In this edition of Valuation Insights, we discuss how cybercriminals are increasingly targeting company employees as the entry point from which to launch cyberattacks, and the measures that companies can take to mitigate their risk.
Cybersecurity threats are a reality in today's global business environment. Cyber criminals and nation state threat actors are more disciplined, funded, and educated than ever before. Complex internal systems also present an increased risk from internal threats such as disgruntled employees.
A greater sense of urgency is needed to bolster organizations' security efforts in the face of an ever-changing cyber-threat landscape. Ongoing risk assessments and business workflow assessments consistently point to the one area which has been and always will be the weakest point in any organization: the employees. As such, the "human element" must be considered in cybersecurity preparation as it is usually the key factor in a successful attack. It is critical that all users within organizations are not only made aware of potential risks but are also made aware of ways to avoid, reduce, and escalate any risk that they may encounter within the organization in order to reduce the impact of an attack.
In recent months cyber compromises have hit large retailers, banks, corporations and government agencies - the list of victims grows daily. The one consistent theme across most of these attacks is the way in which cyber criminals were successful in using the end user as the vehicle to compromise the organizations.
Users are targeted because threat actors conduct an immense amount of research on organizations to determine which user can be used as the initial target. In today's digital world everyone has an online presence. This online public presence provides valuable data to threat actors. Data such as who you work for, your role in an organization, and reporting structure can all be found online.
While there is no way to avoid becoming a target, there is a way to reduce the impact of becoming one: training. Training begins in the form of policy and procedure introduction to a firm. Above all else, there needs to be top-down recognition within an organization that cybersecurity is a major area of concern and companies need to take the appropriate measures to mitigate this risk.
What's more, training your users in online practices when they are out of the office is crucial as it prepares users to be aware of vectors of attack. Duff & Phelps works with companies to make users aware of how best to behave online both in and out of the office. In addition to training, our team creates policies and procedures to effectively message the importance of online practices in reducing the risk of cyber threats to your organization.
A cybersecurity training and awareness program should be complemented with the right set of internal controls. The implementation and regular assessment of internal controls can help safeguard against the risks posed by both accidental and malicious employee actions.
Our services include: in-depth reviews of current cybersecurity risk posture and IT infrastructure; governance and compliance arrangements; drafting and implementing customized cybersecurity policies and incident response plans; specific regulatory advice and support on IT and cybersecurity; and cybersecurity staff training.
Preparation: We proactively provide visibility on threats and vulnerabilities within the business workflow of a firm to ensure that resource investment is focused on the high-risk cybersecurity items that could damage firm business.
Response: In the event of a cyber compromise we implement an action plan to successfully restore business operations, respond to investors and regulatory bodies, and communicate accordingly to protect the firm's reputation.Recovery: We develop and implement a plan to restore your business environment as it was pre-compromise, with an inclusive report for investors and regulators on how risks have been addressed, remediated, and threats reduced for future attacks.
The Equity Risk Premium (ERP) changes over time – it is cyclical through the business cycle. Fluctuations in global economic and financial conditions warrant periodic reassessments of the selected ERP. Based on prevailing market conditions, Duff & Phelps increased its U.S. ERP recommendation from 5.0% to 5.5% when developing discount rates as of January 31, 2016 and thereafter. This recommendation will be maintained until such time evidence suggests that equity risk in financial markets has materially changed.
We developed our current ERP recommendation in conjunction with a "normalized" 20-year yield on U.S. government bonds of 4.0% as a proxy for the risk-free rate, implying a 9.5% (= 4.0% + 5.5%) "base" U.S. cost of equity capital estimate at the end of January 2016. Were one to use the spot yield on 20-year U.S. Treasuries of 2.4% as of January 31, 2016 in building a cost of equity estimate, the corresponding ERP would be 7.1% to reflect the difference in the base risk-free rate of 1.6% (= 4.0% - 2.4%).
The ERP is a key input used to calculate the cost of capital within the context of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and other models. Duff & Phelps employs a multi-faceted analysis to arrive at its recommended ERP, which takes into account a broad range of economic and financial markets information, as well as different estimation methodologies.
During 2015, we started seeing some signs of increased risk in financial markets. Concerns that the global economy might be slowing and deflationary pressures troubled investors in 2015. Tumbling oil and other commodity prices reinforced investor anxiety over stagnant growth in the Eurozone and Japan, as well as a deceleration in several emerging-market countries, with a particularly focus on China (considered by many analysts as the engine of growth for the global economy). Global financial markets reacted negatively to these trends in August and September of 2015, but settled down towards year-end.
Early 2016 economic indicators pointed to moderate real growth for the U.S. economy. In recent years, the U.S. economy has been expanding at a modest rate, but generally better than other major developed economies, with risks of recession seemingly tempered. The U.S. employment situation has been improving markedly, while consumer confidence and business sentiment have been generally stable.
On the other hand, inflation has been persistently below the Federal Reserve Bank's (Fed) target of 2.0%. The sharp decline in oil prices since 2014 has put additional pressure in an already very low inflation environment. For perspective, the price of Brent crude oil was at $115/barrel in mid-June 2014; since then prices declined to $38/barrel at the end of 2015, a cumulative 67% decline in the space of a year and a half.
While the evidence was somewhat mixed at December 31, 2015, we saw clear indications that equity risk in financial markets had increased significantly as of January 31, 2016. During January, broad equity indices (e.g., the S&P 500) across the globe suffered significant losses, market volatility spiked, and credit spreads of U.S. high-yield over U.S. investment-grade corporate bonds continued to widen substantially (affecting companies outside the oil and mining sectors).
This led global investors to seek safe-haven investments, such as securities issued by the U.S., Germany, and United Kingdom governments, causing sharp declines in government bond yields for these and similar countries. Despite the fact that in December 2015 the Fed decided to raise U.S. interest rates for the first time since the beginning of the 2008 global financial crisis, financial markets began attaching a lower probability of further increases in the near term.
Duff & Phelps monitors two additional quantitative models as corroboration of the qualitative factors discussed above. Both of these models indicated a higher ERP at the end of January 2016 relative to our prior recommendation issued back in February 2013. Taken together, we found sufficient support for increasing our recommended ERP relative to our previous recommendation. Accordingly, Duff & Phelps recommends a U.S. Equity Risk Premium of 5.5% when developing discount rates as of January 31, 2016 and thereafter, to be used in conjunction with a normalized risk-free rate of 4.0%.
Since early March, financial markets have somewhat stabilized, with volatility decreasing, credit spreads narrowing somewhat, and stock market indices recovering from their low levels of February 2016. Nevertheless, signs of risk aversion remain high, with yields of safe-haven government bonds remaining at depressed levels, and lower than at the end of 2015. At its mid-March 2016 meeting, the Fed decided not to raise interest rates and downgraded its expectations of further hikes in 2016 to just two (from the four predicted back in December). Its decision was partly based on a dimmed view of global economic growth and associated volatility in financial markets.
We do not adjust our recommended ERP until there is clear indication that it has meaningfully changed. While the stock market itself may fluctuate widely at times, we examine several indicators before changing our ERP recommendation. Our clients are generally making long-term investments and need a long-term ERP perspective. Small interim up-or-down changes in ERP indications are inconsistent with a longer-term view.
In July 2013, two years after it hit the EU statute book, the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive was transposed into UK law. Designed to improve the administration, management and marketing of alternative investment funds throughout the EU's 28 member states, the Directive's investor protections present a series of potential compliance problems.
While those challenges are material, the slow pace of transposition at a national level may have lulled some managers into a false sense of security about the willingness of regulators to take enforcement action against funds yet to take steps to comply. This, however, could be a potentially very costly mistake, as regulators are beginning to bare their teeth.
Indeed, the consequences of making insufficient provision on valuation can be severe. Between 2013 and 2015, there were a number of sanctions or settlement agreements between investment managers and the French financial regulator, the Autorité de Marchés Financiers, around valuation shortcomings. Luxembourg's Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) and the UK's FCA have adopted tough standards for investment managers – particularly those who have appointed management companies (ManCos). Inadequacies in valuation processes could potentially result in further action, especially after the FCA publishes the final version of its consultation paper on valuation.
Valuation of assets poses a particular problem. The Directive mandates several layers of conditions for legal valuation and where legal complexity is great, the chances of being found liable are high. For example, the EU legislators have aimed to decrease conflicts of interests and increase transparency within funds. Consequently, the Directive mandates that those valuing assets must be functionally independent from portfolio management, while all policies for valuation have to be procedurally consistent, fully documented and tailored to each asset within the fund.
The question of who is best qualified and placed to value the assets within a fund is extensively addressed within the Directive. Regulators can deem fund managers themselves competent to value fund assets. However, according to strict rules separating the valuation from the investment function, putting in place sufficient governance around valuation is impractical for many managers. Because ManCos, however, are by definition separated from the investment function, establishing independence isn't the problem. The problem for ManCos is in having the breadth and depth of professional expertise to value all of the different types of financial instruments and asset classes that their investment managers may venture into. When the assets held by a fund are illiquid or so called 'hard-to-value' level 3 assets, the problem is dramatically amplified. Hiring external valuers may be an option. This isn't a quick fix, however, as the Directive is clear that these hired hands must be professionally registered and have strong valuation expertise. The underlying assumption throughout these regulations is that only the best asset valuers will do.
ManCos are often intricate vehicles that were growing in popularity even prior to the Directive, as they offered funds a platform for expansion into new territories without the requirement for large local capital investment. With the advent of the Directive, however, they have taken on a new purpose – compliance with Article 15, which requires the risk management functionaries to be separate from the people who actually put money to work.
While ManCos don't interfere with the day-to-day running of a fund, they take a prominent role in corporate governance and often take responsibility for asset valuation. This frequently presents a potential compliance risk, as that valuation service is often not sophisticated enough for the purposes of the Directive. Furthermore, the responsibility for effective valuations remains with the fund, even if it has delegated that function to a ManCo.
AIFMs can ill afford the reputational damage amongst investors that even the mildest regulator action can inflict. Consequently, putting unqualified ManCos in charge of valuation, with no accompanying transfer of responsibility, is a gamble not worth taking.
Those managing an alternative investment fund face both an opportunity and a threat from the Directive. The ability to market throughout Europe is an opportunity many funds will understandably wish to seize. But before they proceed, managers must ensure that they properly comply with the Directive's regulations.
Thorough initial and ongoing operational due diligence when using external valuers is key, as is a deep understanding of the nature of their services. Acting on qualified advice, investment managers and ManCos must decide whether they are competent to undertake valuations themselves, with the support of an independent valuation opinion, or whether they are more suited to a conventional external valuation team. Whichever route they take, they must be able to demonstrate to both investors and regulators that they have taken the decision with compliance, rather than cost or convenience, in mind. The ramifications if they cannot could be grave.
In February of 2015 Duff & Phelps completed the acquisition of American Appraisal Associates, Inc., a global full-service valuation and fixed asset management advisor. The transaction bolstered Duff & Phelps' world-class valuation capabilities, adding professionals in more than 50 offices globally and significantly expanding its geographic footprint in Europe and Asia.
On April 1, 2016, the American Appraisal business was rebranded as Duff & Phelps. The business has been seamlessly integrated into Duff & Phelps' Valuation Advisory Services business unit. The acquisition significantly expanded Duff & Phelps' capabilities in the areas of financial reporting and tax valuation, machinery and equipment valuation, fixed asset management, and property insurance appraisal, among other services. The combined practice provides valuation services, spanning every asset class, delivered with independence and technical rigor.


Outstanding commercial opportunity in the fast developing town of Richlands. This property is located between Highway 24/258 and high traffic Franck Street. A Bojangles franchise has been built on the lot between the property and the highway, and there is also a Verizon store on a nearby adjacent lot. Many other businesses are located near the property and along the highway, including a super Walmart not far from this location. A spacious brick home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and real wood floors is situated on the property and has so much potential! Call today for further information and details!


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Étude : préférences des consommateurs pour la résolution de problèmes
Alors que la pandémie perdure, le recours aux expériences digitales est, pour de nombreux consommateurs, devenu une seconde nature. La plus importante de
Help Site SearchCustomer Service
As the pandemic lingers, relying on digital experiences has become second nature for many consumers. Chief among those is receiving customer support from brands, when physically going into banks, health clinics, and other locations isn't as common. Even before the pandemic, though, consumers were already forming preferences for resolving their support issues — this often meant embracing new, digital tools. To understand these trends further, Yext commissioned a survey* on those preferences — and, in turn, what consumers expect from brands, and what brands stand to gain (or lose).
*Yext surveyed 1,500+ consumers across all genders and ages (18-99) in the US.
Theme #1: Consumers prefer to self-serve, versus directly contacting a company.
85% of respondents say that being able to find information and resolve an issue themselves — versus contacting customer support — is either "very important" or "fairly important"
58% of respondents prefer finding information on a company's website to resolve an issue, versus 40% preferring to contact the company directly
Theme #2: Despite this preference, in reality, calling support teams is the most common practice across a variety of circumstances.
Whether the issue is about financial information, healthcare, a retail purchase, or just general support, calling customer support ranked as the top method over the likes of chat (live or bot), using search engines, navigating the company's website, using the company's help center, and more
This was especially evident with sensitive support issues, as 50% of respondents said that they call customer support for issues related to financial or healthcare services
There's a disconnect between consumers' preferences and behavior — that's because the preferred method of self-serve has let them down too many times.
Theme #3: Consumers want to trust information coming directly from a brand.
When asked how likely they are to trust an answer from a company's website, 93% of respondents said "very likely" or "somewhat likely." See the full breakdown below:
Theme #4: Consumers want smarter, more intuitive help site search from brands.
Theme #4: Investing in help site search can be the difference between losing customers and driving up costs, versus building brand loyalty.
62% of respondents say that they may purchase from a different company because a business could not answer their questions themselves (specifically on their site search) either occasionally, frequently, or very frequently
If site search fails, 21% of respondents say that they'll turn to an external source, while 69% choose a higher-cost channel (e.g. calling, live chat, email, etc.) with that same brand
56% of respondents say that they'll return to the brand (versus a search engine) if the brand previously provided a direct answer to a question
The key takeaway? Consumers want more independence, and brands can only benefit from granting that freedom to address their support issues — as long as it's effective. Investing in your business's website search is a core part of that experience.
To learn more about Yext's Support Answers solution, click here.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


My work has always been inspired by nature: organic forms, shapes, patterns, rhythm, repetition, growth, and regeneration. I'm particularly drawn to tiny details that typically go unnoticed—the fractals of a leaf, the shifting patterns that wind creates on water, the multitude of colors found in a handful of sand. My paintings reference nature indirectly, conjuring images of water, or stone, or flora, without being intentionally representational.


Cleanse the garlic. Prepare a pot with 50% white wine and 50% white vinegar. Add salt and boil. As soon as boiling add the garlic.
let the garlic cook one minute, and, when the time is expired, put the dried and hot garlic into the pot.
Add extra virgin olive oil and paprika oil, close up and let them in the pot at least one day before eating. Note: you must cover the garlic completely with the oils. No one part must remain dry and uncovered.


Puzzle size: 16 x 32 in. Box size: 10 x 13 x 1 in. Featuring the painting Charley Harper called, "the most satisfying painting I had ever done," this thoughtfully conceived and engagingly intricate, interlocking jigsaw puzzle combines superb color reproduction, stunning and unusual images, and sturdy construction to delight generations of novice and veteran puzzleworkers.


Michelle was the first real friend I made in University. The first time we hung out outside of art class her camera came within inches of falling into a river. After recovering from this near miss we took a bunch of ridiculous light painting photos. I feel this first collaboration is a good analogy for what I admire most about Michelle – no matter what unexpected challenge pops up, she always finds a way to make a project happen.
Not so long ago I heard a term describing a new generation of makers that immediately brought Michelle to mind: multipotentialite. Someone who has no one true calling, but instead pursues multiple creative directions with great success. Though I would describe her as an artist first, she is also an entrepreneur, a photographer, a festival coordinator, a fierce supporter of the local music scene, a mentor, a writer, and she can compile a CADAC statistic sheet that will take your breath away.
Our province needs people like Michelle. One of the things that first drew me to her was her rejection of a concept we'd both heard growing up - the idea that you have to move away from Saskatchewan to have a meaningful career in the arts. Michelle believes strongly in being the change that's needed, rather than complaining about what's wrong. She will print in the studio until 5:30 AM to make sure an order of bags gets to a client on time. She will always have a new podcast to tell you about that will blow your mind, and if you think that your inkjet printer is beyond fixable – trust me – she will find a way.
I am involved in a few different projects right now… Since August 2015 I have been the Festival Coordinator for a city-wide, multidisciplinary arts festival called The Caligari Project: Festival of German Expressionism. The Caligari Project has been holding events since last February, but the bulk of the activities happened in October. We had over 25 different film, music, theatre, visual arts, dance events and it's not quite over yet, there is still going to be a filmmaking workshop for youth held by mispon and then on December 17 we are partnering with FadaDance on their annual Christmas party which will also serve as the wrap up party for the festival. I am super pumped that the Fada party is a part of Caligari, it is always my favourite party of the year, bar none, and this year will be no exception I am sure! The theme is "Drunk on German Expressionism". The Caligari Project has been an amazing thing to be a part of and the board and I are already starting to talk about what we could do next!
I am also one of the co-founders of Articulate Ink, Regina's only non-profit, publicly accessible printmaking studio, so in addition to my work with the Caligari Project this year I have also been working quite steadily there printing, making t-shirts for bands and other non-profits mostly. Articulate Ink recently received a sizeable capital donation from Wawanesa Insurance and we are using that money to do a full revamp of the studio space, just kicking it up a notch, installing ventilation, some new pieces of equipment and storage space for our members, so it has been a busy fall making that all happen little by little.
Also, Karli Jessup, another Articulate Ink co-founder and I, have recently both started working part-time in a commercial print shop that we had been interning at for a couple months over the summer, Eagle Printing. Articulate Ink developed a relationship with Eagle Printing through the ArtsVest program last year… Blair Baron (who owns and runs the shop) has some amazing letterpress equipment over there, including two Heidelberg Windmill presses, but he mostly does die cutting and numbering jobs with it, not a lot of printing, and Articulate Ink was looking for a way to access some press time and equipment to do some printing for ourselves and other clients and viola! The partnership is a great match and we are now learning all the aspects not only of letterpress printing, but of all the other techniques that are offered at Eagle including digital printing, offset lithography, the business of running a commercial print shop and so much more, there is tons to learn!
My day job these days mostly consists of working at Eagle Printing and doing commercial print jobs at Articulate Ink, which I love. I love making things and when you are printing, whether it be for commercial or fine art purposes you are definitely making something and it is rewarding to physically see what you've accomplished at the end of a day.
my background in communications and it is nice to be able to work with other non-profit cultural organizations to assist them with their communications needs. I really like all of the work I do as a communications consultant, I like connecting with organizations and people and helping them be more efficient and strategic in their communications efforts.
After a year of being almost totally self-employed, going back into a nine-to-five type of situation at Eagle Printing (even though it is only a few days a week) has been a little challenging, but I also really like the structure that it gives to my schedule. It has really required me to get and stay organized and prioritize all the things I need to get done over the course of the week. The super challenging thing about working at Articulate Ink is that we get paid solely on commission for the jobs that we print, we don't have enough operational funding yet to be paid a salary or for any of the administrative work that we do so that inconsistency can definitely be frustrating at times.
I think that community is really important to me, whether that be family, friends, colleagues… One of the things about being a printmaker is that we often work communally because of the high cost of the equipment and studio facilities we require, so I feel that there is a sense of community that is often built into the medium and that is what we've tried to build with Articulate Ink, not only a physical studio space, but also a community of print-minded people.
Art is also really important to me, it is a huge part of my life and even though I haven't produced a huge amount of work in the last five years I feel that being an artist informs how I navigate the world and I am always experiencing things through the lens of being an artist and that is often what keeps me going and motivated to do what I do.
What I like most about Regina is the arts community. When I moved here in 2005 from Weyburn to go to University, it was never really my intention to stay for an extended period of time, but as I became more and more a part of the arts community, and Articulate Ink flourished, it became difficult to think about moving somewhere new and starting over just for the sake of not being in Regina. I think I'd like to move somewhere new, even temporarily, in the future to go to grad school, but that is way down the line, I'm still paying off my undergraduate degree.
The thing that I like least about Regina is that it is essentially just a bigger small town in some ways, racism is still a rampant problem here, as well as LGBTQ discrimination and even though I've never personally had any problems in the past, I know of people who have, and being a visibly queer person sometimes makes me nervous because I know there are folks around who might take issue with me just being me, so I have my guard up sometimes and I don't like that.
I really like Saskatoon! During my time at SaskCulture I got to spend a decent chunk of time working in Saskatoon for Culture Days and other initiatives and I met some great people, ate at fantastic restaurants, visited awesome art galleries etc… Saskatoon seems like a really vibrant, growing city. I am always impressed by the landscape, the rivers, the bridges - it is a particularly beautiful city in my opinion. I generally jump at any chance I get to go to Saskatoon, I like spending time there.
I really used to hate winter bitterly and then I bought a full-fledged winter parka a few years ago and my opinion of winter shifted a bit, so I suppose I survive the winters by investing in really good, warm winter gear. It really takes the bite out of the cold. I still like to walk a lot in the winter and be outside and we have an ice skating rink about half a block from our house and one downtown in Victoria park so I go ice skating when I get the chance and I always feel that is something special that I only get to do in the winter. I find that skating invigorates me in the depths of winter somewhat.
From the Proust Questionnaire: Which talent would you most like to have?
The talent that I would most like to have is to be able to play a musical instrument, which I cannot! I took guitar lessons for about three years in high school and let's just say that I didn't really have an aptitude for it. I love music, it is a huge part of my daily life and I would really like to be able to play guitar or piano or something but I haven't really been able to figure out yet. I haven't given up yet though - there may be an ukulele in my future!


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McGill University. Faculty of Education -- History.
McGill University. Faculty of Law -- Alumni and alumnae.
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Abitibi-Temiscamingue (Quebec)
Acadia University -- Students.
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Alexander Dougall Blackader Fonds
The fonds documents A.D. Blackader's personal and professional life. The fonds contains correspondence, diaries, autobiographical notes, papers and lectures, certificates, diplomas, testimonials, article reprints, photographs, and some memora...
Blackader, A. D.
Harold Elliott Collection
May 1940 – August 1945
The collection consists of seven volumes of Elliott's personal diaries, which were bound together, at his own expense, after their completion. These diaries cover the five-year period that Elliott spent serving overseas, primarily in England...
Elliot, Harold, 1907-
Maude Elizabeth Abbott Fonds
CA MUA MG1070
Abbott's papers reflect her family background, education and private life, as well as her research and publications on medical history. There are no materials relating to her work as a pathologist. Abbott's family background is documente...
Abbott, Maude E. (Maude Elizabeth), 1869-1940


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Maryam Namazie: Borders Exist To Be Crossed
This is reprinted from Gallery.Net. It is a story concerning Renrgade Eye Blog team member Maryam Namazie. This article will be for long time readers of this blog, a walk down memory lane. Almost every inch of this article has been debated on this blog.
Borders Exist To Be Crossed
By Anthony McIntyre
As I write it is the 26th anniversary of the death of IRA hunger striker, Bobby Sands. His tenacity and endurance in the face of ponderous adversity has inspired many souls throughout the globe to make that daunting step into the cauldron of injustice, the heat of which is only ever tempered by the determination of the human psyche to douse it.
It is often tempting to feel that there is nothing that can be done for Bobby Sands other than to remember him. Perhaps cherish the last few seconds of snatched conversation ever shared with him in a freezing and filthy prison cell on the 18th of December 1980; a mere five months before he succumbed on the 65th day of his hunger strike in demand of recognition that he was political prisoner. Yet to leave it at that would be a disservice to one of the modern era's most iconic symbols against repression. Bobby Sands was an internationalist. Recognising in other activists throughout the globe the sense of purpose that so animated him affords both further meaning and significance to his life and death.
On the 26th anniversary of his prolonged and torturous demise it is fitting to write of the Iranian exile Maryam Namazie whose activism and writing mirror in so many ways the activities of one unbreakable Irishman who in his own words stood trembling but undeterred on the precipice of finality.
What gives people the strength to cope with adversity is a question often posed when the majority would rather sit in silent anonymity and allow others to risk immolation as a consequence of carrying the torch that casts light into dark corners where injustice mushrooms. Maryam Namazie was never content to view the act of sitting as a strategic option. On many occasions she moved lock stock and barrel from one country to another in furtherance of the justice she thinks is lacking in a heartless world. Nor is she any stranger to torch carrying. Frequently she thrusts it into the vampire-like faces of the things of the night that promote religion as a power structure. Her most recent project, promoting the Third Camp as a radical and humane path between US militarism and Islamic fundamentalism, is only the latest in a long line of initiatives which have placed her at the coalface of confrontation armed only with a voice that so audibly speaks truth to power.
In the campaigning crucible for quite some time, she first came to my attention when she lent her name to a manifesto against totalitarianism. The manifesto was drafted in the wake of the racist religious violence directed against the Danes as a means to discourage Danish artists from exploring perceptions of Mohammed. Namazie was uncompromising in her defence of free speech. One of her co-signatories had been a colleague of the late Theo Van Gogh, hacked to death by a religious bigot as he cycled the streets of Amsterdam in November 2004.
I was appalled as many were by his murder. His ideas and beliefs are not relevant here. He was murdered for expressing them. I think his murder brought home to many the dangers of the political Islamic movement – since assassination has been one of their tools for many decades in the Middle East and also Europe, against, for example, Iranian dissidents.
Her determination in facing down such theocrats and their allies in the totalitarian left has been inspirational to those favouring a broader discussion of the matters that shape their daily lives. When she was profiled in the web journal The Blanket a year ago, her views and activism led to many people professing a better understanding of the issues that so concern her. Seemingly, there had been a pervasive belief that political Islam somehow could be reduced to an anti-imperialist impulse, the dominant strand of which was resistance. Maryam Namazie more than any of the 12 manifesto signatories profiled in The Blanket disabused its readers of that notion. It was uplifting to find amongst their number men who had stood shoulder to naked shoulder with Bobby Sands.
It is this fundamental mischaracterisation of political Islam based on Islam's own depiction of itself as a resistance force or as a voice for the oppressed and voiceless which annoys her most. 'I understand the concept that one person's terrorist can be another's freedom fighter but there is no freedom for those the Islamists claim to represent.' Another bugbear is 'the somewhat fashionable notion that criticizing Islam and the movement is a form of racism - the deceptive concept of Islamophobia.'
Important as her observation is, there is a strong feeling in particular amongst the left that Islamophobia is the racism of our time. Many Muslims claim to be victims of the phenomenon. Namazie remains to be persuaded:
It's deceptive because opposition to or criticism of, or even 'phobias' of ideologies, religions, cultures or political movements are not racism. It is only in the bizarre world of the New World Order's cultural relativism that Islamophobia has been increasingly given legitimacy as a form of racism. This is an important point and one I have stressed on numerous occasions because I believe the use of the term 'Islamophobia' is in itself an attempt to silence a critique of Islam, political Islam and its oppression by deeming all those who do as racist.
For Namazie it seems Islamophilia, an ailment peculiar to sections of the European left, is the equal and opposite of Islamophobia but it goes unaddressed. Consequently, issues that are in need of public airing go unexplored.
At present, the life of Maryam Namazie strikes observers as pretty packed and hectic. She campaigns against stoning, the veiling of children, Sharia law, executions, sexual apartheid, and women's rights abusers. A prolific writer and social commentator she also serves as the Director of the Worker-communist Party of Iran's International Relations Committee, host to TV International English and has worked in Amnesty International.
Since giving birth to her child a year and a half ago she senses that the volume of her political activity has lessened. Holding down a full time job while bringing up a child that is breast fed means long hours and sleepless nights. Quitting however is not a feature to be sketched into the landscape of Maryam Namazie. When asked by her father would she give up political activism with the birth of her son her response was to tell him that she had more incentive to engage politically because it has become even more important to have a better world for her child.
Although an unalloyed secularist she was brought up in a Muslim household by parents who were not strict on applying the teachings of Islam. As a result being Muslim never figured as part of her identity. This fortified her emotionally for the intellectual challenge involved in viewing Islam through a critical prism, a path she wandered onto as a result of the Islamic regime being established in Tehran where she had been born and raised as a child. With her family she left Iran in 1980 after the installation of the Islamic regime. Since then her odyssey against oppression has seen her domiciled in the US, Sudan, India and Britain where she currently resides. Her departure from Iran was initially considered only a temporary measure:
Since the schools had been shut down in order to Islamicise them, my mother brought me to India (the only place we could get into at the time because of someone my parents knew) to put me in a school and return but then she never did. My dad had to leave with my baby sister and joined us a few months later.
Life in India was not a matter of simply settling down. The family could not gain residency in the country and so after sitting her O-Levels it packed suitcases and moved to Bournemouth in the UK where Maryam began studying for her A levels. But acquiring residency in Britain proved no easier than it had been in India. The family was on the trek once more, crossing an ocean and state borders. The US became 'the place that gave my family a home and a place to belong.' A two year interregnum from the US was spent in Sudan where she worked assisting Ethiopian refugees. A newly installed Islamic government, however, threatened her for setting up a human rights body. She fled the country and returned to the US.
The major influences in her politically nomadic life have been 'the Iranian revolution, my family, worker-communism and Mansoor Hekmat.' Tragically, the life of Hekmat was to be cut short by cancer in 2004. He was part of the leadership of the Worker-Communist Party of Iran which was surviving in exile in London. This ultimately brought her to the British capital. She first heard of Hekmat in Turkey ten years before he died and was impressed by his humanity. In distilling the influences in her life down it is evident Hekmat was the most important:
The Iranian revolution gave me first hand experience of the power of people to overthrow a dictatorship. Unfortunately, the revolution was expropriated and crushed by the Islamic movement. A revolution gives you hope, reveals the power of human will, and politicizes you. The experience of flight and the seeking of another home as well as starting over for my family and many others we knew was another. So was the reliance on family and loved ones to get through difficult times.Finally, the most important influence on my life was that of worker-communism and Mansoor Hekmat.
When asked to detail the purpose of the Third Camp she is clearheaded in her presentation of the crucial issue, the intellectual cataract that fails to see that by focussing on US militarism alone, the problems of oppression and injustice are not addressed in a holistic fashion.
The third camp is an attempt to provide people with a principled and human way to mobilize against war without falling either for US militarism or Islamic terrorism. Right now, much of the mainstream 'stop the war' coalitions are focused on US militarism alone and are apologetic towards the political Islamic movement. But a vast majority of people across the world are very opposed to political Islam and Islamic terrorism too. On the other hand those who have seen the atrocities of the Islamists and Islamic terrorism sometimes support US militarism. The third camp is the voice of the majority of people who see both as guilty of crimes against humanity and want to defend and represent humanity instead.
It is difficult for many on the left to see an equivalent threat posed by political Islam and US militarism. Some have expressed abhorrence that people claiming to be progressive argue that the greatest threat faced by global civilisation today comes from Islamic totalitarianism. Namazie responds:
Islamic totalitarianism poses such a great threat because it is spearheading a right-wing restructuring of the ruling class in the Middle East which is in essence anti-Left and inhuman.
Like Professor Fred Halliday she is amazed and appalled at the support the 'anti-imperialist nationalist left' has given to this phenomenon. She firmly believes that Western governments have been instrumental in developing political Islam and fails utterly to comprehend why the anti-imperialist left would therefore want to support something that was deliberately fostered and nurtured by imperialism as a battering ram against the Soviets in Afghanistan and left movements in countries like Iran. There is now an added dimension:
Since September 11, its reach has moved beyond the Mid East to affect societies across the globe. It has helped pave the way for political religion's revival. Not to forget though that it is a creation of Western governments vis-à-vis the former Soviet Union and has a lot in common with the right wing US administration.
Despite leftist discourse having a long history of opposition to totalitarianism Namazie feels much of it is posturing. Totalitarianism represents a strong current within political Islam.
Sadly, much of the anti-imperialist nationalist left have fallen for this movement and they see the political Islamic movement as a 'third worldist' resistance force to US militarism; quite ridiculous actually when you think about it because the political Islamic movement is a right wing reactionary movement that has state power and or is vying for power in many places and which has a lot in common with the US right wing administration. It is a great threat because of what it means for human beings and their lives. Anywhere it rules or has power, it means nothing but human suffering in its most medieval forms (including stoning and amputations). But it is also a huge threat for universal human values in places where it is not necessarilya state power but is vying for access like in Europe. It is paving the way for an increase in religion and its influence in society at large.
Unlike others who distinguish between Islam and political Islam Namazie makes no such distinction. But does this not make more difficult the task of winning allies within the Islamic world?
I am wary of the term Islamic world as it associates millions of people as being represented by the political Islamic movement. But more to the point, the relation between Islam and political Islam is the same as between nationalism and fascism. One provides the feeding ground for the other. Islam is the banner of political Islam. You cannot fight one without also fighting the other. It's important to do so from a left and anti-racist perspective so that in fact those deemed or labelled Muslims or who consider themselves Muslims are supported and defended. As the right to religion is a private affair, criticizing Islam has nothing to do with attacking Muslims. The Islamic movement wants to portray it as such. It is our task to show that this is not the case.
It was the Islamic regimes in both Iran and Sudan that showed her 'the true role of religion and in particular the inhumane capacity of Islam to violate the most basic of rights.' But becoming an 'ardent atheist and secularist' was far from being an overnight event. Working for eighteen years with refugees and asylum seekers, whom she terms, the victims of Islam and political Islam, alienated her from any concept of Islam as a spiritual property. It became clear that religion was a material power structure. Complementing her growth as a human being unfettered by spiritual chains was the thinking and activism of Mansoor Hekmat. He provided a generation of activists in Iran with a framework for developing critical thought and a Marxist humanism. One of her co signatories to the manifesto against totalitarianism, Taslima Nasrin, once asked her how come so many Iranians are such ardent and passionate defenders of secularism and rights. 'I would say Mansoor Hekmat had more to do with it than anything else.'
One of her most burning campaign issues concerned the brutal Islamic murder of 16 year old Atefeh Rajabi.
She was a 16 year old girl who was hung in a city square in Iran for 'crimesagainst chastity'. The wasted hopes and dreams and life of a sweet 16 girl.I remember being 16 and what I had to look forward to. I think the victimsof political Islam are so great - that sometimes people don't understand itsscale - otherwise how could they ever excuse it. I think Atefeh for me isthe human representation and personification of what it means for people's lives.
Unmitigating in her defence of women against Islam does she fail to see that there are other women in Britain with origins in the Muslim tradition, who claim to be radical yet who sit on the opposite end of the continuum from herself? The Respect activist Salma Yaqoob, for example, has defended the wearing of the veil. How does Namazie explain this?
I think Yaqoob does so in order to defend the political Islamic movement and justify it. With regards the veil, I couldn't say it better than Salman Rushdie – 'the veil sucks'. It is a tool for suppression and repression. Defending it is like defending the chastity belt or foot binding. It's an abomination.
Another of her more provocative concepts is her characterisation of cultural relativism as 'this era's fascism.' She condemns it on the grounds that it excuses violations of rights and holds culture and religion above the human being.
The idea of difference has always been the fundamental principle of a racistagenda. The defeat of Nazism and its biological theory of difference largelydiscredited racial superiority. The racism behind it, however, found anothermore acceptable form of expression for this era. Instead of expression inracial terms, difference is now portrayed in cultural terms. Culturalrelativism is this era's fascism. Cultural relativists are defenders of thisera's holocausts.
For Maryam Namazie, Western societies are under threat from an insidious political Islam. She strongly advocates that the West defends the rights of all political refugees and that no amount of multicultural positioning should ever allow any group within society to claim special privilege for itself in which it is free to pursue its culture over the human rights of others.
Maryam Namazie is nothing if not someone who pushes and probes at the boundaries of life. In ways her writings resonate deeply of those of the anti-fascist Chilean writer Ariel Dorfmann who also explores the imposition of boundaries. Hers has been one of breaking the mould, leaping the barriers that are sometimes called borders, and which delineate and constrain our identities.
I really feel I have crossed so many of the boundaries - much of them constructed - that restrict people, whether it is that of religion, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender. I have come to understand that none of them are sacred; none of them matter; only human beings do.Maryam Namazie
Labels: Bobby Sands, Islam, Islamophobia, Maryam Namazie
Is Maryam a team member here? Wow!
Truly inspirational - well done Maryam and best wishes in all that you do. You're not alone.
Great article too! (Little heavy on colourful metaphors though!)
I applaud Maryam and her effort to change her homeland's government. The only legitimate changes come from within. I agree that political Islam is reactionary and should be fought by those living under its laws with complete solidarity from other freedom loving people.
I don't think that the West is threatened by political Islam, however. The West's policies are strengthening Islamic regimes. I believe people like Maryam are perfectly capable of handling their own affairs.
LOL! You're are too, too much, graeme. The only legitimate changes come from within. You applaud her effort to change her homeland.
Her changes are no longer coming from WITHIN, graeme! It's coming from OUTSIDE!
Thank you for running this excvell;ent article on Maryam. I have admired her and the WCPI since I found out about them about 2 years ago. One thing though, one should not overstate the support given by socialists for the Islamists. The libertarian left gives no support to these people. We are really talking about the SWP and its IS tendency here, are we not?
The inspiration for all revolution comes from the outside. Else the Phyrgian cap would have little symbolic significance. I think the Greeks symbolized it best...the petasos of Hermes ingenui.
The Roman writers divided all men into Liberi (free men) and Servi (slaves). Those who were born free (liberi) were called Ingenui. Those who were formerly slaves (servi) but were later freed were called (the) Libertini. In other words, the libertini were those who became Liberi after being Servi.
Even when seated (and petasos removed) Hermes maintains at least one foot in human affairs...
As a social historian, the idea that revolutions come from outside is rubbish. They are far more complex than any throw-away line like that.
Well larry, I question youe competence as a "social historian." Let me ask you a question. Why do you think Plato's "Athenian Stranger" insisted upon founding his Magnesia in an area that could not be "contaminated" by foreign influence and trade? Was Plato ignorant or "social history"? (Jowett Summary of Plato's, "Laws")
BOOK IV. And now, what is this city? I do not want to know what is to be the name of the place (for some accident,--a river or a local deity, will determine that), but what the situation is, whether maritime or inland. 'The city will be about eleven miles from the sea.' Are there harbours? 'Excellent.' And is the surrounding country self-supporting? 'Almost.' Any
neighbouring states? 'No; and that is the reason for choosing the place, which has been deserted from time immemorial.' And is there a fair proportion of hill and plain and wood? 'Like Crete in general, more hill than plain.' Then there is some hope for your citizens; had the city been on the sea, and dependent for support on other countries, no human power could have preserved you from corruption. Even the distance of eleven miles is hardly enough. For the sea, although an agreeable, is a dangerous companion, and a highway of strange morals and manners as well as of commerce. But as the country is only moderately fertile there will be no great export trade and no great returns of gold and silver, which are the ruin of states. Is there timber for ship-building? 'There is no pine, nor much cypress; and very little stone-pine or plane wood for the interior of ships.' That is good. 'Why?' Because the city will not be able to imitate the bad ways of her enemies. 'What is the bearing of that remark?' To explain my meaning, I would ask you to remember what we said about the Cretan laws, that they had an eye to war only; whereas I maintained that they ought to have included all virtue. And I hope that you in your turn will retaliate upon me if I am false to my own principle. For I consider that the lawgiver should go straight to the mark of virtue and justice, and disregard wealth and every other good when separated from virtue. What further I mean, when I speak of the imitation of enemies, I will illustrate by the story of Minos, if our Cretan friend will allow me to mention it. Minos, who was a great sea-king, imposed upon the Athenians a cruel tribute, for in those days they were not a maritime power; they had no timber for ship-building, and therefore they could not 'imitate their enemies'; and better far, as I maintain, would it have been for them to have lost many times over the lives which they devoted to the tribute than to have turned soldiers into sailors. Naval warfare is not a very praiseworthy art; men should not be taught to leap on shore, and then again to hurry back to their ships, or to find specious excuses for throwing away their arms; bad customs ought not to be gilded with fine words. And retreat is always bad, as we are taught in Homer, when he introduces Odysseus, setting forth to Agamemnon the danger of ships being at hand when soldiers are disposed to fly. An army of lions trained in such ways would fly before a herd of deer. Further, a city which owes its preservation to a crowd of pilots and oarsmen and other undeserving persons, cannot bestow rewards of honour properly; and this is the ruin of states. 'Still, in Crete we say that the battle of Salamis was the salvation of Hellas.' Such is the prevailing opinion. But I and Megillus say that the battle of Marathon began the deliverance, and that the battle of Plataea completed it; for these battles made men better, whereas the battles of Salamis and Artemisium made them no better. And we further affirm that mere existence is not the great political good of individuals or states, but the continuance of the best existence. 'Certainly.' Let us then endeavour to follow this principle in colonization and legislation.
Please take note that all of Maryam's revolutionary ideas are "western" in origin.
Excellent piece. Right on the money.
there is a strong feeling in particular amongst the left that Islamophobia is the racism of our time.
The real Islamophobes are those leftists who see Muslim women oppressed and say nothing out of fear that such criticism might benefit George W. Bush...
It is difficult for many on the left to see an equivalent threat posed by political Islam and US militarism. Some have expressed abhorrence that people claiming to be progressive argue that the greatest threat faced by global civilisation today comes from Islamic totalitarianism.
Actually, this is a chicken/egg argument. Most Western leftists (like Chomsky and company) falsely believe that Islamic totalitarianism is caused by US imperialism. Only a few Western leftists (like Hitchens) correctly see US militarism as a consequence of Islamofascist tyranny.
Graeme,
I don't think that the West is threatened by political Islam (...) I believe people like Maryam are perfectly capable of handling their own affairs.
Do you mean that she shouldn't expect any help from you ?
Earlier, the Western Left refused to help the Kurds and the Shiites in their struggle against Saddam's tyranny. We all know the consequences of that betrayal.
Now, the Western Left refuses to help Iranian revolutionaries. We all know what the consequences of that betrayal will be in the near future.
liberal white boy said...
"The real Islamophobes are those leftists who see Muslim women oppressed and say nothing out of fear that such criticism might benefit George W. Bush..."
Gosh sonia, this is the type of horse shit I would expect to step on in one of farmer john's fields.
Farmer, depending upon classical philosophers for all of one's science, went out in the 15th Century. No one is impressed by your pseudo-erudition. If you want to know about the origins of revolutions, read some history. I have spent 40 years doing so and can tell you that the causes of revolutions are far more complex than you make out.
"Most Western leftists (like Chomsky and company) falsely believe that Islamic totalitarianism is caused by US imperialism."
Far from being wrong this is bang-on correct. If the CIA had not overthrown Mossedegh in 1954 we would not have had an Islamism in Iran. Islamism is the result of the failure of nationalist secular forces in the Middle East to develop those areas. US Imperialism attacked those same secular forces and backed reactionaries lie the Saudis. Islamism is blow back. And Hitchens is a sad joke.
If the CIA had not overthrown Mossedegh in 1954 we would not have had an Islamism in Iran.
Unprovable speculation...
Islamism is the result of the failure of nationalist secular forces in the Middle East to develop those areas.
US Imperialism attacked those same secular forces and backed reactionaries like the Saudis.
You got it backwards. It was Arab secularists like Nasser who provoked the Americans by siding with the Soviets. In 1956 Eisenhower backed Nasser against Israel. But later Nasser betrayed the Yanks and joined the Soviet camp.
Islamism is blow back.
Yes, but a blowback against Arab socialism (Baath), not US militarism.
Just like Taliban was a blowback against Afghan Communism...
I know you would love to blame the USA for everything. But historic facts say otherwise.
f the CIA had not overthrown Mossedegh in 1954 we would not have had an Islamism in Iran.
I agree with Larry. We'd have had communism instead. Larry's cure is worse than the current disease... especially given the context of the times.
Maryam represents the Worker-Communist Party of Iran, based in Iran. She is their voice outside Iran. They are Marxist humanist.
I have big disagreements with her, about program, and party organization. I highly respect her consistent anti-Islamist and anti-imperialist perspective.
Farmer: Her ideas are western. Who cares?
I was speaking in cultural terms. She is still Iranian, regardless of where she lives. Therefore, she is pushing for change in her society.
Her movement gets my full support. I was speaking more in terms of my government's militaristic approach to each and every problem. That is "help" that they don't need or want.
In 1956 Eisenhower backed Nasser against Israel. But later Nasser betrayed the Yanks and joined the Soviet camp.
Technically, that is close to right, but it is not quite as cut and dry and that. Eisenhower only backed Nasser to make it clear to the European's that the ME was to be US territory, their colonialist days were over, the US was the big kid on the western side of the block now. Post WWII, some countries still didn't get that, France and the Brits started to figure it out after the Suez crisis. It was a monroe doctrine of sort, only for the Mid-east (actually I think Eisenhower had his own doctrine) Plus, those Europeans had the nerve to launch a military attack without telling the Americans! They had to get sent to their rooms for a time out. The US hardly wanted to fight the Soviets, who were demanded all countries leave Egypt, over a couple has-been countries colonial memories.
Nasser was playing both sides. Telling each super power what they wanted to hear. One could hardly blame him for warming up a bit to the Soviets after the region's experience with the West.
At any rate, none of this means that Pan-Arabism caused Islamic extremism. Remember, the Islamic Jihad assassinated pro-west Sadat
I was speaking in cultural terms.
She's rebelling against her own culture. Do you even know what culture is? It's more than a "word".
I don't know, what would Plato say? Copy and paste for us.
Do you even know what culture is?
Graeme:
I didn't think you did, either.
Farmer, for all his pseudo-erudition is too dense to see that Graeme was being sarcastic.
Sonia, more precisely capitalist imperialism is the problem, of which the US is the leading force. Indeed, we should talk less about the USA as the corporate state is in the process of shedding its national base.
As for the other issue about secular nationalists, you must remember that US imperialism has virtually always been opposed to progressive nationalist governments - even in the case of its allies like Canada. Someone like Nassar, seeing this would naturally try to cozy up to the USA's the chief opponent, the USSR. Once again, these problems are the result of blow-back from the empire, and I suggest you read the book by that name by Chalmers Johnson, a former CIA man, who I suspect knows a little more of the reality than you do.
I suggest you read the book by (...) Chalmers Johnson, a former CIA man
No thanks, I am much too busy reading books by former Gestapo officers...
Fomer CIA men are the least reliable sources imaginable. Like many people doing the dirty work, they often feel guilty about it and want to blame their superiors. But 'I was following orders' ceased to be an excuse by the time of the Nuremberg trial.
Former CIA men having guilt trips isn't a problem. I am glad they feel guilty. It's the lack of guilt among torturers and enforcers of non-Western totalitarian regimes (from Cuba to Nicaragua to North Korea to Syria to Libya to Albania to China to Iraq to Zimbabwe) that is much more worrisome.
How many books by former Mukhabarat agents have you read ?
"Fomer CIA men are the least reliable sources imaginable... (they) want to blame their superiors"
That is really too much, even for you Sonia. As for the other contemporary secret services, who cares, their record in the destruction of democracy and progressive movements is small along side the CIA's. While other regimes are cruel and oppressive they are small potatoes long side the Empire. Quit apologizing for it.
I note Nicaragua was on your list. Nicaragua was dominated by torturers and murderers when ruled by Somoza who was put there by the US.
Look at it this way, Iraq did not meddle in Canadian affairs, Zimbabwe did not overthrow Allende, nor install the Brazilian military, nor did Libya create death squads in Central America, etc. - I think you get the point...
Farmer John said
She's rebelling against her own culture
Yes. that is change coming from within. What is your point?
I am interested to hear Aristotle's take on this. Could you weave that into your answer somehow?
(((Thought Criminal))) said...
Farmer John,
You make an intriguing point about the Platonic Magnesia seeking to isolate itself from external influence.
The Great Firewall of China that keeps information out of the hands of Chinese citizens lucky enough to touch a computer with an internet connection comes to mind.
Great Firewall of China
I don't do requests.
What influenced her "change from within"? Belief that there might be something better (although, in the case of Marxism, it was a false belief). Marxism is incapable of creation... it can only generate sufficient resentment to destroy.
But that's okay. You've got to card the wool before you can weave it.
Plato, "Statesman"
STRANGER: Weaving is a sort of uniting?
YOUNG SOCRATES: Yes.
STRANGER: But the first process is a separation of the clotted and matted fibres?
YOUNG SOCRATES: What do you mean?
STRANGER: I mean the work of the carder's art; for we cannot say that carding is weaving, or that the carder is a weaver.
YOUNG SOCRATES: Certainly not.
STRANGER: Again, if a person were to say that the art of making the warp and the woof was the art of weaving, he would say what was paradoxical and false.
YOUNG SOCRATES: To be sure.
Anarchists and Marxists have to be already united in a union before they can have any influence. They are incapable of "creating" the circumstances which "require" a union.
The Islamicists have what it takes to weave. And so the order is... Marxists tear down the society, and Islamicist build a new one. That's certainly what happened in Sudan with the Islamic Courts Union.
Without active capitalists building business, Marxists cannot build anything around a "union"... but Islamicists can organize unemployed farmers and peasants around the charities of their church in a heartbeat. They capitalize on the anarchy and create order. Once there is order, then the capitalists can get to work...
Ring around the rosie, a pocket full of posies. Ashes, ashes, we all fall down!
Why Mr. Beamish, it's not only China which seeks to isolate itself from external influence...(today's New York Post article)
As millions of Iranians prepare for the new school year, the scene is being set for what could be a long hot autumn on university campuses across the nation. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has promised to "cleanse" the Iranian educational system of what he calls "the corrupt influence of the infidel" and has mobilized a special militia to crush the expected student revolts.
The radical president refers to his "academic cleansing" plan as "The Second Great Islamic Cultural Revolution." The late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini closed the universities and launched the first "Great Islamic Cultural Revolution" in 1980. A committee created to "cleanse" academia purged more than 6,000 professors and lecturers, virtually destroying Iranian academia. Dozens of academics were executed as hundreds fled into exile. The committee also expelled thousands of students on charges of monarchist or leftist tendencies. It also censored or totally rewrote dozens of textbooks to conform to the Khomeinist ideology.
...and just look what Chavez is doing to schools (even private Catholic ones) all over Venezuela...
As for the other contemporary secret services, who cares
I care.
their record in the destruction of democracy and progressive movements is small along side the CIA's.
While other regimes are cruel and oppressive they are small potatoes long side the Empire.
'Small potatoes' for whom ? People who live under their tyranny would disagree with you. And they would spit in your face for saying this while living under the protection of that very 'Empire'...
Quit apologizing for it.
I don't appologize for CIA's crimes. You read books by CIA's assassins and believe their lies...
Nicaragua was dominated by torturers and murderers when ruled by Somoza who was put there by the US.
Typical leftist propaganda, that you stupidly swallow hook, line and sinker.
1. Somoza came to power by fighting AGAINST US forces in the 1920's and then getting rid of the true revolutionary, Augusto Sandino.
2. Somoza's regime was overthrown by true revolutionaries like Eden Pastora.
3. The revolution was hijacked by totalitarian oppressors like Daniel Ortega who installed a regime that was just as oppressive, and dominated by as many torturers and murderers as Somoza's.
4. Nicaraguan people rebelled again, with Eden Pastrora fighting again against oppression.
5. Violetta Chamorro restored peace and democracy.
6. Daniel Ortega came back in power again, this time democratically, and with support of the Catholic Church, just like Somoza did in the 1930's.
Iraq did not meddle in Canadian affairs, Zimbabwe did not overthrow Allende, nor install the Brazilian military
Neither did US government, despite your paranoid ravings...
Sontín said...
Well actually Anastasio Somoza García was placed as head of the US created National Guard. He, and after he was assassinated, his sons Luis Somoza Debayle and Anastasio Somoza Debayle, ruled the country as a personal fiefdom. Anastasio Somoza García created an enormous fortune for himself and family members and by the time he was killed, his family was one of the richest in the world. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State of the US said "He may be a son of a bitch, but he is our son of bitch". His son, Anastasio Somoza Debayle, was heavily criticized by human rights groups. The National Guard had people disappear all over the country. My wife, when she was a child, was in school when the National Guard appeared, showed them a 'suspect', took him up in a helicopter and then pushed him to his death. That sort of justice was normal and it is not just "typical leftist propaganda."
1. Somoza (the first one) came to power by collaborating with US forces under the new liberal president and then getting rid of Augusto Sandino, a true Nationalist (not a revolutionary .. his fight was against the US military and political presence in Nicaragua).
2. Somoza's regime was overthrown by revolutionaries like Eden Pastora and also many others who never changed sides.
3 and 4. The government became centralized under a small group including Daniel Ortega. The new government, with massive participation of the general population did wonders in the battle to eradicate illiteracy, provide universal healthcare, promote cultural expression, and redistribute land. They made mistakes and there were abuses of the system. People who had land confiscated were not at all happy, but most people in Nicaragua feel that during the first year or two things went well. Then the embargo started and a civil war was financed (and yes the US did fund it and provide training and materials). With the war, shortages started, people had to line up to be given a piece of soap, there were more abuses of the system and some people were unfairly tortured and killed (as happens in every war, although that does not justifies it).
5. The Sandinista government was democratically elected, the economic situation worsened due to the fall of the Soviet Union, the embargo, the war and some bad economic decisions. However the leaders of most armed groups of the National Resistance (the Contras) had disarmed or stared working on peace processes by the end of the eighties. Violetta Chamorro as such did not so much as restore peace and democracy (the revolution permitted a return to democracy after decades of dictatorship) as try to piece together a shattered nation. The National Resistance disarmed completely and then many groups of ex-contra and ex-compas rearmed when the government did not or could not fulfill its promises. Political armed groups continued to be active in Nicaragua and around Waslala until 2002.
6. Daniel Ortega came back in power again, this time democratically, and with support of the Catholic Church, but with many Sandinistas uncomfortable with what they see as his unwillingness to make the party more open.
"Zimbabwe did not overthrow Allende
Well, they did not do the dirty work, but they were involved in the coup. If someone has a link to the documents that were declassified this year, please show it to Sonia so she can see that not all ravings are paranoid.
Sontin,
Anastasio Somoza García was placed as head of the US created National Guard.
He placed himself there. US didn't 'create' anything. Your blaming of Americans for the crimes committed by Nicaraguans against their own people is pathetic. Grow up.
I know it's easier to blame foreigners rather than one own's countrymen. It's called xenophobia and it allows people not to face reality. The days Latinos will stop blaming gringos for their problems and start to look in the mirror, is the day Latin America will finally start digging itself from the shithole where its gringo-centric xenophobia has landed them...
revolutionaries like Eden Pastora and also many others who never changed sides.
Eden Pastora never changed sides. He was always on the side of freedom and justice. It's the Sandinistas who changes sides, from victims to torturers.
most people in Nicaragua feel that during the first year or two things went well.
When people are falling out the window, things also go quite well at first. Until they hit the pavement...
some people were unfairly tortured and killed
As opposed to others, I suppose, who were FAIRLY tortured and killed...
Daniel Ortega came back in power again, this time democratically, and with support of the Catholic Church, but with many Sandinistas uncomfortable with what they see as his unwillingness to make the party more open.
The Sandinista Party stopped being open when it came to power in the late 70's. Some people take a long time to wake up and smell the coffee. But better late than never.
Allende (...) US government(...) they were involved in the coup. If someone has a link to the documents that were declassified this year, please show it to Sonia so she can see that not all ravings are paranoid.
If you ever find those documents, you will learn that the coup against Allende was organized by Pinochet. And Pinochet wasn't named the Commander in Chief of the Chilean Armed Forces by US president Richard Nixon. Pinochet was named to that position by Salvador Allende himself. Allende knew perfectly well that Pinochet was a ruthless son of a bitch. But Allende thought that Pinochet would be ruthless against Allende's opponents. But Allende was wrong and he got killed by his own attack dog.
And the CIA had a good laugh. But US government didn't organize anything. They were simply lucky. If they could organize a coup in Chile, they could have also organized it in Cuba. But they couldn't. Castro was smarter than Allende. He named his own brother as Commander in Chief.
Repeat after me: Americans didn't overthrow Allende. Chileans overthrew Allende. Americans were applauding from the sidelines. Not the same thing.
Thanks Sonia, but this is all right-wing propaganda I have heard many times before, indeed I have been hearing variations on this all my life. You may be naive or full enough of hatred for progressive movements to believe this stuff, but don't expect the rest of us to be so. I should add that I went through a period of disolusionment in the late-1980's-early '90's and spent a good deal of time checking out the right. The dishonest and hypocrtical nature of what I read - other than the anti-war, anti-empire right libertarians,I should add, made me realize that I had to accept progressive movements warts and all - that their warts weere nothing compared to the hideous cancers on the face of the right.
Allende making Pinochet the commander-in-chief was his own fear of the right. He could have named one of his own. He wanted peace with the right.
The Trotskyists told Allende years earlier, to appeal to the ranks of soldiers, to defend the gains achieved, and go over the heads of the generals. Pinochet understood that more than Allende, during the coup, ordered most of the rank and file soldiers, in their barracks.
Chavez plans to reorganize the army, in such a way, a Pinochet will not develop.
The CIA took part in electoral activity against Pinochet.
You may be (...) full enough of hatred for progressive movements to believe this stuff
You have no idea. And I am not alone. But don't call them 'progressive movements'. 'Totalitarian movements' is much more accurate.
"Your blaming of Americans for the crimes committed by Nicaraguans against their own people is pathetic. Grow up."
Your denial of the history of American foreign policy is mystifying. I would suggest living in Nicaragua for a few years before you pass judgements so quickly. You might find it a growing experience.
"I know it's easier to blame foreigners"
I am not blaming anyone. I was simply correcting some of the "facts" you had written. The ruling class in Nicaragua spent a long time in civil wars, and as part of these wars, the US marines were invited in to help the conservatives against the liberals. That there were also American economic interests here must have made it that much more attractive.
"The days Latinos will stop blaming gringos for their problems and start to look in the mirror, is the day Latin America will finally start digging itself from the shithole where its gringo-centric xenophobia has landed them..."
Actually, people from the United States are well treated and well liked in Nicaragua … as are … say people from Australia and just about everywhere in the world. We can differentiate between a nation and its government. This is true even for the most ardent Sandinistas.
We are also well aware of the internal problems that we face .. corruption, authoritarianism, nepotism and so on. Had you only told us earlier that it was our "gringo-centric xenophobia" that had landed us in this "shithole", then we would no longer have children dying of malnourishment, over a third the population of Waslala unable to read or write and we could all be wealthy … or could it be that the problems of underdevelopment are just a little bit more complicated than you give them credit for?
"If you ever find those documents, you will learn that the coup against Allende was organized by Pinochet."
I never denied that that the coup was organized by Pinochet … I merely stated that the US government was involved. So here are a few quotes from declassified CIA documents:
It is firm and continuing policy that Allende be overthrown by a coup. It would be much preferable to have this transpire prior to 24 October but efforts in this regard will continue vigorously beyond this date. We are to continue to generate maximum pressure toward this end utilizing every appropriate resource. It is imperative that these actions be implemented clandestinely and securely so that the USG and American hand be well hidden
From: CIA, Operating Guidance Cable on Coup Plotting, October 16, 1970
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/ch05-01.htm
And you can find more at:
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB8/nsaebb8.htm
I never said Americans overthrew Allende. I said the US government was involved. Not the same thing.
I guess it's true, sonia. There's an Uncle Sam boogeyman hiding under every commie's bed.
Just ask Hugo Chavez. ;-)
Had you only told us earlier that it was our "gringo-centric xenophobia" that had landed us in this "shithole", then we would no longer have children dying of malnourishment, over a third the population of Waslala unable to read or write and we could all be wealthy … or could it be that the problems of underdevelopment are just a little bit more complicated than you give them credit for?
Look at it this way. In late 18th century, all of America was under European colonial rule (British, Spanish, French, etc.). Same oppression, same rules everywhere.
So why 250 years later, North America is rich and Latin America is struggling ?
I will tell you why. North Americans overthrew the British colonial rule and became masters of the their own destiny. There was plenty of foreign meddling in US affairs (France and Britain helping the South against the North, etc.), but the Americans solved their own problems and stopped blaming the Brits for all their troubles. Read an American newspaper in 1800 and one in 2007 and the difference is striking: the pathetic 'all our problems are caused by those evil Englishmen' has been replaced by 'Tony Blair sure is a great guy'.
US has evolved. Latin America didn't. They merely changed the scapegoat. In the early 19th century, it was the evil Queen Isabella of Spain. Today, it's the evil Yankee gringos.
Placing the blame for one's own problems on outsiders is wrong, stupid and ineffective EVEN WHEN IT HAPPENS TO BE TRUE. Why ? Because it's pointless. You cannot change the way somebody else acts. So give it up. Use your energy where you can make a change. On YOURSELF !!!!


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This event will celebrate Docent Brewing's 2nd year in business. It will be held at Reata Park, a gorgeous open space park in the city of San Juan Capistrano. This is a family friendly event, there will also be a group bike ride from Docent Brewing to the festival beginning at 11:00 am. Also featuring Artifex, Lost Winds, Gunwhale, Alpine, Green Cheek, Thorn, Stereo, Taps Brewery, 10 Mile, Chapman, Pizza Port, The Good Beer, Riip Beer, Tustin Brewing and Booze Brothers.
Live performances by: The White Buffalo, Rose's Pawn Shop, Robert Jon & The Wreck and more!
Optional FREE bike valet if you ride to the event.


With all the changes in the lending industry you need a time tested Mortgage Advisor. With my proven track record and product knowledge, that is what you'll get. There are several programs that our Government as well as the private sector have implemented in order to deal with the current financial crisis and the credit crunch. I understand these programs and can let you know what loan program best suits your current and future needs.
This is more than a slogan to me – it is a philosophy that has allowed me to remain successful in this industry during the chaos and turmoil of the recent credit crisis.
The meltdown of the mortgage industry was created in part, because so many traditional loan officers treated a mortgage transaction like the process for buying a used car. They would sell you on loan products that may not have been in your best interest, often leading to a loan that you didn't understand or even want. Often, they were only interested in what the loan would do for them – not for you. Most people know that feeling of being sold. It is not a good feeling, and it almost never ends well for the consumer.
I believe that my job as a Mortgage Advisor is to provide great advice based on sound, time tested financial strategies. I strive to recommend a loan that is not only beneficial to my client today, but one that takes into account my client's goals and dreams for the future.
©2016 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation | All Rights Reserved.


Use of a One Health approach for preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases in resource-poor countries.
Elibariki Reuben Mwakapeje is a Senior Epidemiologist and has worked for the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania since 2005. Initially, he worked as a Diseases Surveillance Officer involving himself in investigating diseases outbreaks, diseases surveillance, coordinating rapid response teams (RRT) at national, regional and district levels during a response to disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies of national and international concerns.
Later on, he was appointed as a National Coordinator for the Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response (IDSR) at the same Ministry, with this position he was responsible for ensuring that both indicator and event-based surveillance systems are well implemented and streamlined as per the International Health Regulation (IHR 2005).
Moreover, he participated in the establishment of the diseases surveillance systems in the cross border districts within the East African Community region in order to ensure for a well-structured and resilient system for prevention, detection and response to various public health threats in the region. Most importantly, Elibariki, is one of the founders for the electronic diseases surveillance systems (eIDSR) in Tanzania. This system was established in order to foster for a robust real-time surveillance system as a requirement for both the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) and International Health Regulation (IHR 2005).
Elibariki Reuben Mwakapeje, has pursued a BSc. Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Dar es Salaam (2004), MSc. Applied Epidemiology from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS) in 2010 and currently, he is a Ph.D. researcher at the Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Oslo, Norway since April 2016. His Ph.D. research topic is entitled, ''Use of a One Health Approach for understanding the Epidemiology and Management of anthrax outbreaks in the humans – Livestock – Wildlife and environmental health interface areas of Northern Tanzania'' – Scheduled for a Public defense on 22nd February 2019.
Elibariki is currently working to establish a project entitled ''connecting the unconnected'' for ensuring free access to digital health information through smartphone application in order to provide health education as a tool for prevention and control of anthrax outbreaks in the marginalized Maasai communities of Northern Tanzania.


text:
Q: Non-overlapping rectangles constrained to a boundary I am trying to model placement of parts on a circuit board. Without any
meaningful constraints, my basic schema looks like this:
create table part (
    part_id bigserial primary key,
    name text not null,
    width double precision not null,
    height double precision not null
);
create table board (
    board_id bigserial primary key,
    width double precision not null,
    height double precision not null
);
create table board_part (
    board_id bigint not null references board,
    part_id bigint not null references part,
    position point not null
);

(SQL Fiddle, Visualization)
For b and b2 any board_parts, I want to enforce the following
constraints:

*

*b lies on the board:
box(b.position, point(b.part.width,b.part.height))
    <@ box(point(0,0), point(b.board.width,b.board.height))

*b and b2 do not overlap if they lie on the same board:
b.board_id != b2.board_id or
not (box(b.position, point(b.part.width,b.part.height))
        && box(b2.position, point(b2.part.width,b2.part.height)))

How can I achieve this (without too much data duplication)? Changing the schema is fine.
Here is my best attempt (SQL Fiddle), taking
inspiration from
Erwin's answer to my previous question.
It enforces the constraints I wanted, but has a lot of duplicate data in the board_part table. I imagine I could write a function to fill in the board_width, board_height, part_width, and part_height fields automatically, but it still feels wrong having so much duplicate data around. Also, keying to the width/height fields feels like a hack.

A: Basic answer
I suggest the geometric type box and an exclusion constraint (Postgres 9.2+). Should be the perfect solution to your problem. It creates a GiST index implicitly that also supports certain queries.
Combine it with with equality on board_id to allow multiple boards in a single table. You'll need the additional module btree_gist. Once per database:
CREATE EXTENSION btree_gist;

To confine parts to a board add a CHECK constraint. You need the confining box of the board in the board_part table (redundantly). Could look like this:
CREATE TABLE board_part (
  board_id bigint NOT NULL REFERENCES board
, board_box box NOT NULL
, part_id bigint NOT NULL REFERENCES part
, part_box box NOT NULL
, EXCLUDE USING gist (board_id WITH =, part_box WITH &&)
, CHECK (part_box <@ board_box)
);

&& .. "overlaps" operator
<@ .. "contained" operator
The drawback: you need the dimensions of each part and box in table board_part redundantly.
Advanced answer
To avoid redundant storage, I like this new idea better: Fake IMMUTABLE functions returning the box for an id and build constraints upon these functions. Your tables can make do with just the columns of your original design.
I ran a complete test to verify it works.
Complete schema
Base tables:
CREATE TABLE part (
  part_id serial PRIMARY KEY
, part text NOT NULL
, wide int NOT NULL
, high int NOT NULL
);

CREATE TABLE board (
  board_id serial PRIMARY KEY
, board text NOT NULL
, wide int NOT NULL
, high int NOT NULL
);

IMMUTABLE functions:
CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION f_boardbox(_board_id int)
  RETURNS box
  LANGUAGE sql IMMUTABLE AS
'SELECT box(point(0,0), point (b.wide, b.high))
 FROM   public.board b WHERE board_id = $1';

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION f_partbox(_part_id int, _wide int, _high int)
  RETURNS box
  LANGUAGE sql IMMUTABLE AS
'SELECT box(point($2,$3), point($2 + p.wide, $3 + p.high))
 FROM   public.part p WHERE part_id = $1';

Replace public with the actual schema of your tables.
In Postgres 9.6 or later add PARALLEL SAFE. See:

*

*When to mark functions as PARALLEL RESTRICTED vs PARALLEL SAFE?
Main table:
CREATE TABLE board_part (
  board_id int NOT NULL REFERENCES board
, part_id int NOT NULL REFERENCES part
, wide int NOT NULL
, high int NOT NULL
, EXCLUDE USING gist (board_id WITH =, f_partbox(part_id, wide, high) WITH &&)
, CHECK (f_partbox(part_id, wide, high) <@ f_boardbox(board_id))
);

Of course, if you update dimensions for a board_id or part_id in use, you partly void the index and / or constraint. You would need to recreate any index or constraint building on the promise that the return value of IMMUTABLE function never change. See:

*

*Does PostgreSQL support "accent insensitive" collations?
However, you can avoid this expensive operation with triggers to update only affected rows:
Triggers
CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION f_board_upaft()
  RETURNS trigger
  LANGUAGE plpgsql AS
$func$
BEGIN
   UPDATE board_part
   SET    board_id = board_id        -- enough to trigger CHECK constraint
   WHERE  board_id = NEW.board_id;   -- limit to relevant rows

   RETURN NULL;
END
$func$;

CREATE TRIGGER board_upaft
AFTER UPDATE OF wide, high ON board  -- limit to relevant columns
FOR EACH ROW EXECUTE PROCEDURE f_board_upaft();

CREATE OR REPLACE FUNCTION f_part_upaft()
  RETURNS trigger
  LANGUAGE plpgsql AS
$func$
BEGIN
   UPDATE board_part
   SET    part_id = 0
   WHERE  part_id = NEW.part_id;

   UPDATE board_part
   SET    part_id = NEW.part_id
   WHERE  part_id = 0;               -- enough to update EXCL. constraint

   RETURN NULL;
END
$func$;

CREATE TRIGGER part_upaft
AFTER UPDATE OF wide, high ON part
FOR EACH ROW EXECUTE PROCEDURE f_part_upaft();

part_id = 0 is a special row in table part with size 0. Needed for the trigger.
Test data:
INSERT INTO board (board, wide, high)
VALUES ('b1010',10,10), ('b2030',20, 30);

INSERT INTO part (part_id, part, wide, high)
VALUES (0,'p0',0,0);          -- special row needed for trigger!

INSERT INTO part (part, wide, high)
VALUES ('p11',1,1), ('p33',3,3);

INSERT INTO board_part (board_id, part_id, wide, high)
VALUES (1,1,3,3)
     , (1,1,5,5)   -- no overlap, inside board
     , (2,1,3,3);  -- different board, no overlap

Test
These must raise exceptions if the triggers & constraints do their job:
UPDATE part SET wide = 6 , high = 6
WHERE  part_id = 1;            -- violates EXCL. & CHECK constraint

UPDATE part SET wide = 3 , high = 3
WHERE  part_id = 1;            -- violates EXCL. constraint

UPDATE board SET wide = 2 , high = 2
WHERE  board_id = 1;            -- violates CHECK constraint

db<>fiddle here
Old sqlfiddle

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


If you overheard a conversation about Byte Back at a party, you could probably gather that we offer free tech training for DC-area adults. That's not all we do for students: we have career workshops, we connect them to employers, we host events like last fall's Community Tech Day, and when the opportunity arises, we share their journeys and amplify their voices.
This mission gets at one of Byte Back's core values: everyone deserves the chance to utilize the technological advantages that many of us take for granted. To that end, Byte Back has over 700 enrollments each year in free classes that help people gain tech skills. We also offer career services to help them turn those skills into a living-wage careers that use technology.
Gaining skills is only one facet of the digital divide. Training to use a computer and the internet has to be within reach, along with affordable home computer and broadband access.
Persistent digital inequity challenges like infrastructure and internet governance are beyond Byte Back's mission. However they still affect our students' ability to succeed. We know this from 20 years of experience working with low-tech, low-income DC communities – experience that uniquely qualifies us to speak on the challenges our clients face.
As a member of the Digital Empowerment and Inclusion Working Group, we can help influence substantial, national changes in the way we address the digital divide. We will advocate for policies that will help our students as well as millions of people who face similar barriers across the US.
Over the last 30 years, the internet has changed the way we live our lives. Because of that, more people than ever before are engaged with the FCC's rulings. Recent debate has been highly politicized, even heated. But we believe in solving problems and in working together to find solutions.
Driven by dedication to our students' success, we look forward to finding solutions and representing our students' voices as a member of this committee.


text:
Home / Tech News / Featured Tech News / According to analysts, the Nintendo Switch is unlikely to hit its two-year sales targets
According to analysts, the Nintendo Switch is unlikely to hit its two-year sales targets
Damien Mason November 29, 2018 Featured Tech News
Nintendo released the Switch console to critical acclaim in 2017, managing to surpass the lifetime sales of the GameCube in just a year and a half. With high success comes high expectations, however analysts are now predicting that Nintendo will miss its two-year sales target.
The Switch still holds the title of Nintendo's fastest selling console of all time, thanks to flagship first-party games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Super Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 2. Unfortunately, a new analysis from Bloomberg states that it is unlikely Nintendo can sustain such growth, potentially missing out on its 38 million unit sales target in March.
While Nintendo had hopes that the Switch would follow in the footsteps of the Wii, it seems that the new hybrid console has failed to penetrate the wider market. Its core fan base helped the Switch achieve its staggering success so far, keeping on track for 35 million units sold instead.
In recent months, the report states that Nintendo's share price has plummeted from $435 to below $300, a staggering 33 percent drop since January. With Super Smash Bros. Ultimate holding the fort during the holiday season alone, it's unlikely that Nintendo will recover enough footing in time for the completion of its second year. Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter did suggest that the firm consider a price drop to below $200, or the introduction of iterative console upgrades – which has recently been rumoured.
"All great consoles need a great second year, and Nintendo hasn't delivered one for the Switch," said Cornelio Ash, an analyst at William O'Neil & Co. in Los Angeles. "Investors thought over five years they could sell maybe 90 million units. But after this year, that's looking pretty much impossible."
KitGuru Says: By no means is the Nintendo Switch a failure, though. And its line-up continues to impress as the firm further branches out into third-party and indie territories. Have you bought a Switch for yourself?
Tags news Nintendo Switch Sales
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