blue Book. We can accept bids via their online bid management system (BB-Bid,) work within their secure online plan room, and use their integrated takeoff and markup tools.


Protests by British republicans - a mere footnote at home - are enjoying prime-time coverage on Iranian state-run television channels, which have ignored the loyal majority's revelry.
Iran scoffed at the diamond jubilee celebrations marking Queen Elizabeth's 60 years in the throne, lambasting the monarch for throwing such a "lavish" bash while her subjects face "unbearable austerity measures".
"Chants of 'Monarchy Out! Republic In' echo in UK", trumpeted a headline on the website of Iran's English-language Press TV.
Tehran's main Persian language channel, IRTV 1, declared that the Queen should shoulder some responsible for Britain's "grave economic situation".
It opined: "The extravagant spending of the Queen, including the expensive wedding of Prince William, her annual tours and festivities and the current diamond jubilee celebrations have added to the problems."
IRTV 1 featured a protester proclaiming: "I speak on behalf of millions of British people who are opposed to the monarchist system." Iran's Islamic revolution in 1979 overthrew 2,500 years of monarchy.
Tehran is particularly suspicious of Britain, which it vilifies as a cunning "little Satan" that pulls the strings of the "great Satan" America.
London withdrew its diplomats from Iran in November after hard-line protesters stormed and ransacked Britain's two diplomatic compounds in the Iranian capital. The rioters blamed Britain for spearheading Western sanctions against Iran's nuclear programme.
Press TV, viewed as Tehran's propaganda mouthpiece in the West, has a curious fixation with Britain's royals.
Ofcom, Britain's independent media watchdog, revoked the 24-hour channel's licence in January, saying it had broken licensing rules and failed to pay a record £100,000 (Dh572,000) fine for broadcasting an interview with a prisoner obtained under duress.
Press TV argued it had incurred Britain's wrath by its exposure of the "extravagant costs" of Prince William's wedding last summer and its coverage of rioting in British cities three months later.
The channel vowed it would continue broadcasting the truth about "the British royal regime", which it said controls Ofcom. Iran's state-run media stubbornly refuse to accept that Britain's monarchy is a constitutional.
Press TV headlined a story on Monday declaring the "UK Queen's power is not entirely symbolic", citing a "leading British political analyst".
He turned out to be was Chris Bambery, a member of Scotland's marginal International Socialist Group, who would have been flattered by that description.
Meanwhile, Iran's closet anglophiles meanwhile have avidly followed the jubilee celebrations on satellite televisions channels that are officially banned but easily accessible.


Srinagar, July 12: For twenty-four years, the Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) and its individual members and volunteers has been campaigning against the phenomenon of enforced or involuntary disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir, wherein more than 8000 people have disappeared since 1989.
On Thursday, Jammu Kashmir State Human Rights Commission passed a crucial order directing Senior Superintendent of Police of the SHRC police wing to hold an enquiry, if necessary, into 132 cases of disappearance in Banihal Tehsil (Ramban district, Jammu division) and 507 cases of disappearance in Baramulla and Bandipora districts (Kashmir division) and file a report within three months.On 10 December 2011, APDP submitted a complaint of 132 cases of disappearance (by State, non-State and unknown) actors from different villages of Banihal tehsil, Ramban district.
By communication dated 2 May 2017, the police and civil administration in their reply admitted that 112 persons out of 132 persons were indeed "missing", but contested the other cases. On 27 February 2018, APDP filed its rejoinder.
APDP submitted a separate complaint of 507 cases of disappearance (by State, non-State and unknown) actors from different villages of Baramulla (369 cases) and Bandipora (138 cases) districts. By separate communications the police and civil administration in their reply admitted that 186 persons out of 507 persons were indeed "missing", but contested the other cases. On 3 July 2018, APDP filed its rejoinder.
"Todays order serves as an important milestone in the ongoing struggle of APDP to know the truth about the disappeared and to ensure justice for each and every person subject to enforced disappearance. Recently the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in its 14 June report noted the continued refusal of India to ratify the Convention against enforced disappearances and observed that "Impunity for enforced or involuntary disappearances in Kashmir continues as there has been little movement towards credibly investigating complaints, including into alleged sites of mass graves in the Kashmir Valley and Jammu region," said an APDP spokesperson.


text:
Q: pollEnrich() apache camel - trying to improve search & download performance time while looking for a PDF file I'm looking for the most efficent and fast way to download a PDF.

Take a look at my problem: i built a API REST service which looks for
a specific PDF from a FTP directory and download it. The problem is
that it takes 20 or 30 seconds to search and download it

I'm using APACHE-CAMEL and JAVA
I invoke my URL, pass different parameters to it and then, my program look for that PDF in a directory called "Processed"
Example:
My URL (API REST service) works like this:

http://server3343.erp.local:5464/api/rest/invoices/receipts/pdf?companyNumber=45&accountNumber=000333&documentType=FC&transactionNumber=BG534530SF

These parameters are completed to look for a file, in the given example i set:
companyNumber: 45
accountNumber: 000333
documentType: FC
transactionNumber: BG534530SF

The PDF file has this name:
45000333FCBG534530SF

The problem is that it takes 20 or 25 seconds or even higher to get a document and i wonder how can i improve search time while searching for a file
This is my code:
package ar.com.project.esb.route;

import ar.com.project.camel.common.route.RestRouteBuilder;
import ar.com.project.esb.Constants;
import org.apache.camel.LoggingLevel;
import org.apache.camel.model.rest.RestParamType;
import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Value;
import org.springframework.stereotype.Component;
import javax.ws.rs.core.MediaType;

@Component
public class GetReceiptsPDFRoute extends RestRouteBuilder {

    @Value("${timeout.FTP}")
    private Long timeoutFTP;

    @Override
    public void configure() {
        super.configure();
        rest(restApiPath)
            .get("/receipts/pdf?companyNumber={companyNumber}&accountNumber={accountNumber}&documentType={documentType}&transactionNumber={transactionNumber}").id("receipts PDF")
            .param().name("companyNumber").type(RestParamType.query).dataType("String").required(true).endParam()
            .param().name("accountNumber").type(RestParamType.query).dataType("String").required(true).endParam()
            .param().name("documentType").type(RestParamType.query).dataType("String").required(true).endParam()
            .param().name("transactionNumber").type(RestParamType.query).dataType("String").required(true).endParam()
            .consumes(MediaType.APPLICATION_JSON)
            .produces("application/pdf")
            .to("direct:receiptsPDF");

        /**
         *  set name and location to find PDF documents in FTP directory
         */
        from("direct:receiptsPDF").routeId("ReceiptsPDF")
            .setProperty("currentOperation", constant("ReceiptsPDF"))
            .log(LoggingLevel.INFO,"getClaimStatus", "[Inicia ${property.currentOperation}]")
            .log(LoggingLevel.INFO, "company Number: ${header.companyNumber}")
            .log(LoggingLevel.INFO, "account Number: ${header.accountNumber}")
            .log(LoggingLevel.INFO, "document Type: ${header.documentType}")
            .log(LoggingLevel.INFO, "transaction Type: ${header.transactionNumber}")
            .doTry()
                .choice()
                    .when(header("documentType").isEqualTo(Constants.RECEIPT))
                        .log(LoggingLevel.INFO, "[${property.currentOperation}] Find RECEIPT")
                        .setHeader("TARGET_DIR", constant("{{source.erp.RECEIPTs}}"))
                .endChoice()
                .otherwise()
                    .log(LoggingLevel.INFO, "[${property.currentOperation}] Find DOCUMENTS")
                    .setHeader("TARGET_DIR", constant("{{source.erp.DOCUMENTS}}"))
                .end()
                .setProperty("fileName", simple("${header.companyNumber}${header.accountNumber}${header.documentType}${header.transactionNumber}.pdf"))
                .to("direct:findPdfInFTP")
                .log(LoggingLevel.INFO,"getClaimStatus", "[Ending ${property.currentOperation}]")
            .endDoTry()
            .doCatch(Exception.class)
                .log(LoggingLevel.ERROR, "getReceipts", "[ERROR: ${exception.message}")
        .end();

        /**
         *  Search in FTP directory
         */
        from("direct:findPdfInFTP").routeId("find file in ftp")
            .doTry()
                .log(LoggingLevel.INFO, "Search: ${header.TARGET_DIR}/${property.fileName}")
                .pollEnrich().simple("{{erp.sftp}}/${header.TARGET_DIR}?password={{erp.sftp.password}}&fileName=${property.fileName}&disconnect=true&noop=true&recursive=true&useUserKnownHostsFile=false&idempotent=false&include=.*.pdf").timeout(timeoutFTP)
                .choice()
                    .when(simple("${body} == null"))
                        .log(LoggingLevel.ERROR, "getClaimStatus", "[ERROR: file does not exist...]")
                .otherwise()
                    .log(LoggingLevel.INFO,"FILE OBTAINED: ${headers.CamelFileName}")
            .endDoTry()
            .doCatch(Exception.class)
                .log(LoggingLevel.ERROR, "getReceipts", "[ERROR: ${exception.message}")
        .end();
    }
}

I modify my "search in FTP" program a little bit it improved but just a few seconds, take a look:
/**
 *  Search in FTP directory
 */
from("direct:findPdfInFTP").routeId("find file in ftp")
    .doTry()
        .to("direct:searchInFTP")
        .choice()
            .when(simple("${body} == null"))
                .log(LoggingLevel.INFO, "findPdfInFTP", "Search in sub directory called 'Processed' ")
                .setHeader("TARGET_DIR", simple("${header.TARGET_DIR}/Processed/"))
                .to("direct:searchInFTP")
        .otherwise()
        .log(LoggingLevel.INFO,"FILE OBTAINED: ${headers.CamelFileName}")
    .endDoTry()
    .doCatch(Exception.class)
        .log(LoggingLevel.ERROR, "findPdfInFTP", "[ERROR: ${exception.message}")
    .end();

from("direct:searchInFTP").routeId("searchInFTP")
    .doTry()
        .log(LoggingLevel.INFO, "Search: {{erp.sftp}}/${header.TARGET_DIR}${property.fileName}")
        .pollEnrich().simple("{{erp.sftp}}/${header.TARGET_DIR}?password={{erp.sftp.password}}&fileName=${property.fileName}&disconnect=true&useList=false&ignoreFileNotFoundOrPermissionError=true&useUserKnownHostsFile=false").timeout(timeoutFTP)
    .endDoTry()
    .doCatch(Exception.class)
        .log(LoggingLevel.ERROR, "searchInFTP", "[ERROR: ${exception.message}")
    .end();

Take a look at this, this is my poolEnrich:
.pollEnrich().simple("{{erp.sftp}}/${header.TARGET_DIR}?password={{erp.sftp.password}}&fileName=${property.fileName}&disconnect=true&useList=false&ignoreFileNotFoundOrPermissionError=true&useUserKnownHostsFile=false").timeout(timeoutFTP)

How can i make it more efficient? Can help me?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sam Querrey's first victory over Andy Murray in five attempts has embellished the big-serving American's impressive credentials and marked him out as a likely top-10 player in the future.
Only top-ranked Spaniard Rafa Nadal, with five, has won more tournaments on the circuit this year although Querrey is the sole player to have triumphed on three different surfaces.
Long regarded as the brightest young American prospect with his booming serves and crunching forehands, the six-foot six Californian regarded his first success against Murray as a significant milestone.
"It feels great to finally get a win over him because I really hadn't had a close match with him before this," Querrey told reporters after saving a match point in the second set before going on to triumph.
"So it's nice to get that. Now I have the belief that if I can play him again I can maybe win or if I play another top-10 guy.
"Winning definitely gives you a lot of confidence, whether it's professional or in the juniors or in the collegiate," added the world number 20.
"The more you win, the better you're playing and the more confidence you have. I definitely think this will help me win some bigger matches going forward."
"This feels great," Querrey said. "This is maybe the best I've ever felt. I'm really happy, really ecstatic. Hopefully it will be a great start to the summer.
Last year Querrey enjoyed his best season on tour with a win-loss record of 41-23, despite his campaign being cut short in September when a glass table he was sitting at collapsed and nearly severed a nerve in his serving arm.
However, subsequent surgery and rehabilitation led to a full recovery and he is now the third-highest American in the rankings, after world number nine Roddick and his good friend John Isner (19th).
"I'm proud of the way I've turned it around since then," said Querrey, who will be playing in this week's Washington Classic. "I'm taking baby steps forward and hopefully, I'll keep going up.
"The next step is the Masters Series and the grand slam events. This tournament is a great stepping stone for those."


text:
#include "CCLuaStack.h"
#include <string>

extern "C" {
#include "lua.h"
#include "tolua++.h"
#include "lualib.h"
#include "lauxlib.h"
#include "tolua_fix.h"
}

#include "Cocos2dxLuaLoader.h"

namespace {
int lua_print(lua_State * luastate)
{
    int nargs = lua_gettop(luastate);

    std::string t;
    for (int i=1; i <= nargs; i++)
    {
        if (lua_istable(luastate, i))
            t += "table";
        else if (lua_isnone(luastate, i))
            t += "none";
        else if (lua_isnil(luastate, i))
            t += "nil";
        else if (lua_isboolean(luastate, i))
        {
            if (lua_toboolean(luastate, i) != 0)
                t += "true";
            else
                t += "false";
        }
        else if (lua_isfunction(luastate, i))
            t += "function";
        else if (lua_islightuserdata(luastate, i))
            t += "lightuserdata";
        else if (lua_isthread(luastate, i))
            t += "thread";
        else
        {
            const char * str = lua_tostring(luastate, i);
            if (str)
                t += lua_tostring(luastate, i);
            else
                t += lua_typename(luastate, lua_type(luastate, i));
        }
        if (i!=nargs)
            t += "\t";
    }

	printf("[LUA-print] %s\n", t.c_str());

    return 0;
}
}  // namespace {

CCLuaStack *CCLuaStack::create(void)
{
    CCLuaStack *stack = new CCLuaStack();
    stack->init();
    return stack;
}

CCLuaStack *CCLuaStack::attach(lua_State *L)
{
    CCLuaStack *stack = new CCLuaStack();
    stack->initWithLuaState(L);
    return stack;
}

CCLuaStack::~CCLuaStack(void)
{
	//析构时关闭lua
	lua_close(m_state);
}

bool CCLuaStack::init(void)
{
    m_state = lua_open();
    luaL_openlibs(m_state);

    toluafix_open(m_state);

    // Register our version of the global "print" function
    const luaL_reg global_functions [] = {
        {"print", lua_print},
        {NULL, NULL}
    };
    luaL_register(m_state, "_G", global_functions);

    // add cocos2dx loader
    addLuaLoader(cocos2dx_lua_loader);

    return true;
}

bool CCLuaStack::initWithLuaState(lua_State *L)
{
    m_state = L;
    return true;
}

void CCLuaStack::addSearchPath(const char* path)
{
    lua_getglobal(m_state, "package");                                  /* L: package */
    lua_getfield(m_state, -1, "path");                /* get package.path, L: package path */
    const char* cur_path =  lua_tostring(m_state, -1);
    lua_pushfstring(m_state, "%s;%s/?.lua", cur_path, path);            /* L: package path newpath */
    lua_setfield(m_state, -3, "path");          /* package.path = newpath, L: package path */
    lua_pop(m_state, 2);                                                /* L: - */
}

void CCLuaStack::addLuaLoader(lua_CFunction func)
{
    if (!func) return;

    // stack content after the invoking of the function
    // get loader table
    lua_getglobal(m_state, "package");                                  /* L: package */
    lua_getfield(m_state, -1, "loaders");                               /* L: package, loaders */

    // insert loader into index 2
    lua_pushcfunction(m_state, func);                                   /* L: package, loaders, func */
    for (int i = lua_objlen(m_state, -2) + 1; i > 2; --i)
    {
        lua_rawgeti(m_state, -2, i - 1);                                /* L: package, loaders, func, function */
        // we call lua_rawgeti, so the loader table now is at -3
        lua_rawseti(m_state, -3, i);                                    /* L: package, loaders, func */
    }
    lua_rawseti(m_state, -2, 2);                                        /* L: package, loaders */

    // set loaders into package
    lua_setfield(m_state, -2, "loaders");                               /* L: package */

    lua_pop(m_state, 1);
}

void CCLuaStack::removeScriptHandler(int nHandler)
{
    toluafix_remove_function_by_refid(m_state, nHandler);
}

int CCLuaStack::executeString(const char *codes)
{
    luaL_loadstring(m_state, codes);
    return executeFunction(0);
}

int CCLuaStack::executeBuffer(const char *buff, size_t sz, const char *name)
{
	luaL_loadbuffer(m_state, buff, sz, name);
	return executeFunction(0);
}

int CCLuaStack::executeScriptFile(const char* filename)
{
	std::string fullPath = filename;//CCFileUtils::sharedFileUtils()->fullPathForFilename(filename);
    ++m_callFromLua;
    int nRet = luaL_dofile(m_state, fullPath.c_str());
    --m_callFromLua;
    //assert(m_callFromLua >= 0);

    if (nRet != 0)
    {
        printf("[LUA ERROR] %s", lua_tostring(m_state, -1));
        lua_pop(m_state, 1);
        return nRet;
    }
    return 0;
}

int CCLuaStack::executeGlobalFunction(const char* functionName)
{
    lua_getglobal(m_state, functionName);       /* query function by name, stack: function */
    if (!lua_isfunction(m_state, -1))
    {
		printf("[LUA ERROR] name '%s' does not represent a Lua function", functionName);
        lua_pop(m_state, 1);
        return 0;
    }
    return executeFunction(0);
}

void CCLuaStack::clean(void)
{
    lua_settop(m_state, 0);
}

void CCLuaStack::pushInt(int intValue)
{
    lua_pushinteger(m_state, intValue);
}

void CCLuaStack::pushLightUserData(void * lightdata, const char * name)
{
	tolua_pushusertype(m_state, lightdata, name);
}

void CCLuaStack::pushFloat(float floatValue)
{
    lua_pushnumber(m_state, floatValue);
}

void CCLuaStack::pushBoolean(bool boolValue)
{
    lua_pushboolean(m_state, boolValue);
}

void CCLuaStack::pushString(const char* stringValue)
{
    lua_pushstring(m_state, stringValue);
}

void CCLuaStack::pushString(const char* stringValue, int length)
{
    lua_pushlstring(m_state, stringValue, length);
}

void CCLuaStack::pushNil(void)
{
    lua_pushnil(m_state);
}

bool CCLuaStack::pushFunctionByHandler(int nHandler)
{
    toluafix_get_function_by_refid(m_state, nHandler);                  /* L: ... func */
    if (!lua_isfunction(m_state, -1))
    {
        printf("[LUA ERROR] function refid '%d' does not reference a Lua function", nHandler);
        lua_pop(m_state, 1);
        return false;
    }
    return true;
}

bool CCLuaStack::pushFunctionByStr(const char * func)
{
	lua_getglobal(m_state, func);
	if (!lua_isfunction(m_state, -1))
	{
		printf("[lua error] function refid '%s' does not reference a Lua function", func);
		lua_pop(m_state, 1);
		return false;
	}
	return true;
}

int CCLuaStack::executeFunction(int numArgs)
{
    int functionIndex = -(numArgs + 1);
    if (!lua_isfunction(m_state, functionIndex))
    {
		printf("value at stack [%d] is not function", functionIndex);
        lua_pop(m_state, numArgs + 1); // remove function and arguments
        return 0;
    }

    int traceback = 0;
    lua_getglobal(m_state, "__G__TRACKBACK__");                         /* L: ... func arg1 arg2 ... G */
    if (!lua_isfunction(m_state, -1))
    {
        lua_pop(m_state, 1);                                            /* L: ... func arg1 arg2 ... */
    }
    else
    {
        lua_insert(m_state, functionIndex - 1);                         /* L: ... G func arg1 arg2 ... */
        traceback = functionIndex - 1;
    }

    int error = 0;
    ++m_callFromLua;
    error = lua_pcall(m_state, numArgs, 1, traceback);                  /* L: ... [G] ret */
    --m_callFromLua;
    if (error)
    {
        if (traceback == 0)
        {
			printf("[LUA ERROR] %s", lua_tostring(m_state, -1));        /* L: ... error */
            lua_pop(m_state, 1); // remove error message from stack
        }
        else                                                            /* L: ... G error */
        {
            lua_pop(m_state, 2); // remove __G__TRACKBACK__ and error message from stack
        }
        return 0;
    }

    // get return value
    int ret = 0;
    if (lua_isnumber(m_state, -1))
    {
        ret = lua_tointeger(m_state, -1);
    }
    else if (lua_isboolean(m_state, -1))
    {
        ret = lua_toboolean(m_state, -1);
    }
    // remove return value from stack
    lua_pop(m_state, 1);                                                /* L: ... [G] */

    if (traceback)
    {
        lua_pop(m_state, 1); // remove __G__TRACKBACK__ from stack      /* L: ... */
    }

    return ret;
}

int CCLuaStack::executeFunctionByHandler(int nHandler, int numArgs)
{
    int ret = 0;
    if (pushFunctionByHandler(nHandler))                                /* L: ... arg1 arg2 ... func */
    {
        if (numArgs > 0)
        {
            lua_insert(m_state, -(numArgs + 1));                        /* L: ... func arg1 arg2 ... */
        }
        ret = executeFunction(numArgs);
    }
    lua_settop(m_state, 0);
    return ret;
}

int CCLuaStack::executeFunctionByStr(const char * func, int numArgs)
{
	int ret = 0;
	if (pushFunctionByStr(func))                                /* L: ... arg1 arg2 ... func */
	{
		if (numArgs > 0)
		{
			lua_insert(m_state, -(numArgs + 1));                        /* L: ... func arg1 arg2 ... */
		}
		ret = executeFunction(numArgs);
	}
	lua_settop(m_state, 0);
	return ret;
}

bool CCLuaStack::executeAssert(bool cond, const char *msg)
{
    if (m_callFromLua == 0) return false;

    lua_pushfstring(m_state, "ASSERT FAILED ON LUA EXECUTE: %s", msg ? msg : "unknown");
    lua_error(m_state);
    return true;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Woman whose husband murdered their toddler exceeds €42,000 fundraising goal to exhume child
Rebecca Saunders' three-year-old daughter Clarissa McCarthy was drowned by her Irish husband in west Cork in 2013
Marita MoloneyDigital Reporter
Clarissa McCarthy was just three-years-old when her father Martin killed her on March 5, 2013
A woman who had launched a fundraising appeal for her child's body to be exhumed and taken to the US for burial has reached her €42,000 goal.
Rebecca Saunders' three-year-old daughter Clarissa McCarthy was drowned by her Irish husband in west Cork in 2013.
Clarissa's father Martin, 50, drowned her on March 5, 2013, before taking his own life at Audley Cove near their home outside Ballydehob.
The tragedy occurred when Rebecca was gone to a nearby town for the day to deal with issues relating to separation and divorce proceedings.
Rebecca, who was only 26 at the time, described being so traumatised by the incident that she agreed for Clarissa to be buried with her father.
She appeared on RTÉ's Claire Byrne Live programme on Monday from her home in Houston, Texas to recount the story and her intentions to have her daughter's body exhumed so that she can bring her home to the US.
Clarissa McCarthy
A GoFundMe campaign set up to help with the costs was created five days ago and today it reached and subsequently exceeded its goal of fundraising $50,000 (€42,000).
More than 1,400 people have donated to the cause.
"So everyone who's been a part of Clarissa's Cause- your support has been beyond what I could ever imagine," a tweet from the Clarissa's Cause account said.
"Thank you so very much."
Mother whose toddler was murdered by husband in Cork asks for remains to be exhumed for burial in US
Lynsey Bennett shares 'amazing' health update as she battles terminal cancer
Rebecca said on Monday that she felt she had made a "very grievous mistake" as soon as Clarissa was buried eight years ago.
"I felt like when the idea came up to bury them together, if she had a choice, if she could make a choice in this decision whether she was going to be by herself or whether she wanted to be with somebody, I just felt like she would not want to be alone," she told Claire Byrne.
"I did not realise just how sinister Martin's plan was and how much in advance he planned out what he carried out that night.
"And so I thought to myself; if she had a choice, she would want to be buried with her father ... even though he did what he did, as she would still love him."
She added: "I feel like I essentially abandoned her because I am not there anymore and the grave and where she's buried and how she's buried and who she's buried with, just gives me a great deal of stress that I would sleep better, I would be able to function better if I was able to take her home with me.
"I know that exhuming her is not going to bring her back to me, but it will be some small amount of closure. And I hate to use that word but that is what it will be when I can exhume Clarissa, when I can take her home with me.
"There will be some small amount of closure that I no longer have to think that she's in the arms of that monster."


Please plan to attend our free, in-house CLE seminar covering the new Colorado Brownfields Tax Credit and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment\'s new asbestos-in-soil regulations. Presented by Polly B. Jessen.
May be applied towards two hours of CLE credit.


There wasn't much wrong with the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet that a few more sophisticated entry-level engines wouldn't have put right. Now that this smartly-styled convertible has these mainstream powerplants in place, it's properly set to really trouble mid-sized drop-top segment favourites like the Audi A5 Cabrio and the BMW 4 Series Convertible. You'd like one.
Think of a Mercedes cabriolet and you tend to think in terms of needing a lottery win. You'll be picturing cars like the SL roadster or maybe the smaller SLC. If luxury is more your thing, then perhaps the models you have in mind are Cabriolet versions of the brand's E-Class and S-Class models. All are expensive. Slightly more accessible though, is the car we look at here, the C-Class Cabriolet. It's based on the C-Class Coupe and gets significant upgrades in the revised guise were going to examine here.
On the road, this C-Class Cabriolet comes with a multi-layered fabric roof that can activate in less than 20s at speeds of up to around 30mph. Once the hood is unclipped and on its way backwards, what Mercedes calls an 'AIRCAP' draught stop system springs up on the windscreen header rail. At the same time, a wind deflector can glide up behind the rear seats and together, these two elements are very effective in limiting cabin buffeting at speed. That roof mechanism leaves this model is 125kgs heavier than the C-Class Coupe model it's based upon, extra bulk you really feel when you're pushing on around twisting secondary roads. On the plus side though, this Cabriolet is stable and very well balanced, aided by a standard 'DYNAMIC SELECT' driving modes system that not only tweaks the throttle and steering but also alters responses from the standard 'AGILITY CONTROL' adaptive suspension. Uniquely in this class, there's the option of upgrading the damping into a hi-tech air-suspended 'AIRMATIC' set-up. On top of that, mainstream variants get a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic gearbox that's more sophisticated than anything the opposition can offer. With this revised model, the most important news is the introduction of fresh mainstream petrol and diesel engines beneath the bonnet. The range kicks off with the new 1.5-litre petrol unit with 184hp fitted to the base C200, a model available only in rear-driven form. This powerplant features clever 'EQ Boost' technology which uses a 48volt on-board network with a belt-driven starter/alternator. As mentioned, there's a new four cylinder diesel too, the previous 2.1-litre unit now replaced by a state-of-the-art 2.0-litre powerplant with 194hp, this fitted to the rear-driven C220d variant. At the top of the range lie the fearsome Mercedes-AMG models, offered with V6 or V8 power. The V6-engined C 43 4MATIC now puts out 390hp, 23hp more than before. That's enough to take a C 43 Coupe from rest to 62mph in just 4.7s. Beyond that lies only the V8 C63 AMG model, with a 4.0-litre V8 Biturbo engine offering either 476 or 510hp.
With its top up, the profile of this two-door cabriolet resembles that of the C-Class Coupe, with virtually identical basic dimensions. The styling of this revised model isn't much different, a revised front bumper slotting under the smart diamond radiator grille which is flanked by standard-fit LED High Performance headlights. As before, a high beltline and frameless doors with free-standing exterior mirrors aim to underscore the sporty character. The fully automatic fabric soft top can be opened and closed using a matt chrome curved switch on the centre console. After opening, it folds down quietly and is stored in the soft-top compartment in the boot. Inside, the cabin now gets the option of the fully-digital instrument display, a 12.3-inch TFT screen that replaces the conventional dials using technology borrowed from larger Mercedes models. You can customise the layout between three display styles - 'Classic', 'Sport' and 'Progressive'. As before, flowing forms characterise the centre console as well as the door and rear side panelling, which smoothly merge into one another to emphasise the coupe character. The front sports seats feature automatic belt feeders for added convenience. The choice of materials and the finish have a hand-crafted feel with high-class appeal and aim to deliver a fresh take on modern luxury. The 50:50 split rear seats can be completely folded down. This extends boot capacity which is 360-litres - or 285-litres with the roof open.
Think in terms of needing around at least around £41,500 for your C-Class Cabriolet, once you've allowed for a few well-chosen extras. That's just a starting point of course. Most models will be sold in the £45,000 to £50,000 bracket. Below the top 'Mercedes-AMG' models, there is just one main trim level - 'AMG Line' - and it's very well equipped. We particularly like the sensitive climate control system that adapts itself whether the car is being driven with the roof up or the roof down. A key option you really have to have on this car is the 'Cabriolet Comfort package'. This gives you two key features; the electric AIRCAP draught stop system that reduces the interior turbulence for rear passengers at the press of a button. And the AIRSCARF neck-level heating set-up for the driver and front passenger. Alternatively, there's also the option of a retrofitted manual folding draught stop behind the front seats. This noticeably stops draughts in the front seats. This revised model features the option of Mercedes' latest 'level 2' autonomous driving technology, with improved camera and radar systems that allow it to see up to 500m ahead. You'll need the optional 'Driving Assistance Package' for that, which features the brand's 'Active Distance Control DISTRONIC' active cruise control system which can draw on navigational data to predictively adjust your speed.
The new 1.5-litre EQ Boost petrol engine fitted to the base C200 enables a useful improvement in efficiency to be possible, so don't automatically opt for a diesel this time round. It manages 145g/km of CO2. This unit features a clever starter/alternator that during deceleration recuperates kinetic energy and charges the battery. For auto models, there's also a gliding mode that operates at cruising speeds, switching the engine off, before seamlessly re-starting it when you brush your foot against the throttle. And a 'recuperative brake with intelligent engine stop' function which also works when the vehicle is coasting. Mercedes says that internal friction is much reduced with this new four cylinder unit. As for the new 2.0-litre diesel engine fitted to the C220d, well it performs to the latest super-stringent Euro 6d-TEMP standard and uses a particularly efficient 'step recess' combustion process - named after the shape of the combustion case in the piston. Internal friction is also reduced here - by around 25% - and the engine's more compact, leading to significant efficiency benefits. It manages 126g/km of CO2.What else? Well maintenance costs will be kept down thanks to an ASSYST Plus service indicator on the dash that'll calculates precisely when a dealer visit might be needed. And residual values will be as high if not higher than anything else in the class.
If you�re looking for a new Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300d AMG Line Premium Plus 2dr 9G-Tronic Diesel Cabriolet for sale, you�ve come to the right place. At Bristol Street Motors we don�t just have the best Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300d AMG Line Premium Plus 2dr 9G-Tronic Diesel Cabriolet deals, we also offer friendly advice and help with all your enquiries to ensure your buying experience is a happy experience.


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Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens
A Cognitive Therapy Guide to Overcoming Self-Doubt and Creating Unshakable Self-Esteem
Marci G Fox and Leslie Sokol
Foreword by Aaron T. Beck and Judith S. Beck
The Instant Help Solutions Series
Instant Help Books
,Self-Esteem
Confidence is like a magnet that attracts people to you and helps you get closer to reaching your goals. When you believe in yourself, you send the message that you have the brains, ability, and talent to handle whatever life sends your way. And the truth is, you do!
Using powerful skills based in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens shows you how to tap into your self-esteem so you can be yourself in every situation, no matter how awkward you feel or scary that may sound. The fun exercises and tips in this confidence-coaching workbook will guide you past feelings of self-doubt and encourage you to believe in yourself, strengthen your friendships, and meet every challenge head-on.
Recognize and overcome the self-doubting thoughts that bring you down
Grow your confident thoughts into confident actions
Enjoy a full social life and attract new friends
Feel smarter at school and build on your extracurricular talents
This book has been awarded The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies Self-Help Seal of Merit - an award bestowed on outstanding self-help books that are consistent with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles and that incorporate scientifically tested strategies for overcoming mental health difficulties. Used alone or in conjunction with therapy, our books offer powerful tools readers can use to jump-start changes in their lives.
Marci G Fox (Author)
Marci G. Fox, PhD, is a licensed psychologist who has been in private practice for nearly twenty years specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy with teens and adults. She has worked with the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in... Read more
Books by Marci G Fox
The Think Confident, Be Confident Workbook for Teens
Leslie Sokol (Author)
Leslie Sokol, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, distinguished founding fellow, certified trainer/consultant, past president, secretary, and credentials chair of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. A fellow of the Association for Behavioral and... Read more
Books by Leslie Sokol
Aaron T. Beck (Foreword by)
Aaron T. Beck, MD, created and refined cognitive therapy over the course of his research and clinical career. He has published more than 600 scholarly articles and twenty-five books, and has developed widely used assessment scales. Beck has received... Read more
Books by Aaron T. Beck
Judith S. Beck (Foreword by)
Judith S. Beck, PhD, is director of the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, clinical associate professor of psychology in psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, and past president of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Daughter of... Read more
Books by Judith S. Beck
"In Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens, Fox and Sokol address a common developmental problem, low self-esteem, in a very vulnerable group, teenagers. Using a number of case vignettes, the authors draw readers into the process to help them build a sense of personal efficacy and believe that they can do what they need to do. After following the exercises in this workbook, it would be difficult for teen readers to continue to feel badly about themselves. This is an essential book for parents, teachers, and, of course, teens."
—Art Freeman, faculty in the department of behavioral medicine at Midwestern University
"Growing as a teen means giving yourself the tools to succeed in life. This book is like your personal toolbox. Read it and carry it with you on your personal road to success."
—William Sears, MD, pediatrician and author of The Successful Child
"Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens is an outstanding addition to the self-help literature for adolescents. Fox and Sokol have translated the powerful tools of cognitive behavioral therapy into a readable and relevant manual. Common dilemmas that teens face serve as illustrations and bring to life principles that can help young readers through a challenging and pivotal stage of development."
—Donna M. Sudak, MD, ACT, founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy and president of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy
"Adolescence is often characterized by severe self-doubt and worry that can create significant distress for teenagers and their families and negatively impact academic, social, and emotional functioning. Are these extreme reactions an inevitable part of the teenage transition? No! Sokol and Fox show how adolescence can be the foundation for a lifetime of self-confidence."
—Dennis Greenberger, PhD, coauthor of Mind Over Mood
"Being a teen can be tough. From stresses at home or at school to problems with friends, sometimes it can feel like it's just too much. Self-doubt can creep in, leading to feelings of anxiety, worry, frustration, and sadness. There's good news, though. Based on the latest science and strategies that really work, Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens offers simple, useful tips that will put you on a confident path and help you see yourself in a positive, realistic light. This quick-read book can help you handle whatever comes your way."
—Mark A. Reinecke, PhD, ABPP, ACT, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine
"Adolescence can be a time when self-reflection and newly developed thinking styles can be a challenge. Following the lead of cognitive theory, Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens guides the adolescent reader though experiences and activities that will shape a healthy and more confident thinking style. A valuable resource for teens, with potential to prevent unwanted emotional turmoil."
-Philip C. Kendall, PhD, ABPP, distinguished university professor and Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology at Temple University
"Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens is a practical, clear, and powerful guide young people can use to boost their confidence and face the inevitable obstacles of life. Filled with forms, examples, and empowering guidelines, this book will give teens the tools to take on the challenges of life."
—Robert L. Leahy, PhD, director of the American Institute for Cognitive Therapy and author of Beat the Blues Before They Beat You, The Worry Cure, and Anxiety Free
"In an ideal world, Think Confident, Be Confident for Teens would be required reading in high school and college curricula. Speaking directly to teens on matters that concern them most, Fox and Sokol succeed in offering evidence-based ways teens can reduce their social self-consciousness, improve their outlook on themselves and their lives, and be more confident and effective in handling the sorts of stresses that teens know all too well. Adolescents suffering from that common malady known as insecurity will benefit significantly from learning the lessons taught by this valuable book."
—Cory F. Newman, PhD, ABPP, professor of psychology in psychiatry and director of the Center for Cognitive Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania
0NguyenLeuLi
When I read this book, it strengths my low self-confident, and it has a big impact on my views of my self-confident in a real life.
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Marie Hartwell-Walker
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Julie de Azevedo Hanks
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Britt H. Rathbone and Julie B. Baron
Mode Deactivation Therapy for Aggression and Oppositional Behavior in Adolescents
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Susan Sprague
The Self-Love Revolution
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When Perfect Isn't Good Enough
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The Anxiety Skills Workbook
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The Grit Guide for Teens
Caren Baruch-Feldman
The Cognitive Behavioral Workbook for Weight Management
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Matthew McKay and Patrick Fanning
Modular CBT for Children and Adolescents with Depression
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Antisocial Personality DisorderUnited Brain Association2021-12-01T21:40:57-04:00
Antisocial Personality Disorder Fast Facts
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a mental condition where a person shows little regard or respect for other people. They often violate the norms of right and wrong, and they may engage in criminal or harmful behavior.
An estimated 1-4% of people in the United States have ASPD.
ASPD affects men more often than women.
Symptoms of ASPD often begin in late childhood or adolescence, but the disorder is not diagnosed before 18.
Personality disorders like ASPD are characterized by long-term patterns of behavior that remain consistent over time.
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is an illness characterized by a persistent disregard for standards of right and wrong and a lack of concern for the well-being of other people. People with ASPD often violate the law, and they may act in ways that are physically and emotionally harmful to other people. In addition, they show a lack of empathy and may try to manipulate others to get what they want. People with ASPD also tend to deny responsibility for the consequences of their actions.
ASPD is sometimes referred to as sociopathy. However, sociopathy is not a clinical term, and it is not used to indicate a diagnosable mental disorder.
ASPD is one of a group of conditions called Cluster B personality disorders. This group also includes borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder, and histrionic personality disorder.
Symptoms of Antisocial Personality Disorder
Common symptoms of ASPD include:
Disregard for the law and commission of illegal acts
Lying and manipulating for personal gain or pleasure
Impulsive behavior
Aggression or easily provoked anger
Disregard for the safety of others
Irresponsible behavior
Lack of remorse, indifference, or making excuses after hurting others
What Causes Antisocial Personality Disorder?
The exact cause of ASPD has not yet been discovered. Several factors, however, seem to put an individual at increased risk of ASPD.
Family history and genetics. People with ASPD often have a family history of the same disorder. Therefore, scientists suspect a genetic component to ASPD, but no definite association with any gene or group of genes has yet been discovered.
Childhood experiences. Children at risk for ASPD may be even more at risk if they experience abuse or neglect during childhood.
Brain chemistry. People with ASPD often have a lower than usual level of the neurotransmitter chemical serotonin.
Drug or alcohol abuse may increase the risk of ASPD.
Is Antisocial Personality Disorder Hereditary?
Scientists have not yet been able to identify a specific genetic component that increases the risk of ASPD. Inherited genes may increase an individual's susceptibility to ASPD, but the disorder's actual development may result from external triggering circumstances.
How Is Antisocial Personality Disorder Detected?
In many cases, ASPD is preceded by a childhood condition called conduct disorder. Children with conduct disorder have a similar disregard for right and wrong as adults with ASPD. However, ASPD can't be diagnosed until a person reaches the age of 18, so childhood symptoms fall under a diagnosis of conduct disorder.
Symptoms of conduct disorder include:
Getting in fights or bullying
Cruel, manipulative, coercive, or intimidating behavior
Sexual assault or harassment
Vandalism or arson
Running away or skipping school
Conduct disorder is often mistaken for other conditions, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, or depression.
How Is Antisocial Personality Disorder Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of ASPD begins with determining that the patient has a cluster of symptoms that meet the diagnostic criteria for the disorder. A doctor will start with a physical exam to rule out biological problems that may be causing symptoms. After these exams, if the doctor suspects that ASPD or another mental disorder is the cause of the symptoms, they may recommend a psychological or psychiatric assessment to solidify the diagnosis further.
A physical exam. This exam rules out physical conditions that could be causing the symptoms.
The results of the psychological assessments will be compared to the diagnostic criteria for ASPD in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM criteria for ASPD include:
Persistent disregard for others.
At least three symptoms are present.
The symptoms begin by the age of 15.
How Is Antisocial Personality Disorder Treated?
People with ASPD typically do not acknowledge that they have a problem and rarely seek treatment on their own. Research has not shown that any treatment options are consistently effective, but sometimes psychotherapy or medications may achieve some short-term improvements.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy may help some people with ASPD to control some of their symptoms. This type of therapy teaches the patient to recognize problematic behavior patterns and develop strategies to control the behavior before it occurs.
Contingency management is a type of treatment that withholds rewards from the patient to motivate them to change their behavior. This approach may be effective in some cases.
Medicines may be used to treat specific symptoms that co-exist with ASPD. The drugs used to treat these symptoms include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), mood stabilizers such as lithium, or antipsychotics such as aripiprazole or risperidone.
How Does Antisocial Personality Disorder Progress?
People with ASPD are at high risk of physical, social, financial, and legal consequences stemming from their behavior. In addition, the people around them are at risk of harm as well, making identification and treatment of the disorder essential.
Long-term adverse effects of ASPD can include:
Alcohol or substance abuse
Injury or death as a result of violent or impulsive behavior
How Is Antisocial Personality Disorder Prevented?
There is no sure way to prevent ASPD, but early intervention when a child exhibits symptoms of conduct disorder may improve the long-term outlook.
Antisocial Personality Disorder Caregiver Tips
Many people with antisocial personality disorder also suffer from other brain and mental health-related issues, a condition called co-morbidity. Here are a few of the disorders commonly associated with ASPD and conduct disorder:
More than half of people with ASPD also have an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
People with both ASPD and anxiety disorder are more likely to suffer from depression, alcoholism, substance abuse, or suicide attempts.
ASPD and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often comorbid.
Antisocial Personality Disorder Brain Science
Researchers have tried to identify the underlying neurological causes of ASPD by examining brain function and structure in people with the disorder. Studies have found some structural differences in the brains of people with ASPD, including:
A smaller than average amount of brain tissue (called gray matter) in the prefrontal cortex. This is the part of the brain responsible for planning, decision-making, and impulse control.
A larger than normal corpus callosum, a structure that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain. This abnormality could be an indicator of disrupted brain development during childhood.
Some scientists believe that these structural abnormalities in the brains of people with ASPD may result from traumatic experiences, such as abuse or neglect, during critical periods of brain development in childhood.
Antisocial Personality Disorder Research
Title: Adapting Dialectical Behavior Therapy for the Treatment of Criminal Offenders With Antisocial Personality Disorder (DBT-ASPD)
Stage: Not Yet Recruiting
Principal investigator: Barry Rosenfeld, PhD
Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is among the most damaging and costly mental disorders, yet little research has sought to address the root causes of this disorder. Indeed, many clinicians consider ASPD to be "untreatable" and have primarily relegated the management of this challenging disorder to the criminal justice system, effectively relinquishing responsibility for understanding and treating ASPD. Although the criminal justice system utilizes a number of interventions, these interventions have typically focused on specific problem behaviors, such as anger management and substance abuse. In addition, these interventions, along with the more broad-based approaches occasionally studied (e.g., criminal cognitions), focus primarily on cognitive processing, effectively ignoring core elements of ASPD such as impulsivity and emotion dysregulation. Recently, however, growing interest has centered on Dialectical Behavior Therapy as a potential intervention approach, particularly given the emphasis on tangible behaviors and the acquisition of skills to address the core elements of APSD. The proposed study builds upon an innovative rehabilitative program developed by the U.S. District Court in New York. Beginning in 2020, the Fordham Community Mental Health Clinic has provided a DBT-based intervention to participants in this rehabilitation program. This population comprises repeat criminal offenders deemed at high risk for reoffending by the Probation Department, the vast majority of whom meet diagnostic criteria for ASPD. This intervention, which builds on the researcher team's past work treating offenders with a history of stalking and intimate partner violence, has the potential to advance the utility of DBT for the treatment of this challenging population. The present application proposes to advance this goal by adapting DBT to target core symptoms of ASPD, including impulsivity, difficulties in emotional processing, and problem-solving deficits. By adapting traditional DBT, this intervention hopes to demonstrate increased success in retaining and engaging this challenging population in treatment, decreasing the extent of problematic behaviors, and reducing the rates of violent and criminal re-offense.
Most importantly, this application takes an experimental therapeutics approach by identifying potential mediators of successful change in ASPD and quantifying the extent to which DBT impacts these traits and behaviors. Although DBT is not expected to "cure" ASPD, even modest improvements in the treatability of this challenging population would translate into substantial benefits given the high social, economic, and health care costs associated with this disorder. Given these goals, the present application seeks to a) demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of this intervention, b) reduce problematic character traits and behaviors (e.g., decreased impulsivity, increased emotion recognition), and c) reduce the rates of reoffending.
Title: Multisystemic Therapy-Emerging Adults (MST-EA) for Substance Abuse
Contact: Amanda Jacobs, LPC
North American Family Institute
Prevalence of alcohol and other drug (AOD) abuse and criminal activity is highest during emerging adulthood compared to any other developmental period and causes extraordinary costs to society. Emerging Adults (EAs; ages 17-26) with AOD abuse have greater incarceration rates than EAs without AOD abuse. AOD-abusing offenders have significantly more recidivism, severe offending, and incarceration than other offenders. Such serious behavior interferes with successful transition into adulthood in areas such as school completion, employment, and housing. Thus, there is a strong public health need for effective treatment to reduce AOD abuse and justice involvement in EAs. Surprisingly, no interventions have established efficacy to reduce criminal activity among EAs, with or without AOD abuse. Among younger adolescents, the comprehensive causes of antisocial behavior are addressed by effective interventions (e.g., Multisystemic Therapy [MST]; Treatment Foster Care Oregon [TFCO]). The present investigative team has developed and evaluated a well-defined age-tailored intervention for EAs with criminal behavior. The developed intervention is an adaptation of MST and integrates a skills coaching component from TFCO, both well-established effective juvenile justice interventions. Initial MST-EA research focused on justice-involved young adults who had mental health problems, a high-risk subpopulation of offenders, but AOD abuse quickly became a primary problem the MST-EA team treated. As a single-source intervention, MST-EA targets the EA correlates of criminal activity and AOD abuse, including gainful EA activities (positive relationships, school, work, and housing) and reduced AOD abuse-in part by targeting the proximal mechanism of poor self-regulation. In a successfully completed community-based open trial, the intervention's safety, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy were established.
The proposed study will evaluate the effectiveness of MST-EA for reducing justice involvement and AOD abuse. EAs (n = 240) with AOD abuse and justice involvement (recent arrests or release from justice facilities) will be randomized to receive MST-EA or Enhanced Treatment as Usual (E-TAU). Assessments will be completed at months 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 16, with confirmation of outcome data using official records. Aims will be to evaluate the effect over time of MST-EA for reducing AOD abuse and criminal activity and evaluate the effect of MST-EA on the key proximal target of treatment (self-regulation) and intermediate outcomes of treatment (gainful activities). A final aim will be to investigate if the direct effect of treatment on criminal activity is mediated by its effect on self-regulation, AOD abuse, and gainful activities. There is a complete absence of AOD abuse and recidivism reduction treatments with demonstrated effectiveness in this specific age group. The ultimate effect of the proposed research is decreased AOD abuse and justice involvement in a high-risk population and improved outcomes that have a significant societal impact (e.g., reduced homelessness and unemployment).
Title: The Effect of Repeated Prefrontal Cortex Stimulation on Antisocial and Aggressive Behavior
Principal Investigator: Adrian Raine, DPhil
This study investigates the relationship between prefrontal cortex activity and antisocial and aggressive behavior and risk factors for such behavior. In the double-blind, randomized controlled trial, participants will undergo three sessions of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex or sham stimulation and complete survey and laboratory measures assessing antisocial behavior and risk factors. Heart rate and skin conductance will also be measured.


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We are the new power generation, we want to change the world.
The only thing that's in our way is you.
We're sick and tired of you telling us what to do.
Said if you didn't come to party child, I think you better get up off of my block.
Why don't you just be happy, baby.
We are the new power generation.


Charles Bronson and Toshiro Mifune take on a gang of desperadoes led by Alain Delon. Add the decorative charms of Ursula Andress and Capucine to the mix, stir it all up under the watchful eye of original Bond director Terence Young, and the result is the 1971 samurai western Red Sun. How can you not love such a movie? While you can find a number of films, from The Magnificent Seven on, that took their cue from and remade Japanese stories, the mixing of genres is not so common (I could mention a recent movie that borrows the basic premise but I don't want to dirty up this piece by referencing it).
The plot goes like this: the Japanese ambassador to the USA is travelling cross country to Washington when the train he's using is held up by an outlaw gang. The robbery is masterminded by Link (Bronson) and Gauche (Delon), and their objective is a safe full of money. It's just bad luck that the Asian diplomat happens to have chosen this train and gets himself robbed too. Having already murdered a few innocent people, Gauche shows just how ruthless he really is by knocking off one of the ambassador's samurai guards, stealing a priceless sword, double-crossing Link, and leaving him for dead. So our two heroes, Mifune and Bronson, must set out in pursuit of the duplicitous Frenchman; one seeking to recover the sword and uphold his honour, and the other just seeking the stolen money that has been stolen from him. For Mifune there is the added complication that he has been given just seven days to accomplish his mission; should he fail to do so he will be forced to take his own life.
Red Sun came along towards the end of Spaghetti/Euro western cycle and it manages to add a new twist to it with the inclusion of the samurai angle. Now if someone were to offer you a meal consisting of a Spanish omelet, sushi and good old bacon & beans all mixed up together you'd probably feel a little queasy at the prospect. However, from a cinematic point of view, it doesn't turn out so bad – in fact it manages to remain quite appetising. This is not a film that is trying to make any serious points and, as long as you keep that in mind, it provides some marvellous entertainment. Nevertheless it is nice to see the relationship between Bronson and Mifune's characters blossom as each comes to acquire a respect for the other. Mifune is fine as the taciturn, honour bound warrior and Bronson (on the verge of international action stardom) is very likable as the wisecracking bandit. Alain Delon is a very one-dimensional villain, but the movie isn't about character studies anyway. Capucine and Ursula Andress were really just along as eye candy, and that was alright by me. So, the film has copious amounts of gun and swordplay, the Cavalry, Mexican bandits, a marauding Comanche raiding party, and a catchy score by Maurice Jarre. It's hard to imagine what else the producers could have thrown in.
Red Sun comes on DVD in R2 from Cinema Club in a fairly decent print, except it's not OAR. The film should be shown 1.85:1 but the R2 is full frame. It looks like an open matte transfer, rather than pan & scan, since there is far too much headroom on view. I believe there is a widescreen version available somewhere, but I can't recall where – Japan maybe? All in all, I found the movie undemanding and fun. Bon Appetit!