text:
Submit: Press Releases
Pamela, A Love Story Review | Setting the…
Sundance 2023 Review: Run Rabbit Run
Sundance 2023 Review: Sometimes I Think About Dying
Sundance 2023 Review: Victim/Suspect
Sundance 2023 Review: Landscape with Invisible Hand
Willow 'The Gales' and 'The High Aldwin' review…
Melissa Roxburgh & Josh Dallas talk the fourth…
Eoin Macken on La Brea season 2
New on Netflix Canada: October 2022
Daniela Nieves & Sisi Stringer on Vampire Academy,…
Hotel Punta Islita | Eco-conscious luxury in Costa…
Tron Lightcycle / Run opens in Magic Kingdom…
The skating trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park |…
Travel Tuesday: Cunard's 2024 itineraries, Las Catalinas' Beach…
Discover holiday magic at Walt Disney World Resort…
Hollyland Lark C1 review | Wireless mics for…
The best Android phones of 2022
12 tech gift ideas for creators, photographers, and…
OnePlus 10T available now for pre-order in Canada…
BMO launches Pre-Authorized Payments Manager to help Canadians…
Drinks & Style
Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye whisky is a…
Burns Night: Celebrating Robbie Burns night and Scotland's…
Stalk&Barrel whisky cocktail ideas for winter entertaining
Holiday cheese for everyone, featuring 7 generational cheeseboards…
Spread the holiday cheer with four special cheesecake…
JSHELL announces audio and visual album In My…
PTtheGospelSpitter and Stephen Voyce are Living for the…
SiriusXM launches more than 20 ad-free stations for…
Anat Kriger feeds us reminders of romance with…
Global Citizen, the future of advocacy, and the…
Recapping my best moments of 2022
Hello from the Windsor International Film Festival
Pura Vida in beautiful Costa Rica
TIFF Blog: More movies, On The Come Up,…
TIFF Blog: Movies, John Boyega, Primetime Dialogues, and…
Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio: A Timeless Tale Told…
Kensington Work From Home Like A Pro bundle…
Vivier QuintiSerum giveaway | Holiday Gift Guides
PetSafe Automatic Ball Launcher giveaway | Holiday Gift…
Kilne Everything Pan and 6-Piece Knife Set giveaway…
"I'd love to say it gets easier": a talk with Boy Erased author Garrard Conley
by Andrew Parker November 6, 2018
written by Andrew Parker November 6, 2018
It's a rainy autumn afternoon just after Daylight Savings Time in Toronto; the kind of damp, chilly, and dark day that makes one yearn for warmth. People tend to move a little slower or prefer to not leave their homes on such days, but author and LGBTQ activist Garrard Conley appears positively energized and enthusiastic to talk about the film adaptation of his bestselling memoirs, Boy Erased, which opens in select Canadian cities this weekend and expands to additional markets in the coming weeks. It's surprising when one considers that Conley has been going pretty much non-stop promoting his book and the film without many breaks over the past couple of years.
"It's crazy to think about," Conley says with a light chuckle in the lobby of a Yorkville hotel about the continued momentum behind his memoir. "It was published only in 2016. I've already been told many times that this almost never happens in any industry, and that I shouldn't get used to it."
Boy Erased, which was published in 2016, found Conley speaking out about a deeply traumatic period in his life. At the age of nineteen, Garrard Conley, who now lives in New York with his husband, but was raised in a fundamentalist baptist Arkansas family, chose to enter highly controversial conversion therapy for homosexuality. Spurred on by personal traumas and the devout beliefs of his mother and pastor father, Conley enrolled in intensive conversion therapy with Love in Action, a group that believes they can help "those in trouble" with their sexuality "pray the gay away." Over months of intensive "therapeutic interventions," Conley realized the program was doing more harm than good, pleading with his mother to get him out of Love in Action. The book reads like something truly therapeutic rather the false notion of self-help espoused by Love in Action; a painfully honest recounting of what he witnessed and felt during a formative and tumultuous period in his young life.
It wasn't long after the book's publication that Conley's story caught the eye and heart of Australian director, screenwriter, and actor Joel Edgerton, who was keen on bringing Boy Erased to the big screen. Directed and written by Edgerton (who also appears as Love in Action's primary counsellor), the film casts award winning young actor Lucas Hedges as Conley (in one of three films he'll appear in this fall, alongside Jonah Hill's Mid90s and his father Peter's addiction narrative Ben is Back) and Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe as Garrard's parents.
And while Conley was kept closely involved with the film's production by Edgerton, the author and tireless advocate has been keeping busy on any number of other projects while he criss-crosses the globe in the continued support of Boy Erased. He's currently researching queer lives during America's Great Awakening for his next book, centering around an ex-pat British pastor and a family harbouring no small number of secrets. He recently began producing and hosting a podcast alongside the creators of Radiolab called UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America, the first episode of which premiered last week. As if that weren't enough, we're speaking together on the day before the U.S. midterm elections, something that understandably means a lot to him and millions around the world, and he has been eagerly urging people to vote and make their voice hear during a pivotal moment in American politics.
We were grateful to speak with Conley during his second swing through Toronto in as many months (following the film's Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September) to talk about the delicate nature of bringing Boy Erased to the big screen, what it's like hearing stories from other conversion therapy survivors, what makes such programs so insidious and damaging, working with Edgerton and Hedges, how the book and film capture the history of such programs, and how it fits in with other similar works on the subject.
Trigger warning: talk of suicide and rape ahead.
I'm sure that between the book and the film, the past couple of years have opened you up to the experiences of other people who've similarly survived conversion therapy programs that, in some cases, might've been worse or more intense than your own. Between the initial publication of your memoirs up until the release of the film adaptation of them, has it gotten easier or more overwhelming to respond to the outpouring of similar stories that you hear on a regular basis?
Garrard Conley: I'd love to say it gets easier, but it does get more overwhelming. The first few messages and emails that I got when the book was published were largely from survivors of conversion therapy or from people who'd been previously involved in some form of fundamentalist Christianity, or other similar faiths. Those were emails of solidarity for the most part, or that's how I labeled them in my mind. They might be full of pain, but they were mostly notes along the lines of "Thank you so much for writing this."
And now, it's somewhat different. As I'm sure you know, more people pay attention to movies these days than they do to books. When the trailer for Boy Erased dropped, I started getting these emails that were terrifying to me. I got a few threats, of course, and probably enough to feel significant. But the emails that I got that upset me and rocked me more often came from people who were suicidal, and they would say, "Please respond to me or I'm going to commit suicide." I got several of those, and that made the responsibility I already felt feel even greater.
I called The Trevor Project, which is a big LGBT group in the U.S. that provides support in these situations, and I asked, "Well, what do I do?" And they told me that it was really important not to meet the demands they were asking, but instead give them resources. But at that point, I realized that this was on a completely different level than I had been on before. People's lives were on the line, and what I said could affect their well being. That was scary, and it still is to me. There's still so much pain out there.
And I'm sure it's even scarier when one considers that so much has changed in the U.S. in such a short period of time. The time period your book and the film captures is vastly different from when you wrote down your story, and it's even more chaotic and different now than when the book was published, especially when it comes to LGBT rights.
Garrard Conley: When I was writing the book in 2014 and 2015, that was during the Obama administration, and at the time, it was kinda radical to think "let's try to understand these people, what they're going through, and what they've been through." Now, I don't think I could write the same book that I did. It would be too angry, and I don't think I could humanize my parents or the counsellors the way I did. I still think it's worthwhile that I did it, but there's still so much of this talk today among people that I don't understand or think is constructive. "Well, you just need to understand why they're racist or bigoted." That's such B.S. You don't have to spend your energy doing that.
We've been dealing with a lot of that here with our own elections, with an extreme right wing candidate finishing third in the mayoral election, and last weekend there was a huge protest downtown when Steve Bannon came to town to engage in a debate of sorts.
Garrard Conley: How was he even allowed to do it in the first place? You can't debate with people like that. People like my parents can change. I know this because I've seen that it's possible from firsthand experience. But there are certain people that you simply cannot debate with. I just got done reading this article that says when someone is so far beyond the pale when it comes to hating people, you can't meet them in the middle. Meeting them in the middle means you're slightly racist or slightly bigoted or slightly homophobic. There's no middle to meet there.
Martha Conley and her son and author Garrard Conley.
It's fascinating to me that the film version of this was crafted by Joel Edgerton with Lucas Hedges in the leads because the first time I ever met Joel was alongside Lucas' father, Peter, when they worked together on a different film. I would meet Lucas later, but his father was one of the most sensitive, open, and empathetic people I'd ever met, and I could immediately see those same qualities in his son. And Joel's career has been so fascinating in the sense that he's made some fairly dark films as a director and as a co-writer alongside his brother, but he's also worked with some of the most astute and empathetic filmmakers today like Peter Hedges and Jeff Nichols. What was it like working alongside people like Joel and Lucas who seem to have great respect for the empathy you showed in your story?
Garrard Conley: Well, if you think of Joel's first film as a director, The Gift, that's a film about bullying. You're always wondering throughout that film if Jason Bateman's character is going to do the right thing, and how things could've turned out differently if he did. As sometimes sadistic as that plot can seem, it has a really strong moral message. And I think Boy Erased is also about bullying. Joel is always so interested and thoughtful when it comes to talking about subjects like that because he wants to understand them with hopes of making sure people don't have to go through such things.
Lucas is a doll. He's the sweetest person in the world. We first met in Brooklyn, and he just said that I should come and see the house where he grew up and lived with his father. One of the first things that he said was they he should see part of his life because I had given him so much of mine. I went over to his apartment, and I met Peter and his mom. It was so disarming that he would just give me this access to his life almost right off the bat. But later I learned that it's just how he is. If you know him, he's totally open.
Author Garrard Conley and actor Lucas Hedges on the set of Boy Erased.
When Joel decided he wanted to make the film, naturally he wanted to meet with some other people who had survived conversion therapy camps and programs, which you helped to facilitate. You wrote a book all about it, but you also had to be a guide for Joel into the experiences of others. What considerations did you have to take into account when bringing Joel into the lives of other survivors?
Garrard Conley: There wasn't too much really. From the start, I always had the sense that Joel would never say the wrong thing. He would know how to ask things properly and respectfully. He's very good at saying things the right way, and a lot of the people I introduced to Joel were seasoned speakers who'd been out and doing this stuff for awhile. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't introducing him to people who were so raw and not so far removed from their experiences that it would be immediately intimidating to a director. But Joel was always wonderful, and there was never a moment where I questioned his motivations. He kept me involved with everything and always stayed focused on the truth.
It also has to be interesting to have a film made about your experiences in the wake of documentaries that have covered conversion therapy programs and other fictional films like But I'm a Cheerleader and The Miseducation of Cameron Post, where you can see the cultural differences that make their way into youth culture and technological advances in the world around these characters, but you can also witness how these institutions double down on their religious ideologies. Across all these films you can see how the ideas and approaches generally stay the same, but the people going through these programs change with the times. What's it like being a part of a similar film where these progressions and stagnancies can be charted almost along a timeline?
Garrard Conley: One of the things that I think you see in movies about this subject is that the general ideas are the same, but the people trying to force them onto others change their approaches. People are always finding new ways of saying things. They might not be different ideas, but they're voiced through different language and mediums. Now, one of the biggest things being talked about is that it's being referred to as "restoration" instead of "conversion." These people will always find a way to move forward in their own minds without ever really moving forward. That's the danger of what they do. They're always repackaging themselves, and you can see that in these kinds of films.
I absolutely love But I'm a Cheerleader, and I was actually a consultant on Miseducation of Cameron Post. I really wish that one had more attention and distribution, but I was really happy to work on two movies that were so different. Miseducation was kind of a queer, slightly more fun take on things, but it still had a lot of drama in it, too. And then there was something like Boy Erased which is so serious. It was great to work on two films where people could enter this subject from two different entry points, experiences, and perspectives.
It's kind of the right zeitgeist-y moment, if you think about it, to have two films like this coming out. Vice President Mike Pence supported conversion therapy, and people within the Trump administration are now talking about it in ways that are very scary, and even scarier for Trans people. When two movies come out around the same time like this, it feels really kismet and necessary.
And they've helped to bring about progress because people are speaking out and realizing that representation in these matters makes a huge difference. Lucas came out recently about his sexual fluidity, and a lot of the people behind the camera and in front of the camera on Boy Erased were queer, and that was so important for me. Even Joel was partnering immediately with LGBT organizations from the beginning. Joel is the definition of a good ally. It's so hard to find one, but he's one of the best. He was so great to work with.
When you found out this was going to be a film, were there any elements of the book that you were really guarded about when it came to Joel's adaptation, either from your own perspective or for the sake of anyone else portrayed in your memoirs? Was there anything that was off limits for the film that you put in the book?
Garrard Conley: You know, once I handed it over to Joel, I more or less said, "From artist to artist, you take it and do what you want." I had actually turned down writing the screenplay. I didn't want to do it. I just gave it to him, trusted him, and I wasn't going to try and get in the way.
That being said, of course my sexual assault was something I was very concerned with how it was going to be portrayed. I think Joel did a good job of it, capturing what that really felt like. But it's still something that makes me feel uncomfortable, obviously. It makes me sad, but it's a necessary part of the story. It's sad that it has to be told, and I'm sad that a lot of people will be triggered by this experience. It's going to be upsetting for a lot of people, but the truth is often the most upsetting thing to hear or bear witness to.
Well, something like that often opens up a doorway to other deeply uncomfortable feelings and self-doubts.
Garrard Conley: You're right, and I think they all tie into why conversion therapy is so insidious. I talk a lot more about it in the book than can be shown in a two hour movie, but for me being raped and being told that my rapist had done the same thing to an even younger boy confirmed in a really sick and incredulous way everything I'd heard growing up about LGBTQ people being predators. At the time, conversion therapy made me think that my sexuality could make me into my attacker. At the time, the first thought was "Fuck that, cure me." All of that feeds into why people go into conversion therapy in the first place. It all starts with fear and discomfort. The same common denominator always exists, which is bigotry. Being raped is always going to be a horrible experience, but when you're raped and you or someone close to you starts filtering it through that lens of bigotry, that's hard to escape.
And as someone's who's been through normal, licensed forms of therapy, it's unsettling and disheartening to see untrained people using similar methodologies to forward a religious agenda.
Garrard Conley: They do, and that's what's so dangerous. In the end, when you try to go into regular therapy, you're supposed to get emotionally distraught whenever stuff gets brought up, and then you work through it, think about it, and talk it out. Love in Action was doing the first part of that by breaking people down, and then telling them to pray on it. When you combine real therapeutic techniques with religion or pseudoscience, it has a lasting impact on how you see the world around you that's really unfortunate and damaging.
Boy Erased opens in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver on Friday, November 9. It expands to cities across Canada on November 16.
Subscribe to our mailing list and get weekly updates on our latest contests, interviews, and reviews.
Boy ErasedGarrard Conley
Andrew Parker fell in love with film growing up across the street from a movie theatre. He began writing professionally about film at the age of fourteen, and has been following his passions ever since. His writing has been showcased at various online outlets, as well as in The Globe and Mail, BeatRoute, and NOW Magazine. If he's not watching something or reading something, he's probably sleeping.
Pamela, A Love Story Review | Setting the...
Join Us! Become A Member.
thegatemag
#Entertainment & Lifestyle | #travel, #film, gadgets, & #drinks.
Photos by @wanderpow.
Entertainment News Releases
Celebrating 21 years of covering entertainment in 2022, The GATE is dedicated to film, television, music, tech, lifestyle, and travel. | Read More
Burns Night: Celebrating Robbie Burns night and Scotland's National Bard
The Wandering Earth II Review | Kiss Your Earth Goodbye
Top 25 Canadian TV shows of all time
Holiday Gift Guides 2022
Invite The GATE to cover your destination
GATEKeeper's Blog
Food & Style
Copyright © 2023 The GATE. Have a great day. | Disclaimer & Privacy Policy


This is a placeholder page for Feliciacarter1967@yahoo.com Carte, which means this person is not currently on this site. We do suggest using the tools below to find Feliciacarter1967@yahoo.com Carte.
You are visiting the placeholder page for Feliciacarter1967@yahoo.com Carte. This page is here because someone used our placeholder utility to look for Feliciacarter1967@yahoo.com Carte. We created this page automatically in hopes Feliciacarter1967@yahoo.com Carte would find it. If you are not Feliciacarter1967@yahoo.com Carte, but are an alumni of Idabel High School, register on this site for free now.


Fill in our online form to request your Velox demo chair today! We can't wait for you to try it out.
For all other non-demo order inquiries, please sign up or login to access our online shop. Please email with any further questions!
© 2016 Velox Manufacturing Inc. Made in Canada.


text:
Midwest City COVID relief program open to businesses, community groups
By Jeff Harrison
More help is on the way for businesses and community groups in Midwest City impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Midwest City Memorial Hospital Authority will award more than $340,000 in COVID related relief grants for local businesses and community groups.
The Midwest City Memorial Hospital Authority Board of Grantors and the Authority Trustees voted last week to open the grant program to both community groups and businesses.
City officials expect to announce details about the application process next week.
Robert Coleman, economic development director, speaks during a meeting of the Midwest City Memorial Hospital Authority Board of Grantors and Trustees. (Photo by Jeff Harrison)
"We're still working the application forms since they will need to be dual purpose for business and community grants and still need to hone in on dates for it," said Robert Coleman, Midwest City economic development director.
The Board of Grantors normally awards community grants to local non-profit organizations, community groups and public entities. The group shifted its focus towards local businesses last year in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In July, the city launched the COVID-19 Small Businesses Disaster Recovery Program. It focused solely on all small businesses directly affected by Gov. Kevin Stitt's executive orders. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $4,000. The program concluded in September after awarding about $93,000 in grants.
Last week, the board of grantors and trustees met to determine how to use the remaining $340,000 in the grant program.
Coleman recommended using the funds for a second phase of business relief. He suggested the funds be directed to: independent dining establishments, franchised dining establishments, hotelsand amusement venues. Grant money could only be used for rent or mortgage payments, personnel costs or benefits costs, materials or supplies related to business operations, promotions, new construction, utilities or other expenses pre-approved.
The categories were selected based on areas that have seen declines in sales tax collections. Coleman said he reviewed reports from the Oklahoma Tax Commission and used the North American Industry Classification System or NAICS to determine which classifications of businesses were seeing losses.
"Based on those codes, I contacted restaurateurs and hotel operators about how much their businesses were down," he said. "I took all of that into account before bringing my recommendation."
Councilman Pat Byrne agreed with the decision to direct funds towards businesses. He said that while the grant program was created to help non-profits and public entities, city leaders must adapt to the demands of the coronavirus pandemic.
"This is a completely different environment. It's a pandemic and we're trying to help small businesses get through this. It's not a savior. It's not going to keep them from going under but it may help them a little bit. We have the opportunity here to help Midwest City businesses maybe survive another month or two until that starts getting fixed," Byrne said.
Other members of the city council and board of grantors objected to the narrow focus of the business grants and others believed they should not exclude community grants.
Councilwoman Susan Eads said the restrictions may block out new small businesses that need support.
"If you're a solo owner of a business, you don't have a corporate association to fall back on," she said. "Many new businesses have opened in the last year that probably aren't able to qualify for other assistance."
After nearly an hour of discussion, Coleman pulled back on his recommendation and suggested opening the grant program to businesses and community groups.
"Why don't we open it to everybody and everything and they can tell us what they need," he said. "Just make your case about why you need the money."
The Board of Grantors and Trustees approved the proposal.
After the application period is complete, Board of Grantors will review the grant proposal and make recommendations for awards. The Hospital Authority Trustees, which is comprised of the city council, will then vote on the recommendations, likely in April or May, according to Coleman.
The purpose of the Midwest City Community Improvement Grant Program is to improve the quality of life by funding effective projects that address the diverse issues and opportunities facing the Midwest City community.
The grant program is funded through proceeds from the lease of the hospital. Since 1998, the Hospital Authority Trust, with the assistance of the Board of Grantors, has awarded 294 grants to community organizations with a value of nearly $7 million.
Posted in Midwest City Beacon Area News, Midwest City Beacon Breaking News
Police investigate break-in at FOP lodge
Tinker closing main gate for construction
Midwest City gaining ground in storm cleanup
Midwest City honors MLK through radio broadcast
Firefighters battle another blaze at apartment complex

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Sundar Pichai has stated that affected employees will receive incentives
By Sadaf Hasan
Representational Image. Photo Credit: Wikimedia/ The Pancake of Heaven!
After a Far-right Uprising, Lula Dismisses the Chief of the Brazilian Army
Israel to Recoup State Funding from Critical Films
FIH Men's Hockey World Cup: Defending Champions Belgium Defeat New Zealand 2-0
Sadaf Hasan
Aspiring reporter covering trending topics
UNITED STATES: Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google announced on Friday that the tech giant will lay off 12000 employees globally, adding to a slew of other tech behemoths' job cuts amid looming economic woes.
Affected Google employees in the US have already gotten an email, and affected staff members overseas will be notified soon.
Sundar Pichai announces that layoffs will start immediately
The CEO of Google and Alphabet, Sundar Pichai, said in an email sent to the company's workforce that layoffs will start immediately in the United States. The process "will take longer due to local laws and practices" in other countries, he stated.
The business undertook a "rigorous assessment" across product categories and functions to make sure that current responsibilities are aligned with the firm's highest priorities, the email reads.
In the letter, Pichai also emphasises that the business will guarantee a seamless "transition" for the affected employees. Throughout the whole notice period, Google will pay its employees (for a minimum of 60 days).
It claims to offer a severance payout beginning at 16 weeks' salary plus two weeks for each extra year spent working for Google. Bonuses and healthcare benefits are also provided to entitled employees in accordance with their contracts.
However, Google employees who work outside of the US will be given a severance payout in accordance with their contracts and local regulations.
Pichai adds that Google will host a town hall meeting with its staff on Monday. "As an almost 25-year-old company, we're bound to go through difficult economic cycles. These are important moments to sharpen our focus, re-engineer our cost base, and direct our talent and capital to our highest priorities," his letter continues.
While the announcement of mass layoffs is unfortunate, the development is not wholly unexpected. In the middle of 2022, Google halted hiring, and Pichai even said that staff members weren't working hard and they shouldn't equate fun with money. "We don't always get to choose the macroeconomic conditions," Pichai has previously stated.
Although the CEO of Google has stated that affected employees will receive incentives, a recent report claims that Google has postponed issuing year-end bonus checks to staff members this year. Google employees usually receive a full bonus in January of each year, so this is quite rare for them.
On the other hand, a report asserted that the business board had authorised a new equity award for CEO Sundar Pichai that more closely links his remuneration to performance.
The statement from Google comes only days after Microsoft cut 10,000 jobs. Other tech behemoths, such as Twitter and Meta, have also laid off thousands of employees because of the downturn in the global economy.
Amazon started a new round of layoffs on Wednesday, affecting more than 18,000 workers. Since Elon Musk became CEO in October, Twitter has also made layoffs, reducing its workforce by more than half.
Google, like many other IT firms, had acknowledged that it overhired during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone was compelled to work from home. As a result, people spent more time online, and tech firms forecasted growth following the pandemic.
However, the Russia-Ukraine War and many other macroeconomic factors caused tech companies to start feeling the heat. If the situation doesn't get better, Google or other big corporations might subsequently let go of more employees.
Also Read: Amazon Announces over 18,000 Job Cuts as Major Layoffs Continue into 2023
All-Rounder India Defeat New Zealand by 8 Wickets, Clinch 3-match ODI Series


text:
Pakistan lifts tariffs on fresh fruit from Afghanistan
Oak Ridge, NC - UPDATE: Jeffrey Jones, Zach Williamson identified in Friday crash - Raleigh Personal Injury Blog - June 28, 2021
Arden Group Announces Final Closing of Arden Real Estate Partners, III LP at $ 500 Million Equity
USD / JPY Basic Every day Forecast - Underneath stress from Fed choice, however underneath stress from in a single day yield volatility
Larimer County Natural Resource Deals Same Day Online Camping Reservations
United States increases tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber to 17.9%, double the old rate
Representatives from various Canadian governments and the lumber industry express disappointment that the United States has decided to move forward with a plan to double the amount of tariffs it imposes on lumber softwood lumber from Canada.
On Wednesday, the US Department of Commerce said it would impose an average duty of 17.9% on softwood lumber imported from Canada. This is more than double the previous rate of 8.99%.
In May, the U.S. government announced plans to raise the rate to 18.32 percent, but after further analysis over the summer, the agency decided to scale back that plan, while doubling all of even the levy.
The United States asserts that Canadian lumber producers are dumping their product into the United States at a lower price than the US lumber companies can afford because they are subsidized. Thus, the United States imposes a tariff on all softwood lumber in Canada to increase its retail price, which encourages consumers to purchase American lumber.
Canada has long rejected these claims, and various trade tribunals on the issue have ruled in favor of Canada.
"At every step of the way, the decisions concluded that Canada was a fair trading partner," International Trade Minister Mary Ng said in a press release, in which she expressed how "disappointed" Ottawa was with decision.
"The United States has long relied on Canadian lumber products to meet its domestic needs for high-quality building materials," said Ng.
"These unjustified rights hurt Canadian communities, businesses and workers. They are also a tax on American consumers, raising the costs of housing, renovating and renting at a time when housing affordability is already a major concern for many.
Not all lumber will have the same duty
Canada exports approximately $ 8 billion in lumber to the world each year, according to official government data. The United States is the biggest buyer.
Ng says Canada will continue to defend the industry against unfair tariffs, including through litigation under the North American trade agreement CUSMA, its predecessor NAFTA and the World Trade Organization. As recently as the summer of 2020, the WTO ruled in favor of Canada on the issue.
Not all Canadian lumber will be subject to the same tariffs because the United States claims that different companies are subsidized at different levels. The final prices are as follows:
Canfor Corp., 19.54 percent.
West Fraser Timber Co., 11.12 percent.
Resolute Forest Products Inc., 29.66 percent.
JD Irving, 15 percent.
All of these rates are slightly lower than those offered in May, but well above where they were previously.
Provincial reactions
The British Columbia Lumber Trade Council says tariffs make no sense because the United States does not produce enough softwood to meet its own demand.
Official data shows that the United States produces only enough softwood lumber to meet about 70 percent of its own needs. Most of the rest is from Canada.
"Our firm hope is that the American industry will end this decades-long litigation and work with us to meet the demand for the low-carbon wood products that the world wants, including American families," said Chairman of the Board, Susan Yurkovich.
"Until then, we will continue to vigorously defend our industry against these baseless allegations."
Alberta Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Economic Development Minister Nate Horner has said the higher tariffs are totally unacceptable.
"Any amount of tariffs unfairly targets our lumber exports and these decreasing and then increasing rates create uncertainty on both sides of the border," he said in a statement.
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Hicks also expressed disappointment with the decision. "We are very disappointed with the decision of the US government to increase these unfair and unjustified duties against lumber exports from New Brunswick," he said.
US softwood lumber lobby welcomes news
The US Lumber Coalition, the lobby group that represents the industry in the country, welcomed the tariffs, saying in a press release that it "remains open to a new softwood lumber trade deal if and when the Canada can show that it is serious about negotiating an agreement that offsets the damage caused by Canadian unfair trade to producers, workers and holders of forest land in the United States.
"Until then, the US Lumber Coalition fully supports the rigorous and continued application of US trade laws to combat unfair Canadian trade practices in softwood lumber.
The group says that while it is true that the United States has historically not produced enough softwood lumber to meet its own demand, this is no longer the case as American producers have increased their capacity. in recent years and now produce approximately 3.5 million board feet of softwood lumber each year.
"These increases have more than offset any decline in unfairly traded Canadian imports and are sufficient to build approximately 1.2 million US single-family homes," the group said.
Leading Real Estate Player Joins Keller Williams Realty's Lambros Group | New
USD / JPY has stamina in the 115 area
SEIA Calls for Phase-Out of Item 201 Tariffs Before Key US ITC Hearing
Clothing products from Bangladesh may not qualify for GSP Plus


text:
April Fools' Day is now associated with Google and the countless pranks which show that Google hasn't lost its cheerfulness.
The first hoax for this year comes from Google Japan: you can now try the 8-bit version of Google Maps. Just click the "quest" button in the regular Google Maps interface.
"Our engineering team in Japan understood the importance of maps on retro game systems. With the power of Google's immense data centers, and support from Nintendo and Square Enix, we were able to overcome the technical and design hurdles of developing 8-bit maps. Today, we're excited to announce the result: a version of Google Maps for NES, with beautiful low-res graphics, simple and intuitive controls, and a timeless soundtrack," explains Google.
The 8-bit Google Maps hides some monsters from the Dragon Quest series.
Google Japan also came up with a simplified IME for Japanese (Google Translate) that only uses a single key: space.
Google China changed the search results page for [Qingming], but you'll only see the beautiful animated wallpaper if you use Chrome. "The Qingming Festival (...) is a traditional Chinese festival on the 104th day after the winter solstice (or the 15th day from the Spring Equinox), usually occurring around April 5 of the Gregorian calendar" (from Wikipedia).
"Use the Chrome browser, Google's search box, enter "Qingming", the results page is the past is not the same? Greeted by swaying willow branches, a symbol of spring in the air. "Green little Liulv the Yula have Qingming, the page will float to the surface ripples from time to time, and click a fish tail out of the water continued to click, but also do not like surprises! The bottom of the page are two cowboy, riding a piper playing in the back of a bull, quiet and lightly." (machine translation - Google China Blog)
Don't miss the underwater image search experience developed by Google China. It's so much fun to type your query.
Google Australia found a way to capture more Street View images for Australia: Google Street Roo. "Over the next four weeks, more than a thousand Big Red kangaroos will be equipped with a 360-degree head camera that will automatically capture images when the marsupial is on the move during daylight hours. The cameras on our Street Roo collection team will be powered by solar panels stitched into the back pocket of custom-made roo jackets. Images will be wired to Google in real-time. A GPS tracker embedded into the jacket will match the location of the kangaroo to ensure the image is accurately uploaded onto the new Street View layer."
Inspired by the Japanese IME and the Morse Code, Gmail's team introduces a new way to type on a mobile device. "Gmail Tap takes the keyboard from 26 keys to just two. Every letter of the alphabet is represented by a simple pattern of dots and dashes, and once you know them you can type without even looking at your screen. This makes it ideal for situations where you need to discreetly send emails, such as when you're on a date or in a meeting with your boss."
AdWords brings a new ad extension: click-to-teleport. "While features like call extensions and location extensions have aimed at solving the online to store marketing objective for multichannel advertisers, Click-to-Teleport shortens the offline conversion funnel by allowing a user to teleport directly to your business location by clicking on your search ad."
If you've already optimized your sites for mobile phones, you can now optimize them for rotary phones.
YouTube offers a way to enjoy your favorite videos even when you don't have an internet connection. The YouTube Collection lets you watch any YouTube video on DVD and you can still share your feedback.
Just click the "home" button from the YouTube player to watch a demo.
Chrome's engineers found a new way to multitask. "We call it Multitask Mode. Multitask Mode lets you have access to multiple mice at the same time, so you can make a chess move while you watch a dance move, or draw a horse while you draw on a friend for relationship advice. Chrome can handle as many mice, touchpads, styli, joysticks, trackballs, and other pointing devices as you can plug into your computer, so you and your friends can browse dozens of sites at the same time."
Jargon-Bot for Google Apps translates business jargon into plain English. " Jargon-Bot has been integrated across the entire suite of Google Apps so that next time you are on an IM chat with your manager, it will help you recognize and say no to unrealistic expectations. When you receive an e-mail from your supplier, Jargon-Bot won't let you get ripped off by demystifying the fine print," explains Google.
Make sure you try the interesting new options from Google's search sidebar that let you find pages from the past: "Jurassic Era", "Victorian Era", "Enlightenment", "Once Upon a Time" and even tomorrow's pages.
Image Search lets you find images from "the Gilded age".
Here are the queries used by Google:
* Hadean Era: just us rocks, move along
* Jurassic Era: It's a UNIX system, I know this!
* Cretaceous Era: "dinosaur repellent" OR "time machine repair"
* New Kingdom Era: tetrahedral real estate listings
* Once Upon A Time: Poisoned Apple Antidotes
* Enlightenment: ego quaerere ergo ego sum
* Victorian Era: this query served from Google's Difference Engine cluster
* Past 5.391e-44 seconds [Planck time]: a photon passes, no new celebrity news, must refresh faster
* Tomorrow: todo: create tachyon web crawler
For even more search options, try Google Really Advanced Search. You can find pages with words "almost, but not quite entirely unlike" a word you enter, "this exact word or phrase, whose sum of unicode code points is a mersenne prime". You can narrow the results by font, textured background, "embarrassing grammatical faux pas" or "looping midi music".
Google's weather OneBox is now more powerful and it lets you change the weather. "Don't like the weather? Now you can change it in your region by selecting from the dropdown to change precipitation and setting your own temperature. Please notice, after submitting it takes approximately 45 minutes until your weather changes take effect," informs Google.
There's also a new Cloud API for the App Engine which lets you "gain cloud coverage in locations around the globe within minutes".
Google Analytics promise to add support for interplanetary reports, just in case your site has visitors from another planet. "While currently you only get a partial picture of website visitor location, we want to expand beyond Earth to help you understand visitor activities from neighboring stars and planets. You'll also be able to drill down on each planet to see greater detail. For example, which colony or outpost your visitors came from similar to the city drill down available for Earth today."
Self-driving cars are becoming a reality, but happens if you bring self-driving cars to NASCAR? "Our autonomous cars have now been test-driven (or rather, test-ridden) for more than 200,000 miles without a single machine-caused mishap. And today we're moving the project one great leap forward with Google Racing, a groundbreaking partnership with NASCAR to help self-driving vehicles compete in the world of stock car racing."
Google is bringing an ultra high-speed fiber network to Kansas City, but also releasing a Fiber Bar. "Google Fiber starts with 100 times more fiber than any source of fiber available today. Tested in labs across our Mountain View campus, we found that in just the right synthesis, psyllium and vitamins C and D morph into a byproduct we have coded as Fiberlicious. This smarter fiber delivers just what the body needs to sustain activity, energy and productivity up to 100 times more than you have experienced before."
{ Thanks, everyone. }
Labels: April Fools Day
Arpit March 31, 2012 at 11:55 AM
Anyone still remember blogoscoped.com Forum? That was an amazing place to check April fools' pranks of Google. Sad it is almost dead now.
henry March 31, 2012 at 12:37 PM
And just like that, some are already posting what they've found here. http://pinoytutorial.com/techtorial/google-maps-8-bit-easter-eggs-secret-spots-for-keen-eyed-gamers/
no they are not . dont go to pinoytutorial dot com. this site is fake and it spread spam , virus etc , my Kaspersky detect virus on that site .
beatleshelp1 March 31, 2012 at 1:34 PM
...lol
you guys have just been fooled by Mr. Anon.
lol lol lol :)
abeen March 31, 2012 at 4:35 PM
cheers to google, always a fun filled ideas on this day
No March 31, 2012 at 6:01 PM
Seems like not many people have seen this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiLSiqyDf4Y
And here http://www.youtube.com/theyoutubecollection
Abeens March 31, 2012 at 8:37 PM
Again, any chance that Google Analytics also in April 1st mood, because you can play Piano or Sitar in Google Analytics Dashboard http://abeeng.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/piano-and-sitar-in-google-analytics.html
Karin March 31, 2012 at 8:43 PM
Really Advanced Search
http://www.google.com/js/reallyadvanced.html
Do notice at the end of the page
Tickle a unicorn
Download our ranking code so you can run Google at home
Search by odor
Kedley Jorge March 31, 2012 at 9:05 PM
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fchrome%2Fmultitask&h=RAQESlUF6AQFhXmOvOfwwdTrlfyAV6jqz8WdxArj6NLyiBA
Google Weather Control
search "weather"
Teknoloji March 31, 2012 at 10:45 PM
Çok güzel olmuş tebrikler...
http://www.howtogomo.com/goro/d/
Stefan April 1, 2012 at 12:51 AM
Gotta love the 8-bit maps.
I thought that YouTube Collection thing was real! LOL I mean, I thought it was a new feature!
I came here to see if you had blogged about it.
Perde April 1, 2012 at 7:17 AM
Tap would only need ONE key...
mevlut April 2, 2012 at 11:57 PM
Very nice . Good joke's :)
wish they were real.
Jack Martin April 13, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Yeah this was a crazy April Fool's Day for Google. More pranks than ever before. 8bit Google Maps was definitely my favorite. I was in there for HOURS haha.
I just posted an article where I collected the 101 best Google tricks and jokes over the year, so check that out if you want more. http://bit.ly/HDnJ2n
Free Trial April 25, 2012 at 2:14 AM
Nice jokes :D
Daniel April 26, 2012 at 9:38 PM
i like the google china thing... superb.. the picture throw in like rain :-)
Google Account Stats
Google Experiments With a Collapsible Search Sidebar
Google Play, Added to the Navigation Bar
Upcoming Google Music Features
Google Docs and Clipboard Access
Smart Spell Checker in Google Docs
Blogger Adds Advanced Webmaster Features
Why Gmail Messages Are Marked as Spam
Customize Gmail's Buttons: Replace Icons With Text
Google's Easter Eggs for Binary and Other Number S...
Google Toolbar Built Into Chrome?
Google's Unified Gaming Platform
YouTube Scrobbler
New Google +1 Buttons
Gmail's New Loading Screen
Google's Thank You Notes
The Google+ Upgrade
Audio Books in Google Play?
YouTube Preview
Bring Back Keyword Highlighting to Google Cache
Google Play, Android Market's New Name


text:
Q: How to automatically refresh MS Access tables in excel, without breaking formatting of other cells in worksheet I have an inventory spreadsheet that contains a table of records imported from a Microsoft Access database. To the right of this table there is a field for workers to input the amount currently in stock for each item. To the right of that is a "unit conversion calculator" that helps them correctly convert between different units of measurement.
Here is a screenshot of how it currently looks:

I am currently having several problems with this, however, and was wondering if anyone could help me fix them:
1) I have several of these sheets (one for each of our food ordering departments). I currently have to refresh them all individually, each time I open the spreadsheet. Is there a way to make all tables imported from MS Access automatically update upon load? I'm trying to make this as simple as possible for end users, and don't want them to have to manually refresh the DB data.
2) When I refresh the data from Access using the [Data] --> [Refresh all] button, if it adds new rows, it breaks the formatting of all the cells to the right (e.g. the unit conversion calculator). Here is a screenshot of what breaks after update:

How do I make it where it doesn't break the formatting of the unit conversion calculator (I don't want it to affect anything outside columns A-F)? And how do I make the green highlighting in the "Units in stock" column carry down to the new cells that are created?
Thanks!

A: First, to refresh the data when the file is opened, you need to go into the connection properties (Data tab > Connections group) to enable Refresh data when opening the file.

The best solution to not messing up your calculator is to move it to its own tab. Any time a table is updated it adds or removes rows to match the data in the table you are connected to. It also looks like there are some filters being applied. Those hide rows also. All of these factors will mess up the formatting of your calculator.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Classics Party Nights Where YOU Can Dance To Those All Time Disco Greats From The 70's 80's 90's 00's. CLUB CLASSICS is a Movin' and Groovin' Night Out Where You Can Expect a Wide Spectrum Of Music * Disco * Charts * Party Anthems * R 'n' B * Reggae etc….. Presented By Top Experienced DJ's.


text:
Q: I can't use matplotlib I can't use matplotlib. I installed it with pip and it shows up in the pip list, but when I try to import it it says the module is not there. Others work, like pygame and I didn't do anything different when installing.
C:\Users\Torben>pip install matplotlib
Collecting matplotlib
  Using cached matplotlib-3.4.2-cp39-cp39-win_amd64.whl (7.1 MB)
Requirement already satisfied: kiwisolver>=1.0.1 in c:\users\torben\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages (from matplotlib) (1.3.1)
Requirement already satisfied: numpy>=1.16 in c:\users\torben\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages (from matplotlib) (1.21.0)
Requirement already satisfied: cycler>=0.10 in c:\users\torben\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages (from matplotlib) (0.10.0)
Requirement already satisfied: pillow>=6.2.0 in c:\users\torben\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages (from matplotlib) (8.3.0)
Requirement already satisfied: python-dateutil>=2.7 in c:\users\torben\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages (from matplotlib) (2.8.1)
Requirement already satisfied: pyparsing>=2.2.1 in c:\users\torben\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages (from matplotlib) (2.4.7)
Requirement already satisfied: six in c:\users\torben\appdata\local\programs\python\python39\lib\site-packages (from cycler>=0.10->matplotlib) (1.16.0)
Installing collected packages: matplotlib
Successfully installed matplotlib-3.4.2

C:\Users\Torben>pip list
Package         Version

cycler          0.10.0
kiwisolver      1.3.1
matplotlib      3.4.2
numpy           1.21.0
Pillow          8.3.0
pip             21.1.3
pygame          2.0.1
pyparsing       2.4.7
python-dateutil 2.8.1
setuptools      56.0.0
six             1.16.0

C:\Users\Torben>python
Python 3.9.6 (tags/v3.9.6:db3ff76, Jun 28 2021, 15:26:21) [MSC v.1929 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
import matplotlib
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<stdin>", line 1, in <module>
File "C:\Users\Torben\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\lib\site-packages\matplotlib\__init__.py", line 107, in <module>
from . import _api, cbook, docstring, rcsetup
File "C:\Users\Torben\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\lib\site-packages\matplotlib\rcsetup.py", line 24, in <module>
from matplotlib import _api, animation, cbook
File "C:\Users\Torben\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\lib\site-packages\matplotlib\animation.py", line 34, in <module>
from PIL import Image
File "C:\Users\Torben\AppData\Local\Programs\Python\Python39\lib\site-packages\PIL\Image.py", line 114, in <module>
from . import _imaging as core
ImportError: DLL load failed while importing _imaging: Das angegebene Modul wurde nicht gefunden.`][1]

(last line -> DLL load failed while importing _imaging: The specified module was not found.)

A: Probably the C++ runtime library is not installed in your machine or environment. Try python -m pip install msvc-runtime


text:
Great Northern Depot
Built in 1911, the Great Northern Depot is a historic train station that is now home to the Anacortes Farmer's Market and the Depot Arts & Community Center. Architect Samuel L. Bartlett designed it in the Tudor (English) style and it has been well preserved. The one-story, wood-frame building features stuccoed walls with inlaid boards to mimic a timber frame, four large rooms (two passenger waiting rooms, a baggage room, and a freight room), and a terrazzo floor. The depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
The Great Northern Depot was built in 1911 and is today home to the Depot Arts & Community Center and Anacortes Farmer's Market.
The Great Northern Railroad built the depot during what is considered the city's "second boom" between 1900-1920 when the lumber and fishing industries were thriving. Great Northern erected the station to replace a smaller one that was no longer adequate for the city's needs and the increasing number of people settling here.
The depot was a busy passenger hub until 1930 when ridership began to decline as people started to use cars. As a result, regular passenger service ended in the early 1930s. After that, excursion trains operated until the mid-1950s; freight service continued until 1973 when another depot was built in Mt. Vernon, Washington. The Great Northern Depot remained vacant for several years before the city bought it in 1981. It was at that point that it became the Depot Arts & Community Center and home to the Anacortes Farmer's Market.
"Depot, circa 1915." The Historical Marker Database. Accessed February 16, 2020. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=74122.
Koler, Julie. "Great Northern Depot." National Park Service - National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. November 5, 1987. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/dd826d88-fa13-4f49-9ca6-92281065a596.
Depot Arts & Community Center
611 R. Avenue
Agriculture and Rural History
Railroads and Transportation
Created by Ben M on February 16th 2020, 5:12:30 pm.
Anacortes Washington Walking Tour
This tour through Anacortes begins at the local museum and includes landmarks such as the Wilson Hotel, Causland Memorial Park, the W. T. Preston Museum, and the town's historic rail depot.


Mark works in the areas of bankruptcy, debtor and creditor rights and corporate restructurings. His experience includes support of matters involving debtors, secured creditors, creditors' committees, trade creditors, indenture trustees, panel trustees, asset purchasers and other entities in reorganizations, workouts and liquidations. Mark also has extensive experience in bankruptcy litigation support. Mark received his Bachelors of Arts degree with a Criminal Justice major in 1985 from the University of Illinois (Chicago Circle) and a Paralegal Certificate from Roosevelt University in 1986.


text:
Source: Connekt
December 03, 2018 09:00 ET
Connekt Offers ABC Fans the Unique Opportunity to Purchase Branded Merchandise From Some of Their All-Time Favorite Series at ShopABCTV.com
Get Access to Merchandise for Popular ABC Series Such as "Dancing with The Stars," "Grey's Anatomy," "Scandal" and Numerous Others
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 03, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Connekt announced the launch of ShopABCTV.com, a new online store operated by Connekt under a license from the ABC Television Network, which allows fans to purchase ABC show-branded merchandise. The ShopABCTV.com online store offers a wide variety of merchandise to fans of "Dancing with the Stars," "Desperate Housewives," "The Golden Girls," "Grey's Anatomy," "How To Get Away With Murder," "Lost," "Once Upon a Time," "Scandal" and "The View."
Connekt's e-commerce technology is the platform that supports every aspect of its ShopABCTV.com site. In addition, it creates officially licensed brand gear for its franchises, including apparel, drinkware, home goods or collectibles. Once a viewer purchases a product, Connekt fulfills the order, ensuring that the item is processed and delivered, and all customer service inquiries are met.
ShopABCTV.com enables a direct to consumer connection with fans around the clock.
"It's been an honor to work with ABC to create a branded merchandise opportunity that matches the design and aesthetic of the network, delights fans and drives additional revenue for the brand," said Mike O'Donnell, Chief Revenue Officer at Connekt.
"Deepening engagement with our audiences is a top priority," said Erin Weir, SVP of Marketing Strategy at ABC Television Network. "Connekt understood our needs and has worked diligently to bring ShopABCTV.com to life. We look forward to working with the Connekt team to bring our fans closer to our shows."
Those interested in learning more about ABC ShopTV may visit https://shopabctv.com/store/.
About Connekt
Connekt activates smarter TV experiences that audiences love. Connekt's patented, AI-driven platform has powered millions of smart TV ad, content and commerce experiences for partners including LG, Sony, Nielsen, CBS, Showtime, each of the agency holding companies, and dozens of top brands, like Chipotle, Eli Lilly, P&G and Target. Connekt's partners use its platform-based SaaS solutions to make their TV investments more targeted, engaging, transactable and measurable. Connekt is a private company headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver and New York. For more information, visit www.connekt.com.
Media Contact for Connekt
Shelley Petri
Account Director, Blast PR
shelley@blastpr.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/80e9e8fa-1331-4a3a-9d24-0ebd96a66c62.
ABC launch of ShopABCTV.com offers fans exclusive merchandise from top shows


Recorded in Austin, Texas Always Never Enough features 13 new recordings (9 of which were written by Catherine) and is her 5th studio album. It was produced by Catherine and Bill Chambers and features collaborations with US Country/Folk icon and master songwriter Guy Clark and Australia's favourite indie front man Tim Rogers.
Others that feature on the album include Grammy Award-winning producer and musician Lloyd Maines, Carrie Rodriguez, Lucinda Williams longtime guitarist Gurf Morlix and Americana artists and musicians Jimmy LaFave, Eliza Gilkyson, Carrie Rodriguez , Bobby Kallus, Glenn Schuetz, Phil Hurley, John Silva, Chip Dolan, Ray Bonneville & John Blundell. The first single from the album will be the title track and is at radio Monday June 4.
Since the release of her last album Catherine Britt (2010), Catherine has won numerous awards for her amazing songwriting ability. Her track 'Sweet Emmylou' not only won 'Single Of The Year' at this year's CMAA Awards but also grabbed second place in the 2011 Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition, sitting in-between Kimbra, who took home first prize for 'Cameo Lover' and Gotye who came in third for 'Somebody That I Use To Know.' 'Sweet Emmylou' also grabbed second place in the Americana category in the 2011 International Songwriting Competition. This competition had over 16,000 entries from 112 countries.
2012 has already been a busy year for Catherine. She performed over the weekend at Song Summit's Women Of Vanda and Young showcase along with Megan Washington. She has also been on tour with Beccy Cole, co-headlined at CMC Rocks the Hunter and co-hosted the 7th Australian Music Prize (AMP Awards). Catherine also hosts the national TV show 'Alt Country' on the Country Music Channel.
In July Catherine will head back to the USA, where she was personally invited to perform at this year's Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, which is held in the small town of Okemah in Oklahoma. This year marks what would have been Guthrie's 100th birthday. Catherine will join artists such as Billy Bragg, Arlo Guthrie, Judy Collins, Jimmy LaFave, Red Dirt Rangers, Sam Baker, Lloyd Maines, Kevin Welch plus many more to be announced.


Saatchi Art's curators have worked with artists from around the world to hand-pick every artwork we offer on Limited in order to provide you with an unmatched selection of limited edition prints. We are proud to offer "Radeon Pro Vega" by Thomas Hammer, which is available exclusively on Limited.
Artworks in a limited edition have a set number of prints available for each size offered. For the 10x8 size edition, "Radeon Pro Vega" comes in a limited edition of only 100 prints. Once all 100 of the prints in this edition size have sold out, there will be no other prints of "Radeon Pro Vega" available in the size of 10 inches high by 8 inches wide. Limited edition prints of this artwork may be available in other sizes.
I named this one after the graphics card of the upcoming (fall 2017) iMac Pro. It sounds like the future and also our hope for the future from back in the past. This painting explores the aesthetics of space travel. It features the gradient cast by the rotating earth and various close-ups of the machines that let us look down at ourselves. It doesn't not feature the loneliness from months spent alone or the staleness of freeze-dried ice cream, though I suppose those are there implicitly.
Thomas Hammer brings a minimalist approach to the inspired spontaneity and action of post-war painting. His ink drawings have a hypnotic rhythm and movement, while his airbrushed acrylic paintings use recurring motifs of intriguing images frozen on computer screens.


Oregon grape is a plant. The root and root-like stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine.
Oregon grape is used for stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), stomach upset, as a bitter tonic, to treat infections, and to cleanse the bowels.
Oregon grape is applied to the skin for a skin disorder called psoriasis and as a disinfectant.
The chemicals in Oregon grape might help fight bacterial and fungal infections. Oregon grape may also slow the overproduction of skin cells in diseases such as psoriasis.
Psoriasis. Some evidence suggests that applying a specific 10% Oregon grape extract cream (Relieva by Apollo Pharmaceutical) can reduce the severity of psoriasis and improve quality of life for people who have psoriasis. It might be as effective as the medicationcalcipotriene (Dovonex) cream for some people.
Itchy and inflamed skin (eczema). Early research suggests that applying a specific Oregon grape extract cream (Relieva by Apolla Pharmaceutical) for 12 weeks might improve the severity and area of itchy and inflamed skin in people with a skin condition called eczema. However, other research shows that topical application of a cream containing Oregon grape, heart's ease, and gotu kola extracts does not improve eczema.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Oregon grape for these uses.
Oregon grape cream is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied directly to the skin. It can cause some side effects such as itching, burning, irritation, and allergic reactions.
There is not enough information to know if Oregon grape is safe when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to use Oregon grape if you are pregnant. One of the chemicals in Oregon grape, berberine, may cross the placenta and might cause harm to the fetus. Brain damage (kernicterus) has been reported in newborn infants exposed to berberine. Berberine can also be transferred to the infant through breast milk. It's also LIKELY UNSAFE to use Oregon grape if you are breast-feeding due to the berberine in Oregon grape.
Children: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to give Oregon grape to children, especially newborns. The berberine in Oregon grape can cause brain damage (kernicterus) in newborns, particularly premature newborns who have jaundice. Jaundice is a condition in which there is yellowing of the eyes and skin caused by bile pigments in the blood. It can happen in newborns who have a different blood type than their mother.
The body breaks down cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) to get rid of it. Oregon grape might decrease how fast the body breaks down cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune). This might cause there to be too much cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune) in the body and potentially cause side effects.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.
<nb>Oregon grape might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking Oregon grape along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking Oregon grape, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.
<nb>Some medications changed by the liver include cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), indinavir (Crixivan), sildenafil (Viagra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others.
For psoriasis: A specific 10% Oregon grape bark extract cream (Relieva, Apolla Pharmaceutical) is applied to affected areas 2-3 times daily.
Augustin, M., Andrees, U., Grimme, H., Schopf, E., and Simon, J. Effects of Mahonia aquifolium ointment on the expression of adhesion, proliferation, and activation markers in the skin of patients with psoriasis. Forsch.Komplementarmed. 1999;6 Suppl 2:19-21. View abstract.
Bezakova, L., Misik, V., Malekova, L., Svajdlenka, E., and Kostalova, D. Lipoxygenase inhibition and antioxidant properties of bisbenzylisoqunoline alkaloids isolated from Mahonia aquifolium. Pharmazie 1996;51(10):758-761. View abstract.
Brezova, V., Dvoranova, D., and Kost'alova, D. Oxygen activation by photoexcited protoberberinium alkaloids from Mahonia aquifolium. Phytother.Res 2004;18(8):640-646. View abstract.
Cernakova, M. and Kostalova, D. Antimicrobial activity of berberine--a constituent of Mahonia aquifolium. Folia Microbiol.(Praha) 2002;47(4):375-378. View abstract.
Cernakova, M., Kost'alova, D., Kettmann, V., Plodova, M., Toth, J., and Drimal, J. Potential antimutagenic activity of berberine, a constituent of Mahonia aquifolium. BMC.Complement Altern.Med 2-19-2002;2:2. View abstract.
Donsky, H. and Clarke, D. Relieva, a Mahonia aquifolium extract for the treatment of adult patients with atopic dermatitis. Am.J.Ther. 2007;14(5):442-446. View abstract.
Eaker, E. Y. and Sninsky, C. A. Effect of berberine on myoelectric activity and transit of the small intestine in rats. Gastroenterology 1989;96(6):1506-1513. View abstract.
Hajnicka, V., Kost'alova, D., Svecova, D., Sochorova, R., Fuchsberger, N., and Toth, J. Effect of Mahonia aquifolium active compounds on interleukin-8 production in the human monocytic cell line THP-1. Planta Med 2002;68(3):266-268. View abstract.
Haupt, H. [Poisonous and less poisonous plants. 63. Barberry (Berberidaceae) (Berberis vulgaris)]. Kinderkrankenschwester. 2003;22(12):538-539. View abstract.
Klovekorn, W., Tepe, A., and Danesch, U. A randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled, half-side comparison with a herbal ointment containing Mahonia aquifolium, Viola tricolor and Centella asiatica for the treatment of mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. Int.J.Clin.Pharmacol.Ther. 2007;45(11):583-591. View abstract.
Kostalova, D., Bukovsky, M., Koscova, H., and Kardosova, A. [Anticomplement activity of Mahonia aquifolium bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids and berberine extract]. Ceska.Slov.Farm 2001;50(6):286-289. View abstract.
Li, S. Y., Jei, W., Seow, W. K., and Thong, Y. H. Effect of berbamine on blood and bone-marrow stem cells of cyclophosphamide-treated mice. Int.J.Immunopharmacol. 1994;16(3):245-249. View abstract.
Misik, V., Bezakova, L., Malekova, L., and Kostalova, D. Lipoxygenase inhibition and antioxidant properties of protoberberine and aporphine alkaloids isolated from Mahonia aquifolium. Planta Med 1995;61(4):372-373. View abstract.
Muller, K. and Ziereis, K. The antipsoriatic Mahonia aquifolium and its active constituents; I. Pro- and antioxidant properties and inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase. Planta Med 1994;60(5):421-424. View abstract.
Muller, K., Ziereis, K., and Gawlik, I. The antipsoriatic Mahonia aquifolium and its active constituents; II. Antiproliferative activity against cell growth of human keratinocytes. Planta Med 1995;61(1):74-75. View abstract.
Musumeci, R., Speciale, A., Costanzo, R., Annino, A., Ragusa, S., Rapisarda, A., Pappalardo, M. S., and Iauk, L. Berberis aetnensis C. Presl. extracts: antimicrobial properties and interaction with ciprofloxacin. Int.J.Antimicrob.Agents 2003;22(1):48-53. View abstract.
Rackova, L., Oblozinsky, M., Kostalova, D., Kettmann, V., and Bezakova, L. Free radical scavenging activity and lipoxygenase inhibition of Mahonia aquifolium extract and isoquinoline alkaloids. J.Inflamm.(Lond) 2007;4:15. View abstract.
Reuter, J., Wolfle, U., Weckesser, S., and Schempp, C. Which plant for which skin disease? Part 1: Atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, condyloma and herpes simplex. J Dtsch.Dermatol.Ges. 2010;8(10):788-796. View abstract.
Rob C., Durk W. Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers in the invasive shrub Mahonia aquifolium (Berberidacea) and their applicability in related species. Molecular Ecology Notes 2006;6(3):948-950.
Rohrer, U., Kunz, E. M., Lenkeit, K., Schaffner, W., and Meyer, J. Antimicrobial activity of Mahonia aquifolium and two of its alkaloids against oral bacteria. Schweiz.Monatsschr.Zahnmed. 2007;117(11):1126-1131. View abstract.
Sotnikova, R., Kettmann, V., Kostalova, D., and Taborska, E. Relaxant properties of some aporphine alkaloids from Mahonia aquifolium. Methods Find.Exp.Clin Pharmacol. 1997;19(9):589-597. View abstract.
Sotnikova, R., Kost'alova, D., and Vaverkova, S. Effect of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids from Mahonia aquifolium on the isolated rat aorta. Gen Pharmacol. 1994;25(7):1405-1410. View abstract.
Stermitz, F. R., Beeson, T. D., Mueller, P. J., Hsiang, J., and Lewis, K. Staphylococcus aureus MDR efflux pump inhibitors from a Berberis and a Mahonia (sensu strictu) species. Biochem.Syst.Ecol. 2001;29(8):793-798. View abstract.
Stermitz, F. R., Lorenz, P., Tawara, J. N., Zenewicz, L. A., and Lewis, K. Synergy in a medicinal plant: antimicrobial action of berberine potentiated by 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin, a multidrug pump inhibitor. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.U.S.A 2-15-2000;97(4):1433-1437. View abstract.
Vollekova, A., Kostalova, D., and Sochorova, R. Isoquinoline alkaloids from Mahonia aquifolium stem bark are active against Malassezia spp. Folia Microbiol.(Praha) 2001;46(2):107-111. View abstract.
Wiesenauer M., Ludtke R. Mahonia aquifolium in patients with psoriasis vulgaris - an intraindividual study. 1996;3:231-235.
Xu, R., Dong, Q., Yu, Y., Zhao, X., Gan, X., Wu, D., Lu, Q., Xu, X., and Yu, X. F. Berbamine: a novel inhibitor of bcr/abl fusion gene with potent anti-leukemia activity. Leuk.Res. 2006;30(1):17-23. View abstract.
Amin AH, Subbaiah TV, Abbasi KM. Berberine sulfate: antimicrobial activity, bioassay, and mode of action. Can J Microbiol 1969;15:1067-76. View abstract.
Anis KV, Rajeshkumar NV, Kuttan R. Inhibition of chemical carcinogenesis by berberine in rats and mice. J Pharm Pharmacol 2001;53:763-8. . View abstract.
Bernstein S, Donsky H, Gullver W, et al. Treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis with Relieva, a Mahonia aquifolium extract - a double blind, placebo-controlled study. Am J Ther 2006;13:121-6. View abstract.
Chan E. Displacement of bilirubin from albumin by berberine. Biol Neonate 1993;63:201-8. View abstract.
Fukuda K, Hibiya Y, Mutoh M, et al. Inhibition by berberine of cyclooxygenase-2 transcriptional activity in human colon cancer cells. J Ethnopharmacol 1999;66:227-33. View abstract.
Gieler U, von der Weth A, Heger M. Mahonia aquifolium- a new type of topical treatment for psoriasis. J Dermatol Treatment 1995;6:31-4.
Gulliver WP, Donsky HJ. A report on three recent clinical trials using Mahonia aquifolium 10% topical cream and a review of the worldwide clinical experience with Mahonia aquifolium for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. Am J Ther 2005;12:398-406. View abstract.
Gupte S. Use of berberine in treatment of giardiasis. Am J Dis Child 1975;129:866. View abstract.
Hsiang CY, Wu SL, Cheng SE, Ho TY. Acetaldehyde-induced interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production is inhibited by berberine through nuclear factor-kappaB signaling pathway in HepG2 cells. J Biomed Sci 2005;12:791-801. View abstract.
Janbaz KH, Gilani AH. Studies on preventive and curative effects of berberine on chemical-induced hepatotoxicity in rodents. Fitoterapia 2000;71:25-33.. View abstract.
Kaneda Y, Torii M, Tanaka T, Aikawa M. In vitro effects of berberine sulphate on the growth and structure of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 1991;85:417-25. View abstract.
Kim SH, Shin DS, Oh MN, et al. Inhibition of the bacterial surface protein anchoring transpeptidase sortase by isoquinoline alkaloids. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2004;68:421-4.. View abstract.
Li B, Shang JC, Zhou QX. [Study of total alkaloids from rhizoma coptis chinensis on experimental gastric ulcers]. Chin J Integr Med 2005;11:217-21. View abstract.
Natural Health Remedies. Health Canada. Available at: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/archives/96-97/herbnae.html (Accessed 16 July 1999).
Rabbani GH, Butler T, Knight J, et al. Randomized controlled trial of berberine sulfate therapy for diarrhea due to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae. J Infect Dis 1987;155:979-84. View abstract.
Rackova L, Majekova M, Kost'alova D, Stefek M. Antiradical and antioxidant activities of alkaloids isolated from Mahonia aquifolium. Structural aspects. Bioorg Med Chem 2004;12:4709-15. View abstract.
Rehman J, Dillow JM, Carter SM, et al. Increased production of antigen-specific immunoglobulins G and M following in vivo treatment with the medicinal plants Echinacea angustifolia and Hydrastis canadensis. Immunol Lett 1999;68:391-5. View abstract.
Scazzocchio F, Corneta MF, Tomassini L, Palmery M. Antibacterial activity of Hydrastis canadensis extract and its major isolated alkaloids. Planta Med 2001;67:561-4. View abstract.
Slobodnikova L, Kost'alova D, Labudova D, et al. Antimicrobial activity of Mahonia aquifolium crude extract and its major isolated alkaloids. Phytother Res 2004;18:674-6. View abstract.
Sun D, Courtney HS, Beachey EH. Berberine sulfate blocks adherence of Streptococcus pyogenes to epithelial cells, fibronectin, and hexadecane. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1988;32:1370-4. View abstract.
Tsai PL, Tsai TH. Hepatobiliary excretion of berberine. Drug Metab Dispos 2004;32:405-12. . View abstract.
Vollekova A, Kost'alova D, Kettmann V, Toth J. Antifungal activity of Mahonia aquifolium extract and its major protoberberine alkaloids. Phytother Res 2003;17:834-7. View abstract.
Wiesenauer M, Lydtke R. Mahonia aquifolium in patients with Psoriasis vulgaris; an intraindividual study. Phytomedicine 1996;3:231-5.
Wu X, Li Q, Xin H, Yu A, Zhong M. Effects of berberine on the blood concentration of cyclosporin A in renal transplanted recipients: clinical and pharmacokinetic study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2005;61:567-72. View abstract.
Zeng XH, Zeng XJ, Li YY. Efficacy and safety of berberine for congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Am J Cardiol 2003;92:173-6. View abstract.
Have you ever purchased OREGON GRAPE?


text:
Wildfire rebuilding: Taxes are better than bans for keeping homeowners from rebuilding in fire-plagued areas
October 21, 2019 8.18am EDT • Updated October 28, 2019 2.52pm EDT
Alexander Smith, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Associate Professor of Economics, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Alexander Smith does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
The Getty Fire burns next to the 405 freeway in the hills of West Los Angeles. Reuters/Gene Blevins
Almost 200,000 Californians have been ordered to evacuate as ferocious winds drove several wildfires near Los Angeles, San Francisco and elsewhere. Many fear they may yet again return to a home ravaged by fire.
For Californians in fire-prone areas, this has been a perennial cycle. As a result, a growing number of residents in the state want to ban people from building in areas at greatest risk.
That's because taxpayers bear the burden of protecting homes in dangerous areas when fire breaks out – and they often help foot the bill when it's time to rebuild. A recent assessment showed that 1 in 4 Californians live in an area at "high risk" of wildfire. And people tend to want to rebuild in the same spot that was hit by a disaster.
As a behavioral economist who studies the psychology of decision-making, I try to understand people's motivations before taking a position in a policy debate. I believe there's a better way for policymakers to achieve the same goal of getting people to avoid building in disaster-prone areas without forcing people from their homes.
A bird in the hand
In behavioral economics, there's something known as the endowment effect.
The endowment effect is basically the idea that people overvalue things they already own. And it helps explain the common and seemingly irrational desire of many homeowners to rebuild in places at great risk of wildfire, hurricanes or other natural disasters.
Behavioral economists Daniel Kahneman, Jack Knetsch and Richard Thaler were the first to explain this effect in 1990. They conducted an experiment in which half their subjects were given a coffee mug. They asked those subjects to name the lowest price at which they'd be willing to sell their mug. They then asked those without mugs how much they would be willing to pay to buy one.
Since the subjects who received a mug were randomly chosen, there should have been little difference between the selling and buying prices, which represent how each group valued the mug.
Instead, the researchers discovered a significant gap between two groups. The median selling price, representing the people who already had mugs, was US$5.79, more than double the $2.25 people were willing to pay. The conclusion is that someone with an item values it a lot more than someone who does not have it regardless of their actual preferences.
Areas around Santa Rosa have been frequently hit by fires. Reuters/Stephen Lam
Pigouvian taxes
In the context of California wildfires or other natural disasters, the endowment effect says that someone who owns a damaged or destroyed home will have a strong preference for rebuilding over moving somewhere else.
To ignore this preference by putting an outright ban on rebuilding disregards the wishes of these people. It also squanders the potential impact of increased economic activity as a result of the new construction. Areas recovering from disaster are in great need of this kind of stimulus.
At the same time, I don't think we should stand idly by and watch people continue to build homes in disaster zones. Such an approach creates an unfair burden for the state, which spends a significant amount of money providing disaster relief to affected areas.
Rather, my view – which is common among economists – is that the best policy when an activity imposes costs on society is to create a pricing system that pushes those costs back onto the individuals responsible.
With fuel for gas-guzzling vehicles, for example, the best policy is a tax equal to the cost that the pollution causes for society – this is how carbon pricing works. Such taxes are called Pigouvian taxes after economist Arthur Pigou, who developed the concept of "externalities" – or the unrelated side effects of some economic activity.
In the case of disaster zones, municipal property taxes need to reflect the additional costs of public services like disaster relief that are often provided by state and federal authorities. Governments can then use the extra revenue to finance disaster mitigation efforts or other initiatives in the public interest.
The key thing is that the tax creates a disincentive to engage in the undesirable activity short of an outright ban. And research shows these kinds of taxes are effective.
A softer approach
A challenge with the implementation of such a policy is that it is hard to assess the costs of relief in advance.
However, the insurance industry is very good at risk and cost assessment, and governments can use their methods to achieve the right pricing mechanism. The additional property taxes that would result would make living in disaster-prone areas more costly – and some people would certainly be willing to bear this burden – but this is what society needs in order to reduce the activity.
This softer approach, which could achieve the same ends as a heavy-handed ban, is a much better way to create a financial incentive for people to avoid rebuilding in dangerous parts of the country – saving taxpayer dollars and avoiding the inconvenience of preemptive blackouts like we've seen recently in California.
This story, which was originally published on Oct. 21, was updated with details of the latest wildfires.
[ Expertise in your inbox. Sign up for The Conversation's newsletter and get a digest of academic takes on today's news, every day. ]
endowment effect
Natural disaster mitigation


I am currently trying to configure an NX MCD Model that contains one element several times.
It is a rather simple part that just has to move from one point to another so it's only using a 'Sliding Joint' and a 'Position Control'. Instead of defining those for each Part individually I wanted to define them once in the actual part, add the part to an assembly and pattern the component there so that I save myself from clicking the same things 8 times in a row. In theory this works fine, NX adds all 8 Sliding Joints as well as the Position Controls and assings each one its own name (_1 to _8).
The Signal Adapters always mess up though and I can't figure out why.
The Signals either dont get named individually or they get named in the reverse order to the Signal Adapters.
Does anyone have a recommendation on what I can try here?


text:
Tough Guy Digest
Dedicated to the greatest action films and action stars of all time. Plus new reviews, commentaries, or anything else we want to write.
Meet the Squad
The Tag Team
Friday Flashback: Let's Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of "Action Jackson" with a Delicious King Cobra Malt Liquor!
February 16, 2018 February 16, 2018 / toughguydigest
Kevin: It's appropriate that we are just coming off of Valentine's Day, as it's hard to imagine a love greater than the one that Tough Guy Digest shares for the Carl Weathers classic "Action Jackson," which came out 30 years ago this week on Feb. 12, 1988. Actually it's hard to imagine anyone not loving "Action Jackson," because this movie has it all: Weathers at his most charismatic, Vanity and Sharon Stone at their most seductive, Craig T. Nelson at his most unexpectedly evil, more explosions and broken glass than 20 action flicks put together, and a luxury car being driven around the second floor of a mansion. In lieu of candy and flowers, TGD is showing how much we heart one of the most underratedly awesome action films of the 1980's with a flashback to our epic two-part Round Table on Detroit's finest non-robotic cop, "Action Jackson":
(Originally posted Jan. 16, 2017)
I'd make fun of this photo but I'm afraid Carl Weathers would kill me.
Kevin: "January 16th, 2017 – Warner Brothers and producer Joel Silver have announced that they have started pre-production of a reboot of the iconic and beloved Carl Weathers action franchise "Action Jackson." Starring Michael B. Jordan as Jericho Jackson Jr., directed by Antoine Fuqua, and featuring a planned cameo by Weathers, the new production will pick up the torch following two popular sequels in 1990 and 1992 and a less-popular TV version starring Bill Bellamy in 1999."
In a just world we would be reading headlines like that, but instead we live in a world where the insanely entertaining and action-packed attempt by Carl Weathers to start his own franchise began and ended with one movie in 1988. But what a movie! Going by various versions, Weathers came up with the idea for "Action Jackson" during the filming of "Predator" while talking with either super producer Joel Silver or actor/"Lethal Weapon" screenwriter Shane Black. No matter what the genesis, Weathers convinced Silver to produce his starring vehicle the next year along with another little movie called "Die Hard."
To oversee the project they chose Craig R. ("Stone Cold") Baxley, a former stuntman-turned-director like the legendary Hal ("Smokey and the Bandit") Needham. It was a wise choice, as the ex-stuntman filled the barely 90-minute movie with more awesome explosions, car crashes, and well-choreographed fights than five Michael Bay movies put together. The fact that Carl Weathers was so amazingly charismatic, badass, and funny makes it somewhat sad that we never got to see more adventures for Sgt. Jericho Jackson, but maybe we should just appreciate that, as with "The Last Boy Scout," we were gifted with one perfect cinematic classic that will never be sullied by crass tie-ins or too-late sequels (oh hi "A Good Day to Die Hard").
Other thoughts on "Action Jackson":
The sign of a quality film back in the '80s.
"Action Jackson" came out on President's Day weekend in February of 1988 and was somehow beaten out at the box office by the Sidney Pointier-Tom Berenger thriller "Shoot to Kill" and "Good Morning, Vietnam," then in its eighth week of release. While I enjoy the idea that a few lucky couples got to spend that year's Valentine's Day discovering the greatness of "Action Jackson," I feel sorry for the guys who had to try and satisfy their women in the bedroom later knowing that they were likely fantasizing about Carl Weathers (or possibly Bill Duke, I'm not going to judge either way).
From just the opening few minutes, here is why this movie is great. After he shoots by my count 28 bullets from his Beretta without reloading, union boss Stringer gets a knife in his hand, punched in the face, shot with a grenade launcher, explodes and falls down the building engulfed in flames, then falls through a glass ceiling, then lands next to a screaming couple enjoying dinner. This is why stuntmen should direct all movies.
Anthony: Let me just stop you right there and point out something no else seems to notice about this scene: King Cobra Malt Liquor! That's right, the guy that gets wacked at the top of the movie is drinking a King Cobra Malt Liquor. Because that's what white labor union leaders need a cold can of right after a hard day of leading unions.
Kevin: Well if he had that shit coursing through his veins then no wonder he burst into flames so easily. But while I admit that he doesn't exactly fit the stereotypical King Cobra demographic, who back then could resist any ad campaign featuring Fred "The Hammer" Williamson and Martin Kove from "The Karate Kid"? (Note that this is our second article in a row with a Fred Williamson reference after our "ChiPs" appreciation, as well as our second overall with a Martin Kove reference.)
Anthony: Back to the scene at hand here. Who is this union leader killed by? A band of assassins known as "The Invisible Men" (more on them later), the most wrongly named group in history, as they apparently leave bodies strewn about like flour at a bakery and make more noise than a Papa Shango splash from the top rope. The secretary hears them dancing an Irish jig on the roof and jokes that her date has arrived! What?! Are you dating Superman or Santa? There are people on the fucking roof, call the cops!!
Kevin: Let's not forget that when her boss tries to get her to stay and she tells him he can't possibly have a better suggestion, he replies, "Oh it so happens I do." And then we quickly find out that what he apparently had in mind was for the two of them to watch a boxing match on his 12-inch office television, presumably over some delicious King Cobra Malt Liquor. Obviously someone's been reading Cosmo lately to get a better idea of what the modern '80s woman wants.
CJ: My main takeaway on the opening of this movie is that at least five panes of glass are broken in short order:
1) First the bad guys copter in and swing through the glass of the 43rd floor …
2) Then punch the secretary so hard she falls backwards THROUGH a glass wall …
3) Then another one jumps down through another glass ceiling …
4) Then Shaker, the Huey Lewis-looking assassin who took a head shot at the end of "Die Hard" later that year, shoots the union boss with a grenade launcher that blows him through an office window …
5) Causing him to plummet to his death, but not before crashing through a final glass ceiling into a restaurant …
This never happens anymore. I can only imagine Big Window must have gotten a hold of Hollywood and told them to stop using the broken glass pane so haphazardly. But really, this used to happen in every movie, and it's somehow been lost to time.
Mike: "The Invisible Men" obviously have this name sarcastically, because they are the opposite of subtle in both actions and appearance. When it comes time for them to plan a hit on a corporate rival without drawing undue attention on their employer, options such as discrete poisons, an accidental trip down a stairwell, or a straight up cardiac arrest aren't even on the design table. "We have to eliminate an out-of-shape middle-aged auto union leader with a drinking problem … Shaker, better bring your six-tubed grenade launcher for this one."
Kevin: Either way, once he has hit the pavement we immediately cut to the opening credits set to the awesome Pointer Sisters song "He Turned Me Out," whereby we are treated to a bunch of establishing shots supposedly set in Detroit, except it seems to have a vibrant manufacturing economy and a happy workforce with the kind of job security that comes from knowing that American automobiles will always be number one.
Once we get used to the fact that this movie takes in an alternate reality, we meet the white-black cop duo whose opening banter should by all rights have guaranteed them their own spin-off movie: "It was a real fuck-o-rama at my place last night." "C'mon, there hasn't been any pussy at your pad since your mother helped you move in." "They should call your place the House of Wacks [jerking off motion]." "I'm surprised he [obvious purse snatcher] doesn't wear a shirt that says 'I Steal Shit' on it." "This boy would have to go to college for four years to reach the level of shit for brains."
The real heroes of this movie.
Mike: By the way, did anyone notice during these opening credits the fat black man in drag carrying a grocery bag full of bananas?
I'm really hoping that this guy wrote the movie, but he doesn't much look like a dude named Robert Reneau to me. This is exactly how I'd like my name displayed on screen for my first feature credit. Thanks Craig R. Baxley!
Kevin: Yeah no matter how many times I watch this movie I still have no idea what's up with that scene. At first I thought it was supposed to be like the beginning of "Nighthawks" when Stallone dresses like a woman to catch purse snatchers, but there is no indication in "Action Jackson" that it was supposed to be anything other than either a very masculine-looking woman or a very confidant man in a dress and wig. In fact when the perp tries to steal the purse you clearly hear a woman's voice on the ADR while the large man in a mumu beats him with it. So I guess you could say that "Action Jackson" was either regressively of its time or progressively ahead of its time.
CJ: Either way, after the cops apprehend the perp they make sure to scare the shit out of him with the legend of Action Jackson, including the rumor that he is the offspring of Bigfoot. Later when the kid tries to escape and runs right into Jackson, spilling two cups of coffee on his desk in the process, Jackson stands up and tells him to "Mellow out," which apparently causes him to do that incredibly theatrical version of fainting that people do in movies. I never thumb my nose at that rich comedy gold mine, but I'd much prefer a different take, where Jackson just beats the shit out of him or shoots him.
By the way, did anyone notice later on that Argyle from "Die Hard" is Action Jackson's doorman/valet? Also, how much does Jackson make to have a doorman/valet? Didn't his chief criticize him for being a low-paid cop? This could totally be a side story where Argyle starts off as the valet/doorman, then moves to the bright lights of Hollywood only to pick up John McClane. I call it "Argyle & His Shitty Jobs."
Kevin: From what he discussed in the "Die Hard" Round Table about Argyle's possible multiple personality disorder, it could very well be the same character who is parking Jackson's car and then blowing off an assignment in Vegas in order to hang out in a parking garage all night for a New York cop he's known for all of 20 minutes. Either way, after we finally get introduced to Jackson, his superior (played by "Predator" alumnus Bill Duke) proceeds to unnecessarily remind him of all the important events in his life, as if he's doing it for the benefit of some unseen audience watching them:
"Sergeant, how long has it been since you lost your lieutenant stripes?"
"Jackson, in my years on the force I've never met a more dedicated policeman."
"I know you are a proud man, and much to be proud of … high school track star, Harvard law degree…"
"No Jackson you cost you your stripes, no one else. You could have handled Sean Dellaplane more delicately … you nearly ripped that boy's arm off." (Setting up Jackson's classic rejoinder, "So, he had a spare!")
"Sergeant I don't think I'm getting through to you; the Dellaplane case not only cost your lieutenant stripes, but it also cost you your gun permit, your marriage, and this department the kind of publicity we can gladly do without."
Then for some bizarre reason Bill Duke sends Jackson to represent the department at a function celebrating the man whose sexual sadist son Jackson arrested and nearly ripped his arm off. I have a lot of questions about this decision, the main one being: For fuck's sake, why?
Akwaaaaaard!
Click Here to read the rest of Part 1 of our "Action Jackson" Round Table, and click Here for Part 2, in which we:
Suggest the Detroit Chamber of Commerce do a better job vetting their "Man of the Year" candidates.
Stand up and cheer Peter Dellaplane's technique for handling a nagging wife.
Honor the memory of the late great Vanity by objectifying the shit out of her.
Admire Dellaplane's dedication to trying to shoot Vanity full of heroin even while Jackson is driving a car through his house.
Thanks for joining the discussion, and to get regular updates on all our content hit the Follow button and check us out on Twitter and Instagram.
Action Jackson, Carl Weathers, Craig T Nelson, Joel Silver, Sharon Stone, Vanity
← Tough Guy Challenge: Is Arnold's "The Last Action Hero" a Misunderstood Gem, or Still a "Big Mistake"?
Patrick Swayze May Have Been God's Perfect Man, but TGD Has a Man Crush for Sam Elliott in "Road House" →


The movie that is set to change the world of superheroes is now available and for some people who have watched it, no other movie can compare. This is one film that is always appealing to a lot of people because of the superhero fans from various parts of the globe. Plus, having this Windows 10 theme can make your whole computer look more modern than ever.