'Polyseam' means Polyseam Limited (Company No. 2839491).
2.1 If the Buyer is purchasing Goods under the House Brand the following provisions of this Section 2 shall not apply.
2.2 This Contract takes effect from the date of signature and will remain in force for the period set out in the Purchase Schedule to these Conditions and then continue in force unless terminated in accordance with these Conditions or by either party serving 6 months notice in writing on the other party to end this Contract at any time after the period set out in the Purchase Schedule to these Conditions.
2.2 The Buyer shall purchase at least the minimum number of units per annum of each of the Goods as specified in the Purchase Schedule attached to these Conditions.
2.3 On condition of the Buyer's undertaking to purchase the Goods pursuant to clause 2.2 Polyseam agrees to hold in stock the empty packaging and materials and finished Goods required specifically to satisfy the minimum purchase obligations of the Buyer and Polyseam will endeavour to hold the minimum amount of such items in stock as reasonably possible to satisfy this obligation.
2.4 Upon termination of this Contract for any reason Polyseam may invoice the Buyer for all the empty packaging and materials and finished Goods currently held in stock by Polyseam pursuant to clause 2.3, at cost price in respect of empty packaging and materials and the price in accordance with these Conditions in respect of finished Goods, whether or not the Buyer takes delivery of them. Such invoice shall be due for immediate payment.
(b) the Buyer shall indemnify and keep indemnified in full Polyseam against any and all losses, damages, costs and expenses (including without limitation legal expenses) awarded against or incurred by Polyseam as a result of holding such unused stock.
3.1 Polyseam shall sell and the Buyer shall purchase the Goods in accordance with any order of the Buyer which is accepted by Polyseam, subject in either case to these Conditions, which shall govern the Contract to the exclusion of any other terms and conditions subject to which any such order is made or purported to be made by the Buyer.
3.2 No variation to these Conditions shall be binding unless agreed in writing between the authorised representative of the Buyer and a director of Polyseam.
3.3 Polyseam's employees or agents are not authorised to make any representations concerning the Goods or their storage, application or use unless confirmed by Polyseam in writing. In entering into the Contract the Buyer acknowledges that it does not rely on any such representations which are not so confirmed, and Polyseam shall not be liable for any such advice or recommendation which is not so confirmed.
3.4 Any typographical, clerical or other error or omission in any sales literature, quotation, price list, acceptance of offer, invoice or other document or information issued by Polyseam shall be subject to correction without any liability on the part of Polyseam.
3.5 The Goods supplied will be in the Buyer's or a third parties own label or will be of a House Brand. Any packaging, labels raw materials etc. that are specific to the Buyer's label and that become redundant or obsolete as a result of the Buyer ceasing to buy the Goods or delisting the Goods will be charged to the Buyer at cost plus the cost of handling, warehousing and disposal.
4.1 No order submitted by the Buyer shall be deemed to be accepted by Polyseam unless and until confirmed in writing by Polyseam's authorised representative.
4.2 The Buyer shall be responsible to Polyseam for ensuring the accuracy of the terms of any order (including any applicable specification and/or artwork) submitted by the Buyer, and for giving Polyseam any necessary information relating to the Goods within a sufficient time to enable Polyseam to perform the Contract in accordance with its terms.
4.3 The quantity, quality and description of and any specification for the Goods shall be those set out in Polyseam's order acknowledgement which shall be deemed to incorporate product data sheets provided by Polyseam. These specify the relevant tolerances and limits for the Goods. A certificate of conformity or analysis can be forwarded to the Buyer if required.
(c) Polyseam shall be entitled to invoice the Buyer separately for any initial set-up production costs involved in the preparation of packaging, labels and/or artwork as is required to enable Polyseam to provide the Goods in accordance with any agreed specification and may at its option require payment of such invoice in advance of commencing or incurring such initial set-up production costs.
4.5 The Buyer shall indemnify and keep indemnified Polyseam in full against any and all losses, damages, costs and expenses (including without limitation legal expenses) awarded against or incurred by Polyseam in connection with or paid or agreed to be paid by Polyseam in settlement of any claim for infringement of any Intellectual Property Rights whatsoever of any other person which results from Polyseam's use of or compliance with the Buyer's specification or specific instructions.
4.5 Polyseam reserves the right to make any changes in the specification of the Goods which are required to conform with any applicable statutory or EC requirements or, where the Goods are to be supplied to Polyseam's specification, which do not detrimentally affect their quality or performance.
4.6 No order which has been accepted by Polyseam may be cancelled by the Buyer except with the agreement in writing of Polyseam and on terms that the Buyer shall indemnify and keep indemnified Polyseam in full against any and all losses (including loss of profit), costs (including the cost of all labour and materials used), damages, charges and expenses incurred by Polyseam as a result of cancellation.
5.1 The price of Goods shall be Polyseam's quoted price or, where no price has been quoted (or a quoted price is no longer valid), the price listed in Polyseam's published price list current at the date of acceptance of the order. Unless otherwise specified in writing by Polyseam all prices quoted are valid for 30 days only or until earlier acceptance by the Buyer, after which time they may be altered by Polyseam without giving notice to the Buyer.
5.2 Polyseam reserves the right, by giving notice to the Buyer at any time before delivery, to increase the price of the Goods to reflect any increase in the cost to Polyseam which is due to any factor beyond the control of Polyseam (such as, without limitation, any foreign exchange fluctuation, currency regulation, alteration of duties, significant increase in the costs of labour, materials or other costs of manufacture), any changes in delivery dates, quantities or specifications for the Goods which is requested by the Buyer, or any delay caused by any instructions of the Buyer or failure of the Buyer to give Polyseam adequate information or instructions.
5.3 Unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Buyer and Polyseam, all prices are given by Polyseam on both an "ex works basis" and a "goods delivered basis" and the Buyer shall be liable to pay Polyseam's charges applicable to the delivery basis specified in the Buyer's order as accepted by Polyseam. If the Buyer does not specify in its order the basis on which it is to receive the Goods it will be deemed to have specified "goods delivered basis" and will be liable to accept delivery of the Goods and pay Polyseam's charges accordingly. Polyseam shall be under no obligation to give notice under section 32(3) of the Sale of Goods Act 1979 where applicable.
5.4 The price is exclusive of any applicable value added tax, which the Buyer shall be additionally liable to pay Polyseam.
(b) where Polyseam agrees in writing to deliver the Goods otherwise than on an ex-works basis or to arrange delivery, upon despatch of the Goods from Polyseam's premises.
6.2 Unless otherwise agreed in writing the Buyer shall pay the price of the Goods without any other deduction within 30 days from the month end of the date of Polyseam's invoice, and Polyseam shall be entitled to recover the price, not withstanding that delivery may not have taken place and the property in the Goods has not passed to the Buyer. The time of payment of the price shall be of the essence of the Contract.
(c) charge the Buyer interest (both before and after any judgment) on the amount unpaid, at the rate of 4 per cent per annum above HSBC Bank plc's base rate from time to time, until payment in full is made (a part of a month being treated as a full month for the purpose of calculating interest).
6.4 Polyseam reserves the right at any time at its discretion to demand security for payment before commencing or continuing with the Contract or delivering the Goods.
6.5 Polyseam reserves the right to exercise a lien over all or any goods of the Buyer in the possession of Polyseam whether or not due payment has been made for such goods (or work carried out on them) in respect of the unpaid price (together with VAT thereon where applicable) of any Goods or any other monies owing to Polyseam.
7.1 Delivery of the Goods shall be made by Polyseam delivering the Goods to that place specified on the order acknowledgement form or by the Buyer collecting the Goods at Polyseam's premises at any time after Polyseam has notified the Buyer that the Goods are ready for collection. The Buyer shall be responsible for complying with any legislation or regulations governing the importation of the Goods into the country of destination and for payments of any duties on them.
7.2 The Buyer shall be responsible for arranging for the inspection of the Goods at Polyseam's premises before shipment. Polyseam shall have no liability for any claim in respect of any defect in the Goods which would be apparent on inspection and which is made after shipment, or in respect of any damage during transit.
7.3 Any dates quoted for delivery of the Goods are approximate only and Polyseam shall not be liable for any delay in delivery of the Goods however caused. Time for delivery shall not be of the essence of the Contract unless previously agreed by Polyseam in writing. The Goods may be delivered by Polyseam in advance of the quoted delivery date upon giving reasonable notice to the Buyer.
7.4 Where delivery of the Goods is to be made by Polyseam in bulk, Polyseam reserves the right to deliver up to 5 per cent more or 5 per cent less than the quantity ordered without any adjustment in the price, and the quantity so delivered shall be deemed to be the quantity ordered.
7.5 Where the Goods are to be delivered in instalments, each delivery shall constitute a separate contract and failure by Polyseam to deliver any one or more of the instalments in accordance with these Conditions or any claim by the Buyer in respect of any one or more instalments shall not entitle the Buyer to treat the Contract as a whole as repudiated.
(b) in the case of Goods to be delivered otherwise than at Polyseam's premises at the time of delivery or, if the Buyer wrongfully fails to take delivery of the Goods, the time when Polyseam has tendered delivery of the Goods.
8.2 Notwithstanding delivery and the passing of risk in the Goods, or any other provision of these Conditions, the property in the Goods shall not pass to the Buyer until Polyseam has received in cash or cleared funds payment in full of the price of the Goods and all other goods sold and/or agreed to be sold by Polyseam to the Buyer for which payment is then due.
8.3 Until such time as the property in the Goods passes to the Buyer, the Buyer shall hold the Goods as Polyseam's fiduciary agent and bailee, and shall keep the Goods separate from those of the Buyer and third parties and properly stored, protected and insured and identified as Polyseam's property, but shall be entitled to (resell or) use the Goods in the ordinary course of it's business.
8.4 Until such time as the property in the Goods passes to the Buyer Polyseam shall be entitled at any time to require the Buyer to deliver up the Goods to Polyseam and, if the Buyer fails to do so forthwith, to enter upon any premises of the Buyer or any third party where the Goods are stored and repossess the Goods.
8.5 The Buyer shall not be entitled to pledge or in any way charge by way of security for any indebtedness any of the Goods which remain the property of Polyseam, but if the Buyer does so all the monies owing by the Buyer to Polyseam shall (without prejudice to any other right or remedy of Polyseam) forthwith become due and payable.
9.1 The Buyer shall not make any modification to the Goods or their packaging, nor alter, remove or tamper with any trade marks used on or in relation to the Goods.
9.2 All Intellectual Property Rights arising from or in relation to the House Brand are, and shall remain, the property of Polyseam.
9.3 All documentation, specifications and artwork provided by the Buyer to Polyseam for use on or in relation to the Goods and the packaging for the Goods (and the Intellectual Property Rights in it) are, and shall remain, the property of the Buyer.
9.4 On condition that Polyseam is paid in full by the Buyer all Intellectual Property Rights in the Goods and/or their packaging which have been specifically designed or developed by Polyseam for the Buyer at the Buyer's request and/or in accordance with the Buyer's specification and/or artwork (not including any Intellectual Property Rights in respect of any production methods, equipment, skill or know-how used in the development or production of such Goods and/or packaging) shall be owned by the Buyer absolutely.
9.5 Each party agrees with the other that it will keep all Confidential Information of the other party confidential and will not use or disclose such Confidential Information other than in the proper performance of this Contract or unless it is required to be disclosed as a matter of law.
10.1 Subject to the conditions set out below Polyseam warrants that the Goods will correspond with their specification at the time of delivery.
(d) the above warranty does not extend to materials not manufactured by Polyseam, in respect of which the Buyer shall only be entitled to the benefit of any such warranty or guarantee as is given by the manufacturer to Polyseam.
10.3 Subject as expressly provided in these Conditions all warranties, conditions or other terms implied by statute or common law are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.
10.4 Any claim by the Buyer which is based on any defect in the quality or condition of the Goods shall (whether or not delivery is refused by the Buyer) be notified to Polyseam within 48 hours from date of delivery or where such defect was not apparent on reasonable inspection or in the event of any failure of the Goods to correspond with specification within 48 hours after discovery of the defect or failure. If delivery is not refused, and the Buyer does not notify Polyseam accordingly, the Buyer shall not be entitled to reject the Goods and Polyseam shall have no liability for such defect or failure, and the Buyer shall be bound to pay the price as if the Goods had been delivered in accordance with the Contract.
10.5 Where any valid claim in respect of any Goods which is based on any defect in the quality or condition of the Goods or their failure to meet specification is notified to Polyseam in accordance with these Conditions, Polyseam shall be entitled to replace the Goods free of charge or, at Polyseam's sole discretion, refund to the Buyer the price of the Goods (or a proportionate part of the price), but Polyseam shall have no further liability to the Buyer.
10.6 Except in respect of death or personal injury caused by Polyseam's negligence, Polyseam shall not be liable to the Buyer by reason of any representation (unless fraudulent), or any implied warranty, condition or other term, or any duty at common law, or under the express terms of the Contract, for any indirect, special or consequential loss or damage, for any loss of profit, costs, expenses or other claims for compensation whatsoever (whether caused by negligence of Polyseam, its employees or agents or otherwise) which arise out of or in connection with the supply of the Goods or their use or resale by the Buyer.
10.7 Subject to clause 10.6, the entire liability of Polyseam under or in connection with the Contract shall not exceed the price of the Goods, except as expressly provided in these Conditions.
10.8 Polyseam shall not be liable to the Buyer or be deemed to be in breach of the Contract by reason of any delay in performing, or any failure to perform, any of Polyseam's obligations in relation to the Goods, if the delay was due to any cause beyond Polyseam's reasonable control. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, strikes, lockouts or other industrial actions or trade disputes (whether involving employees of Polyseam or a third party) and difficulties in obtaining raw materials, labour, fuel, parts or machinery shall be regarded as causes beyond Polyseam's reasonable control.
(f) it reasonably apprehends that any of the events mentioned above is about occur in relation to the other party and notifies the other party accordingly.
(d) all monies owed by the Buyer to Polyseam shall immediately become due and payable notwithstanding any previous agreement or arrangement to the contrary.
12.1 In these Conditions 'Incoterms' means the international rules for the interpretation of trade terms of the International Chamber of Commerce as in force at the date when the Contract is made. Unless the context otherwise requires, any term or expression which is defined in or given a particular meaning by the provisions of Incoterms shall have the same meaning in these Conditions, but if there is any conflict between the provisions of Incoterms and these Conditions, the latter shall prevail.
12.2 Where the Goods are supplied for export from the United Kingdom, the provisions of this clause 12 shall (subject to any special terms agreed in writing between the Buyer and Polyseam) apply notwithstanding any other provisions of these Conditions.
13.1 This Contract including any attached Purchase Schedule constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes any previous agreement between the parties relating to its subject matter.
13.2 The parties agree that they have not entered into this Contract in reliance on any promise, assurance, representation, warranty, details and/or specification (whether in writing or not) that is not expressly set out in the Contract. Nothing in this Contract shall exclude liability for any fraudulent statement and/or act made prior to the date of this Contract.
14.1 This Contract is personal to the Buyer and the Buyer shall not assign, transfer, dispose of or sub-contract (or purport to do any of the above in respect of) the benefit or burden of any of its rights or obligations under this Contract without the prior written consent of Polyseam.
15.1 Any notice required or permitted to be given by either party to the other under these Conditions shall be in writing addressed to that other party at its registered office or principal place of business or other such address as may at the relevant time have been notified pursuant to this provision to the party giving the notice.
15.2 No waiver by Polyseam of any breach of the Contract by the Buyer shall be considered as a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision.
15.3 If any provision of these Conditions is held by any competent authority to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part the validity of the other provisions of these Conditions and the reminder of the provision in question shall not be affected.
15.4 All third party rights are excluded and no third party shall have any right to enforce this Contract.
15.5 The Contract shall be governed by the laws of England, and the Buyer agrees to submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts.


This is not the easiest time to be rich. Not so long ago, the image of American wealth was a heroic one, embodied by figures like Bill Gates and Jack Welch. Today it tends toward the corrupt or at least the hapless: Bernie Madoff, the traders at A.I.G., the former Lehman Brothers chief executive mocked on Capitol Hill, the General Motors chief executive fired by the White House.
The economic problems of the wealthy have tracked pretty closely with their image problems. Stocks are way down, and the waning days of the 2009 tax season offer reason for one more headache: taxes on the rich won't stay this low for very much longer. In 2011 the Bush tax cuts will expire, and President Obama plans to also close various loopholes. As Peter Orszag, Obama's budget director, delicately says of the rich, "We are asking them to pitch in a bit more." The current moment has the feel of an inflection point for the American wealthy, like the stock-market crash of 1929 or the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980.
But inflection points can be misleading. Even on the rare occasions when they occur, they often bring about less change than at first it seems. The mere fact of change is so startling that the magnitude of that change can become exaggerated. So it is with Obama's approach to the wealthy, especially on taxes. His agenda is a bold one in many ways. Yet his tax code would still look more kindly on wealth than Nixon's, Kennedy's, Eisenhower's or that of any other president from F.D.R. to Carter. And only part of the reason for this is widely understood.
It's well known that tax rates on top incomes used to be far higher than they are today. The top marginal rate hovered around 90 percent in the 1940s, '50s and early '60s. Reagan ultimately reduced it to 28 percent, and it is now 35 percent. Obama would raise it to 39.6 percent, where it was under Bill Clinton.
What's much less known is that those old confiscatory rates were not as sweeping as they sound. They applied to only the richest of the rich, because yesterday's tax code, unlike today's, had separate marginal tax rates for the truly wealthy and the merely affluent. For a married couple in 1960, for example, the 38 percent tax bracket started at $20,000, which is about $145,000 in today's terms. The top bracket of 91 percent began at $400,000, which is the equivalent of nearly $3 million now. Some of the old brackets are truly stunning: in 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt raised the top rate to 79 percent, from 63 percent, and raised the income level that qualified for that rate to $5 million (about $75 million today) from $1 million. As the economist Bruce Bartlett has noted, that 79 percent rate apparently applied to only one person in the entire country, John D. Rockefeller.
Today, by contrast, the very well off and the superwealthy are lumped together. The top bracket last year started at $357,700. Any income above that — whether it was the 400,000th dollar earned by a surgeon or the 40 millionth earned by a Wall Street titan — was taxed the same, at 35 percent. This change is especially striking, because there is so much more income at the top of the distribution now than there was in the past. Today a tax rate for the very top earners would apply to a far larger portion of the nation's income than it would have years ago.
No one in the Obama administration or Congress has suggested taking rates back to their sky-high pre-Reagan levels. But a tax code that drew a sharper distinction between the upper middle class and the extremely wealthy, while keeping its top rate below, say, 50 percent, seems more conceivable. Last year, the House of Representatives passed a surtax on incomes above $1 million to pay for G.I. benefits. (It went nowhere in the Senate, where — relevantly or not — many members would be affected by such a tax.) Gene Sperling, now a top Treasury Department official, once raised a similar idea, to shore up Social Security.
The argument against such increases is not insignificant. Conservative economists say that higher tax rates could damage the economy and ultimately be self-defeating, because they would give the rich an incentive to shift their pay into stock or other investments that are taxed less. And to some degree, such shifting would surely happen.
But one economic lesson of the last couple of decades is that these responses are fairly modest. An academic study of the Clinton tax increases found that they caused corporate executives to exercise some stock options earlier than they otherwise would have. But the increases had no noticeable long-term effect. The executives didn't ask to be paid entirely in stock, and the economy boomed. Increasing taxes on the rich, in other words, has some unintended consequences, but it mainly has the intended ones: it raises revenue and reduces inequality. That study was written by Austan Goolsbee, a University of Chicago professor who later became the first economic adviser to a Senate candidate named Barack Obama.
Given the opposition that some of Obama's existing tax proposals have encountered, no grand new proposals are likely anytime soon. But there is a basic economic reality that will force taxes onto the agenda well beyond this year's budget fight. The federal government simply isn't raising enough money to pay for its obligations, Medicare being the biggest. Neither political party has yet come up with a plan to close the gap. Although a tax code that made finer distinctions would not close the gap all by itself, every dollar helps.
For 30 years, the debate over taxes has been shaped by a faith that a flatter code is always better. There is little reason to believe that and every reason to believe that tax brackets, as well as tax rates, should be part of the coming debate.


This 100 Watt LED Driver is used to power low voltage (12v) LED bulbs and is ideal for use with LED Strip Lights. LED bulbs require a constant current to work properly. Sometimes a normal 12v transformer will work correctly with LED bulbs, but in some cases the lifespan of the bulb will be reduced. This Driver is both a constant current and and a constant voltage driver.
This driver can also be used in conjuction with LED controllers for strip lights. Stip lights generally require between 5 - 10 Watts per meter depending on the type of strip light. Please look carefully at the power requirement of the striplight and select the appropriate transformer. This transfomer is suitable for connecting a series of striplights so four example a maximum of four of our 5 meter strips lights that operate at 25W could be powered. This transformer has 2 output connections so two seperate lenghts of striplight can be powered.


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A couple of years ago I was sharing some of my ideas about LQ with a colleague and friend in the Netherlands when she offered me "feedforward". This was not a mistake, a mistranslation of "feedback" from Dutch to English, this was a specific strategy.
Feedback starts with what has been done or achieved, it is based in the past. There is an analysis of actions, strategies or the outcomes. Feedback is influenced by "hindsight" and can be accusatory if using "Why?" in the reviewing process. Often we naturally seek to defend what we have done and therefore may not listen to the comments or advice offered in the way it is intended or indeed recognise the meaning. Even if the feedback comes after a lesson observation we may seek to protect ourselves from the comments by inwardly suggesting they did not see everything and asking how a single observation can have any real merit. Feedback can result in a lack of respect or trust in those giving it. This is in part due to the conclusive nature of feedback. Regardless of the person giving the feedback using the "Even Better If" approach you may feel on opposite sides. Once the trigger point has occurred, the activity or whatever feedback will be given on, then there is clock ticking and with each moment the memory of what has occurred, what was meant by an action can diminish. Feedback needs to be timely to be most effective. Feedback can struggle to look forward because it means letting go of the past, something we are often reluctant to do.
Feedforward is about moving forward, it is based on future actions or behaviours; what can be done next working from where you are now. There needs to be a recognition of what has gone before or been produced and this needs to be agreed in the same way as feedback. The difference is that this is a starting point not the end point. It is not about what has happened so much about what can be done, there is a different focus that affects any dialogue. In a way it breaks the cycle of the feedback loop and strikes a forward path instead. The questions involved in feedforward are not so much about "Why?" but "How?". This dialogue is reflected in the part played by the person offering the feedforward; they are on the journey with you. Feedforward involves both parties in being creative, of solving problems, together. This personal investment is a key characteristic of feedforward and supports the building of relationships that can lead on to trust and mutual respect. Feedforward involves planning; there is a different clock at work than the one in feedback and one that can be driven by opportunity and enthusiasm about trying something new. Feedforward encourages objectivity. The "Even better if" approach is more suited to feedforward since it builds on the past by requesting we let go and take from that only that which supports our learning.
Of course feedback is an excellent way to support learning if done correctly but I think there is more opportunity to do it poorly than there is of providing poor feedforward. I would argue that putting yourself in the feedforward mind frame can lead to a dialogue that involves greater objectivity and less defended ownership. The very nature of feedforward encourages you to think about the next step in the learning process. Consider these comments and see if you can see the influence of a feedforward thinking process.
I am not suggesting we replace feedback with feedforward but what I am suggesting is that we may avoid some of the issues of poor feedback if we adopt a feedforward approach to the process of feeding back.
Make sense? I hope so. If not how about offering me some feedforward!
This is a thought-provoking concept, one that makes me rethink performance discussions and coaching sessions. Good read.


text:
Lo shahrestān di Astaneh-ye-Ashrafiyeh (farsi شهرستان آستانه اشرفیه) è uno dei 16 shahrestān della provincia di Gilan, in Iran. Il capoluogo è Astaneh-ye-Ashrafiyeh. Lo shahrestān è suddiviso in 2 circoscrizioni (bakhsh):

Centrale (بخش مرکزی)
Kiashahr (ببخش کیاشهر), con la città di Kiashahr.

Note

Altri progetti

Astaneh-ye-Ashrafiyeh

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Webinar CPD
The individual or the group - a comparative approach to the control of infectious diseases
Date and time Fri 6 Nov 2020 from 12:30pm to 2:15pm
Organised by Comparative Medicine, Pathology
Join us to explore the difference in management of infectious diseases between the veterinary approach and the human approach. This webinar aims to help recognise that many human diseases arise in animals, and cover topics that stimulate thought on how a veterinary approach focuses primarily on a population as a whole rather than on the individual.
This webinar will be ideal for medics and vets to look at control of zoonoses with a "One Medicine" approach. Participants will be able to understand how this approach can ultimately benefit both the individual and the group.
During this session, participants will be able to:
Explore the different drivers for surveillance and evolutionary analyses of influenza A viruses in animals and how we assess pandemic risk
Understand how the cattle industry has succeeded and failed (both nationally and internationally) with compulsory and regulated disease control programmes such as FMD and TB, compared to voluntary schemes such as BVD and Johnes
Appreciate the lessons learned for the management of Coronavirus in the human population
A brief description of the virus and the family coronavirus members (mainly animal members)
The comparative view of the pathogenesis in respective hosts caused by these viruses and the lessons that can be learnt from them to inform knowledge on COVID-19
A CPD certificate with 2 CPD credits will be issued to those joining the webinar live as well as those who watch the recording afterwards. Certificates will be issued 7 days after the webinar to those who watch it live and after 30 days for those that watch the recording.
Join in the conversation online using #RSMLive
Registration for this webinar will close 2 hours prior to the start time. You will receive the webinar link 2 hours before the meeting. Late registrations will not be accepted.
Webinar recordings will be available for registered delegates up to 30 days after the live webinar, via Zoom. The link will be sent 24 hours after the webinar takes place.
This webinar will be recorded and stored by the Royal Society of Medicine and may be distributed in future on various internet channels.
Dr Dick Sibley
Veterinary Surgeon, West Ridge Veterinary Practice
Professor Javier Guitian
Professor of Veterinary Public Health, The Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Speaker's biography
Professor Guitian is an epidemiologist working on animal diseases that are transmissible to humans or compromise food safety. His work integrates data generation through epidemiological studies in livestock and human populations and data analytics.
His current areas of research include brucellosis control in West Africa, prevention of milk-borne disease in India, epidemiology of MERS-CoV in camels and humans in Jordan and Covid-19 control in food markets in Peru and Bolivia.
He is a member of the Royal Veterinary College's Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, which acts as Reference Centre in Veterinary Epidemiology of the FAO and, jointly with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, as OIE Collaborating Centre in Risk Analysis and Modelling. Professor Guitian also acts as part-time consultant epidemiologist to APHA.
Professor Joe Brownlie
Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Pathology, Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Professor Nicola Lewis
Professor of One Health Evolutionary Biology, Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Dr David Danson, President Elect, Comparative Medicine Section, Royal Society of Medicine
The Coronavirus family – is COVID 19 a typical member?
Professor Joe Brownlie, Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Pathology, Royal Veterinary College
Infectious disease control and management in populations
Dr Dick Sibley, Veterinary Surgeon, West Ridge Veterinary Practice
Characterising influenza: A virus evolution from a One Health standpoint – towards protecting human and animal health
Professor Nicola Lewis, Professor of One Health Evolutionary Biology, Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Zoonotic disease control in low resource settings, the case of brucellosis
Professor Javier Guitian, Professor of Veterinary Public Health, Royal Veterinary College, University of London
End of webinar
Disclaimer: All views expressed in this webinar are of the speakers themselves and not of the RSMnor the speaker's organisations.
Special rates for difficult times
The RSM wishes to offer healthcare professionals continued learning opportunities during the coronavirus pandemic. The RSM's COVID-19 online events are available free of charge, while there will be small charges to register for other online education. These fees will enable the RSM to continue its programme of activities and will apply during the course of the pandemic.
Mon 19 Oct 2020 from 1:25pm
SARS CoV 2: Emergence to impact - Part 1
Join us to gain a holistic understanding of SARS CoV 2 with the help of expert considerations on issues from its emergence through to global challenges, coordination of healthcare delivery, and clinical impact.
Price £10 - £40
Tue 20 Oct 2020 from 1:25pm
For the second part of this two-parts webinar series, we will continue to take a holistic approach in understanding SARS CoV 2. Discussion topics will cover issues, including challenges for first responders, neurological outcomes, intensive care coordination, and surgical risks.
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The RSM has an extensive digital learning and online e-resources platform. As a member you'll enjoy free access to a wealth of online  resources, including 5,000 subscription and open access e-journals, 2,000 e-books and 5 key medical databases, to support your clinical decision-making and research.

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Engineering and work practice controls are the first line of defense against formaldehyde hazards. For instances where engineering and work practice controls cannot reduce employee exposure, respirators and personal protective equipment (PPE) are used. The following references provide possible solutions for formaldehyde hazards in the workplace.
Controlling Formaldehyde Exposures During Embalming. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Publication No. 98-149, (October 1998). Describes a local exhaust ventilation system for controlling exposures during embalming.
Formaldehyde. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Workplace Safety and Health Topics Page.


IITM Notification 2019.Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology has released a notification for the recruitment of Project Scientist D & C and Junior Scientific Assistant vacancies on short term contract basis.Check the eligiblity and notification prior to apply for the positions.
Qualification: Master Degree/PhD in relevant subject from recognized University.
Age limit: Not exceed 50 years/40 years/35 years.
Selection process: Based on Online test, interview and experience.


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The Tao of Steve
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Welcome to Steve's Personal Blog
Simchat Torah 5758, part Deux: Shabbat in Olomouc
Posted on October 21, 2017 January 3, 2022 by ad6ab
You should have seen it last night! Really, if you could have been there! some ways you're just going to have to trust me on this one but today was an incredibly emotional day. Since some of it took place after Shabbat came in, all you're going to get is my word's-eye-view description. No photos on Shabbat, sorry! At the end of Kabalat Shabbat, last night, in a crowded prayer room crammed to the gills with about 75 people including dozens of guests from overseas (the US and UK) and dozens of members of the Olomouc Jewish Community, its leaders and its members, men, women and children, people whose grandparents are listed on the Memorial Wall just outside the prayer room (including Jocelyn and Doron's relatives), just as we had finished singing Yigdal (led by Doron's very familiar voice), we all turned around as we heard the first strains of SIMAN SIMAN TOV, MAZEL MAZEL TOV
From the back of the room, in came the Olomouc Torah, the Torah PSC hosted for 47 years allocated to us by the Memorial Scroll Trust, and now back in Olomouc for the first time in 78 years!
The Torah came into the Olomouc Prayer Room in, in Rabbi Corey's hands. Dozens of community members' hands reached out to touch it. One gentleman kissed it and there was one, maybe, two laps around the room, up both aisles and around to the women's section in the back (Olomouc's practice is Orthodox) before the Ark was opened and the scroll was placed inside to await the final repairs on Sunday at the hands of our Sofer, Rabbi Moshe Druin.
The Torah was wrapped in the familiar blue covering that many members of our community lovingly crafted years ago. This cover will be returned to PSC and new vestments from the Olomouc community will be placed on it.
Speaking of Rabbi Druin, I happened to be sitting next to him during services and just as the services were concluded, he confided to me that this was a very emotional moment for him. I suppose working on this project for the last 6-8 months had an impact? Maybe surviving Hurricane Irma with it last month had something to do with it? But I suspect it had a lot to do with the historic moment that we had just witnessed. A Torah Scroll written approximately 200 years ago in this community, a survivor of the Nazi persecutions that nearly wiped out this community and those of hundreds of Jewish communities in the area. A scroll that survived the Czech Communist regime. A scroll, the Memorial Scrolls Trust deeded to PSC and that sat in a place of honor in our Aron Kodesh for 47 years. (A scroll that I had the honor to read from before we determined that it was ritually unfit and needed significant repairs). A scroll that had been carried 9000 kilometers in planes, trains and automobiles over the past 3 days, half-way around the world (I know, I pitched in) and had now been returned to its ancestral home, to stay. Take that in for a second… Realize that THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE!
WHAT A MOMENT!
Location Komenského 7, Olomouc, Czech Republic (the Jewish Community Center of Olomouc)
Latitude 49.60 Longitude 17.26
KM to Olomouc 0! Mission Accomplished!
But wait, there's more!
Friday morning at the Kehilah at Rosh Hodesh "Mar Cheshvan" morning Minyan our own Cantor Doron had the honor of being asked to be the Shaliach Tzibur. Pretty Cool huh? That's the same community where Jocelyn's ancestors made their lives and where their children and grandchildren now thrive. If you come on the Congregational Trip this Spring to Olomouc, you'll be (to quote Hamilton, or Aaron Burr, really) "In the room where it happens"
Doron doing Hallel in Olomouc
Here's a little bit from the Live Stream I recorded on Friday morning. Watch as much or as little as you want but see if you agree that there was something special hearing the unique PSC Ruach given voice by members of our congregation in a Jewish community 9000 Kilometers from our own. Got goose bumps yet? I certainly did, and I don't think I am violating any confidences if I say that Ron Mester said exactly the same thing at dinner on Friday night.
But wait, there's STILL more!
On Friday afternoon before Shabbat, some of us rented a bus and took a trip about 40 miles outside of Olomouc to a small town called Lostice, a town of about 3,000 people, where town historian and director of the Respect and Tolerance program in Lostice, Ludek Stipl, met us at the former Lostice synagogue and told us about his work teaching tolerance and respect to youth from around the community.
The building itself is not a synagogue at present but has many of the trappings of a synagogue. The building's occupants were deported to Terezín in 1942 as the stolpersteins outside indicate. There's no Jewish community left to speak of in the area but Ludek has turned this building into a demonstration site and an educational institution to teach the youth in the area to love and respect everyone, even those different from him. There is a small cemetery outside of Lostice established in the 17th century with hundreds of tombstones of members of the community. We walked around on a foggy "Washington Irving-esque" afternoon and took in the sights.
As if I needed anything more. I had the unique honor of layning (Reading Torah) this morning from from Parshat Noach, taking the yad from the Chief Rabbi of the Czech Republic, Karol Sidon (who passed it to me after reading the preceding three aliyot).
Just after Shabbat Services ended and before we were headed to a festive Kiddush Lunch with the community (pretty good, even by PSC standards), a gentleman named Peter Briess from London grasped my hand and wished me a "Gut Shabbes" and a "Yasher Koach" on my Torah reading and told me he was old enough to remember the scroll as a child growing up in the Olomouc Synagogue before the Nazis destroyed it….78 years ago and now coming full circle….Wow! (Peter came all the way from London to be with us on this beautiful occasion.)
And now for some reason I'm sitting in my hotel room waking up from my Shabbat nap, listening to the Saturday afternoon church bells pealing through Olomouc from the surrounding churches when who should be looking down on me? A stone sculpture of the late Pope John Paul 2. It sits on a wall of the ecclesiastical college across the street. How's that for random? I am told JP2 spent significant time in Olomouc and was responsible for opening up a hugely important Olomouc library filled with rare books and manuscripts.
OK, now off to Seudah Shlishit. What could be in store for me now? 🙂
Asked and answered! We ran into the Israeli Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Daniel Meron (@AmbMeron) at the exhibition space where they were talking about the history or the Olomouc community and the Beit Knesset that was burned by the Nazis in 1939
But wait, there's still STILL more.
Enjoy a clip from Havdalah and a brief tour of the Olomouc synagogue (You don't want to miss this. It's great!!) Look at all the really old scrolls and some of their history including some Kabalistic Era Scrolls.
and also a Making plans for Sunday's final completion of the repairs and a nighttime walk back to the Hotel through the streets of Olomouc
I'm hungry…It's time for dinner now! Another eating event! Oh boy!
I hope you're liking my "word's eye view" of this weekend's events!
Lostice Update: August, 2019
I made the acquaintance of Rabbi Bruce Elder, spiritual leader on Congregation Hakafa in Glencoe, IL. His congregation was the one that had the connection to Ludek Stipl's "Respect and Tolerance" organization in Lostice that we visited while we were in Olomouc before Shabbat.
In 2005, Rabbi Elder's Congregation was in contact with Stan Canter (nephew of the founder of Canter's Deli in LA) who happened to be one of the financial sponsors of Ludek's organization. In 2005, Rabbi Elder's congregation visited Lostice for the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish community there.
Rabbi Elder's community has had a 350-year-old Czech Scroll (MST#753) since 1984 from a school outside of Lostice. It is used on Yom Kippur and for B'nai Mitzvah ceremonies in his community.
Remember, the Bat Mitzvah Ludek mentioned? Well it was a young girl from Rabbi Elder's congregation.
"In August 2016, Hakafa member, Morissa Lambert, traveled with her family/friends and Rabbi Elder to Lostice with the Torah. There, Morissa became the first Bat Mitzvah ever to take place in Lostice."
The occasion would mark the first worship service held in the Lostice synagogue in more than 60 years.
Rabbi Elder recounted that one of the amazing moment of their Bat Mitzvah trip was that they used a prayer book written by Fanny Neuda, (the daughter of a Moravian rabbi of Lostice) written in 1865 called Hours of Devotion: Fanny Neuda's Book of Prayers for Jewish Women
Written in the nineteenth century, rediscovered in the twenty-first, timeless in its wisdom and beauty, Hours of Devotion by was the first full-length book of Jewish prayers written by a woman for women.
Some 150 people-mostly non-Jews from the town, but a few Jews from surrounding areas- turned out to greet them at the town hall, where the mayor and community leaders waited. In addition, a handful of Jews from Prague, 80 miles away, had heard about the event and traveled to Lostice to be a part of it. The crowd traveled with the Hakafa delegation through the streets of the city to the synagogue, where the Torah was placed in the Ark for the first time since the late 1930s.
Posted in TorahTagged Olomouc
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Free Agents who could Really Impact 2014 NFL Futures Bets
Posted on March 11, 2014 by Leo
If you're into making NFL futures bets, some experts suggest that you do it as early in the offseason as possible to get good value before lines shift. However, if you're somebody who likes to wait and see how free agency impacts teams' odds of winning the Super Bowl, this is never a bad decision either. Keeping in mind that some players have already been re-signed or franchise tagged, let's look at some game-changing free agents who are still on the market this year and where they might go (based on rumors and/or teams actively seeking position upgrades).
1. Michael Vick (possible destinations: NY Jets, San Francisco) – After Vick played in just seven games last year due to injuries/losing his job to Nick Foles, we have to wonder if the 33-year-old's best years are behind him. Still, Vick is a name that stands out in a subpar crop of free agent quarterbacks, and there are plenty of teams that would love to see if he's got one or two good years left.
2. Josh McCown (possible destinations: Chicago, Detroit) – Although it seems like McCown came out of nowhere last year with his 13 TD's and one interception, he's actually been in the league since 2002. At 34, he's even older than Vick, but McCown should still find a few suitors who need a solid backup.
3. Josh Freeman (possible destinations: Oakland, NY Jets) – Between the fiasco in Tampa Bay and his stop in Minnesota, last year was Freeman's worst as a profession. But before this, he was a four-year starter who was having a pretty decent career. Given the fact that Freeman is only 26, somebody will sign him as a backup to compete for the starting role.
1. Ben Tate (possible destinations: Cleveland, NY Giants) – Injuries and a timeshare with Arian Foster have always held Tate back from emerging as a star. But we fully expect him to get a big deal somewhere since he's only 25 and runs a 4.43 forty. Tate could definitely go over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.
2. Knowshon Moreno (possible destinations: NY Giants, Tennessee) – The former first round pick had his best year as a pro with 1,038 rushing yards, 548 receiving yards and 13 total TD's. At 26 years old, he could be a long-term option for many teams. But can he produce the same numbers without Peyton Manning taking the pressure off?
3. Maurice Jones-Drew (possible destinations: NY Jets, Houston) – It took Jones-Drew a while to get going last year, but he did come up with 803 yards and 5 touchdowns on a bad team. Unfortunately, his career is at a decline, but he could still provide some nice power running in a committee.
Wide Receivers
1. Eric Decker (possible destinations: Indianapolis, San Francisco) – With 2,342 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns in the past two seasons, Decker has more than enough on his resume to land a big deal. Much like Moreno, the question now becomes if he'll be able to live up to a big deal without Manning.
2. Julian Edelman (possible destinations: Baltimore, Cleveland) – Last year couldn't have gone any better for Edelman, who stepped in amidst New England's receiver injuries and produced with 105 catches, 1,056 yards and six touchdowns. Now heading into free agency, he's looking at millions of dollars.
3. James Jones (possible destinations: Minnesota, Seattle) – Often playing in a crowded Packers receiving corp, Jones still managed to produce 1,601 yards and 17 touchdowns over the past two years. It's especially impressive that he posted his highest career yardage total last season, despite Aaron Rodgers' lengthy injury layoff.
Garrett Graham (possible destinations: Houston, NY Giants) – Despite all of the quarterback turmoil in Houston, Graham still managed to post 545 yards and five touchdowns on 49 catches – and he only played in 13 games. He heads up an unimpressive crop of unsigned free agent tight ends this offseason.
Defensive Linemen
1. Michael Johnson (possible destinations: Atlanta, Tampa Bay) – After tallying 11.5 sacks in 2012, Johnson had a down season last year when he managed only 3.5 sacks. But at 6'7″ and just 27 years old, Johnson figures to draw tons of attention from teams wanting a tough defensive end – especially now that Greg Hardy is franchise tagged and Michael Bennett re-signed with Seattle.
2. Jason Hatcher (possible destinations: Atlanta, Dallas) – He's 31 right now, but most teams will be concentrating on the 11 sacks he had last season. Hatcher definitely picked the perfect time to have a career year for an otherwise dismal Cowboys defense.
3. Henry Melton (possible destinations: Dallas, Jacksonville) – Melton tore his ACL and only appeared in three games for the Bears. But with just four seasons under his belt, Melton should make a comeback and remain a strong defensive tackle for whichever team signs him.
1. Karlos Dansby (possible destinations: Cleveland, Tennessee) – The 32-year-old Dansby won't fetch any long-term deals. But he's a huge reason why the Cardinals contended for a playoff spot in the brutal NFC West. Don't expect him to score two touchdowns again or even pick off four passes. But do expect him to give the next team that signs him another 100-plus tackles.
2. Brandon Spikes (possible destinations: Buffalo, Cleveland) – After four years in New England, Spikes will probably be taking his run-stopping talents elsewhere. He's racked up 178 combined tackles over the last two years and is still just 26.
3. Shaun Phillips (possible destinations: Green Bay, Tennessee) – 11 seasons in the league and Phillips is still producing. Last year he gave Denver's defense a much-needed boost by tallying 10 sacks. He'll likely go to a Super Bowl contender who's looking to fill a pass-rushing hole.
Defensive Backs/Safeties
1. Aqib Talib (possible destinations: New England, Washington) – Following this offseason, Talib should send the Seahawks a thank you letter for making big cornerbacks so sought after. If the Patriots don't tag him, the 6'1″, 205-pound corner is likely looking at an 8-figure deal.
2. T.J. Ward (possible destinations: Denver, Detroit) – Although he's not the best coverage safety, Ward is a hard-hitter who's great at finishing tackles. If he doesn't re-sign with the Browns, Ward will definitely be highly valued somewhere else.
3. Jairus Byrd (possible destinations: Cleveland, Miami) – Byrd missed the beginning of the season with a foot injury and contract holdout. But in the 11 games that he played, the 27-year-old had a productive year with 48 tackles and four interceptions. Buffalo doesn't seem to be in a hurry to re-sign Byrd, so expect this elite-coverage safety to test the waters.
Posted in NFL News	| Tagged 2014 NFL free agency, 2014 NFL futures bets, Aqib Talib, Ben Tate, Brandon Spikes, Eric Decker, football futures bets, Jairus Byrd, Jason Hatcher, Josh Freeman, Knowshon Moreno, Michael Vick, Peyton Manning	| Leave a reply
2014 Super Bowl Outcome Likely to change Future of NFL Teams
Posted on February 4, 2014 by Leo
In a day and age where NFL teams desperately reach for the next great quarterback while ignoring the rest of their roster, the Seattle Seahawks are an anomaly. Their GM, Joe Schneider, in collaboration with head coach Pete Carroll, took no shortcuts en route to transforming a middling team with no identity into the powerhouse that destroyed Denver 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII.
The league definitely took notice of this spectacle, as Seattle's tall, lengthy corners, Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell, held the Broncos' star-studded receiving corp in check. The league saw safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas make crushing hits whenever Peyton Manning did find his receivers for mostly harmless chunks of yards. They watched as Seattle's pass rushers, Chris Clemons, Cliff Avril and Red Bryant, completely took one of history's greatest quarterbacks out of his comfort zone. They witnessed the Seahawks' offensive stars, Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, make huge plays whenever they were needed. And now, the league is going to act on what they saw in the 2014 Super Bowl.
You can count on a dozen or more teams working to build a roster that's more akin to Seattle. And this means that defensive players will gain a little more value this offseason. Greg Hardy, T.J. Ward, Aqib Talib and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are all set to make far more money this summer thanks to the Seattle Seahawks.
Teams have already been gravitating towards quarterbacks who can throw on the run. However, guys like Johnny Manziel and Teddy Bridgewater gain even more value in the draft after Wilson helped lead Seattle to a championship. Furthermore, the prototypical height requirement of 6'3″ or taller is diminished because of the 5'11" Wilson.
Running back committees have almost become automatic in this day and age. But when looking at the success Seattle had with a bruising, workhorse back like Lynch and a competent backup in Robert Turbin, getting somebody who can carry the load will be of extreme importance.
The Seahawks have definitely created the template here. And multiple teams will now be hoping to emulate Seattle's roster. Obviously some organizations will fail badly at doing so. Others might achieve the success of San Francisco and Carolina, which are both very similar to Seattle. But will anybody be able to reach the heights that the Seahawks did this year? Or will it be the team from the Pacific Northwest repeating again as champs? You can bet that this will be a busy offseason as teams try to prevent the latter from happening again.
Posted in NFL News	| Tagged 2014 Super Bowl, Andrew Luck, Aqib Talib, Byron Maxwell, Denver Broncos, Earl Thomas, Greg Hardy, Johnny Manziel, Kam Chancellor, Marshawn Lynch, Pete Carroll, Richard Sherman, Robert Turbin, Seahawks GM John Schneider, Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl XLVIII	| Leave a reply


It is year six of my Fauntleroy Trillium watching and documenting. Just a small science project that makes me smile every year.
I knew it was looking good since I saw flowers in some of the remote spots along the way to the big patch. As I rounded the bend the few that grew along the trail were there!
Then there is the patch of 2018. Not too shabby.
Check out 2017's photo to see how they are doing.
As I wound around the trail to the next batch I have been tracking I ran into a troop of happy Easter celebrators. They had a party in the grass area of the park and were in a great uplifting mood.
I was able to share with them the story of the Wake Robin (aka Trillium).
Here is what the bouquet looks like this year.
And of course here is last years.
This year the salmon-berries were shedding petals which I captured in a trillium close up. Nothing like nature to show us how it is done.
Want to see more about these two patches? Here is a link to my 2016 post showing photos from 2012.


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From James Lovell
The Foreign Affairs Committee to the Commissioners, 14 May 1778 Continental Congress, Foreign Affairs Committee Lee, Richard Henry Lovell, James First Joint Commission at Paris JA The Foreign Affairs Committee to the Commissioners, 14 May 1778 Continental Congress, Foreign Affairs Committee Lee, Richard Henry Lovell, James First Joint Commission at Paris Adams, John
Gentlemen No. 7 York Town May 14th: 1778
Our Affairs have now a universally good appearance. Every thing at home and abroad seems verging towards a happy and permanent period. We are preparing for either War or Peace; for altho we are fully perswaded that our Enemies are wearied beaten and disappoint in despair, yet we shall not presume too much on that belief, and the rather, as it is our fixt determination to admit no terms of Peace, but such as are fully in character with the dignity of Independant States and consistent with the Spirit and intention of our alliances on the Continent of Europe.
We believe, and with great reason too, that the honor and fortitude of America, have been rendered suspicious, by the Arts, intrigues and specious misrepresentations of our Enemies. Every proceeding and Policy of ours has been tortured to give some possible colouring to their assertions of a doubtful disposition in America as to her perseverance in maintaining her Independance; and, perhaps, the Speeches of several of the Minority in both houses of the English Parliament, (who seemed to persist in the possibility of a reconciliation), might contribute towards that Suspicion. We, at this time, feel ourselves particularly 117happy in being able to show, from the accidental arangement of Circumstances, such as we could neither have policy to foresee, or power to alter, that the disposition of America on that head was fixt and final. For a proof of this we desire your attention to the following.
The English Ministry appear to have been very industrious in getting their two conciliatory Bills, (even before they had been once read) over to America as soon as possible, the reason of which haste we did not then foresee, but the arrival of your dispatches since, with the Treaties have unriddled the Affair. General Howe was equally industrious in Circulating them by his emissaries thro' the Country; Mr. Tryon at N. York did the same, and both those Gentlemen sent them under sanction of a flag to Genl. Washington, who immediately sent the first he received to Congress. Mr. Tryon's Letter which covered them, and General Washington's answer thereto, you will find in Hall's and Seller's Gazette printed at Yorktown April 24 May 2d.1
Those Bills are truly unworthy the attention of any National Body; but lest the Silence of Congress should be misunderstood, or furnish the Enemy with New Ground for false insinuation, they were instantly referred to a Committee of Congress, whose judicious and spirited report thereon was unanimously approved by the House April 22d and published and circulated thro' the several States with all possible expedition.
The dispatches in charge of Mr. Dean did not arrive till the Second of May, ten eight days after the said reports were published; and his expedition in bringing the dispatches to Congress, prevented any Intelligence arriving before him.2 Inclosed are the reports referred to, to which we recommend your attention in making them as public as possible in Europe, prefacing them with such an explanatory detail of Circumstances as shall have a tendency to place the Politics of America on the firm basis of National honor, Integrity and fortitude.3
We admire the true Wisdom and dignity of the Court of France, in, her part of, the Construction and Ratification of those Treaties; they have a powerful and effectual tendency to dissolve that narrowness of mind which Mankind have been too unhappily bred up in. In those treaties we see the Politician founded on the Philosopher, and harmony of Affections made the ground work of mutual Interest. France by her open Candor has won us more powerfully than any reserved treaties could 118possibly bind us, and at a happy Juncture of Times and Circumstances laid the seeds of an eternal friendship.
It is from an anxiety of preserving inviolate this cordial union so happily begun, that we desire your particular attention to the 11th and 12th Articles in the Treaty of Amity and Commerce.4 The unreserved Confidence of Congress in the good disposition of the Court of France will sufficiently appear by their having unanimously ratified those treaties, and then trusted any alterations or amendments to mutual negociation afterwards. We are apprehensive that the general and extensive tenor of the 12th Article may in future be misunderstood, or rendered inconvenient and or impracticable, and, in the end, become detrimental to that friendship we wish ever to exist; To prevent which, you will herewith receive instructions and authority for giving up on our Part the whole of the 11th. Article proposing it as a Condition to the Court of France, that they, on their part, give up the whole of the 12th Article, those two being intended as reciprocal Ballances to each other.
It is exceedingly distressing to Congress to hear of Misconduct in any of the Commanders of Armed Vessels under the American flag. Every authentic information you can give on this head will be strictly attended to and every Means taken to punish the Offenders and make reparation to the Sufferers. The Chief consolation we find in this disagreeable business, is, that the most Experienced States have not always been able to restrain the Vices and irregularities of Individuals. Congress has published a Proclamation for the more effectually suppressing and punishing such Practices. But we are rather inclined to hope that as the line of Connection and friendship is now Clearly Marked and the minds of the Seamen relieved thereby from that unexplainable Mystery respecting their real prizes which before embarrassed them, that such irregularities will be less frequent or totally cease; to which end, the Magnificent Generosity of the Court of France to the owners of the Prizes which "for reasons of State" had been given up will happily contribute.5 We are, Gentlemen, Your Obt. Humble Servts.,
Richard Henry Lee James Lovell
RC (PPAmP: Franklin Papers); docketed: "Comtee. foreign Affairs May 14. ans. July 29 1778." See also a Tr of a copy probably sent to the Foreign Ministry because of the information it contained on the American reaction to the conciliatory bills, the ratification of the Franco-American treaties, and the regulation of the privateers (Arch. Aff. Etr., Paris, Corr. Pol., Espagne, vol. 590).
119 1.
For a discussion of the conciliatory bills, the efforts of Gen. Howe and Gov. Try on to circulate them, and the congressional committee report on them, see James Lovell to JA, 29 April and note 2 (above). In that letter Lovell gave the text of Washington's reply to Tryon and probably enclosed the Pennsylvania Gazette — "Hall's and Seller's Gazette"—of 24 April, which contained the text of the bills as circulated by Howe.
For Simeon Deane's arrival in America and subsequent journey to York, Penna., see his letter to the Commissioners of 16 April and note 1 (above).
Probably a reference to the congressional committee's report on the conciliatory bills mentioned above, which the Committee for Foreign Affairs wished to have published in Europe. The plural "reports" is probably used in regard to the various sections of that report, but may also refer to multiple copies of the report being sent to the Commissioners.
Notification to the Commissioners of the congress' ratification of the Franco-American treaties on 4 May was delayed because of the difficulty in obtaining a secure means to transmit the treaties to Europe and the need to make copies of the documents. Although the treaties were initially approved without reservation, apprehensions about the effect of Arts. 11 and 12, both dealing with the West Indian trade, led the congress to resolve on 5 May that the two articles should be deleted ( JCC , 11:457, 459–460; Miller, ed., Treaties , 2:10–11; see also Jonathan Trumbull to the Commissioners, 29 May, note 1, below).
The decision of the congress, motivated by the belief that the two articles were not reciprocal, can be traced to the divergence between the provisions of the Plan of Treaties of 1776 and the terms of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. In the treaty plan, Arts. 12 and 13 dealt with the West Indies, the first prohibiting higher export duties on the produce of the West Indies sent to the United States than were laid on that destined for France; and the second removing any duties on molasses exported from the West Indies to the United States. The instructions to the American negotiators provided, however, that the two articles could be waived because "France was unlikely to accept the equality in colonial trade proposed in Art. 12, and there were uncertainties about Art. 13" (vol. 4:293 and note 5).
As the congress expected, France refused to accept Art. 12 of the treaty plan, but did agree to Art. 13, which was incorporated into the Treaty of Amity and Commerce as Art. 11. In return, France insisted on inserting, as Art. 12 of the treaty, the provision that Frenchmen would pay no export duties on goods sent from the United States for the use of the French islands (Miller, ed., Treaties , 2:10–11). This concession was unacceptable because, according to a portion of the congressional resolve of 5 May that was deleted during the debate, "dissentions" might result from the right of France to levy export duties on West Indian produce sent to the United States although the United States could not do the same for American produce sent to the French islands ( JCC , 11:459–460). Since Art. 12 was the quid pro quo for Art. 11, it was necessary that both be removed.
A more explicit objection than was contained in this letter or the resolution of 5 May appeared in a letter from the Committee for Foreign Affairs, Instruction No. 8, of 15 May (PPAmP: Franklin Papers; Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 2: 582–584). In that letter Lovell and R. H. Lee stated that "in addition to what is mentioned in our Letter No. [7] respecting the 11th and 12 Articles we observe that the 12th is capable of an interpretation and misuse, which was probably not thought of at the Time of Constructing it, which is, that it opens a door for all or a great part of The Trade of America to be carried thro the french Islands to Europe, and puts all future regulations out of our Power, either of Imposts or Prohibition, which tho' We might never find our Interest to use, yet it is by keeping those in our Power, that will hereafter enable us to preserve equality with, and regulate the Imposts of The Countries we trade with. The General Trade of France is not under the like restriction; Every Article on our part being Staked against the Single Article of Molasses on theirs—Therefore the Congress thinks it more liberal and Consistent that both Articles should be expunged."
Although not stated, the desire to avoid sectional conflict may have been an additional reason for the deletion of the arti-120cles. Because Art. 11 was almost identical to Art. 13 of the Plan of Treaties, it would likely have been acceptable if Art. 12 of the French Treaty had not been included, for while it favored the molasses-importing states, notably New England, it did not adversely affect the other colonies. Art. 12, however, altered the situation because it prevented those colonies exporting goods to the West Indies, mainly the middle and southern colonies which were sources of foodstuffs, from imposing export duties and thus regulating trade.
France agreed to the American proposal, and on 2 Nov. declarations, which were formally dated 1 Sept., were exchanged deleting Arts. 11 and 12 from the Treaty of Amity and Commerce. For the declarations and the effect that the deletion of the two articles had on the numbering of the remaining articles, see Miller, ed., Treaties , 2:32–34. See also the Commissioners to the Committee for Foreign Affairs, 29 July (below).
The proclamation of 9 May, mentioned above, was intended to prevent incidents such as Gustavus Conyngham's capture of the French brig Graciosa in 1777 and the Swedish brig Honoria Sophia in 1778 and stemmed from a report on illegal seizures by American armed vessels, that is, privateers, contained in a letter of 30 Nov. 1777 from the Commissioners that the Committee for Foreign Affairs had received on 2 May ( JCC , 11:486; Cruises of Conyngham, ed. Neeser, p. xl, xliii–xlv, prize list facing p. 152; Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 2:433–436; see also Evans, Nos. 16121, 16122). It required American privateers to observe the "rights of neutral powers and the usage and custom of civilized nations" and prohibited the seizure of vessels belonging to allies of the United States, unless carrying contraband or enemy soldiers, as well as those of the enemy located within the territorial waters of a neutral state and thus enjoying the protection of that nation.
The Committee clearly believed that the proclamation of 9 May and the ratification of the Franco-American treaties would produce a fundamental change in the future operations of American privateers. They would be able to operate more freely because of the clear definition of what constituted a lawful prize and the removal of the hindrance posed by French regulations, even if only pro forma, designed to prevent a premature rupture between England and France. In other words, neutral ships would no longer be taken and there would be no repetition of the incident in which the Harwich packet Prince of Orange and the brig Joseph, both taken by Gustavus Conyngham in May 1777, were returned to their British owners in response to a sharp protest by the British ambassador in Paris against the blatant use of French ports by American privateers at a time when France was ostensibly a friendly power, bound by the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht which prohibited such practices ( Cruises of Conyngham , p. xxx–xxxii).
The Committee's conclusion was further supported by the arrival, on 2 May, of a letter from the Commissioners dated 28 Feb. 1778. The Commissioners reported that the French government had agreed to pay 400,000 livres to the owners of the privateers Boston and Hancock to compensate them for the seizure and return to their English owners, "for Reasons of State," of two British West Indiamen. While the seizure was ostensibly the result of a false declaration of origin (the prizes were said to be from St. Eustatius), it was, in reality, apparently the result of too much talk on the part of the privateer captains, Babson and Hendricks, which forced the hand of the French government (Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. , 2:507–509; Deane Papers , 2:110, 216). Silas Deane later stated, in his defense before Congress, that the compensation to the owners of the Boston and Hancock amounted to 450,000 livres and resulted solely from the efforts of Le Ray de Chaumont and himself ( Deane Papers , 3:169).


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text:
Coblyn v. Kennedy's, Inc.
359 Mass. 319, 268 N.E.2d 860 (1971)
The law is well settled that any general restraint is sufficient to constitute an imprisonment and any demonstration of physical power which, to all appearances, can be avoided only by submission, operates as effectually to constitute an imprisonment, if submitted to, as if any amount of force had been exercised. If a man is restrained of his personal liberty by fear of a personal difficulty, that amounts to a false imprisonment within the legal meaning of such term.
Plaintiff customer brought an action against defendant store for false imprisonment, after suffering a heart attack shortly after being stopped by a store employee before exiting the store and being escorted to see the manager because he was putting on a scarf taken out of his pocket. After trial, the jury returned a verdict for plaintiff. On appeal, the store alleged that the detention was reasonable under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 231, § 94B, which permitted a merchant to defend a false imprisonment claim by asserting that there were reasonable grounds for believing the person detained was attempting to commit larceny of goods. The court affirmed the decision of the trial court.
Did the evidence show that there were reasonable grounds for the detention?
The court held that the judge properly instructed the jury that grounds for detention were reasonable when there was a basis which would appear to the reasonably prudent, cautious, intelligent person. Applying the standard of reasonable grounds as measured by the prudent man test, the court held that the evidence warranted the conclusion that the store employee was not reasonably justified in believing that the customer was engaged in shoplifting.


What's Valentine's Day without a little sugar? Valentine's Day treats are arguably the best part of the holiday, and they are by no means limited to couples celebrating the holiday. Homemade treats make great classroom favors, gifts for friends, or even a surprise for co-workers. Most treats are also easy to package and send in the mail, making them an ideal gift for long-distance couples or friends. Perhaps the easiest desserts to make are no-bake cookies, which require zero time in the oven and are absolutely gorgeous. If you're pressed for time and can't make it to the grocery store, consider whipping up some chocolate bark, which can be studded with any type of candy, dried fruit, or nut that you already have in your kitchen. Still hanging onto candy canes from Christmas? By placing them hook to hook and tail to tail, you can form a heart-shaped pattern that works beautifully as a cupcake topper.


The Complainant is Stadtgemeinde Schladming of Schladming, Austria, represented by Held Berdnik Astner & Partner Rechtsanwalte GmbH, Austria.
The Respondent is TIS GmbH, Tiscover AG of Innsbruck, Austria, represented by Wolf Theiss Rechtsanwalte GmbH, Austria.
The disputed domain name <schladming.com> is registered with Ascio Technologies Inc. - Denmark.
The Complaint was filed with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center (the "Center") on October 21, 2009. On October 26, 2009, the Center transmitted by email to Ascio Technologies Inc. - Denmark a request for registrar verification in connection with the disputed domain name. On October 27, 2009, Ascio Technologies Inc. - Denmark transmitted by email to the Center its verification response confirming that the Respondent is listed as the registrant and providing the contact details. In response to a notification by the Center that the Complaint was administratively deficient, the Complainant filed an amended Complaint on November 5, 2009. The Center verified that the Complaint together with the amended Complaint satisfied the formal requirements of the Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Policy" or "UDRP"), the Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Rules"), and the WIPO Supplemental Rules for Uniform Domain Name Dispute Resolution Policy (the "Supplemental Rules").
In accordance with the Rules, paragraphs 2(a) and 4(a), the Center formally notified the Respondent of the Complaint, and the proceedings commenced on November 6, 2009. In accordance with the Rules, paragraph 5(a), the due date for Response was November 26, 2009. The Response was filed with the Center on November 26, 2009.
The Center appointed Christian Gassauer-Fleissner as the sole panelist in this matter on December 4, 2009. The Panel finds that it was properly constituted. The Panel has submitted the Statement of Acceptance and Declaration of Impartiality and Independence, as required by the Center to ensure compliance with the Rules, paragraph 7. The Panel subsequently extended the decision due date.
As indicated in the WhoIs registration records provided in Annex 1 to the Complaint, <schladming.com> was registered on January 14, 1997.
The Complainant holds no registered trademarks incorporating the term "Schladming".
The Complainant is the "Commune of Schladming" ("Stadtgemeinde Schladming"), a legal person under public law of Austria.
The Respondent under the disputed domain name, <schladming.com>, offers (links to) travel-offers to the region of Schladming and provides some information regarding events and travel destinations in the town of Schladming and some general information regarding the region and the town of Schladming.
- the Complainant is an internationally well-known city in Northern Styria in Austria and tourism is one of the city's main sources of income. The name Schladming is very old and can be traced back to the year 1180. In Schladming important events in the future will be the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in 2012 and the FIS Alpine Ski World Championship in 2013.
- the Complainant has rights to the unregistered trademark / service mark SCHLADMING. The Complainant has been using the mark inter alia for administrative services and for providing tourist information services.
- the Complaint is also based on the "geographic term", namely "Schladming".
- furthermore, the Complaint is based on the personal name "Schladming" as a common law mark and as a protected name under Austrian law.
- the Respondent uses the mark SCHLADMING as a domain name for tourist information and booking services and as a link to its main website under <tiscover.com>. The Respondent's revenues derive from commissions and banner advertisments. The Respondent is not using the disputed domain name bona fide. The Respondent is unable under any circumstances to claim rights to the name of "Schladming" or claim any legitimate interests in respect to the disputed domain name.
- <schladming.com> was registered and is being used by the Respondent in bad faith, because the Respondent is using the domain name to attract Internet users by creating a likelihood of confusion with the Complainant's name of the city as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of the Respondent's website. Furthermore, the Respondent prevents the Complainant from using its individual name.
- the Respondent also has registered several other domain names incorporating famous Austrian travel destinations. This shows that Respondent exploits the prominence of famous travel destinations.
- Schladming is a geographic indication and not a trademark.
- the Complainant did not furnish any evidence that itself uses "Schladming" for actually branding any product or service.
- there exist numerous third parties that provide goods and / or services in relation to the town of Schladming, also using domain names comprising "Schladming".
- the Austrian national law regarding the protection of names is not to be considered under the UDRP.
- the Respondent's logo Tiscover is located on each page under the disputed domain name in the upper left corner and consequently, no Internet user assumes that the disputed domain name is hosted by the municipality of Schladming, i.e. the Complainant. The website and the TLD ".com" identify the website as one of a commercial online trip-advisor.
- the Respondent therefore is making a legitimate fair use of the domain name.
The Complainant admits not to be holder of a registered trademark incorporating the term "Schladming".
For a Complaint to succeed, the UDRP requires the Complainant to demonstrate that it has rights in a trademark or service mark. The Complainant, however, is not the holder of any registered trademark or service mark.
According to very well-established UDRP precedents, if evidence is provided that an unregistered sign has been intensively used as an indication of the source of goods or services supplied in trade or commerce and that the sign has become distinctive of that source (which means that it has obtained secondary meaning) such unregistered sign can be considered as a trademark or service mark in terms of paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy.
Also personal names, which function as trademarks, can be protected under the UDRP. This applies especially to famous personal names, e.g. Julia Roberts, Jaenette Winterson, Michael Chrichton, etc, but also other personal names. In such cases it is generally necessary to show use of that name as an indication of the source of goods or services supplied in trade or commerce and that, as a result of such use, the name has become distinctive of that source.
Although the Complainant argues to have rights regarding the "personal name" of "Schladming", the sign actually is a geographic designation regarding a region in Styria, specifically the name of a municipality. Consequently, Schladming is not a "personal name" in terms of international intellectual property rights.
The international intellectual property instrument that this Panel finds most relevant to the discussion of the protection of country names and names of municipalities is the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (Convention). Article 6ter of the Convention provides for the protection of certain state-related symbols against their registration and use as trademarks. The Convention does not, however, expressly mention country names or names of municipalities: A textual comparison between subparagraphs 1(a) and 1(b) of Article 6ter and the preparatory work for the Geneva Diplomatic Conference on the Revision of the Paris Convention show that country names and names of municipalities shall not be protected by the Paris Convention.
Consequently, as this Panel sees it, any protection offered in the gTLDs to country names, as well as any other place names and names of municipalities, as such, would amount to the creation of new international law, at least from the international intellectual property law perspective. This is a concern that the Panel finds reflected in the "Report of the Second WIPO Internet Domain Name Process".
Therefore, in view of all of the above, this Panel finds that the Complainant has not proved trademark rights in the name "Schladming" in the terms of paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy and the Complaint therefore has to be dismissed on that ground1.
As the Complaint has to be dismissed on the (formal) ground that the Complainant does not have trademark rights in the terms of paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy, the Panel does not have to deal with this point.
As the Complaint has to be dismissed based on paragraph 4(a)(i) of the Policy, the Panel does not have to deal with this point.
1 The UDRP is intended solely for a limited class of cases, those involving evidenced rights in trademarks, service marks and – under certain circumstances – personal names, but not cases regarding rights in names of municipalities or regions (cf the "Report of the Second WIPO Internet Domain Name Process").
This decision neither is intended to limit nor should it be interpreted to limit other remedies available to Complainant in seeking judicial recourse.


text:
Curgeți, lacrimile mele, zise polițistul (1974) (titlu original Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said, parodiat drept The Android Cried Me a River în VALIS) este un roman science fiction de Philip K. Dick. Narațiunea îl urmărește pe un celebru cântăreț și star de televiziune, îmbunătățit genetic, care se trezește într-o lume în care el nu exista. Cadrul romanului este o distopie futuristă, în care Statele Unite au devenit un stat polițienesc în urma unui al doilea Război Civil. A fost nominalizat la premiul Nebulaîn 1974, premiul Hugo în 1975 și a primit premiul John W. Campbell Memorial pentru cel mai bun roman science fiction în 1975.

Intriga

Instituțiile democratice ale Statelor Unite au colapsat în urma unui al doilea Război Civil. Garda Națională ("nații") și forțele de poliție ("polii") au restabilit ordinea prin intermediul unei dictaturi în fruntea căreia se află un "Director". Rezistența în fața regimului este concentrată în campusurile universitare, în care foștii studenți își duc existența în kibuțuri. Folosirea drogurilor este larg răspândită și vârsta de la care se poate exprima consimțământul a fost coborâtă la 12. Majoritatea deplasărilor se fac cu ajutorul avioanelor personale, ceea ce permite acoperirea unor distanșe mari într-un timp scurt.

Romanul începe cu protagonistul, Jason Taverner, un cântăreț care este gazda propriei emisiuni de televiziune, cu o audiență de 30 de milioane de telespectatori. Invitatul special al emisiunii este iubita lui, cântăreața Heather Hart. Amândoi sunt Rang Șase - membrii ai unei clase elitiste de oameneni modificați genetic. După plecarea din studio, Taverner primește un telefon de la o fostă iubită, care-i cere s-o viziteze. Când Taverner sosește în apartamentul ei, îl atacă cu ajutorul unei forme extraterestre parazite. Bărbatul reușește să-și îndepărteze din corp doar o parte din organismul parazit, dar este salvat de Hart și dus la un spital.

Taverner se trezește în dimineața următoare într-un hotel amărât, fără acte de identitate. În liăsa acestora, trecerea prin numeroasele puncte de control ale poliției care împânzesc orașul va determina încarcerarea sa într-un lagăr de muncă forțată. După o serie de telefoane care-i dovedesc că niciunul dintre prietenii săi nu-l cunoaște, este nevoit să ceară ajutorul recepționistului hotelului, care îl duce la Kathy Nelson, o fată care se ocupă cu fabricarea actelor de identitate false. Fata lucrează, în același timp, pentru poliție, dar îi promite lui Taverner să nu-l dea de gol, cu condiția să petreacă o noapte cu ea. După ce se convinge că actele ei pot trece fără probleme de punctele de control, Taverner se trezește față în față cu Inspectorul McNulty, care l-a reperat prin intermediul unui cip implantat de recepționerul hotelului. Fosta vedetă este chemată la secție pentru a i se stabili identitatea.

Acolo, McNulty raportează eronat numele omului ca fiind Jason Tavern, ajungând la concluzia că ar fi vorba despre un mecanic de motoare diesel din Wyoming. Taverner îi cântă în strună inspectorului, explicând diferența fizică față de original cu ajutorul chirurgiei estetice. McNulty acceptă explicația și-l eliberează. Până la finalizarea celorlalte verificări de identitate, îi înmânează lui Taverner un permis general, valabil o săptămână. Fosta vedetă pleacă la Las Vegas, unde întâlnește o iubită din tinerețe, Ruth Gomen. Deși nici ea nu-l mai recunoaște, reușește s-o seducă și să ajungă în apartamentul ei. La ordinele Generalului de Poliție Felix Buckman, forțele de poliție îl saltă de acolo și-l aduc la Academia de Poliție din Los Angeles.

Buckman în persoană îl interoghează pe Taverner și își dă seama că acesta nu știe de ce nu pare să existe în acea lume. Cu toate acestea, el suspectează existența unui complot care-i are la bază pe cei de Rang Șase. După ce îi plasează un dispozitiv de urmărire, îl eliberează pe Taverner, care este acostat de Alys Buckman - sora și iubita lui Felix. Alys îi îndepărtează dispozitivul de urmărire și-l invită la casa pe care o împarte cu propriul frate. Pe drum, îi dezvăluie că știe că el este un star de televiziune și-i arată două exemplare ale discurilor lui.

Ajunși la reședința Buckmans, Taverner acceptă oferta lui Alys de a lua mescalină, dar are o reacție violentă la drog. Când o găsește pe Aly întinsă pe podeaua băii - redusă la stadiul de schelet - fuge și apelează la ajutorul lui Mary Anne Dominic, o femeie pasionată de olărit. Alături de ea, universul începe să-și recapete vechea coerență, iar Taverner își descoperă înregistrările sale de succes la tonomatul unei cafenele. Lucrul îl încurajează să încerce din nou să ia legătura cu Heather Hart - care-l recunoaște de data aceasta. Mai mult, îi arată un ziar în care se spune că el ar avea legătură cu moartea lui Alys Buckman.

Autopsia descoperă că moartea femeii a fost cauzată de un drog experimental care deformează realitatea. Fiind o fană a lui Taverner, folosirea de către ea a drogului l-a teleportat pe acesta într-un univers paralel în care acesta nu mai există, iar decesul a readus lucrurile în matca lor. Felix Buckman decide să-l acuze pe Taverner de moartea surorii sale, pentru a distrage atenția opiniei publice de la incest. Un scurt epilog care prezintă destinele personajelor leagă laolalră toate firele tematice ale romanului.

Opinii critice

Criticul de la New York Times, Gerald Jonas, a lăudat romanul, spunând că "Dick explorează cu măiestrie ramificațiile psihologice ale acestui coșmar", dar consideră finalul "o eroare de calcul artistic și un minus major a ceea ce, în rest, s-a dovedit a fi un roman superb".

SF Reviews apreciază că avem de-a face cu "un roman profund uman, care analizează rolurile pe care viața ne cere să le jucăm și felul în care ele mai mult ne împiedică decât ne impulsionează dezvoltarea și capacitatea de a comunica substanțial unul cu celălalt".

Titlu

Titlul face referire la versurile cântecul Flow My Tears al compozitorului din secolul al XVI-lea John Dowland. Citate din piesă deschid fiecare secțiune majoră a romanului, opera lui Dowland fiind menționată în mai multe opere ale lui Dick. Poemul începe astfel:

Curgeți, lacrimile mele, țâșniți de prin izvoare
Exilat pe veci, lăsați-mă să jelesc
În locul unde-a nopții pasăre își ține infama cântare
Uitat în părăsire, lăsați-mă să trăiesc

Interpretarea autorului

În "How to Build a Universe That Doesn't Fall Apart Two Days Later," Dick își amintește cum descrierea unui incident din partea finală a cărții (sfârșitul capitolul 27) către un preot l-a determinat pe acesta să observe o similitudine cu o scenă din Faptele Apostolilor din Biblie. În cartea lui Dick, șeful poliției, Felix Buckman, întâlnește într-o stație de benzină un negru cu care simte o puternică legătură emoțională. După ce-i înmânează acestuia desenul unei inimi străpunse de o săgeată, Buckman își ia zborul, dar se întoarce pentru a-l îmbrățișa pe străin, moment în care cei doi pornersc o conversație prietenească. Încapitolul 8 din Faptele Apostolilor, discipolul Filip întâlnește un eunuc etiopian (negru) care stă într-un car și căruia îi explică un pasaj din Isaia, convertindu-l la creștinism.

Dick își amintește în continuare cum, la opt ani de la scrierea cărții, i-a venit în ajutor unui negru necunoscut care rămăsese fără benzină. După ce i-a dat câțiva bani și a plecat, a revenit și l-a ajutat pe om să ajungă la o stație de benzină. Dick și-a dat seama atunci de asemănarea cu incidentul descris anterior în propria carte (contactul cu un negru necunoscut și reîntoarcerea la el).

Dick a mai povestit și despre o experiență neobișnuită avută în vis în perioada în care lucra la carte și despre cum a simțit că trebuia s-o introducă în text. Peste ani, rememorând coincidența biblică trăită după publicarea romanului, a ajuns să-și interpreteze visul ca o cheie care permitea înțelegerea adevăratului mesaj al poveștii, afirmând:

Adaptări

Scenă
Mabou Mines a prezentat premiera mondială a adaptării de teatru după Curgeți, lacrimile mele, zise polițistul la Boston Shakespeare Theatre, în perioada 18-30 iunie 1985. Piesa a avut parte de opinii amestecate, dar a beneficiat de relatări ample în mass media din Boston. Linda Hartinian, prietenă cu Dick, a adaptat romanul pentru teatru, realizat decorurile, a interpretat-o pe Mary Ann Dominic și a citit textul din 1981 al lui Dick, "Tagore Letter", la finalul reprezentației.

Boston Phoenix a citat-o pe Hartinian în legătură cu subiectul, în cadrul unui interviu luat înaintea începerii piesei: "[Dick] a fost o persoană pe care am admirat-o și știu că întotdeauna și-a dorit ca una dintre operele sale să aibă parte de adaptare teatrală. Într-o zi, când l-am vizitat, a sări din scaun, a înhățat acest manuscris și mi-a zis 'Vreau să-ți dau ceva, dar nu am nimic, așa că îți dau manuscrisul ăsta, care va valora mulți bani într-o zi.'" Phoenix contină: "Era o ciornă din Curgeți, lacrimile mele și, așa cum avea să descopere Hartinian când s-a apucat să adapteze cartea, conținea multe pasaje care fuseseră îndepărtate din textul publicat, inclusiv o discuție legată de modurile de rememorare a scriitorii decedați, care avea să se dovedească profetică. Evident, Hartinian și-a bazat scenariul pe ediția ei privată."

Piesa a fost regizată de Bill Raymond, soțul lui Hartinian. "Am ales Lacrimi ca răspuns la pierderea Lindei", le-a declarat el celor de la Phoenix, "deoarece Curgeți, lacrimile mele este, de fapt, un roman despre mâhnire, jale, nu neapărat despre pierderea identității."

Piesa a fost jucată de către Mabou Mines în Boston și New York, de către Prop Theatre în Chicago și de către Evidence Room  în Los Angeles. Producția celor de la Evidence Room a avut parte de critici pozitive, printre care s-a numărat una de la Los Angeles Times, care afirma că "piesa este un Dick vechi, care oscilează între inventivitate și paranoia".

Film
Pe 1 februarie 2004, Variety a anunțat că Utopia Pictures & Television a achiziționat drepturile de ecranizare pentru trei romane ale lui : Curgeți, lacrimile mele, zise polițistul, VALIS și Radio Free Albemuth. În 2007, Halcyon Company a cumpărat prima opțiune asupra operelor lui Dick, anunțând în mai 2009 că, după Terminator Salvation (2009), intenționează să ecranizeze Curgeți, lacrimile mele, zise polițistul.

O aluzie la carte apare în filmul din 2006 a lui Richard Kelly, Southland Tales, în care un revoluționar underground îmbrăcat în uniformă de poliție (interpretat de Jon Lovitz) spune "Curgeți, lacrimile mele", în timp ce-și împușcă doi rivali. De asemenea, două dintre personajele principale se numesc Roland și Ronald Taverner.

Note

Legături externe

 Cuprins pe site-ul oficial PKD
 Istoria publicării romanului Curgeți, lacrimile mele, zise polițistul pe ISFDB
 Galeria copertelor romanului Curgeți, lacrimile mele, zise polițistul
 Curgeți, lacrimile mele, zise polițistul, recenzie pe The Open Critic
 Curgeți, lacrimile mele, zise polițistul, recenzie pe The SF Site
 Curgeți, lacrimile mele, zise polițistul pe Worlds Without End

Cărți din 1974
Romane științifico-fantastice
Romane de Philip K. Dick
1974 în științifico-fantastic