text:
Niagara Peace & Dialog Awards Ceremony – 2015
HONOREES 2015
Each fall, the Niagara Foundation recognizes individuals and organizations in the Greater St. Louis area that have demonstrated strong commitment to serving their community while maintaining a global mindset.
The Peace & Dialogue Awards seek to encourage leaders in the St Louis community to continue to be forces for positive change, inspire thoughtful dialogue about contemporary issues, and to bring together the best and the brightest in the region to work towards a more peaceful future.
Vue 17 – University Tower (across from Galleria)
1034 S. Brentwood Boulevard
Reception, Breakfast & Awards Ceremony
Awards Presentations Fee: $35 (Individual Ticket)
NIAGARA COMMITMENT AWARD
Board Chair - Casa de Salud, CEO/Owner NewSpace, Inc.
Bob founded NewSpace Closet Interiors in 1984, the first of its kind in the St. Louis region. Today NewSpace, Inc. is also a full-service contract furniture dealer and provides fixtures to the retail trade.
more bio
Founder and CEO NewSpace, Inc.
A native of St. Louis, Bob served in The United States Air Force from 1962 to 1966. He graduated with a B.S. in Business and Economics from Drury University in 1968 and received his MBA from Saint Louis University in 1976. Bob has served on the Board of Trustees of Saint Louis University since 2006.
In 1984 Bob married Maxine Clark, a May Company executive who went on to become President of Payless ShoeSource and then in 1997 founded Build-A-Bear Workshops. In 2005 Bob and Maxine created the Clark-Fox Family Foundation to support the St. Louis community in areas vital to regional growth and prosperity.
Bob and Maxine are founding sponsors of Teach For America in the St. Louis region and of KIPP the first Knowledge is Power Program charter schools in St. Louis. In 2006 they funded the Maxine Clark and Bob Fox Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at St. Louis Children's Hospital. They also endowed the Chair of the Dean of Goldfarb School of Nursing and established a professorship in the name of Raymond and Alberta Slavin at Saint Louis University. Bob and Maxine received the 2011 Jane and Whitney Harris Community Service Award given annually to couples in the community who, through their public service, have greatly enhanced the St. Louis region. They were also honored with the 2013 NCCJ Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award, the 2013 One Hundred Black Men Educational Award and the 2014 Saint Louis University Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Leadership Award. In 2015 the Clark-Fox Family Foundation founded and launched Blueprint4SummerSTL a mobile app that brings access to summer programs to low-income families.
Bob serves on the Michael and Barbara Newmark Institute for Human Relations Advisory Board and is a founding member of the Gephardt National Council for Civic and Community Engagement at Washington University where he personally mentors both Civic Scholars and Goldman Fellows. He also serves as the Chair of the Education Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee of the St. Louis Zoo Foundation Board.
Bob is the Founder and Chair of the Board of Casa de Salud, a not-for-profit health and wellness center that welcomes new immigrants out of isolation and into the embrace of the community. It opened its doors in January of 2010 and today serves more than 12,000 patient visits annually.
Bob is the Founding Chair of the Board of inspireSTL a not-for-profit educational initiative started in 2011. inspireSTL identifies bright, socio-economically challenged, middle school children in urban underperforming schools, helps them with preparation and access to the finest college prep high schools in the region, tutors and mentors them through high school and college with the goal of bringing them back to their communities as transformational leaders. He also serves on the external advisory board of the SLPS Collegiate High School for Medicine and Bio-Science.
Bob serves on the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Taskforce on Immigration for the Midwest. In 2012 he was instrumental in establishing and still serves on the steering committee of the St. Louis Regional Taskforce on Immigration and Innovation which launched The St. Louis Mosaic Project in 2013. Its mission is to increase the foreign-born population in the St. Louis region so that by 2020 it has the fastest growing immigrant population of any major metropolitan area in the country. He also serves as an advisor to the board of Welcoming America a national organization based in Atlanta that helps hundreds of communities all over America develop and maintain robust immigrant welcoming programs.
Bob received the inaugural St. Louis Harvard Club Community Service Award in 2010. In 2011 he received the Hispanic Leaders Group Premio Esperanza – Hope Award given to the individual in the region who has brought the most positive recognition and honor to the Hispanic community. He is the recipient of the 2011 St. Louis Award given to "the resident of metropolitan St. Louis who has contributed the most outstanding services for its development or…shall have performed such services as to bring great honor to the community." In 2012 he received the St. Louis World Trade Center's Global Ambassador Award and was inducted into the John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University Smurfit-Stone Entrepreneurial Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2014 he received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission of Missouri Distinguished Humanitarian Award. Bob is the recipient of the 2015 Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethics of Service Award at Washington University.
NIAGARA EDUCATION AWARD
Becky James Hatter
President and CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Becky has served for the past 21 years as the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri (BBBSEMO). Under her leadership, the agency has grown from serving 300 children annually in 1994 to serving approximately 2,500 children today, an 800% increase.
Becky James-Hatter
Becky has served for the past 21 years as the President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri (BBBSEMO). Under her leadership, the agency has grown from serving 300 children annually in 1994 to serving approximately 2,500 children today, an 800% increase. Presently, BBBSEMO is the largest youth mentoring organization in the State of Missouri and the 6th largest Big Brothers Big Sisters of America affiliate (there are 350 affiliates).
Her hard work and dedication have led to the agency being the #1 affiliate in the nation for quality service for five straight years and the only agency to ever be named, in one year, Agency of the Year, Board of the Year, Staff of the Year and # 1 in Quality Service.
Most recently, under Becky's leadership, BBBSEMO extended their promise to be there for their Little Brothers and Little Sisters through age 25. The agency also adopted a new vision – moving the agency from the goal of Little Brothers and Little Sisters graduating from high school to earning a livig wage job by 26. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri is the first agency in the nation to make this change.
Under Becky's leadership the agency has historically been committed to innovation and improved outcomes. In 2006, the agency launched ABCToday!®, an early warning, recognition and response system, which is working to improve education within the St. Louis, Normandy, Cape Girardeau Public Schools and a number of charter and private schools by focusing on Attendance, Behavior and Classroom success in reading and math.
The initiative has been named a national model by the U.S. Department of Eudcation, State of Missouri, Civic Enterprises, a public policy firm in Washington D.C., Johns Hopkins University, the American Association of State Funded Colleges and Universities (AASCU). In addition, it has been lauded as a leading practice in education reform and student achievement. In 2013, Becky was honored by President Obama at a special event and reception at the White House and named a Champion for Change in educating African American children. In 2014, Becky was invited to return to Washington, D.C., as President Obama recognized Big Brothers Big Sisters for its efforts in college preparation, entry and completion rates.
Becky also launched Big Brothers Big Sisters Amachi Missouri, a statewide partnership program with other Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliates and the Missouri Department of Corrections, to serve children of incarcerated parents, one of our nation's most vulnerable group of children.
Becky has a long history, 26 years, with the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Prior to moving to St. Louis, she was the Vice President of Program for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlanta, the largest agency in the country during that time. She is also the founder of the Central Louisiana chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
In addition to her job responsibilities, Becky, along with her husband have been a Big Couple to Little Brother Erick for the past 5 ½ years. Becky also continues to keep in close contact with her Little Sister Ke'Sheara with whom she was matched for 17 years. In addition, she has served as a member of several local Boards of Directors including, Forest Park Hospital, RESPOND and Vision for Children at Risk, and has served as the Chair of the United Way Women's Leadership Giving Initiative for non-profits.
NIAGARA COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD
Spirit Of St. Louis Women's Fund
In 2006 a handful of St. Louis women had a big idea: A women's group that would pool members' equal contributions and, using a one woman-one vote process, make focused, high-impact grants to nonprofits dedicated to improving life in our community.
The women told their friends. Their friends told their friends . . . The spirit spread by word-of-mouth, and we made our first grants in 2007. We've grown every year since.
The Spirit of St. Louis Women's Fund (SOS) strengthens the St. Louis community through informed, focused grantmaking by educating and inspiring women to engage in significant, collective giving.
• Create a powerful organization of women devoted to improving the community.
• Be a force for significant social change through collective grantmaking.
• Provide financial support to community organizations dedicated to improving life in the Greater St. Louis area.
• Educate and inspire current and potential women donors.
We are committed to equality, diversity, collaboration, community, inclusiveness and accountability.
We value our members as colleagues and friends. We don't just work together. We also relax together at occasional social events.
We enjoy the sense of discovery that comes from learning about our community, its needs and organizations that are working to meet those needs.
2015 Grantees
$180,000 Granted
• CHADS – $25,000
CHADS advances awareness and prevention of youth depression and suicide. The SOS grant will support expanding school outreach services to between two and four charter schools in the city of St. Louis, impact 1,670 children and increase to 27,883 the total reached.
• Community Performance – $20,000
Community Performance Ensemble is a music and arts program serving 120 East St. Louis children two afternoons a week and on Saturday year round. The SOS grant will help CPE bring a nationally known music program to East St. Louis Public Schools.
• InspireSTL – $14,000
InspireSTL places talented low-income middle school students in college-prep high schools and provides them with academic, social and emotional support. The SOS grant will allow InspireSTL to add more students to its current total of 140.
• L.E.A.D. Promising Youth – $10,000
Leading, Educating, and Developing Promising Youth provides disadvantaged students ages 7 to 19 with an after-school tutoring program. The SOS grant will enable L.E.A.D. Promising Youth to upgrade the technology and software of its mathematics curriculum.
• Let's Start – $20,000
Let's Start works with formerly incarcerated women and their children to support recovery and reintegration, mitigate the effects of parental imprisonment, educate the public and inform policy. The SOS grant will support therapeutic services and a partial staff salary.
• Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project – $20,000
The MICA Project is a legal services, advocacy, organizing and educational organization working with low-income immigrants. The SOS grant will help MICA help eligible clients apply for such benefits as citizenship, work authorization and U.S. visas for relatives.
• Soulfisher Ministries – $10,000
SoulFisher Ministries provides after-school tutoring to youth with incarcerated parents as well as job training and placement, and affordable housing to convicted felons and their families. The SOS grant will allow the organization to expand its tutoring program.
• St. Louis HELP – $20,000
St. Louis HELP repairs and recycles donated home medical equipment and lend it without charge to any individual in need. The SOS grant will allow St. Louis HELP to expand its services by adding staff hours and increasing the number of equipment drives.
• St. Louis Learning Disabilities – $11,000
The St. Louis Learning Disabilities Association provides free and reduced-cost services to children with learning disabilities and support services to their parents and teachers. The SOS grant will allow the Association to add three preschools to its preschool program.
• Women's Place – $20,000
Woman's Place is the only anti-violence drop-in center for women seeking safety in St. Louis County and in St Charles, offering its services without appointment and free of charge. The SOS grant will enable Woman's Place to increase these services.
• Voices for Children – $20,000
Voices for Children provides legal and social advocacy for the abused and neglected children in the foster care systems in the city of St. Louis and St. Louis County. The SOS grant will allow Voices for Children recruit, train and retain volunteer advocates for the children.
These grants bring to $1,672,500 the amount that SOS members have invested in our community since 2007, our first year of making grants.
NIAGARA LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Frankie Freeman
Human Rights Activist
Frankie Muse Freeman served as a practicing attorney in state and federal courts for 60 years until she retired in 2009. She was staff attorney for the St. Louis Land Clearance and Housing Authorities from 1956 until 1970, first as Associate General Counsel and later as General Counsel of the St. Louis Housing Authority.
FRANKIE MUSE FREEMAN, ESQ.
Frankie Muse Freeman served as a practicing attorney in state and federal courts for 60 years until she retired in 2009. She was staff attorney for the St. Louis Land Clearance and Housing Authorities from 1956 until 1970, first as Associate General Counsel and later as General Counsel of the St. Louis Housing Authority. In March 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated her as the first woman to serve as Commissioner of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. Following confirmation by the U.S. Senate, she served for sixteen years, and was subsequently reappointed by Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter until July 1980. During the Carter Administration, she also served as Inspector General of the Community Services Administration.
Atty. Freeman is a Trustee Emerita of the Board of Trustees of Howard University and past chair of the Board of Directors of the National Council on the Aging, Inc. She is a board member of the Urban League of Metropolitan Saint Louis. Freeman is also a member of the executive committee of St Louis City NAACP and the Trustee Board of Washington Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. She is a past national president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Atty. Freeman has received many community service awards for outstanding achievement. She is the recipient of honorary degrees from University of Missouri-St Louis, Harris-Stowe State University, Washington University, Hampton University, Saint Louis University, Aquinas Institute of Theology, Eden Theological Seminary and Howard University. Among her many accolades, she received the following: St. Louis 2011 Citizen of the Year; 96th NAACP Spingarn Medalist; 2014 American Bar Association Spirit of Excellence Award; and on September 15, 2014, she was honored and celebrated on the 50th Anniversary of the confirmation by the U.S. Senate as the first woman to serve as Commissioner of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
A native of Danville, Virginia, Atty. Freeman attended Hampton University and received a J.D. degree from Howard University School of Law. She is a member of the National Bar Association; the Bar Association of Metropolitan St Louis; and the Mound City Bar Association. She was inducted into the National Bar Association's Hall of Fame in 1990. On February 26, 2007, Atty. Freeman was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.
Her Memoir, A Song of Faith and Hope: The Life of Frankie Muse Freeman, was published in 2003. Frankie M. Freeman was married to Shelby T. Freeman, Jr. for 52 years, prior to his passing on July 12, 1991. She has one daughter Shelbe Patricia Bullock, three grandsons and four great grandsons.
M. Fethullah Gulen
Honorary President, Niagara Foundation
M. Fethullah Gulen was born in the small village of Korucuk, in Erzurum Province, Eastern Turkey, in November 1938. Known by his simple and austere life style, Mr. Gulen has been from his earliest years a gifted Islamic scholar and thinker, and a creative writer and poet. His father taught him Arabic, and initiated in him his profound love of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his Companions. Later he continued his studies under the guidance of some of the most prominent Islamic scholars in Eastern Turkey. He received further training in the religious sciences.
Mr. Gulen, so distinguished himself that he was asked to begin teaching when he was only fifteen. He did so while continuing his studies in the religious sciences. Blessed with extraordinary oratory skills, even at young age, Gulen was recognized as one of the more accomplished Islamic preachers in the early 1950s, mentioned in the same breath with some of the more learned scholars, many years his senior, in Eastern Anatolia.
Gulen devoted his life trying to solve society's ills and spiritual sufferings, and inspired the establishment of many charitable organizations to serve the welfare of the underprivileged. He published a number of well-known books, most of which remain on the best seller list in Turkey, and have also been translated into English. These include The Infinite Light, Questions, Towards the Lost Paradise, and Truth through Colors.
At a time when humanity is in a desperate need of leaders and role models, we find a true innovator and an inspirational leader as well as a deeply good man in M. Fethullah Gulen.
When he retired from formal teaching studies in 1980 he had inspired a whole generation of young students, many of whom are leaders in their communities today and of course, Niagara Foundation itself, especially they are the purpose of this evening, all based upon the work of this man.
Powered by Eventbrite
Russ Carnahan
Christine Chadwick
Leann Chilton
Anne Marie Clarke
Anna Crosslin
Rita Days
David Greenhaw
Gerald Greiman
Debra Hollingsworth
Joseph Keaveny
Tracy King
Mike Leara
Frances Levine
Beth Louis
Kimberly Norwood
Mark Stacye
Dr. Donald Suggs
David Winton
Anne Zerr
This entry was posted in 2015, Missouri, Peace & Dialogue Awards. Bookmark the permalink.
Niagara Art Contest 2015 – 2016 Sponsorship
The Impact of the Chicago Children's Choir


text:
#44 – Which Super Bowl ads were #ReputationRoadkill and which were #ReputationRainmakers?
by Andy Beal Reputation Rainmakers Podcast
Subscribe: Google Play | iTunes | RSS
Some were cute, some were thought-provoking, and some were just weird, but which ones had the most impact on the advertiser's brand?
Each week, Erin Jones and I take a look at the most interesting reputation management stories, answer your questions, and share valuable ORM tactics. In this week's episode:
We rate the reputation impact of some of the most talked-about Super Bowel ads of 2018.
If you have a question you would like us to tackle, please leave a comment below or on my Facebook Page.
Transcript (forgive us for any typos):
Andy Beal: Welcome back, and for this show, we're gonna assume that you watched the recent Super Bowl. And if you didn't at least watch the Super Bowl, we're gonna hope that you caught up on all the ads. Maybe you headed to YouTube and watched the ads, because it's gonna be kind of important. Otherwise you're gonna be somewhat lost, 'cause this week we're gonna run through some of the ads that caught our attention, not just 'cause they were funny or cute or stirring, but because we felt like they had a positive or negative impact on the reputation of the brand that was running them. Maybe it lifted them, maybe it didn't help them, and so forth. You'll get the idea as we go through this.
So we're gonna kick it off, and the obvious one to start with is the Tide commercial, because I don't know about you guys, but I really couldn't recall any Tide commercials. They all blended into each other. But this one really stood out from the outset because they stereotyped all of the types of commercials you were gonna see during the Super Bowl, demonstrated that it wasn't those ads because all the clothes were squeaky-clean, so it must be a Tide commercial, but my favorite part of all of this is that they kind of left you hanging you that, hey, does this mean every Super Bowl commercial is a Tide commercial? And they sprinkled in enough follow-up ads, Erin, where they were actually Tide commercials, and it got me watching every ad, wondering, is this gonna be a Tide commercial?
Erin Jones: I absolutely loved the Tide ads. I did the same thing. I was second-guessing everything I watched. I was even waiting for a player to pop up during the game and mention Tide with their clean uniform. I think that first of all, they took the focus away from the traditional 1950s housewife doing laundry while the family is out enjoying themselves. Like you said, boring, predictable, and they made fun of all of the other ads, but they did it in such a tongue-in-cheek way that it wasn't offensive to any of the other companies, and I think this was a great way to take focus off of the national, I don't know if you'd call it an epidemic, of these teenage kids eating the Tide pods. They've had so much negative connotation that's not even their fault lately, that this brought it back to that squeaky-clean, fun, uplifting kind of advertisement that I think everybody really enjoyed watching it.
Andy Beal: And how bad do you think the marketing folks at Persil are feeling because their ad, they may have thought they had something really clever, breaking the … What do they call it? The fourth wall or whatever they call it, but even that ad, I was thinking to myself, wait, is this gonna be a Tide commercial as well? So I mean, for Tide, like you said, they've had a little bit of negative publicity, not really through any real fault of their own, but this really lifted their brand and is highly memorable, and it was definitely the ad that everybody that I know was talking about.
Erin Jones: Absolutely. It was fantastic, it was well put together, and it was just really fun.
Andy Beal: Yeah. And I think we're gonna be talking about it some more. I would be shocked if they don't maybe extend this, because I think this is one that could be worthy of some follow-up ads and extending the storyline. However, I do kind of feel like the Bud Light Dilly Dilly storyline is starting to kind of be too drawn-out. What are your thoughts on that one?
Erin Jones: This one disappointed me. I was actually really bummed out when I watched this ad. I figured if they were gonna use the Dilly Dilly line that they could do something a little bit better than they did, and I was really, really sad to not see the Clydesdales. Budweiser usually does such a strongly emotional, heartfelt ad related to the Clydesdales, and I look forward to it every year. It's one of those commercials that's kind of a tearjerker for me, and it didn't happen, and it really bummed me out.
Andy Beal: Right. And we talk about the investment that us as consumers make into a brand's reputation, so it's not just what the brands tell us anymore. It's our expectation. It's the emotional investment we make into a brand, and those Clydesdales during the Super Bowl is something we expect from Budweiser. It's an exchange. We're saying, "Look, we're gonna consider you the king of beers because part of that is that you run these great commercials with the Clydesdales. Even if it's a cameo appearance, then we're expecting that."
And then you kind of broke that brand promise, and they did have a heartwarming commercial about the cans of water, but the Bud Light one, the Dilly Dilly, I mean that one … The whole Dilly Dilly thing I thought was kind of cute to start with. We've talked about that on the previous shows, but now I feel like they're just trying to come up with really just storylines in order to just kind of draw it out, and I think it's played itself out. I think they need to move on, and I was really disappointed with all the ads, really, that they ran.
Erin Jones: I agree and they could have done the cheesy Dilly Dilly thing, and with even this commercial in particular, they had a knight come in to help people. The horses could have trampled through right after him. I mean, just that quick appearance. I feel like the Budweiser Clydesdales are part of Super Bowl culture for a lot of us, and it really fell flat for me.
Andy Beal: Yeah. It went flat for me. Also losing its fizz, the Diet Coke twisted mango commercial. Now, I watched this, and I almost felt like somebody owed me some money back because I could not believe what I was watching. It was this woman that took a sip of this twisted mango and then started to do this crazy dance with a monologue that went with it, and I kind of was just shocked. I'm like, what am I watching here? And I've come to the conclusion that maybe Coca Cola just really doesn't want you to drink Diet Coke anymore, because A. They're coming up with these really weird flavors, twisted mango, and B. They've got equally weird commercials to run with 'em.
Erin Jones: You know, that is not a side effect that I want when consuming a beverage, if I'm just going to break out into really uncomfortable Napoleon-Dynamite-style dancing in public. I am awkward enough all by myself. And like you said, the idea of mango Coke has absolutely no appeal to me at all, so I feel like they wasted a great opportunity here. I felt like the visuals when the commercial first started were fantastic. Really bright colors, not a lot going on in the background, and I spent the whole time watching that with my mouth open, just kind of blinking like a goldfish, because I did not understand where they were going with it, and I still don't really feel like I got any closure there.
Andy Beal: No. My gut feeling, and I've not read anything on this so it could be completely wrong or I'm maybe stealing someone else's idea—I don't know—but they really push in the Zero Sugar, and I think that's where they think the future is of the brand, is Zero Sugar, and it's almost as if they're now trying to reinvent Diet Coke as, "Hey! Nobody really drinks just plain Diet Coke anymore. We've turned it into this new product that's got flavors, and we want you to drink those if you want some kind of weird flavor, but if you want a diet version of Coke, then we want you to pay attention to Zero Sugar." So it's almost like they're trying to reinvent an iconic brand, and I feel like they're trying to push a square peg into a round hole.
Erin Jones: I agree. I didn't care for it. One thing I will give them, though, is that at least it wasn't incredibly offensive. The Dodge Ram Martin Luther King ad I feel like was not only insensitive and inappropriate. It just, it really felt flat for me, especially right next to … Toyota had their good odds ad with the Paralympians and it was really motivational and empowering, and it wasn't a, "Buy our trucks," ad. It was a, "Hey, we're saluting these athletes," where I feel like Dodge tried to shoehorn a really incredible Martin Luther King speech into, "Buy our trucks," and I just found it really off-putting.
Andy Beal: Yeah, they should have seen the potential backlash there, and they did receive some backlash for using an icon's iconic words for a truck commercial. Yeah, the moment that aired, I'm like, okay, this is not gonna sit well with a lot of people, and I don't really feel like that was a smart decision to use his words.
But then for me, likewise, the Toyota, with the Paralympian, I was kind of a little bit … I don't know. I was neutral on that one, because I think you're right. It was a feel-good story, and they're not gonna lose anything from that, and they may gain a little bit of reputation points because it was really well-done. It was very emotional. I was pulling for the Olympian, and I liked the way it counted down the odds. It was really good.
But it didn't make me wanna buy a Toyota truck, and so it was a little bit confusing, 'cause I think sometimes brands have kind of gone to this, "Hey, let's tug at the heartstrings even if we can't really find a tie-in to our product," and I think they've kind of gone a little bit too far. However, if you're gonna go a little bit too far, Toyota did the right thing and Dodge did the bad thing.
Erin Jones: I agree, and I think Dodge had all the right visuals, the black and white. Everything looked great, and especially coming from … One of my favorite Super Bowl ads of all time was their God made a farmer ad. I feel like that really worked well because farmers use trucks. It makes sense and like you said, the product goes with a theme of what they're talking about, and this one just … I cringed when I was watching it, probably for the same reason as you. I was watching it going, "Oh, we're gonna be talking about this one," and I feel like they could have done a lot better with what they were working with.
Andy Beal: Yeah. All right, let's move on because I wanna talk a little bit about the Wendy's commercial, and what struck me with the Wendy's commercial is first of all, they went straight at McDonald's making comparisons between McDonald's frozen hamburgers and the iceberg that took down the Titanic, so they were right really—pardon the expression—up in their grill. But was interesting for me is that this seemed a little bit different from the commercials, little bit more aggressive than the commercials maybe Wendy's normally runs, but very much in line with the persona that Wendy's has in social media.
So if you follow Wendy's in social media, on Twitter in particular, they have this kind of come-at-me-bro, kind of aggressive voice where they're not afraid to take on other brands, but I wonder if that translates to the TV audience. I wonder if many people watching the Super Bowl would know that that is Wendy's voice, or if they would see this commercial in bad taste. What was your take on it?
Erin Jones: I felt exactly the same way. I've been a follower of their social media for a while, and I think it's really, really cutting-edge and fun to watch, but I think it's fun to watch because it's a little bit scary, because it's risky. We don't see TV commercials like this. We see TV commercials where brands imply how much better they are than their main competitor or another brand, but the fact that they actually used McDonald's name, back from traditional advertising, this is a huge no-no. So I'm curious to see if McDonald's is gonna clap back or if they're gonna go the better person route. Definitely the first thing I thought when I watched it though was that their social media team had gotten involved with this ad because it's not at all like their … Traditionally, their TV ads seem to be a lot more squeaky-clean happy-go-lucky, and likening your competitor to the Titanic is bold.
Andy Beal: Yeah, and when I do reputation audits for companies, one of the sections that I have in there is a section called congruence, and I'm looking at the voice and tone across different channels to make sure that they are using the same messaging and tone, and so if this is the start of Wendy's taking that social media tone. Let's say for example they've decided that hey, this is really effective on line. We like this tone. It resonates with our target audience.
And so now they've decided to take this voice to other medium, to TV, radio, whatever it may be, and this is a deliberate effort to do that, then I think my hat is off to them, that this is a bold move still. They probably need to do something bold if they're trying to compete, but they gotta follow through with it, right? So I think if this is just a one-off, I think it falls flat. If this is a new concerted effort to show congruence across all of their channels, that they are the kind of a brand that is going to call out and tease and rib their competitors, then I think, in that basis, it could be a strong move for them.
Erin Jones: I think so too. I think one thing that they're gonna need to be really careful of is being able to handle what comes back at them, especially with the quality of their products. We're talking about fast food here, so there are a lot of easy, easy jabs from a multitude of competitors, especially if someone like Panera decides to jump in the mix and talk about, "Yeah, well, you're better than McDonald's, but what is that saying?" You know? Okay. So it'll be really interesting to see just because they're using unfrozen beef if the rest of their product freshness will keep up with this fresh new attitude.
Andy Beal: Yeah. All right. Moving on to something a lot more lighthearted, you really liked the NFL touchdown celebration commercial, didn't you?
Erin Jones: I loved it, and not to age myself, but I am a child of the '80s, and Dirty Dancing is a part of who I am from watching it over and over as a kid, or I guess probably a little older than a kid, but they took the Time of My Life scene from the Dirty Dancing movie and acted it out. It was Eli Manning, and now I don't have the other player's name. I had it written down here.
Andy Beal: Was it Odell?
Erin Jones: Yeah.
Andy Beal: Odell Beckham Jr.
Erin Jones: Yes, thank you.
Andy Beal: Yeah.
Erin Jones: They did a fantastic job acting out the I Had the Time of My Life dance scene from Dirty Dancing. It was very cheesy. It really lightened the mood, and I think it was really smart of the NFL to do this, because so many people were unhappy about Tom Brady being in the game again, and watching the Patriots go to the Super Bowl again when they've kind of become the most hated team in the NFL, and so I think this shifted the focus a little bit to remind people that there were some humans behind the helmets, and I think they did a great job.
Andy Beal: Well I think also all the protests that have happened throughout the season, players taking a knee, has really brought some negative publicity, and this was certainly a opportunity for them to show a more lighthearted side. I think that for Manning in particular, it was not something I associated with his character, so kudos to him for doing that. Yeah, it was interesting. I think it caught me by surprise, 'cause I watching it thinking to myself, well what's this advertising? And it wasn't 'til the end when I realized, oh, they're just actually advertising the NFL. Not sure what Dirty Dancing's got to do with that, but it was cute.
Yeah, I think this is the kind of commercial that maybe we've come to expect from brands down the years during the Super Bowl, is just do something that entertains us, because we're already being entertained by the Super Bowl, and so having something fun with a product that we recognize is a good move. And so yeah, I don't know if it kind of repairs all the negative sentiment being flung at the NFL for various different reasons, but it was lighthearted. It was cute. I'm the same with you. I mean if you've grown up and you've watched that movie, how can you not have a positive feeling towards anybody that wants to act out that scene, even if it is two guys going for it instead of Patrick Swayze, and … Her name escapes me, but you know.
Erin Jones: Yes, even the part where he threw his head back and laughed like she did in the movie. They really had it down and I think even if this doesn't humanize the NFL, it's gonna help humanize the players, and they're the ones taking the brunt of all of this, the bad press for the NFL, so I think it was fun and lighthearted, and I think it was probably nice for Eli Manning to step out of his brother's shadow for a little while. Peyton's gotten a lot of press lately, especially here in Denver, and it was fun to see some personality behind the players.
Andy Beal: All right. Cool. All right, we're gonna finish up with perhaps the most controversial ad that ran during the Super Bowl, not because of anything scandalous or anything that was said, but the fact that there is not actually going to be a new Crocodile Dundee movie that we were all excited to see, but the whole thing was an elaborate ploy to promote Australia's tourism, and it was amazingly well-executed. Just about everybody fell for it. Nobody saw it coming. And it was funny that even in the commercial, one of the actors didn't see it coming, and it was brilliantly done and made, and everybody believed there was a movie. There's people petitioning that there should be a movie.
But at the same time, I don't know. I feel like I just wanna boycott Australia for a little bit for just kind of deceiving us and making us think that something awesome was gonna happen and it really was just a commercial for Australia. Now, I'm just teasing, 'cause I love Australia, but what are your thoughts, Erin?
Erin Jones: Speaking again of children from the '80s, this was another film that we grew up on, the cheesiness of this film, and I saw a preview ad—it must have been on the internet a week or two ago—and got so excited. The cast looked phenomenal. The fact that they got buy-in from all of these awesome actors to do this, and they cranked up again, cranked up the cheesiness of it, and Chris Hemsworth. I mean, come on. Anybody's gonna go watch that movie.
The plot was hilarious, and I feel like now they really could follow up and turn this into a film, and it would be a great idea for a follow-up. Now, I do know people that are very, very upset with Australia as a whole right now, and I think it's funny that so many people got excited enough that when they got let down by the fact that it's not really a movie that there's kind of a visceral reaction from some people about this. That's a good ad.
Andy Beal: Yeah. No, it fooled everybody. It was very well done. I think that I'll be shocked if somebody doesn't green light and commission a follow-up movie, and if they can get the exact actors that were in the commercial that's great. I liked that Paul Hogan had a little cameo. He's Paul Hogan, right? Yeah, he had a little cameo in the TV ad.
The only thing I'm concerned is, that was a really big budget ad, and I wonder how many people are actually gonna be persuaded to go and visit Australia, because I've been to Australia, beautiful country. Been there three times. It's a long way to go when there are lots of other places you could visit, and I just wonder how many people watching the Super Bowl are actually gonna be stirred up enough by this ad to actually go visit Australia. As a ad for the brand, which is Tourism Australia, I wonder how effective it's actually gonna be.
Erin Jones: You know, and it's an expensive trip too. It's not like you get there and everything's half of what it costs over here, so I think you have a good point, and I was wondering … In the last year or so, I've seen a lot of advertising for Qantas Air, one of the main airlines in Australia over here as well, so they must have some indication that pushing this is returning somehow, because I feel like I've seen a lot lately as far as the get to Australia advertising. And I definitely wanna go, but like you said, dollar for dollar, I'm gonna be looking, it's gonna be competing against some really great places, so I don't know how much money they're gonna get back on that ad, but I sure loved it, and I think people are gonna be talking about it for a long time.
Andy Beal: Now what if in some kind of weird Inception twist, there's a third level here where this is actually a Tide commercial. Now that's something that could happen.
Erin Jones: Well, they were squeaky-clean. Everybody looked very, very nice for being out in Australia.
Andy Beal: Yeah, that would be a great tie-in, if Tide ends up being … Anyway, we're kinda speculating here and getting a little bit crazy. Those are our picks for the Super Bowl ads. If you've got a favorite that you really liked, or there's a ad that you think was a big miss, then head to our Facebook page, /andybealorm, or head to andybeal.com, leave a comment. We'd love to hear your thoughts. We'd also love to have your questions if you have a question about reputation management, or if there's a story that you'd like to share with us, please do so. Erin, always a pleasure chatting with you. Hope you'll join me again next time.
Erin Jones: Absolutely. Can't wait.
Andy Beal: And thank you guys for listening. We hope you'll tune in again. Thanks a lot, and bye-bye.
Share the post "#44 – Which Super Bowl ads were #ReputationRoadkill and which were #ReputationRainmakers?"
ByAndy Beal
Andy Beal is The Original Online Reputation Expert™. A bestselling author of two critically-acclaimed reputation management books, a keynote speaker at dozens of events, and brand consultant experience with thousands of individuals and companies.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Although the smallest parish in the Royal Borough, Shottesbrooke contains one of the most noteworthy churches in Berkshire.
The parish is centred on Shottesbrooke Park, where the church was built in 1370 as one of only three collegiate churches in the country.
Unlike the majority of local churches, it has been altered very little and remains a beautiful example of the late decorated style of architecture surmounted by a graceful ribbed spire that was based on that of Salisbury Cathedral.
The interior also contains many interesting features including brasses from 1370 to 1567.
The partly Tudor manor house was the subject of major Gothic influence but in recent years has been sympathetically reinstated to a charming family residence.


Yes, you heard me right, we now have a release date along with a gameplay trailer for Cave Story 3D. This is a title I recently purchased in the original form with some Nintendo point to see what the hype was about and had so much fun with it that I have played through twice and the only reason that I have played another time around is so I can play with the 3D features. Check out the trailer to see the compare and contrast between the original and upcoming.


text:
« Return to Press Releases
Municipal leaders gather in the capital city for the Arkansas Municipal League's 85th Convention
Contact: Mark R. Hayes, Executive Director
Whitnee V. Bullerwell, Deputy Director
Arkansas Municipal League, 501-374-3484
www.arml.org
The Arkansas Municipal League will hold its 85th Convention June 12-14 at the Statehouse Convention Center and Marriott Hotel in Little Rock. Municipal officials from across the state will elect new officers, update the League's policies and goals, and discuss local and national issues affecting municipalities.
North Little Rock Mayor Joe Smith, League president, and Jonesboro Mayor Harold Perrin, first vice president, will preside during the Convention.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson will address the Convention during the noon Awards Luncheon on Thursday, June 13.
Key topics covered during the Convention will include an overview of legislation passed during the 92nd General Assembly of the Arkansas Legislature that impacts cities and towns, the role of municipal employers when it comes to medical marijuana, small cell technology and broadband expansion, utilizing the new Opportunity Zones for economic development, and numerous legal issues affecting municipalities.
The Convention will include 21 concurrent workshops covering subjects of municipal interest, including the collection of online sales tax, FOIA's new audio recording requirement, cybersecurity, building design regulations, street and infrastructure funding, and more.
The Convention will also include three hours of the League's Voluntary Certified Continuing Education Program for municipal officials.
More than 1,300mayors, council members, and other city and town leaders, as well as state legislators are expected to attend the 85th Convention.
The Convention concludes with the New Officers' and Awards Luncheon at noon on Friday, which serves to introduce the new League president and officers for the year 2019-2020 and to honor individuals for their service to municipalities during the past year.
The Arkansas Municipal League is a service and advocacy organization for the municipalities of Arkansas. The League offers its programs and services to all 500 cities and towns in the state and was created in 1934 to assist cities with information and representation in the public affairs of our state and nation. To find out more, please visit www.arml.org.


text:
Recycling biosolids to make sustainable bricks
This project investigates and proposes a practical solution for the utilisations of the world's excess biosolids in fired-clay bricks. Biosolids are a by-product of the wastewater treatment process that can be used as fertiliser, in land rehabilitation or as a construction material. Around 30% of the world's biosolids are stockpiled or sent to landfill, using up valuable land and potentially emitting greenhouse gases, creating an environmental challenge. Results demostrate that fired-clay bricks incorporating biosolids could be a sustainable solution for both the wastewater treatment and brickmaking industries.
Project timeline: 2017-2018
Key contributors: Abbas Mohajerani
This project addresses the following Sustainable Development Goals and Targets:
9.4 By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities
11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
17.16 Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, in particular developing countries.
For more information or to discuss partnership and collaboration opportunities, email us at SDGs@rmit.edu.au.
For more information about RMIT's sustainability commitments and activities visit www.rmit.edu.au/sustainability
Living our values
9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure


text:
China hopes new U.N. resolution stops N. Korea's nuclear advances
China on Thursday voiced hopes that a new draft U.N. resolution could help prevent North Korea from developing its nuclear and missile programs, but emphasized the "parallel track approach" of achieving the denuclearization of North Korea and discussing a peace treaty for the Korean Peninsula.
China's foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying made the remarks in response to an announcement by the White House that the U.S. and China agreed on a draft U.N. resolution to punish North Korea's nuclear and missile tests this year.
"A new U.N. resolution is just around the corner," Hua told a regular press briefing. "We hope that it can help prevent North Korea from developing its nuclear and missile programs."
"At the same time, we believe that sanctions are not the fundamental way to solve this issue," Hua said. "We hope that all parties can go back to the negotiating table."
Hua repeated a proposal by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and efforts to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War should be pursued at the same time, echoing a demand by North Korea. The Korean War ended in a cease-fire, not a peace treaty.
"The parallel track approach is a reasonable one. It highlights the overriding goal of denuclearizing the peninsula at the same time it seeks to address the major concerns of the various parties," Hua said.
Source: YONHAP NEWS AGENCY
admin February 25, 2016 Arts
Cellebrite's Mobile Lifecycle Division Launches Next-Generation Platforms to Help Mobile Operators and Retailers Master the Omni-Channel Customer Experience
Covisint Recognized as Supplier of the Year by SAIC General Motors


Meitrack Group today announces a strategic partnership with Garmin. The new relationship status between Meitrack and Garmin extends our company's services with Garmin proven equipment. This allows Meitrack to offer navigation services through Garmin navigation terminals, including driver identification, messaging, job orders, and activity tracking and navigation.
This exciting new combination of two market leading products creates a very compelling offer, and constantly promotes the competitive capability in the international market so as to create a new era of win-win cooperation.
Founded in 1989, Garmin is a pioneer in Global Positioning System (GPS) devices and the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of GPS equipment. The company has built and sold millions of GPS products that serve the automotive, aviation, marine, consumer, wireless, OEM, and general recreation markets.


text:
Home2018April30 (Monday)
Migrants from the Central American Caravan Were Filmed Scaling US Border Fences
April 30, 2018 Daily Caller 1
Migrants from the Central American caravan have illegally entered the US by climbing over the dilapidated scrap metal border fence in Tijuana. Ironically, some sat atop the fence taunting US officials while waving flags from Honduras, the country they are fleeing. Five busloads of migrants were escorted Sunday through Tijuana to a cross-border rally near San Diego, where supporters gathered on both sides of the fence.
White House Correspondents' Hostess Gave Cringe-y Performance, Especially Glib Abortion Joke
The White House Correspondents' Dinner featured comedienne, Michelle Wolf, who gave a 20-minute monologue in extreme bad taste to belittle the Trump administration. For many, the most appalling, not-funny jokes were about abortion, in what appears to have been an apparent attempt to normalize it. Trump did not attend.
NYC: Wealthy Leftists Lose Their Minds over School Plans to Bring in More Black Kids
April 30, 2018 Gateway Pundit 0
New York City: Leftists love diversity, and 89% of them voted for Hillary Clinton, yet they became outraged when the local school announced plans to bus lower income minority students into their neighborhood. The parents railed against the proposal for each of the 17 local middle schools to reserve 25% of the class seats for students scoring below grade level on state English and math exams. The parents of high-performing students made the case that their children will be shut out of prestigious schools. [Where's Antifa and Black Lives Matter?]
Clapper Leaked Dirty Dossier Info to CNN and then Denied It Under Oath to Congress
April 30, 2018 ZeroHedge 0
James Clapper, the former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) who later became a CNN commentator, not only leaked information related to the infamous "Steele dossier" to CNN's Jake Tapper while Clapper was in office, but it appears he also lied about it to Congress while under oath.
Bombshell Report: 7 to 10 Unidentified Democrats Spent $50-Million to Shatter Trump's Presidency
A House intelligence committee report revealed that researchers were paid $50-million by donors from California and New York to create the discredited Steele dossier in order to oust President Trump. The Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee funded the dossier. George Soros was also linked as a donor in the scheme. The dossier was used improperly by the FBI in seeking a federal court order for surveillance of Americans during the campaign.


This is a very good frosting and easy to make.
Combine sugar and milk or cream ; Slowly bring to a boil , stirring constantly ; boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
Add cut up chocolate and pieces ; Beat until smooth and creamy.
Frosts top of 8" or 9" square cake.


A 90 minute spiraling descent towards despair, Red Krokodil is a difficult - emotionally battering - journey to trudge through. Deeply ponderous, and unrelenting in its insistence to dig and explore every level of its drug fueled nightmare, you almost feel as affected by it as the krokodil addicted man in the film. I honestly couldn't wait to be released from its clammy grips.
The approach to narrative is mostly unconventional, Red Krokodil sometimes comes across as a pseudo documentary peppered with experimental art house flavoring. There isn't much in the way of dialogue (sporadic narration detailing life's regrets or recalling happy memories) and exposition is kept to a minimum (a scrolling wall of text at the start of the film, introduces you to the titular drug itself). Really, it's just us - the audience - watching this nameless man as he's pulled deeper and deeper into an inescapable vortex of physical oblivion. The process itself is a painfully slow disintegration, one which persists until nothing is left but the pulpy mass once held in form by the fizzling, rotting organ that used to be skin.
But there are moments of reprieve, even if fleeting; mental refuge, constructed and escaped to by the dying man, found in the deepest regions of his mind. Tragic though, given these are same areas in which his demons reside. So we're snapped back to a post-apocalyptic hell, ripped away and forced awake to witness a very grim reality. Death it seems, is the only real escape - what a drag.
There is very little dialogue in this film, and I think that was a smart move. It made the ambient sound, more enveloping and interesting, and it also made the quietness - which surrounded the film's central character - more creepy. The acting was good, very believable, and why I was able to focus and stay with the character throughout the entire film. The dark and grayish tones which made up Red Krokodil's aesthetic, worked well and added even more to the feeling of being in a small space, all the while making you feel as though something was eating away at your brain, compromising your mental state. This is a film that took me on a roller coaster of emotions; it kept speeding up until the very end, at which point - when I was finally allowed to leave, there was no question that I had been put through a very intense ride.


text:
Book review - Migrants and City-Making: Dispossession, Displacement, and Urban Regeneration
edited by Ayse Çaglar & Nina Glick Schiller and reviewed by Susanne Urban
3 Oct 2019, 10:09 a.m.
Susanne Urban
Durham, NC and London: Duke University Press, 2018; 280 pp.: ISBN: 9780822370444, US$25.95 (hbk)
This fantastic book is a result of committed long-term research by Çaglar and Glick Schiller on migration and the regeneration of cities. The cities followed in this book – Mardin, Turkey, Manchester, USA and Halle, Germany – are all dealing with poverty and other social problems. In Çaglar and Glick Schiller's relational terminology, these cities are disempowered cities – 'cities that responded to the pressures of neoliberal urban restructuring but entered the competition with a given configuration of limited assets' (p. 13). In these cities, the leaders and residents tried to regain power while confronting the challenges of restructuring and being able to compete successfully (p. 13). The city leaders demonstrated an explicit understanding of the loss of power. The regeneration projects also have in common that they developed migrant/minority-friendly narratives and policies to attract migrant entrepreneurs and tourists in the hopes of improving social and economic development (Chapter 1). By carefully recounting the city-making processes, the authors uncover how multiscalar networks and capital accumulation are interconnected in business (Chapter 2), sociability (Chapter 3) and religion (Chapter 4).
By drawing on their previous studies, Çaglar and Glick Schiller systematically develop and apply several useful concepts for understanding the role of migrants in city-making processes. The book presents migrants as active agents who not only are dispossessed and displaced, but who also have important roles at different levels in the economic, cultural, political and social aspects of city-making.
Following the three cities between 2000 and 2016, Çaglar and Glick Schiller systematically develop what could be termed a multiscalar analytical methodology. I read this approach as a constructive alternative to the all-too-common methodological nationalism, an approach that views social and historical processes as if they were contained within the borders of individual nation-states (e.g. Wimmer and Glick Schiller, 2003). The book's arguments are driven by a desire to understand how sites, cities, companies, organisations and people are interconnected in power structures at different levels within and between nation-states. I argue that the concepts are also useful for analysing society in broader terms.
The multiscalar analytical methodology developed in this book takes into account the specific conjunctural configuration of multiple institutional social fields of uneven power, spanning national, regional, urban and local institutions. The sub-studies in the book clearly illustrate the analytical advantage of placing the analysis of daily sociabilities in a multiscalar perspective. This approach results in an understanding of the multiscalar constitution of localities as an ongoing production of all places and social relations that constitute them (p. 12).
Analytical terminology is systematically used throughout the book and the key implications from the multiscalar approach are also presented, developed and summarised in the introduction and the last two chapters (Chapters 5 and 6). I get the impression that the separate studies on the three cities were not originally planned to be interrelated and presented together as a 'multisighted' study, and that the multiscalar approach that connects them has been developed by the authors over time. While a project like this is probably impossible to replicate (who could get the funding to follow three cities over such a long time in this systematic and patient way?), it provides us with several useful analytical concepts.
Multiscalar is the most important concept in the book. Multiscalar research discards the notion of levels and instead examines sociospatial spheres of practice as they are constituted (p. 8), exploring their interconnections through institutionalised and informal networks of differential economic, political and cultural power. Structures of unequal power exist in the multiscalar perspective within multiple, but not nested, networked hierarchies.
Accumulation by dispossession, displacement and emplacement are interrelated processes of the restructuring of space and social relations. The studies in the book examine who benefits and who pays for redevelopment, by documenting the short-term successes, long-term disempowerment and dispossession of different social groups. They thereby trace the channelling of capital, and resources mobilised for local development, to various national and transnational centres of power.
Sociabilities are defined as social relations that provide pleasure, satisfaction and meaning by giving actors a sense of being human (p. 128). Çaglar and Glick Schiller demonstrate the importance of setting aside neighbourhood and migrant organisations as the primary units for studies of urban sociabilities in order to grasp multiscalar relations within multiple hierarchies and institutionally networked structures of power.
The book describes sociabilities of emplacement through individual histories of spatial displacement and precarity that form new social relations of emplacement in the city. The concept of sociability brings hope by showing that sociabilities can form the basis for new kinds of political action.
Non-migrant is not an analytical concept, but is one that Çaglar and Glick Schiller use to 'counter assumptions of many public policy makers and national politicians that migrant newcomers stand outside the social system, constitute a threat to social cohesion and require integration' (p. 5). The use of the concept 'non-migrants' instead of 'natives' signals that a migrant has an experience that the non-migrant lacks. This stands in contrast to the more common way of talking about migrants as people with deficits; migrants are often presented as people who lack a sense of belonging and need to develop new identities, who have less access to resourceful social networks and who lack language proficiency and knowledge about the society they live in. In this book, migrants are described as belonging to various networks and sociabilities and as social, political and economic actors. The same could also be said about non-migrants, but this book focuses on migrants to highlight the interrelated multiscalar relations of social and economic processes that evidently transcend nation-states.
The studies this book is based on, and the coherent analysis of them, illustrate the necessity of situating social analysis and action within a shared temporality of all of a city's inhabitants as the city transforms at changing historical conjunctures. The detailed studies clearly show how accumulation by dispossession causes not only displacement and emplacement, but also counteractions and new sociabilities.
The main conclusion of the studies is that economic processes relate to cultural processes of racialisation, stigmatisation and the delegitimation of claims to humanity and the rights associated with such claims. The studies show that all residents of a place are involved in the imbricated processes of displacement (p. 210). The multiscalar analysis makes it possible to actually show how conjunctural forces involve multiple globe-spanning actors within intersected social fields of power. Çaglar and Glick Schiller conclude in the final chapter that it is necessary to address multiscalar globe-spanning relationships of power, including the changing and increasingly fraught processes of capital accumulation, if we are to identify the transformative change necessary for social justice and for the empowerment of the dispossessed (p. 211).
The analytical concepts that are systematically applied throughout the book will be useful for researchers in the field of migration and cities. I recommend this book also for those who do not have a particular interest in migrants or even in cities. Çaglar and Glick Schiller write that 'migration scholars often live at a different conjunctural moment than that in which their key concepts were constituted' and that '[m]any scholars write as if conceptual tools forged under one set of conditions can be used to speak to a very different world' (p. 215). This is probably true also for scholars in most other fields. I argue, however, that a multiscalar perspective, focusing on dispossession and displacement by capital accumulation, and the force of sociability, should be considered a useful tool for understanding societal processes in general, from any site, for many times to come.
Wimmer, A, Glick Schiller, N (2003) Methodological nationalism and the study of migration: Beyond nation-state building. International Migration Review 37(3): 576–610.
Google Scholar | SAGE Journals | ISI
Not so welcome here? Modelling the impact of ethnic in-movers on the length of stay of home-owners in micro-neighbourhoods
by Sue Easton and Gwilym Pryce
How attitudes towards immigrants are shaped by residential context: The role of ethnic diversity dynamics and immigrant visibility
by Sjoerdje van Heerden and Didier Ruedin
Geographies of ethnic segregation in Stockholm: The role of mobility and co-presence in shaping the 'diverse' city
by Jonathan Rokem and Laura Vaughan
Diversity, economic development and new migrant entrepreneurs
by Trevor Jones, Monder Ram, Maria Villares-Varela Maria Villares-Varela
Unequal urban rights: Critical reflections on property and urban citizenship
by Ditte Brøgger


The Allen Reading Room, named in recognition of a gift from the Paul G. Allen Charitable Foundation, is a strictly-enforced quiet study area in the library. It was built as part of the library remodeling in 2000, which moved the main entrance towards Ankeny Field and resulting in entering the building on the second floor.
"Allen Reading Room," Whitman College Archives, accessed April 24, 2019, http://www.whitmanarchives.org/omeka/items/show/33.


The AVS 3010+ is our most popular entry level alarm system.
The alarm not only all the standard alarm features but also a few more not usually found at this sharp price point. This includes the battery back-up siren that will keep sounding even if power is cut to it, a dual stage shock sensor and door, bonnet and boot protection and dual immobilisation.
The AVS 3010+ also includes two waterproof remotes. The remotes on entry level systems are often one of the first things that break because they are designed for price not quality. These waterproof remotes have the same reliability and build quality as on our top models. The buttons are clearly marked and easy to push.


Love- Its a small word, but the feeling, the power, the pure and blissful experience of Love is God itself. When we talk about Love, we talk about God, because Waheguru is Prem-saroop. Waheguru, in his purest, most blissful and merciful form is nothing else but Love ,Prem. Path of God is Path of Love, Prem Maarag. And those who walk on this path ultimately reach the highest state of Purity, of Bliss, of Infinity.
No doubt, path of love is full of hardships. Lovers have to walk on burning coals and sharp thorns, get cut to pieces, get boiled alive and sawed, have to walk with their head on palm, they have to bear the pain of separation, the pain which sometimes leads them to a painful physical death, but that doesn't kill the element of Love, because Love is Immortal. True Lovers face every pain, every sorrow, every hardship for their Beloved, to be near to their beloved, to be One with their Beloved. No amount of worldly obstacles, hardships can kill their Love, IF it is Love, because Love is Immortal.
Purity of Love is Supreme, deeds of True Love are Pure, but mere infatuation, Lust, short-lived attraction and weak minds leading to unholy and immoral deeds due to lust and fake attractions are immoral, unethical and impure.
Sikhi teaches Pure Love, True Love, because Light of Purity and Truth, Waheguru,is everywhere,in every Soul,in every heart.
Today we are sharing with Sangat two beautiful Ghazals of One such Lover, Bhai Sahib Bhai Nand Laal ji, who sang these beautiful words in Love, remembrance and devotion of his Beloved, Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj.
Else, I had no other reason or attraction to come in this body.
Else, what use are the years spent uselessly under this blue tomb (Blue Sky)?
The moments, when you are not in my remembrance, I die.
What is the use of this life without your loving remembrance?
Who shows me path to You O Beloved.
At the time, from when I have bowed my head for your blessed Vision.
Therefore, give me (the Soul) permission to leave (to my beloved).
Poetic translation of first Ghazal of Bhai Nand laal ji in Punjabi.
ਨਹੀਂ ਤਾਂ ਚਾਅ ਆਵਣ ਦਾ ਕੀ ਸੀ, ਜਿਸ ਪਿਛੇ ੳਠ ਧਾਏ-ਵਾਹ?
ਨੀਲੇ ਇਸ ਅਕਾਸ਼ੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਤਾਂ, ਕੀ ਕੁਝ ਲਾਭ ੳਠਾਏ –ਵਾਹ?
In this second Ghazal, Bhai Nand Laal ji describes beauty of Satguru Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj's beautiful Kesh, his eyes, his smile, his different forms, forms where Satguruji is Be-Parwah Sant sometimes, and sometimes he is a disciplined General-Soldier. Bhai Sahib explains about Awastha and Love of Gursikhs who see their beloved Satguru as same in all the forms, as epitome of Love and in the end Bhai Sahib does Ardas that Satguru ji, bless me that my eyes always have blessed Darshan of your Saroop.
Dhan Satguru Guru Gobind Singh ji Maharaj.
Both worlds are not equal to even one hair of my beloved (Guru Gobind Singh ji).
His One Life-giving vision is enough for this needy soul.
My witty beloved has many colourful forms.
Only true lovers know value of My Emerald Beloved.
The eyes, with pearls (tears) in them, know value of Diamond (Satguru ji).
My conscious heart drinks wine of Love.


If you are a Comcast customer, it is good to know what is 10.0.0.1 and how to use it for Comcast router login.
To secure your home network by changing the router SSID and wireless password.
Enable MAC filtering so only trusted devices can connect to your home Wi-Fi.
You can create a guest network.
Troubleshoot some minor network connectivity problems.
If you want to login to your router using the 10.0.0.1 IP address, you can use any browser that is installed on your PC, tablet or smartphone. The only condition is that the device has to be connected to the home wireless network.
The login page is not loading?
The Comcast router login credentials are incorrect?
I can't login with 10.0.0.1?
How to reset my Comcast router?
First, make sure the device you are working on is connected to the home Wi-Fi network. If possible, it is recommended to use a wire connection when you make those changes, jut to avoid being logged off when you click the Save button.
From the mentioned device open your web browser.
Typing the default IP in the address field and hitting the Enter key on the keyboard will take you to the router's login page.
There is no need to add https:// or http:// in front of the IP address. The browser usually does that automatically.
Generally, 192.168.100.1 is also used as a default IP address for Comcast routers. However, it is recommended to check whether any of these is the correct default IP. You can easily do this using the Command prompt and typing the IPCONFIG command. The IP listed as Default gateway is the correct one.
Click "LOGIN" and if the username and password are correct you will be redirected to the router configuration settings page.
Well, if for some reason the default username and password (admin/password) are not working, you can try the following login combinations we have found online.
So, when you see the "AT A GLANCE" page, it means you have done everything correctly.
You will need these in case you want to view or modify the router settings.
There are several reasons why the login page is not loading.
The device you are trying to login from is not connected to the home wireless network. Make sure to connect first and try again.
"Wireless Access Web" is disabled in the router settings. To fix this you will have to connect using an Ethernet cable.
You are using the wrong IP address as a default one. There are also other IP addresses (default gateways) being used 192.168.0.1, 192.168.1.1, 192.168.1.254 and so on, so it's best to find the router default IP via the Command prompt and try again.
Generally this happens if you or someone else has changed the login details before. There are a few things you can do.
First try the usernames and passwords we have given above.
If they don't work, check your user manual or search online for your specific router model login credentials.
After you have done everything, the last solution is to hard reset your router. After you reset it you will be able to login with the default username and password.
Well, maybe you are typing this IP incorrectly. Most users type 10.0.0.0.1 in the address field. It is not a valid IP address. Just make sure to type the correct Comcast router login IP.
Before you begin it is important to know that after this procedure your router will be restored to factory settings, so your preferred network name, Wi-Fi password and so on will be erased and set to default values. If you want, take a note of these to change them back later.
Now when your router is restored to default settings try the 10.0.0.1 IP address, username and password from the user manual or the label located under the router (if there is any).
As you can see, the login process is quite simple and easy and anyone can do it.
So, once you decide to access your router admin page and modify some of the settings for any reason, you know what to do. However, before making any changes, make sure to take a note of the previous settings.
I tried both addresses in my browsers – Edge & Firefox – would not connect to router – came back with "can't reach this page" or " Can't connect to server" – Router is a SMC Xfintity Comcast – IP on bottom is 10.0.0.1 – What am I missing? – Router is connected to PC via cable as recommended.


text:
Homechevron_rightIndiachevron_rightFadnavis and Ajit...
Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar resign
Mumbai: Following the Supreme Court verdict on Tuesday that the four-day old Maharashtra cabinet should seek confidence vote on Wednesday, and sensing sure defeat on the floor, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis declared his resignation.
His deputy chief minister and former NCP leader Anit Pawar had declared even earlier that he was resigning and handed his letter of resignation to the chief minister.
Fadnavis met the presspersons at 3.30 pm and declared his decision to resign. Reports indicate that Fadnavis was asked by the BJP national leadership to take the decision. Fadnavis admitted that with the withdrawal of support by Ajit Pawar, the coalition would not be able to prove its majority on the floor.
Fadnavis told journalists that Ajit Pawar at first decided to help them, and after talking to him, his coalition formed a government. Following the Supreme Court verdict, Pawar met him and handed n his resigntion; since without his support the government would not win the majority in the house, he was going to meet the governor and submit his resignation.
News Summary - Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar resign


With Valentines Day approaching make sure you are prepared for your romantic evening. Doti Liquors has the new 50 Shades of Grey wines in stock.
50 Shades of Grey Red Satin is on sale for $13.99.
Red Satin is a blend of primarily Petite Sirah and Syrah aged in a combination of new and seasoned French oak barrels.


text:
'A grandiose disaster' in the making
Posted by Lagniappe | Jun 17, 2020 | Baldwin County, Commentary | 0 |
By Howell Raines
It's not too late to save Fairhope's signature park on the bluff along South Mobile Street from planning being supervised by Mayor Karin Wilson and Council President Jack Burrell, but there's no time to waste.
Wilson and Burrell usually disagree on Fairhope's future, but both gave an informal "nod" to the Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) engineering firm to continue toward developing their misbegotten plan to regrade the 30-foot-high bluff that separates the park from the waterfront. At the April 27 meeting, Burrell did have the good sense to question the conceptual drawing showing an unneeded 60-to-70-foot man-made beach to replace the bulkheads on the south side of the existing pier.
Only Councilman Robert Brown seemed to understand the truly disruptive nature of the GMC plan as illustrated in a schematic drawing of the environmentally delicate site. "Basically to me, what we're doing is we're removing the park at the top of the bluff and putting a new park at the bottom of the bluff," he said in the lightly attended meeting. On June 10, he emailed me a message that pinpointed the key fault of the mayor's plan to regrade the park as a remedy to an imaginary erosion problem on our stable, well-forested bluff area that is the envy of other Gulf Coast cities.
"My point was/is, the parks located on the waterfront are not broken. They don't need to totally redesign the parks," he wrote. Brown indicated he would welcome more citizen opposition to the mayor's largely unpublicized operation to correct a nonexistent problem.
And a citizen uprising is urgently needed. Word-of-mouth alarm about the extreme look of the GMC proposal has been spreading slowly. In a planning process without major community input to date, there seem to be only a couple of breaking points around which citizens could rally to preserve the 1,500-foot greensward that is the crown jewel of Fairhope's signature waterfront park system in front of the statue of Marietta Johnson, founder of the Organic School. As THE mayor and the council acknowledged on April 27, the Fairhope Single Tax Colony (FSTC) must at some point be consulted. I hope the FTSC, having given the lofty bluff overlook to the citizens of Fairhope to enjoy in perpetuity, will oppose any plan to bring bulldozers and backhoes to put landfill in front of the 30-foot bluff to reduce it to a 20 percent grade.
One bright spot for Fairhope traditionalists is that Ken Niemeyer, a lawyer and active environmentalist, has stepped forward as a vocal opponent of the project. His home overlooks the park, and Niemeyer has also brought to light the below-the-radar PR activity in which a few citizens have been given by-invitation-only briefings by GMC consultants. At least three such meetings have been held to date in an apparent effort to create opinion-maker support for the project before the public becomes fully aware of it.
On March 11, Niemeyer warned the board of the Fairhope Single Tax Colony that the Wilson administration was abandoning Fairhope's tradition of "natural" parks in favor of a "Disneyland" approach. The minutes of the organization recorded Niemeyer's invoking the colony's historic role as guardian of the city's green space by "reminding the FSTC Council and members present that the city of Fairhope must adhere to the parklands deed with FSTC and the Council must be vigilant in keeping watch that nothing is done at the area in question that would go against the deed."
Evelyn Young is spearheading a lively community protest. She and her husband Bob, third- and fourth-generation Fairhopers respectively, are circulating "STOP THE PLAN!" leaflets against a project he calls "a grandiose disaster."
So far, news coverage has been scanty. I was six weeks late in reading the only major article I've seen so far, which appeared in Lagniappe on Tuesday, March 28. The article reported that in the preceding week, "The Fairhope City Council got its first peek at a conceptual plan to redesign the space surrounding its landmark pier and parks around its public beaches on Monday." The article was accompanied by an impressionistic GMC illustration that has added to confusion about the scale of the $6.2 million project and the massive landfill that will apparently be needed in front of the bluff. The best source for the project is the videotape on YouTube at this link: youtube.com/watch?v=d7eX1PIXgL8.
What I saw and heard there caused me to email Mayor Wilson and all council members on Tuesday, June 10 notifying them that I planned to offer an op-ed article for local publication opposing the project as a desecration of Fairhope's nationally renowned parks. That led to a telephone conversation with Mayor Wilson, who had several aides listen in by speakerphone.
She disputed my impression that the planning process had been a stealth operation. She explained that she has been pushing for over three years for waterfront redevelopment, and she expressed concern that a whistle-blowing article like this one would cause a public backlash against a project that has not been finalized. She said that she and her family had made great sacrifices for the community, and that I must have a "political" motive for wanting to overturn years of hard EFFORT by her staff and the design and engineering work by GMC consultants and engineers.
I take the mayor at her word that she has been open about her wishes for an overall $18 million facelift for the waterfront, and I admit that citizens like me, and some of the local news media, may have been asleep at the wheel while the project inched forward under bureaucratic supervision. She said the GMC proposal that I found alarming was conceptual and provisional and could be subject to alteration.
That said, there is now an urgency to the project. The council was told, "We are under the gun deadline-wise" to get the Corps of Engineers' permits needed to begin construction. In that meeting, even the mayor seemed taken aback by the jarring look of the proposed overhaul. She said other bluff areas, such as the overlook park on North Bayview Street "wouldn't be graded this way." She added, as she gazed at a large projection of the conceptual drawing, "Well, I didn't really know it would look like this. But I didn't know what it was going to look like. I mean, I had a picture, but it's not really like that."
Council President Burrell raised the key issue of how many trees would have to be sacrificed since the mayor said "bluff stabilization" was a key requirement for getting the $6.2 million.
"When you say we're losing bluff," he said, "what kind of documentation do we have that we're actually losing? I mean, there's 50-to-75-year-old pine trees growing out of that bluff."
My own concern, after learning as much as I could in the past few days, is that as the plan evolves, we'll be told there is a need to remove an increasing number of the towering long leafs and live oaks that are Fairhope's visual hallmark. Mayor Wilson said some trees would have to be cut to implement her plan, but she said she did not have an exact count.
My conclusion is the entire project is born of political desperation and imaginary problems. Mayor Wilson needs a signature project on which to run for re-election, and she has in hand a $6.2 million Restore Act grant that comes with inconvenient legal strings attached to it. She said the funds can only be secured on the basis of "bluff stabilization" and creation of a "working waterfront." In other words, the city and their well-paid engineers have to pretend to fix something that's working well. When Mr. Burrell made his request for "documentation" the mayor and presenters avoided the subject.
City Council minutes from last August 26 show that GMC is to receive $496,766 for the Phase I study now being unveiled. It is authorized to get $281,920 for Phase II, which will involve the duck pond area north of the pier. All funds will come from the grant under the Restore Act passed by Congress in 2012, and therefore represent a federal aid windfall for local governments damaged by the BP/Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
In our conversation Wednesday, I told Mayor Wilson that I fundamentally disagreed that bluff remediation was necessary, and that any change along Mobile Street is an esthetic and environmental mistake. As coastal overlooks go, the bluffs on the Eastern Shore have been remarkably stable since the Spanish and French explorers sailed up the bay before the American Revolution and discovered the beautiful red clays of "Ecor Rouge." There is some erosion north of Fly Creek, but that is a problem only for houses built too close to the edge of a unique geologic feature — the highest point of coastal shoreline between Maine and Mexico.
She said the drawings presented to the council are not finalized, but it's hard to see how she could row back from the truly radical nature of the consultants' overall vision. As I view their sketch, I conclude they are proposing nothing less than sacrificing at least some of the trees along Mobile Avenue and also cutting down the lesser forest that shades the popular quarter-mile walking trail lying just south of the existing fountain and rose garden.
As for the requirement of creating a "working waterfront," the planners have come up with a roster of needless or imaginary additions. They cling to the illusion that the restaurant on the pier can be turned into a tourist "destination" capable of competing with our many fine restaurants. An even more desperate suggestion is to plop down a "ferry terminal" next to the existing marina based on the engineers' imagining that a Mobile-Fairhope ferry may come into being as in days of yore. In addition, they propose expanding a marina that is only about half full. The commercial reality is that Fairhope boat owners prefer to dock at Fly Creek and the Grand Hotel.
How did this Frankenstein of urban planning get so much momentum without more public input? Goodwyn Mills Cawood says their recommendations are based on responses to a questionnaire circulated to only 570 PEOPLE between February 6 and March 11 of this year. The questions apparently went to a restricted sampling of citizens of their selection, and 463 completed the entire survey. Another key factor, it seems to me, is that if state and federal budget-makers drop gift money in their laps, the Fairhope City Council and their consultants will find a way to waste it unless they face the citizen revolt that is needed.
The planners also allege too much space is devoted to the convenient parking area in the roundabout at the rose garden and water fountain, but their solution is to create a potential traffic jam on Mobile Avenue by installing parallel parking up there. Can you imagine the pileup of Scenic 98 traffic as visitors back into their spaces? Another deficiency is the proposal to take existing green space north of the roundabout to make up for eliminating parking in the roundabout itself. The net result will be more paving and a gain of only nine parking spaces. Moreover, senior citizens coming to view the sunsets will have a longer walk to reach the pier and benches.
The presentation was 42 minutes of double-talk and unproven assumptions about what Fairhopers allegedly want. Mayor Wilson and GMC kept insisting sunsets are the big draw at the waterfront, while throughout the day, any visitor can see that strollers, runners, dog walkers, fishermen, wind surfers, yoga classes and courting couples account for much of the traffic. Fishermen should be especially alarmed by GMC's plan for a designated fishing area at the end of the pier. The ability to fish up and down the pier depending on the season and fish migration patterns is a major asset for Fairhope families that cannot afford boats.
Need another reason to defund this defacement of Fairhope's unique visual appeal? The planners claim once they level out the slope between the top of the bluff and the waterfront, the access will meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But an architect friend who viewed the video presentation assures me sloping walkways and switchbacks in the preliminary sketches won't pass ADA muster, which may mean more costly earth moving for handrails, ramps and turnarounds will be needed.
The planners jokingly refused Mr. Burrell's invitation to say they could bring in the big project without cost overruns. They also admitted, under questioning from Councilman Kevin Boone, that their current estimates do not include shoring up of the bulkheads at the start of the pier. Burrell's suggestion to "put rip-rap in front of it" was apparently offered in jest.
But this assault on Fairhope's viewscape and public spaces is no laughing matter. Visiting artists and travel writers agree our waterfront parks are the jewels in Fairhope's crown. They need to be saved from our elected officials before citizens are reduced to petitioning the Fairhope Single Tax Colony and the Corps to stop an idea whose time should never come. Now is the time for all who love our sylvan setting to demand the mayor and City Council observe an environmental version of the Hippocratic Oath. When you are custodian of an irreplaceable natural wonder, first do no harm!
Howell Raines, a former executive editor of The New York Times, is an MSNBC commentator and the author of "My Soul Is Rested," an oral history of the civil rights movement.
Previous"The Lovebirds" charts a predictable but hilarious path
Municipal planners attend workshop about conservation easements
Make it right or clean house
Gulf Shores brewery owner cries foul on Hangout Fun Bus
Anyone on duty?


text:
The Egyptian pound's decline journey continues… Which is better, a sharp or a gradual decrease?
Cairo– No voice is louder than talking about the price of the dollar, the first thing that is needed in Egypt, with the increase in demand, the scarcity of supply, and the continued depreciation of the pound on a daily basis to new levels due to the impact of global and local crises on the Egyptian economy.
The Egyptians have been watching this decline on the intraday trading screens of the currency in local banks since last March. They also want to know the end of this continuous decline, which made it extremely difficult to lose the dollar or obtain it.
The average price of the Egyptian currency broke market and psychological barriers, reaching its lowest level ever, as it exceeded 19.60 pounds to the dollar, amid expectations of further decline in conjunction with the decline in supply, the accumulation of demand and the government's delay in concluding a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund to put an end to the decline.
And the most common question about the fate of the Egyptian pound has become, which is better, a gradual or a sharp devaluation of the pound, and to what level the pound will be reduced, and whether it will be sufficient to achieve an abundance in the supply of the dollar, and thus stabilize the value of the pound in a known price range.
The divergence of the positions of the Central Bank of Egypt
The policies of the Central Bank of Egypt during the past months indicate that it has made gradual increases in the exchange rate, which is likely to adopt a policy of gradual devaluation of the pound rather than a sharp devaluation, without giving an indication of the final value of the local currency.
This trend comes after the Central Bank took a decision last March to suddenly reduce the value of the pound by 15%, causing the average dollar exchange rate within Egyptian banks to jump to 18.26 pounds for sale and 18.17 pounds for purchase.
International reports indicate that the Egyptian currency is "overvalued," and a report published by the US Bloomberg Agency last August confirmed that major banks in the world already believe that this is the case, which means that there are no other options for financial policy makers in Egypt than to allow the pound to weaken. More and more, according to the report.
The report added that from the point of view of Deutsche AG and Goldman Sachs, the exchange rate of the pound is exaggerated by about 10%, while Citigroup (one of the major financial services companies) sees US) that the pound is overvalued by 15%.
Citigroup analysts said – according to the same report – that Egypt's continued exaggeration in evaluating its currency may not be to the liking of the "International Monetary Fund, which seems to impose stricter conditions in most illiquid markets."
Gradual or rapid reduction?
A number of economists supported the sharp devaluation of the Egyptian pound, among them Hani Geneina, a lecturer at the American University in Cairo's School of Business, who stressed that the option of a sharp devaluation of the pound exchange rate is the best and will spare the country more troubles as importers and manufacturers suffer from the scarcity of the dollar.
He added, in statements to Al-Jazeera Net, that the International Monetary Fund had presented a research in 2020 during the Corona crisis on this subject, when the parallel market for hard currency appeared in many countries of the world, and the study concluded that a sudden and rapid reduction is the most appropriate.
And regarding the negative impact of this on inflation and high prices, the economist explained that the study included that part and answered it that the markets in those countries depend on prices based on the price of foreign currency in the parallel market, and not in local banks; So the inflationary shock will not be high.
He believed that the central bank's policy so far is to reduce gradually, and this may be related to the delay in negotiations with the IMF on the one hand, and on the other hand, that some private and public sectors in the country cannot raise their prices immediately, such as pharmaceutical companies and others.
Geneina went on to say that the pound is more than its true value declared in local banks, indicating that its fair value ranges between 22 and 23 pounds to the dollar, but he considered that maintaining this price requires parallel measures; So that the parallel market does not go to a lower price.
And last March, the International Monetary Fund confirmed that allowing greater flexibility in the exchange rate would have spared Egypt the accumulation of imbalances in its external balance, and facilitated the absorption of economic shocks.
In light of the current economic conditions, Egypt does not have the option to maintain the value of the pound in front of the basket of foreign currencies, and reducing its value is not a condition of the International Monetary Fund, according to previous statements by the economic expert Ibrahim Nawar to Al Jazeera Net, but rather because of the large gap in financing and the increase in the volume of foreign debts. .
The IMF called on Egypt to adopt a flexible exchange rate policy during the arduous talks taking place between them, which are expected to end within a month or two, according to Egyptian officials, without revealing the expected amount of support.
In late 2016, Egypt embarked on implementing a 3-year program described as harsh with the IMF, under which it obtained a $12 billion loan, which included a sharp devaluation of the currency, which lost more than half of its value, in addition to reducing subsidies.
But with the start of the Corona pandemic and the succession of global crises in 2020, Egypt obtained from the fund, under a credit standby agreement, $ 5.2 billion, in addition to $ 2.8 billion under the rapid financing instrument, which helped the authorities address the impact of the repercussions of Corona, according to Egyptian government data.
Shock then tighten policy
The financial expert at Washington Analytica in Washington, Sherif Othman, agrees with the calls for a rapid devaluation of the local Egyptian currency; "Because the gradual reduction will make the markets lose confidence in the currency."
He expressed his belief, in his speech to Al-Jazeera Net, that the sharp reduction is the best, and even more than what is intended or expected, before the pound gradually regains its strength, which gives dealers confidence in its value.
The banking expert pointed out that the sharp reduction encourages foreign investors to enter the Egyptian market and reduces the risks of "Forex" losses (foreign exchange trading) if they think of exiting afterwards, and also makes the assets to be sold cheaper, making it easier to find a buyer.
The gradual reduction – according to Othman – did not result in any real solutions, but rather complicated the situation further, adding, "I think that the gradual reduction is a political decision."
Egypt is the 4th in the Arab world and the 18th globally.. Learn about the Arab countries that occupied the top levels of inflation among the 20 highest inflationary countries in the worldpic.twitter.com/7o4xdihDHr
– Al Jazeera Egypt (@AJA_Egypt) September 30, 2022
Dollar strength and funding needs
The strength of the dollar – which reached its highest point in 20 years recently – made the fragile situation of the Egyptian pound difficult, as the dollar index – which measures the value of the green currency against a basket of 6 competing currencies – recorded the highest level not seen since September 2002.
The Egyptian government does not differ with the demands to depreciate the pound, but it may differ with the method of implementation, and Egyptian Planning Minister Hala El-Sayed said, in an interview with Bloomberg, earlier, that she is open to more flexible management of the currency, "We as a government agree that a flexible exchange rate is beneficial. Definitely for the economy."
The main reason that puts strong pressure on the pound and on financial and economic decision makers in Egypt is that the total external financing needs for the year 2023 amount to about $58 billion, or about 14% of the gross domestic product, according to Bank of America.
Categories Forex News Tags continues, decline, decrease, Economie, Egypt, Egyptian, gradual, journey, pounds, sharp
A lesson for currency investors: the challenge of economic attractiveness has its price
Metavirus is a multibillion dollar industry | index