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Editorials, News
Friday News: 28th February 2014
28/02/2014 Jameson	1 Comment
In a few short hours, we will know our fourteenth song for Copenhagen, in the form of whoever wins tonight's Irish national final. Rory will have a NF review up once the result has been announced, but until then, why not catch up on our round up of this week's other news in brief?
So what's happened this week in the lead up to Copenhagen?
As dedicated readers of the blog, you all should know that here, we at ESC Views like to gather a week's worth of stories and cram it all into one article! Obviously a lot happens in a week and we can sometimes miss a story, so if we missed something, do tell us! Also, we do wait until Friday to publish this series so if you wish to read some Eurovision websites that publish news as it happens, feel free to click any of these links! So shall we see what happened this week? I think we shall…
1: Israel reveals Mei Finegold's three prospective entries
It feels like quite a while ago now that IBA announced that Mei Finegold would be their 2014 entrant, and with the national final to choose her entry only days away now, they finally presented her three prospective entries earlier this week: namely "Same Heart", "Nisheret Iti" and "Be Proud". All three are available to listen to in this handy YouTube playlist here, and she's gone and made full-on music videos for each one, bless her. We'll save opinions on all three until next week's NF preview article, but suffice it to say that we're encouraged by what we've heard from Mei so far!
2: Emmelie de Forest releases "Rainmaker"
It had previously been announced by DR that the interval act would feature Emmelie de Forest performing her new single with all 26 participating finalists taking part in the backing chorus. After premiering the concept live at the Maltese national final, Emmelie de Forest (who, coincidentally turns 21 today, happy birthday Em) released the single version of "Rainmaker" this Monday. Having downloaded it straight away, I've been playing it a lot over the last few days and it's safe to say I'm loving it – even with the *SUBTLE* reference to this year's motto in the second verse… well, there had to be SOME justification in making it the official anthem of this year's contest, right?
3: We have a song title for Georgia
It will be called "Three Minutes To Earth". Um.. yeah, nothing much else to say on that one, if I'm honest.
4: FINALLY, an end to the UK rumours?
Off the top of my head, we have had around 576,411,965,809 names mentioned in connection with the UK's entry for Eurovision 2014, everyone from Sarah Dawn Finer to Geri Halliwell to Nina Nesbitt to Aiden Grimshaw to Trisha Penrose to Paloma Faith to Rylan Clark to Belinda Carlisle… you get the picture. It's been bloody annoying, as I'm sure you'll agree. However, this week, the BBC finally broke their silence and gave us a date. March 3rd. Monday. A "special show" hosted by Scott Mills on the BBC Red Button service (oh wow, THE DEDICATION) will reveal both the selected artist and the selected song. escXtra goes into further detail on the BBC's plans here, well worth a read if you'd like some hints with actual substance behind them!
As a British national, I should be more excited about this than I actually am… in all honesty, I couldn't care less who is singing for us right now, I just want some respite from this endless gossip. Just give us an artist and shut them all up, please?
5: German wildcard entrant chosen
Unser Song für Danemark will be the format used to select the German entry to Eurovision 2014, and although it is loosely based on the blueprint of previous years' selection methods, this year's contest will see the eight artists each singing two prospective entries in a bid to become Germany's latest representative. One of these eight, the female group Elaiza, were chosen in a club concert round this week to complete the line-up, with the other seven being pre-invited, more established acts. We'll have more on this, of course, when we preview the national final for Germany in a couple of weeks' time!
6: Greek national final date altered once more
Having previously confirmed their intention to use a national final format to select their 2014 entry, and then going as far as to provisionally confirm a date (March 4th), NERIT this week announced that this has been pushed back a week. Thus, we will learn the identity of Greece's winner on March 11th, with the same four participants as previously announced taking part.
And that is where we leave it for this week! If we've missed any stories, feel free to tell us and we'll add them as soon as. In the meantime, hope you enjoy tonight's Irish national final, and the other five selections set to take place this weekend. Friday News will be back as usual next week!
NF Season: This week's national final previews (February 24th – March 2nd)
26/02/2014 Jameson	10 Comments
Sooo. It's currently Monday night. If this article is actually posted on Monday night, it will be an absolute miracle, for I have no less than SIX national finals to try and cram into this one post, and I foresee this taking a hell of a long time… So, if you find yourself reading this a little later on in the week than usual… that's why! I do apologise… but hope you enjoy the coming marathon all the same.
The broadcasters to make their decision this week: RTÉ (Ireland), France 3 (France), TVR (Romania), LRT (Lithuania), ERR (Estonia) and Ictimai TV (Azerbaijan)
As you should hopefully know by now, we are previewing the national finals in weekly instalments, offering our opinions on some of the songs wherever possible, and predicting the entries we think are most likely to win the ticket to Denmark. Following the results of each National Final, we'll get a review article up for you, giving you our opinions of the show and the selected entry, and assessing its chances at Eurovision this year. And, as always, your opinions are most welcome throughout, we would love to know what you think!
This week's calendar:
28th February 2014: Irish National Final
1st March 2014: Eesti Laul 2014 (Estonian National Final)
1st March 2014: Selecția Națională 2014 (Romanian National Final)
1st March 2014: Lithuanian National Final
2nd March 2014: Azerbaijani National Final
2nd March 2014: French Results Announcement
Ireland will pick their song on February 28th
"Eurosong" is the moniker under which the Irish national selection has existed in some shape or form since 2008. A special edition of "The Late Late Show" has been the vehicle for the selection in the last few years, with the whole show being turned into something of a Eurovision special. 2014, of course, is no exception: we have five mentors who have each nominated one act for the competition. A diverse range of genres are on offer once more, all vying for the chance to represent the Emerald Isle (incidentally, one of Eurovision's most successful nations) in Copenhagen. All five prospective entries can be listened to here on Eurovision Ireland.
If there's one thing to criticise about this selection, of course, it's the fact that Rory wrote to RTÉ asking if they'd consider him as one of the "Eurovision experts" featured on the show, and they declined. Eesh. They don't know what they're missing!
Reviews and Predictions:
James – What is it about X Factor 2008, ey? All we need now is the BBC to send Diana Vickers (please… pleeeease) and Copenhagen will be a full on class reunion! The Irish selection features yet another alumni of the 'Class of Ruth Lorenzo' in the form of Eoghan Quigg – that fuzzy-haired blonde pointless one who ran on in hysterics after Diana got eliminated, remember him? Yaaaah, he's morphed into an equally unremarkable 21-year-old who looks more like he belongs in a cheap One Direction tribute band at Butlins than on the Eurovision stage. Needless to say, his entry "The Movie Song" is contrived, sickly and lacklustre. Please don't pick him, Ireland?
I do have an awful feeling that they will go for him, though, given their apparent penchant for ex-UK X Factor acts. However, that would be an absolute travesty when you consider that there are two other songs in the field which are not only my personal favourites, but are undeniably leagues ahead of Quigg in terms of musical quality and vocal ability. These two songs are the euphoric "Heartbeat" by Kasey and Can-linn and the old-fashioned but charming "Don't Hold On" by Patricia Roe. Both of these entries offer completely different things for Ireland, with Patricia's entry being almost archetypal of their phenomenally successful 90s ballads and "Heartbeat" being that fabulous fusion of Irish folk and ethereal modern electropop. If you know anything about my music taste then you'll know that kind of thing is right up my street.
Unfortunately, owing to the fact that Ryan Dolan's modern fusion effort last year earned such a disappointing last place, I fear that Ireland may not quite be in the mood to send something so similar again this year, so whilst "Heartbeat" is without a doubt the best song out of the five, I'm not as confident of its chances as I'd like to be. Patricia's song would be my second choice, but I don't see her picking up the votes either if I'm honest. I am really nervous for Ireland, to be perfectly honest.
Rory – Ireland is the only country from the two of us that is actually having a national final and to be perfectly honest, I'm still very 'meh..' on the entire lot.
Here's why: I have never really liked any of my country's efforts at Eurovision (to be honest, I'm probably the most anti-patriotic person in the world when it comes to Eurovision) and this year is no exception. There's two songs at most that are even remotely worth sending to Eurovision and the best of those is Kasey and Canlinn. If you know me, you'll know that I absolutely adored her last year in Eurosong with 'K-K-K-Kiss Me There' and fair play to her for coming back and with a really strong song. It's actually the best out of them all and if the public don't go for it, I swear I am literally going to do a Silvia Night.
Andrew also has a reasonably good song (not too big of a fan of it) and the obvious one, Eoghan Quigg. His song…it's very much…just blegh, in my opinion. As for who should win, it has to be Kasey and Canlinn. The song is not only the best of a bad lot, it's actually a song I would be proud to see representing us at Eurovision! So please RTÉ, don't let me down. I will relinquish my Irish citizenship if you fail to do so. Okay? Good.
As Ireland is Rory's country of residence, he took the lead in suggesting artists to represent them in our Possible Artists article from last summer. Perhaps we set our sights a little too high in wishing for Imelda May or Enya, but that's not to say the five artists in the national final are particularly disappointing, in any conventional sense of the word. Okay, as we both highlighted, the overall standard is pretty low, but there are definitely a couple of stand-out songs that would do Ireland proud were they to make it to the Copenhagen stage.
Ireland are coming off a run of four consecutive qualifications, and an eighth place which is still not too distant a memory. This is by far the most successful lead-in they've been able to give a prospective entry since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, and all they need to do is select the right song *cough- "Heartbeat" -cough* and this string of qualifications should be set to continue. They do have the benefit of being in semi-final two, up against only fourteen other songs. However, it's shaping up to be a very competitive show, with many of the second semi-final nations coming up with fantastic entries which would give Ireland a run for their money, especially if they pick the wrong song on Friday. Nothing is safe yet…
Estonia will pick their song on March 1st
Estonia's national selection Eesti Laul – this year in its sixth edition – has fast become one of the highlights of the Eurovision national final calendar, and with good reason! The Baltic nation, known for its proud singing heritage, has used the format to showcase an extraordinarily high quality of songs, some of which have been criminally cast aside at the national final stage too (I would reference "Hopa'pa-rei" and "Päästke Noored Hinged" in particular in this light.) Whilst the Estonians are still waiting to return to the phenomenal levels of repeated success they enjoyed at the turn of the millennium, it cannot be denied that their recent ESC record – which includes two top ten finishes and four qualifications since 2009 – is positively glowing when compared to it's regional neighbours Latvia and Lithuania.
So, have they come up with the best of the Baltics again this year? Two semifinals held in the last couple of weeks have whittled the original twenty shortlisted songs down to Saturday night's final ten, all of which can be listened to here. (or if you'd like to check out all twenty, including the failed semi-finalists, head over to ERR's website)
James – So, when I first saw the Estonian previews had been released, I did what I reckon 95% of Eurovision fans will have done. Listened to Sandra. Loved Sandra. Stopped at Sandra.
Shame on me. Shame on us, whoever else did the same as me.
Because, although this year's Eesti Laul line-up feels like it's ever so slightly weaker than the last couple of years, it is still going to be a musically diverse and brilliant year. Aside from the returning Ms. Nurmsalu, I love Norman Salumäe's "Search", a quirky little ballad which is performed in an innovative way whereby the backing singers (some of whom are almost as cute as Norman himself) appear at random intervals and form a sort of arrowhead shape, singing at each other rather than out towards the cameras. Like I said, quirky. Other highlights are Traffic's "Für Elise" (THAT'S how you do contemporary country music, *ahem Malta, Switzerland et al*) and Maiken's lovely but haunting ballad "Siin Või Sealpool Maad" (which is endearing even if only for the fact that the title conjours up images of a pool full of seals, always a good thing, right?). There's a FABULOUS key change in that one too, if you're interested in that kind of thing.
I hate to be cliché, though, but I'd say that in all honesty, Sandra Nurmsalu's song is still my honest-to-god favourite from the final 10. It's a close-run thing, but I can't help loving "Kui Tuuled Pöörduvad" in all its waify glory. I love the way that my Estonian musical ear has evolved to the point where I can recognise a Sven Lõhmus song before I know he composed it – like, it's got all the chords he seems to like to use, and the structures he finds most effective. This one has all the hallmarks of his previous gems "Rändajad", "Rockefeller Street" and the aforementioned "Päästke Noored Hinged" without feeling like a rehash in any shape or form.
To look at Sandra, nothing's changed in the intervening years since Moscow. She's still rocking the general colour scheme of *blue*, she's still got THAT fringe, she still looks like she belongs in Rivendell more than anything… but standing on a stage performing that song, she just seems right at home. Unassuming, endearing and vocally flawless. She is something of an enigma, and when she sings, it's impossible to not stop and listen. Sending her to her second Eurovision would be a smart move by Estonia, especially considering she's accompanied by the most unique and inspired song I think we've seen in any 2014 national final so far.
Rory – Estonia has a good choice of songs to pick from this year too! Wow, a lot of countries have got sense this year *ahem* not in Latvia though *ahem*.
There a good few in amongst the finalists as to who I think are actually really good. Tanja has a really good dance track, although judging by the way how Hypnotica was shelved by juries in Malta, I don't know if the juries in Estonia will do the same, if there are any. Sandra Nurmsalu…what have we here?! She's changed so much since Moscow and I really like this song of hers. It's traditional sounding, but with the modernity of that beat, I actually think that's a huge transformation since Randajad..for the better! As well as that, I actually really like Brigita too, for the sole reason the song is just adorable. I'd love that to do well!
As for who should win, I think Estonia should be bold and send Sandra Nurmsalu. The song isn't the norm for Eurovision and it'll be pretty cute to see on stage in Eurovision. Either her or Brigita should go. Yes, it would probably be Gianluca – part II, but she has an adorable song and if she does well, I'll be so happy. Go Estonia!
Estonia was the one country for whom we could have suggested possible artists but we never quite got round to it in time for this season. Of course, as many international fans would probably predict, our main focus would have been on the inimitable Kerli, who is both a very unoriginal choice and faaaaar too big an international star to seriously consider participation. In saying that, she participated in Melodifestivalen in 2003 and in Eurolaul (the predecessor to Eesti Laul) in 2004, finishing in second place, so it's not like she's diametrically opposed to the contest… I just reckon she's moved on since then, ey?
That said, the participation of big local stars like Lenna and Sandra proves that Eesti Laul's reputation is still as positive as ever within Estonia, and this will hopefully result in a continuation of the format in future. As for the prospects of the final ten were they to be selected for Copenhagen, I think there is a hell of a lot of potential here. If they want to REALLY stand out, the field is missing a proper ballad so far, plus there's nothing like Sandra's song too. All will be revealed come Saturday!
Romania will pick their song on March 1st
Romania's song will be chosen through the Selecția Națională format again in 2014, as has been the case with every single one of their previous contributions to Eurovision. The winner will be decided through a mixture of jury voting and televoting, who will each award points in ESC style to ten of Saturday night's twelve competing entries. Of course, if you've been within a fifty mile radius of any of the various Eurovision groups on Facebook, then you'll be more than familiar with one of those participants, but remember that there ARE still 12 songs in the running: this is a national final not an internal selection, and it ain't over till the catsuited lady sings.
See what I did there? Neh, it was a crap pun anyway. That's what happens when you have six national final events to write about at once. Your sense of humour just evaporates. Here are the Romanian songs if you haven't heard them yet.
James – My inner sceptic is looking at this line-up with the distinct suspicion that TVR selected the eleven shittest songs possible, in order to make Paula & Ovi look better, and thus leave the Romanian public with no choice but to pick them.
There you go, I've said it.
If I'm honest, a lot of them just don't sound 'finished'. Which, considering that most ESC entries tend to undergo a bit of a revamp between their selection and the eventual contest, is not exactly surprising. It's entirely plausible that the twelve songs in their current forms are simply demo versions, which would be vastly improved in the scenario that they were selected for Denmark. However, we don't have vastly improved versions to judge. We have demos. From these demos, the song by Renée Santana has the most going for it, in that the chorus is really rather good, but aside from that… I find every single other song either dull or downright horrendous.
So: Paula and Ovi have quite clearly been engineered as the winners of this selection, that's plain to see. But what about the song? Well, it's definitely the best one in the field, and it can't be denied that the pair have come up with a decently modern (and by 'modern' I mean 'post-Euphoria' modern, interpret that how you will) Eurovision entry. But my god it's contrived, isn't it.
The very reason "Playing With Fire" worked so well was because it was that little bit different. The song couldn't quite be pigeonholed into any exclusive genre, and therein lay its strength. The two singers – separate artists in their own right, we must remember – fused well as a duo because that song allowed them to do so: the dialogue effect to the lyrics made the alternating lines not only sensible but effective, the two-sided piano being a visual representation of the two different sides to the song.
"Miracle", on the other hand, is a formulaic Eurovision entry, complete with a trademark octave-scaling big note from Paula and a keychange shoehorned into the proceedings which serves no real function other than ticking another Eurovision box. *sigh*. The thing is, I do quite like it as a song. It could do with more in the way of a proper bassline, but that aside, it's a perfectly passable slice of EDM. I just know I will get bored of it very quickly. And for a Eurovision entry, I'm looking for more than that.
They had it in the bag anyway, but TVR have handed it to them on a silver plate by pretty much removing their competition. We WILL see these two in Copenhagen, there is no question about it.
Rory – It seems as if Romania has a good variety of songs this year, but the winner just seems inevitable in my opinion. We have twelve songs in the NF and of those twelve, there are three main songs that are getting fanwanked on and you can see why.
These are also the main songs I actually like. The first is 'Hearts Collide'. It is a good track and she sings it really well. Plus she offers a bit of a soul element in there and I actually feel like I can connect with it pretty easily. Of course, 'Breathe' is another song of the show that I like. It is a bit..different to the others, but that's what helps to make it a stand-out song, because it's so different. Plus both Stefan and TeddyK sing it well…and finally, the obvious one is 'Miracle'. Now, I must admit, I do like myself a bit of Paula and Ovi, but this is like…woah. It's actually just as good as 'Playing With Fire', if not – better. The others don't really compete as much as these three, hence I believe they'll be forgotten come the show.
When it comes to who I think will take the title, I have an inkling that it will be Paula and Ovi. They managed to equal the country's best placing and so, Romania must regard them as being national heroes. However, Luminita Anghel tried to go to Eurovision again last year and failed…but seeming as 'Miracle' is getting fanwanked so much, I have a feeling we'll be seeing them in Denmark. Good luck Romania!
Back in October, Rory explored the Romanian music scene and came up with Andra and Antonia as two possible artists for Romania, and whilst neither of them stepped forward for Selectia Nationala, a number of the preview videos feature their Cat Music label-mates, so perhaps that would bode well for them in the future.
If we labour under the assumption that Paula and Ovi will indeed get the ticket to Copenhagen, then the real question of how well they could potentially do must be saved for the NF review article. However, no matter which entry takes the victory in Romania, there is no doubt that they have a massive responsibility on their shoulders, in that they will be representing one of the few remaining countries with a 100% qualification record. We all thought this would come crashing down for Romania last year when they selected that monstrous entry by Cezar, but for some reason this didn't come to pass, so the potential to drop the baton passes to whoever wins on Saturday. No pressure then, ey?
Lithuania will pick the artist for their song on March 1st
Lithuania's selection process for 2014 has most certainly been a drawn-out one! God knows what they've been doing for the last twelve weeks, but from what I've been hearing LRT have been overwhelmed by the positive response from the Lithuanian public and the impressive ratings they've been receiving, so if they're happy, we're happy too.
With the selection process, that is.
For we have a bit of a unique situation going on here, in that the song and singer have been chosen separately. We already have a song, as you may have picked up in the last few days, and Saturday night's show will – somehow – culminate in Lithuania choosing which version of it will go to Copenhagen. We have three singers left, who have survived the last twelve weeks of talent-show style eliminations, and have each now come up with dramatically different interpretations of the selected song "Attention", which can be listened to here, here and here.
James – You know what… I actually really like this song. I kinda shouldn't like it, because in its three current forms, it IS a bit of a mess, but I just can't help it. Yes, the lyrics are a complete cringefest at times "you saw me chatting with my girls at bar, true, we're all pretty". Ouch. There's something about it which has caught hold of me, and that's very rare for a Lithuanian Eurovision entry. So, to be honest, whoever they pick to sing it, I'm gonna be fairly happy this year *yey*!
If I had to pick a favourite, I would go for Mia's version of the song. The two female interpretations are fairly similar, but on a very simple level, I just prefer her voice and her singing style. You know what it is, it's the way she delivers that "I'm gonna make you make you fall// down d-d-down down on your knees" bit. Sassy as anything, and she has the whole attitude of the song down to a T. She outshines Vilija ten to one, which is rather ironic considering that Vilija actually composed the song itself! Say Mia or Vaidas wins… it will be sooo awkward for her going to Copenhagen as the songwriter when she could have been the singer, right?
Speaking of Vaidas though… he may be the spanner in the works for Mia. Working under the assumption that the two women may cancel each other out somewhat, we're left with a completely different song the way Vaidas sings it. It's more acoustic, it's smooth and sexy – and the lyrics have been edited to pose them from a male perspective. It sounds clumsy at first when you're used to Mia's version, but the average Eurovision viewer wouldn't have a clue, and would just take it at face value. I do honestly think that Vaidas would give them the best chance of success in the contest, although I'd be much happier if Mia became their representative. Still, at the end of the day, "Attention" is a good song in all three incarnations, and I'm really really happy to be able to say that for once about Lithuania. Well done guys, and best of luck!
Rory – Seeming as we've already discovered which song will represent Lithuania at Eurovision this year, it now only leaves the artist left to find – half the battle over! Like Azerbaijan, I'm absolutely unfamiliar with the artists, so let me just have a look at the performances….
*ten minutes later*
Hmmm…right, well first of all, thank God that there's only three artists in the running, but the song in general is just….meh. From the three performances, I kinda have to say that Vilija is my favourite, but that is purely as a result of how I saw it on the show and the quality of vocals. Of course, Vaidas is a great singer, but the song doesn't really work for his voice. And Mia…well, she's just Mia isn't she..to be honest, it's a poor choice from Lithuania in terms of the song.
In my opinion anyway. As for who should win…..it should probably be Mia. I know it's not exactly my favourite, but when it comes to the performance, she's the one that comes out on top for me, although her accent will need major work. If not, then Vilija should take the title, as she has very distinct vocals and she can also put on a show. Good luck with the small choice you have, Lithuania!
You think Lithuania, you think Eurovision failure, don't you. And let's face it, when you compare them to nearest neighbours Estonia and Latvia, they do come across as the poor relative overall. However, despite sending some pretty dire songs in recent years, 2013 was their third consecutive qualification in a row, to add to previous appearances in the 2006, 2007 and 2009 finals. Not actually as bad as you'd first think, right?
I personally would describe the majority of their recent entries as complete and utter tripe (with the exception of "Eastern European Funk", which, ironically, is the only one in the last five years to miss out on the final.. MENTAL.) but this year, "Attention" is definitely a step in a completely different direction for them, and I most certainly hope it pays off, because I'd love to see more of this kinda thing in the future. They find themselves in semi-final two, which as we keep saying, presents a slight advantage in that there are only fifteen countries in total, and a total of ten places available in the final. Statistically, it's more likely they'll make it than miss out. But these are songs, not statistics. And with songs, you just never know…
Azerbaijan will pick their song on March 2nd
Having dallied in several national final formats over the short duration of their Eurovision career to date, Azerbaijan have this year decided to select their entry through the talent show Böyük Səhnə. Even if this really is the end of Mili Secim Turu (RIP), I still predict this new show will still allow us to *enjoy* hideously bad covers of past ESC songs, dubious voting results, lots of people with the surname Aliyeva and an abundance of those upside-down "e" things seemingly in every word. Oh, Azerjibban, what would we do without you?
This year's final will be held on Sunday, with the remaining three singers battling it out to win the right to be Azerbaijan's seventh Eurovision representative (yes, it really has been six years since they joined the contest… that's scary, isn't it). I have no idea how the song will be decided, and precisely when this decision will be made, so for now all the two of us can really do is pass judgement on the singers themselves.
James – You know I'm not their biggest fan, but I shall endeavour to approach Azerbaijan's 2014 challenge on the Eurovision title with renewed impartiality. After all, the last few years, my main problem with them has been the fact that their entries have been absolute crap, and still managed to achieve decent results. This year is their opportunity for a fresh start, an opportunity to break away from the controversy. An opportunity to potentially send a decent song, for the first time in what feels like ages.
Anyway, that's all still a long way away. First of all, they need to choose between Dilara Kazimova, Xana Hasanova and Erkin Osmanli. Two laydees and a bloke. We have a few weeks' worth of talent show footage on which to judge their vocal ability, and from perusal of these videos, I can quite categorically confirm that Dilara seems to have the best voice among the three, and if they want to send yet another Swedish ballad snoozeathon, then she would be the perfect candidate to screech her way through it.
Xana would be a complete hot mess in Copenhagen, which is the main reason I hope they choose her. I mean, come on, give her an uptempo camp glittery dance number (I'm thinking "La La Love 2.0") and then make her perform it in the same way she tackled Jennifer Lopez's "Dance Again".. wow, that will be hilarious. And epic. Mainly because LOOK AT THAT BIT WHERE SHE DOES A HAIR SWISH AND IT GETS IN HER FACE AND SHE CANT EVEN GET IT OUT OF THE WAY AND OMG. Louisa Baïleche suddenly looks polished and perfect by comparison.
Not a fan of Erkin. At all. Basically. "Every day I sick with them…"
Rory – Azerjibban… sorry, Azerbaijan. We have no clue what your songs are, so we're just going to have to go out on a limb and look at the artists themselves and just assume what we like from these.
We have three artists in the show, don't we? So hopefully, it will be a show that's just as short as France, although that'll be pretty unlikely. From my understanding, there's only one guy in the show *correct me if im wrong*, so it's most likely going to be a girl going to Eurovision for Azerbaijan.. they all have really good voices and they perform well, I'm sure it's going to be a really good show..let's just hope they don't rig the voting so someone BLATANTLY wins.. Good luck Azerbaijan…maybe!
Azerbaijan have finished in the top ten every single year that they've been in the contest. They've finished first, second, third, fourth, fifth and eighth. And they've only deserved about 25% of that success, but hey ho. Can't change the past. All I'm hoping is that their 2014 entry gets the result its musical merit deserves. As we don't even have an inkling of what the songs will eventually sound like, it's hard to assess how this year's Azeri entry will fit in to their back catalogue, so we will leave that until the review article. All that is certain right now is this: every single country in the first semi-final is going to regard whoever wins in Azerbaijan as one of their biggest competitors, if only by precedent. The singer will have a hell of a lot of pressure on their shoulders, and whilst I don't think wishing them luck is really called for, I can't help but pity whoever this singer turns out to be. They have no idea what they've let themselves in for…
France will announce their song on March 2nd
Fans had been clamouring for it for YEARS, but finally, in 2014, we are witnessing the first French national selection since Year Helsinki. This is a momentous occasion people, and for France 3 to feel confident enough to do it again, whichever entry they choose MUST work.
As we all witnessed at the end of January, the three competing songs were presented live during a special edition of "Les chansons d'abord", hosted by none other than the charming 2001 representative Natacha Saint-Pier (who is still fabulous and ginger and lovely). The voting lines were opened during the show and remained that way throughout most of February, so France has had more than enough time to make their decision. Now, on Sunday, the same show will feature the announcement of the result of the vote, and thus which song will be representing France in May. Refresh yourself on the three songs here, if you've forgotten them!
James – France is one of my favourite countries in the world, both culturally, musically, and in the Eurovision Song Contest. It won't come as a surprise to you then, that I absolutely rejoiced at the notion that France would be selecting their entry through a national final in 2014, giving us the opportunity to hear more new French music than we would normally have chance to.
Unfortunately – and rather ironically, I guess – there's only one song from the three that I genuinely like. And that song is, of course, TwinTwin's "Moustache", a bombastic, energetic and instantly catchy modern electro number, which has an infectious performance to go with it. Undoubtedly taking inspiration from the formula which produced Stromae's massive summer smash hit "Papaoutai", this is a sound which truly reflects a niche in the modern French music market. It's relevant, it's unique, and it's something Eurovision hasn't quite seen the like of before. I would love to see this one in Copenhagen.
Joanna's ballad is bland and forgettable – French ballads can be absolutely stunning, as past contestants and other popular French artists have proved beyond contention, however, there's just nothing in "Ma Liberté" to grab onto, and it leaves the listener feeling thoroughly underwhelmed in my opinion. Same with Destan. What a pile of crap that one is. Someone send that song back to 1995 where it belongs please. And meanwhile, vote TwinTwin.
Rory – Dear France, you have it tough this year, don't you? Can they actually pick a song that's so amazing, it could actually do as well as Patricia Kaas and Jessy Matador? I should bloody well hope so.
Thank God there's only three songs in the NF, but still it's a tough choice to pick a song from. They all have their own distinctive qualities. Destan have the typical clean-cut boyband look with a good indie-ish track in both English and French. Joanna is so sleek in her performance and her voice is just sublime, with a fabulous ballad and she a good sense of hairstyle. And TwinTwin…well they're just the biggest ball of amazingness France has seen in a very, very long time singing the most random song that Eurovision 2014 will have seen. Man….I love them all!
As for who I think should take the title, it's a tough decision, but TwinTwin should be the winner in France methinks. They have an incredibly catchy song that, not only is a big ball of fun, they sing it really well and amongst a rather ballad-populated bunch of songs, it's bound to stand out. Plus Lorent's hair is just amazing. Please France, send this!
France was one of the first countries we covered in our Possible Artists series, with M Pokora and Nolwenn Leroy being my top two choices. The eventual three artists to take part in the selection process are decidedly 'smaller', more 'up and coming' names on the French music scene, which may reflect how the contest is viewed in France as a whole. They're still brilliant though (and by that I mean TwinTwin are brilliant, the others, slightly less so…) and I do believe that this whole process is a positive step in the right direction for France.
After the temporary high of Moscow 2009, France have gradually slipped further and further down the rankings year on year at Eurovision, to the point where great songs like "Echo (You And I)" and "L'enfer Et Moi" were ignominiously discarded by juries and televoters alike, leading to disappointing 20-something placings in the last two contests. Should France pick TwinTwin, I can't see that happening. Is a return to the top ten possible? I certainly hope so: TwinTwin would deserve it.
Your Views:
Which of this weekend's songs stand out to you?
Okay, don't shoot me, but the prospect of now going fishing for views is causing a great deal of pain and despair, considering it's taken no less than THREE DAYS to get this far in writing the article. 6059 words, if you were wondering. If you're still reading by this point, then can I just say I actually love you. Thank you so much for sitting glued to your screen for so long, and I hope that you've been able to leech some kind of enjoyment from the experience.
In the absence of views here, we need your comments more than ever, people! Which countries' selections are you most looking forward to this weekend? Are there any songs which particularly stand out to you? Do you agree with our assessments and predictions? Please let us know in a quick comment below, we'd love to hear from you!
TVP confirm: Donatan & Cleo will represent Poland!
25/02/2014 Jameson	4 Comments
There I was, limping my way through this week's monster NF preview article (seriously, SIX national finals in one weekend, it's tough… more on that when I finally finish it and post the article for you guys…) when the news broke about Poland's selection for Copenhagen. Obviously, that takes precedence! Hence, here we are, with one more song confirmed for 2014, and a whole lot of discussion to be had! Care to join?
"My Slowianie" will be the Polish song for Copenhagen!
Donatan & Cleo have been rumoured in connection with the contest for – quite literally – MONTHS. Seriously, they've been almost as much of a staple in the rumour mill as Geri Halliwell and Ruth Lorenzo at times. Their track "My Slowianie" was released back in November, and has since become something of a viral hit in Poland, with the official video below having been viewed over 38 million times as of the end of February. Quite a success story, wouldn't you say? If you haven't already seen and heard it, the video is here:
Undoubtedly the biggest thing to come out of Poland in a long time. And now, it's been confirmed that this is the song which will herald their return to Eurovision. Regardless of your opinions on the composition itself, you can't deny that this is something of a genius move from TVP.
The song:
If I had to use just one word to describe this song, it would be *Sassy*.
It just oozes that kind of carefree, confident, sexy attitude that was the staple of turn-of-the-millennium American R&B. Think early Destiny's Child. Think "can you keep up? baby boooy, make me lose mah breath". That's the kind of feel I'm getting from "My Slowianie". Except it's set against a completely different background – that of accordion-heavy Polish folk. On paper, that's something that just shouldn't work. But – to my ears, at least – it most certainly does. This is not your run-of-the-mill ghetto diva sass, oh no. This is SLAVIC sass, which – somewhat incongruously – is even more epic than anything Beyoncé could ever come up with.
You may be getting the impression that I'm a bit of a fan of this one. Which I am, of course. But it didn't start that way. I had to listen to this piece of music four or five times before it finally clicked with me – similar to how I didn't quite *get* "Igranka" at first, but grew to adore it. The first impression is that it's a weird shouty mess, as I'm sure a lot of fans are currently thinking. But please, people, give it time. It's like that pet your sister got for Christmas that you never really wanted. It's the most abominable thing ever to exist, and you vow to yourself that you shall resent its presence in your house for the rest of eternity… but eventually, after months of it following you round with unignorable pleading stares and offering you its paw, you start to come round. And then you fall in love with it. It will just take time.
I can't believe I've just compared "My Slowianie" to my dog.
My one fear with this song is the fact that they have promised us a bilingual version for Copenhagen – which is a problem because the English version, quite frankly, is shit. The lyrics are clunky and jar somewhat with the fab clappy rhythm which so energises the original Polish version. Plus, the whole concept of the song is about Slavic unity and singing it in English somewhat defeats the object, no? Of course, I can see the logic behind a language change, because something this unique is going to struggle to connect with a mass European audience, and understanding what the hell they're singing about would be a step to bridge that gap. I just hope it's a minimal language mix, if it has to be one at all.
The last time we saw Poland on the Eurovision stage was in 2011, when the fabulous Magdalena Tul sang the uptempo electronic number "Jestem" all in Polish. On that particular occasion, they finished dead last in their semi – albeit an extremely undeserved placing. Having then proceeded to take two years out of the contest, Poland aren't haunted by the ghost of this failure all too closely anymore, and 2014 is a fantastic opportunity for them to make a fresh start.
Rory compiled our Possible Artists list for Poland, and although Donatan-Cleo weren't among our suggestions, I would hazard a guess that TVP have gone one better than we dared to hope by getting them on board. They are sending what might well be THE biggest song in Poland right now, which is exactly what I think the contest needs as a whole. This is contemporary and modern, it's a country with a patchy recent record throwing caution to the wind and sending an organic challenge which the entire nation can get behind with enthusiasm. If nothing else, TVP are pretty much guaranteed a hell of a lot of domestic viewers thanks to this decision.
It could be the start of a new era in Poland's Eurovision story.. this just needs to work. They need a qualification. I SERIOUSLY hope "My Slowianie" doesn't suffer the same fate as last year's ill-fated but brilliant Montenegrin entry.
What do you think of the Polish song?
Oliver Draveneau from France: It's not my cup of tea and I am not sure if it will be a success in Europe like in Poland
Marco Muntean from Romania: Top ten for Poland,hope so ❤
Krzysztof Czmok from Poland: AMAZING!!!! Love it, hopefully they still sing their song in Polish 🙂
This news has literally broken in the last hour or so (as of writing) so the fan-sphere hasn't yet had chance to properly react to this song, but from what I've read so far, it's getting the mixed reviews I would expect. Some love it, others can't stand it at all. See earlier point about the dog. It will grow on you. Just imagine Cleo with puppy eyes or something. I'm hoping and praying this is enough for Poland to sneak into the final, it's certainly one of my favourite entries to date!
But what do you think? Feel free to leave us a comment below!


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If the interop event is held separately the week of 23-27 February 2009, what is your preferred location? Please indicate your SECOND choice location in the comments. Your first choice for the interop event should be different from your first choice for the face-to-face meeting.
SECOND choice is Lexington, Kentucky, USA.


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Artwork: Alan Hunt Scroll down to start of content
Wildlife Art > Wildlife Artist of the Year > News > Wildlife Artist of the Year 2018 Winners
Wildlife Artist of the Year 2018 Winners
Artexhibitionget involvedMall Galleriesnonprofitphotographyprotecting wildlifewildlifewildlife art
Stunning Storks Scoop Top Wildlife Art Prize
Artist Radka Kirby with her striking oil painting of saddle-billed storks has been crowned David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's 'Wildlife Artist of the Year 2018'. The prestigious award wins the Prague-based artist the top prize of £10,000 for her entry entitled 'Peaceful Place'.
'Peaceful Place' by Radka Kirby
The flock of birds on a colourful sub-Saharan lake was described as 'a wonderfully sublime piece' by the judges, who said it was: "A hugely deserved winner and a fitting tribute to this competition – it simply claims the x-factor!"
When she heard the news, Radka – also known as Radu Tesaro-Kirby – said: "I am euphoric, jumping with happiness and so very thankful to all who organised this special event. I'm so sad I couldn't be there on the night but I'm so honoured the judges chose my piece. Thank you!"
The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation's (DSWF) annual Wildlife Artist of the Year competition was founded by the late, great wildlife artist David Shepherd CBE FRSA (1931 – 2017) and is now in its 11th year. Proceeds from the sale of the artworks, on display at the Mall Galleries in London, support the charity's work to fight wildlife crime, protect endangered species, and engage with local communities across Africa and Asia.
Radka's winning oil on canvas was chosen from more than 1,300 entries from artists around the globe, which were whittled down to a shortlist of over 160 pieces of wildlife art – from large sculptures, to delicate watercolours, intricate pencil drawings and bold oil paintings.
David Shepherd's daughter Mel Shepherd and Chair of DSWF's Trustees, was one of the expert judges who had the difficult job of choosing the overall winner, as well as the runner-up and seven category winners. (full list of winners below).
"We were very impressed by all the different textures and techniques this year – there was far more variety than ever before and the exhibition is just stunning. It's the best year yet!" she said.
"The competition attracts artists from around the world, allowing them to showcase their work and allowing them the opportunity to give something back to the wildlife they paint through the sale of their work – 50 per cent of which goes to our projects. This is the first year of the competition without Dad and while it's sad for us, he would have been so very proud – it's a wonderful legacy for him."
Full winners list:
Overall winner £10,000:
Peaceful Place – Radka Kirby.
The judges said: This wonderfully sublime piece is a hugely deserved winner and a fitting tribute to this competition. It simply claims the 'x-factor'!
Radka Kirby was born in Prague in 1979 and has travelled extensively. She lived for six years in Zambia, which has had a great influence on her art. She now lives in Prague, painting portraits, landscapes and African wildlife.
Overall Runner-up £1,000 sponsored by Barlow Robbins:
Malayan Tapir – Justin Coburn.
The judges said: A deceptively simple painting, this beguiling image is both classic and modern at one and the same time.
Justin Coburn was born in the North East of England. In his most recent work he has been particularly interested in the representation of animals and how this allows us to not only think about our relationship with nature and how this manifests itself through art – be it symbolic, religious, or ethical – but also, how we perceive ourselves and our own uncertain being in the world. He lives in Durham city with his wife and daughter and works full time as a painter.
Category winners £500 each:
Earth's Wild Beauty – a new category open to art illustrating wild landscapes, seascapes and the people who live in these environments or work to protect them.
Category Winner: Winter Fox – Chris Rose.
The judges said: Extraordinary detail and textures along with the subtle contrasting darks and lights help create a stunning, life-like piece of work.
Animal Behaviour – a real understanding of animal behaviour and a sense of character. Sponsored by Gary Hodges.
Category Winner: This Way Son – Alan Hunt
The judges said: Extraordinarily atmospheric – you can feel the movement of the water – brilliant.
Into the Blue – illustrating the wonderful world of water, be it ocean, seashore, wetland, river or stream. The Derek Frances Award.
Category Winner: Zebra Shark – Umberto.
The judges said: It may be bronze, but what we see and feel here is the silent movement and stealth of a beautiful creature and flowing form – it is alive.
Urban Wildlife – entries in an urban style or depicting the city life of animals and plants. Judges were looking for both originality in the habitat as well as the contrast between wild and urban life. Sponsored by Barlow Robbins.
Category Winner: 40 Flies – Felipe Chavez.
The judges said: Full of characteristic movement, portrayed in a pure and simple form.
Vanishing Fast – showing our vanishing world – it can be any species officially listed as endangered or threatened on the IUCN Red List – or any a landscape that is at risk. Sponsored by Martin & Emma Leuws.
Category Winner: On the Inside Looking Out – Carrie Cook.
The judges said: A deliciously moody painting full of fire and brooding masculinity.
Wings –the extraordinary variety of winged wildlife – birds and insects, in flight or at rest. Sponsored by Barlow Robbins
Category Winner: In The Colony – Paul Bartlett.
The judges said: Strong in pattern, shape, colour and tone, the tactile nature of collage gives this painting the winning touch.
The Artist Magazine Award – selected by the editor of The Artist Magazine, Dr Sally Bulgin (feature article for the successful artist in The Artist magazine).
Category Winner: This Way Son – Alan Hunt. (Chosen independently of the main judging panel.)
Dr Sally Bulgin said she chose Alan Hunt as her winner, not just because of the extraordinary detail in this work, but for the high standard of all of Alan's entries in the competition.
Highly Commended:
Manta 1,2,3 & 4 – Bill Prickett.
Free Again (Prezewalski's horses return to Mongolia) – Paul Bartlett.
Learning to be King – Nick Oneill.
I'm Next – Nick Day.
Mythical Tail – Tom Shepherd.
Looking Ahead – Anisha Heble.
Waterplay – Gunnar Tryggmo.
Hammerhead Sharks II – Nicolas Pain.
Crows – Jon Reeves.
Looping the Loop – Janis Goodman.
Black Rhino Profile – Martin Buffery.
Damascus Oryx – Stephen Rew.
We Shall Not Return – Derek Robertson.
Leggit! – Martin Buffery.
Honey Badger – Beverley Drury.
Bottles Shimmer like Fish in a Blue Tide of Plastic Waste – Christopher Hindley.
To see the winning artworks and the full 2018 finalist artworks in their true depth, colour and detail, visit the exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London SW1 running 2-6 May.
The winners were announced at a special awards evening and private viewing attended by hundreds of art lovers at the Mall Galleries, where the artworks will be on display until Sunday May 6th. The prizes were presented by conservationist John Rendall – famous for his involvement in the rehabilitation of "Christian the Lion".
"An exhibition like this is important because it gives people the chance to look and appreciate the beauty of nature. Not everyone can afford to go on safari, but the quality of the work here is almost like being on safari – it's a very impressive exhibition!" said John.
Since it began, DSWF's Wildlife Artist of the Year competition has attracted more than 10,000 entries and raised more than £1.2m to fund the Foundation's work and it continues to be an important date in the art world calendar.
"This amazing exhibition shines a light on some of the world's most threatened species through the medium of extraordinary art and we are truly grateful to all the artists, judges and sponsors who make this unique event possible," said DSWF's CEO Karen Botha.
"David is in all our minds as we celebrate his incredible legacy and the powerful contribution that his beloved art continues to make to wildlife conservation. The foundation is proud to continue its work in David's name, raising funds to save endangered species, fighting wildlife crime and delivering community outreach and educational programmes in Africa and Asia."
Commenting on the event, wildlife artist and conservationist, the late David Shepherd CBE FRSA 1931-2017 said: "I set up my Foundation with the sole purpose of giving something back to the animals that helped me achieve success as an artist. At a time when the world's wildlife is under such devastating pressure from expanding human populations and the illegal trade it seems fitting that we take a step back and reflect on the sheer beauty and diversity of our natural world and what could be lost if we do not truly appreciate the value of the world around us."
The competition forms the heart of the charity's week of wildlife art at the Mall Galleries and is complemented each year with original works from supporting artists. In 2018 this includes an exhibition of striking wildlife photography by bespoke conservation travel company Traveljar. Roaming Elephant (aka Matthew Shapira) is also displaying a range of his colourful elephant artworks.

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The Beauty of Wood Meets the Durability of Aluminum
When it comes to aesthetics, it's hard to beat the beauty of wood. It's a versatile material that is especially welcome in traditional and modern homes alike. This is why wood-clad aluminum doors are a viable solution if you're struggling to choose between the two. We'll look at how an aluminum core can be clad in wood to give you the best of both worlds.
The Benefits of Aluminum
Aluminum is everywhere. In fact, it's the third most plentiful element in the world (behind oxygen and silicon). Weighing just 2.7 grams per cubed centimeter, aluminum is somehow light and strong, making it a popular option for homeowners looking for durable, low maintenance options.
And even without cloaking aluminum in another material, it's also naturally resistant to corrosion. It features a natural protection layer made of oxide that will hold it's own against the test of time. When aluminum is ready to put out to pasture, it can be melted down and reused. Its sustainability is just another perk for homeowners who want to do their part for the environment.
The Benefits of Wood Clad Doors
Panda Windows & Doors offers sliding and folding glass doors that attach wood cladding to aluminum via a cam-lock system. It securely attaches to the exterior, while still leaving space between the two. The process ensures the two materials have enough ventilation to limit or even eliminate moisture damage. And if the wood cladding ever needs to be replaced, the cam-lock system makes for a simple swap.
With a wood clad door, you get the look of wood without the upkeep. This is not to say that a solid wood door is a poor choice, in fact Panda Solid Wood doors contain an engineered wood core that make them more durable than most – but in the end solid wood doors may require a bit more vigilance in certain climates and applications, particulary on the exterior side.
Wood cladding reinforces the strength of the aluminum, and even provides an additional layer of insulation for improved temperature and noise control. If you're looking for something that will give your home a lot of character with minimal hassle – wood clad aluminum doors might be your best bet.
There's a reason why wood has held its own over many centuries. No matter what trends come and go, people love its storybook charm. This might be why the construction industry has seen an uptick in demand for the material. The downsides of wood have been balanced out by new technology, making it that much more resilient against the forces of nature.
It's also a great choice if you're concerned with resale value. The wood is strong enough to support the structure, and the light-weight aluminum interior serves as the secret weapon. Whether you host an Open House in five years or 20, potential buyers will be undoubtedly impressed with the performance and resilience of your sliding glass doors.
Choosing the best wood clad aluminum door for your home
Wood clad aluminum doors can be adapted to nearly any building. At Panda, we fabricate each system according to your design needs. Our glass doors provide uninterrupted views of all the beauty that lies just beyond, and we spare no effort to give you a brighter perspective.
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Horizontal Sliding Walls (HSW)
The HSW Door System is the premier option for maximizing openings (up to 100%) by sliding and storing panels outside of the opening.
French doors, also known as swing doors, are a popular choice for entryways and patio applications.
Panda offers wood cladding in a variety of species including Stain Grade Pine, Paint Grade Poplar, African Mahogany, Clear Pine, Douglas Fir, Vertical Grain Douglas Fir, Maple, Birch, Cherry, Oak, Alder, Knotty Alder, Teak, and Walnut. We can also work to secure custom and exotic wood species to meet any project design goals.
Our customers choose us for our reliability, expertise, and commitment to customer service. Regardless of which wood clad doors you choose, you get a secure system that can hold off everything from intruders to Mother Nature.
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Political art can be didactic to a fault. Margarita Cabrera's exhibition "It Is Impossible to Cover the Sun with a Finger" overtly expresses the artist's indignation about societal ills but avoids the pitfalls and limitations of art made solely as agitprop. In her expanding series of soft army-green sculptures of desert plants, "Space in Between," 2010–, Cabrera collaborates with immigrants who have crossed the US-Mexico border. Her volunteers embroider their stories—encapsulated in family names, home countries, dreams for the future, and flags of Mexico and the United States—onto repurposed border patrol uniforms. The artist then fits the cloth over wire armatures in the shapes of Yucca, Agave, Nopalea, and other plants. Reading these individuals' desires, woven with colorful thread into in a material symbol of the power of the United States, the viewer is compelled to reflect on the thoughts and motives of those driven to make the dangerous and uncertain journey. Cabrera humanizes an issue that is too easily depersonalized in our fractious political climate.
In What Lies Between Earth and Sky, 2019, Cabrera attached dozens of bright blue plastic buckets above wooden broom and mop handles mounted horizontally on the wall, forming one large rectangle. The impression is one of a panoramic horizon. This simple but visually arresting assemblage is at once a nod to the border's desert landscape and a monument to the economies of immigrant labor. Cabrera's thoughtful probing of the human impact of immigration is unmistakably partisan; her support of the community is clear in her own studio's labor practices. Yet the resulting work seems to be aimed at persuasion more than protest—so that all viewers might feel the weight of these stories on their chests.


The articles of a company may regulate, inter alia, the division of powers between the shareholders and the board of directors, and the composition, structure and operations of the directors  . It is therefore reasonable to conclude that the articles of association may include a provision naming a person to be a governing director for life. A similar situation occurred in Elley v Positive Government Security Life Assurance Company  . The first issue must then be the enforceability of any provision in a company's memorandum. The answer to this issue is found in the Companies Act 2006.
This has been generally accepted to give the effect of making the provisions in a company's articles a legally enforceable contract. However, the contract formed is only binding on and enforceable by the members inter se  . Meaning, this statutory contract has binding effect amongst the shareholders and the company (as a separate legal entity, Salomon v Salomon & Co Ltd  ). This specially formed contract appears to have two primary traits which distinguish it from an ordinary contract.
These two traits are the crux of the ambiguity and debate surrounding the practical impact of S.33. This essentially falls into the questions of who can sue and what can they sue for? Firstly, the doctrine of privity and the rights of third parties make it abundantly clear, who has remedial rights in an ordinary 'offer and acceptance' contract. However, CA 06 s.33 does not stipulate for example whether members are entitled to take remedial action against other members relying on the provisions of the statutory contract it creates. Secondly, the parties in an ordinary contract are always entitled to seek the enforcement of the terms agreed upon. However a s.33 contract is not as straightforward in relation to what members are entitled to enforce. As will be illustrated, this issue becomes particularly relevant in situations like the above example, where a director is also a member. These two distinguishing traits are convientely also the second and third issue to consider having established that the provisions listed form part of a legally binding contract among company insiders.
Under a s.33 contract, who specifically has the right to sue? It stands to reason that outsiders have no right to enforce any provision in the company's articles as they would an ordinary and extrinsic contract. That includes people who are intimately involved in the operation of a company such as a director or those upon which rights are conferred by the provisions. However, in the example being considered, the claimant is a not just a director but is also a member. As such, s.33 explicitly gives him a right to rely on the provisions of the company's articles in order to have them enforced. This is supported by the common law in the case of Pender v. Lunshington  which is an authority for the position that a shareholder can successfully sue the company to have a provision of the memorandum enforced. In the interest of full disclosure, this principle works both ways as the company would be entitled to sue the claimant in the pursuit of enforcing a provision in the articles. This principle is firmly entrenched by the lead authority of Hickman v. Kent and Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders  .
It is possible however that to have a given provision enforced, action may have to be taken against a fellow member as opposed to the company. Section 33, is vague as to whether this would be permitted. This issue is also an example of how the judiciary has been less than definitive in resolving s.33 uncertainty. In contrast to an initial complex rule  , Rayfield v. Hands  declared articles to be multi-party contracts therefore meaning that the provisions were contracts between the individual shareholders also capable of being enforced.
It has now been established that the claimant in our example would have the right to sue either the company or other members to enforce a provision in the company's articles of association. However, further consideration needs to be taken. The third issue of what the claimant would be able to sue for is now relevant and is somewhat contentious.
As mentioned above, in the current example, the claimant would be able to act in a capacity as an insider as well as an outsider since he is both a member and a director respectively. According to R. Drury, an insider right is not absolute, "they cannot be seen in isolation but only in relation to the rights enjoyed by other members"  . In other words, insider rights are those that are common among all members. Conversely, an outsider right is one that is specific to a limited group or individual as opposed to anyone who is a member. This means that an insider can have a unique outside right in addition to their insider rights. This is the case with our claimant as he is possesses the insider rights including the right to enforce the articles as well the outside right to be the company's governing director for life. The question, and point of contention, is whether the claimant can use his inside right to enforce his outside right?
This position has come to be known simply as the "Hickman principle" and was relied on in the case of Beattie v Beattie Ltd.  In this later case it was held that the contractual force established by s.33 is limited to the provisions which "apply to the relationship of members in their capacity as members and does not extend to those provisions which govern the relationship of a company and its directors as such"  . In other words, as far as this line of authority is concerned, the answer to the question is no. The claimant would not be allowed to enforce the provision that he remain the governing director as that is a right specific to him and therefore given to him in his capacity as an outsider not a member.
This stance has gone down without controversy. There are "conflicting lines of authority"  and several academic theories challenging the principle and suggesting ways of rendering it impotent. This would mean that there is at least an argument and the potential for the claimant in the example to proceed despite doing go in his capacity as an outsider.
It would appear that one of the leading opponents of the Hickman principle is Lord Wedderburn. He asserted that a shareholder could enforce "outsider" rights under s. 33 as long as he sues in his capacity as shareholder  . This Lord Wedderburn maintained could be done by using a shareholder right in a very broad sense. To support this position he cited the case of Quinn & Axtens Ltd. V Salmon  in which the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords allowed a managing director suing as a member, to obtain an injunction stopping the company from completing a transaction. The issue was that the transaction required the consent of the two managing directors to be in compliance with their articles. This essentially "showed that a member had a membership right to require the company to act in accordance with its articles, which right could be enforced by the member even though the result was indirectly to protect a right which was afforded to him as a director"  but "only so long as he sues qua member and not qua outsider"  . Lord Wedderburn seems to be purporting that every member has a general right to have the company follow the articles despite what the provision in question relates to. The Company Law Review has taken an approach which has in effect been an acceptance of Wedderburn's argument  .
On the other extreme, one can find Professor Gower and Davies, proponents of the Hickman principle. They argue that the contractual effect of s.33 only applies to the provisions, rights and obligations associated with members in their capacity as such.
Robert Gregory, who for all intents and purposes is in line with Wedderburn has seemed to adopt a stance particularly harsh towards the Hickman case and the principle which has emerged from it. He has maintained that the now famous dicta was obiter and should not be given the weight it has been. Furthermore he argues that the number of cases such as Salmon which cannot be reconciled with the principle is unsatisfactory. He generally asserts that cases like Hickman are antiquated resulting in confusion and inconsistency  .
Graham N. Prentice falls in the category of academics that would align with Wedderburn and Gregory but only to a limited extent. He accepts that s.33 would allow the enforcement of outsider rights but only in certain situations. The requirement he purports is that the particular provision affects the power of the company to function in the circumstances in question. Therefore, in the Goldberg example, Prentice's stance would depend on the effect of the claimant being the governing director on the company's power to function. Based on his approach to the somewhat similar Elley case where the position concerned was a solicitor, it seems reasonable to conclude that he would join Gower and argue that the claimant should not be able to enforce the provision  .
Finally, the stance adopted by R.R. Drury is somewhat relevant to the provision in the example being considered. It has been argued by others that judges have been markedly adverse to any suggestion that they should sit in review of questions of business judgment  . If this is so, one can assume that under any circumstances the courts would be reluctant to impose some as the governing director of a company for life. Drury argues that the right of one shareholder to enforce a provision should be dependent on the effect on the rights of the other shareholders. This relational approach as he calls it argues that the member could only enforce outsider rights the breach of which, were not rectifiable by an ordinary resolution. This gives the shareholders the ability to decide in accordance with the articles whether to allow the claimant to be governing director  .
In conclusion, s.33 of the CA 06 has been a contentious matter, particularly on the issue of members seeking to enforce outsider rights. In the example considered, the Hickman principle would certainly deny the claimant enforcement of any right conferred upon him in his capacity as a director or outsider. However, Lord Wedderburn's, highlighting of the conflicting Salmon case has sparked debate amongst numerous academics, most of which seem to disagree with Hickman. In any event, with the inconsistency on this issue the only way the claimant would be able to guarantee that the provision is enforced and he keeps his position for life is if he enters into an extrinsic contract with the company separate from the articles.
"The division of powers between the shareholders and the board of directors." LawTeacher.net. 11 2013. All Answers Ltd. 04 2019 <https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/company-law/in-the-united-kingdom-law-essays.php?vref=1>.
"The division of powers between the shareholders and the board of directors." LawTeacher. LawTeacher.net, November 2013. Web. 23 April 2019. <https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/company-law/in-the-united-kingdom-law-essays.php?vref=1>.
LawTeacher. November 2013. The division of powers between the shareholders and the board of directors. [online]. Available from: https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/company-law/in-the-united-kingdom-law-essays.php?vref=1 [Accessed 23 April 2019].
LawTeacher. The division of powers between the shareholders and the board of directors [Internet]. November 2013. [Accessed 23 April 2019]; Available from: https://www.lawteacher.net/free-law-essays/company-law/in-the-united-kingdom-law-essays.php?vref=1.


Imperfections are signs of character and personality, as are the pine imperfections in the Densbury Rectangular End Table. Slightly distressed pine in a slat finish engulfs and personalizes your end table. A base shelf makes room for storing books or magazines while four beautiful columns hold the tabletop above. A solid rectangle base provides sturdy support for drinks, books, and other odds and ends. Inspired by architectural design, the table columns are paired with distressed pine to offer your living room a casually decorative appeal.
The Densbury Rectangular Column End Table by Magnussen Home at AHFA in the area. Product availability may vary. Contact us for the most current availability on this product.
Storage Base shelf for storage.
Start family game night at the Densbury cocktail table and later, rest your soda and popcorn on the Densbury end tables as you cuddle around the TV to watch your favorite movies. The Densbury Collection will give your family room a reason to glow. Add some architectural interest with the column-set Densbury pine table collection. A slat-finished, slightly distressed pine gives this collection its distinctive casual confidence. Turned details and natural pine imperfections make each table a uniquely casual piece full of character. Base shelves offer display cases or storage space for family items. This collection matches any casual setting with ease and fills a room with unique personality.
The Densbury collection is a great option if you are looking for Transitional Cottage furniture in the area.
Browse other items in the Densbury collection from AHFA in the area.


text:
using System;
using System.Diagnostics.Contracts;
using Whathecode.System.ComponentModel.Validation;
using Whathecode.System.Reflection.Emit;
using Whathecode.System.Reflection.Extensions;

namespace Whathecode.System.Windows.DependencyPropertyFactory.Attributes.Validators
{
	/// <summary>
	///   When applied to a property in combination with <see cref = "DependencyPropertyAttribute" />
	///   specifies how the property should be validated.
	/// </summary>
	/// <author>Steven Jeuris</author>
	[AttributeUsage( AttributeTargets.Property )]
	public class ValidationHandlerAttribute : AbstractBehaviorAttribute
	{
		public readonly IValidation<object> GenericValidation;

		/// <summary>
		///   Create a new attribute which hooks a validation handler to a dependency property.
		/// </summary>
		/// <param name = "dynamicType">
		///   The type of the validation handler.
		///   Should extend from <see cref = "AbstractValidation{T}" />.</param>
		/// <param name = "constructorArguments">The arguments to pass to the constructor of the validation handler.</param>
		public ValidationHandlerAttribute( Type dynamicType, params object[] constructorArguments )
			: base( dynamicType, constructorArguments )
		{
			Contract.Requires( dynamicType.IsOfGenericType( typeof( IValidation<> ) ) );

			GenericValidation = Proxy.CreateGenericInterfaceWrapper<IValidation<object>>( DynamicInstance );
		}
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The ISyE 2006 Offsite will be on September 8-9, 2006 at the Marriott Evergreen Conference Center in Stone Mountain, GA.
The meeting will start off at 6:00pm on Friday, September 8, 2006 with an address from our chair Chip White, followed by dinner and evening social. We will have a day long meeting the following day (Saturday, September 9, 2006) starting with breakfast at 7:00am, and finishing at 5:00pm.
A detailed agenda will be made available shortly via email to the faculty.


text:
Q: Collecting data in loop using Pythons Pandas Dataframe I am trying to extract data from a csv file using python's pandas module. The experiment data has 6 columns (lets say a,b,c,d,e,f) and i have a list of model directories. Not every model has all 6 'species' (columns) so i need to split the data specifically for each model. Here is my code:
    def read_experimental_data(self,experiment_path):
        [path,fle]=os.path.split(experiment_path)
        os.chdir(path)
        data_df=pandas.read_csv(experiment_path)
#        print data_df
        experiment_species=data_df.keys() #(a,b,c,d,e,f)
#        print experiment_species
        for i in self.all_models_dirs: #iterate through a list of model directories.
            [path,fle]=os.path.split(i)
            model_specific_data=pandas.DataFrame()
            species_dct=self.get_model_species(i+'.xml') #gives all the species (culuns) in this particular model
#            print species_dct
            #gives me only species that are included in model dir i
            for l in species_dct.keys():
                for m in experiment_species:
                    if l == m:
                         #how do i collate these pandas series into a single dataframe?
                        print data_df[m]

The above code gives me the correct data but i'm having trouble collecting it in a usable format. I've tried to merge and concatenate them but no joy. Does any body know how to do this?
Thanks

A: You can create a new DataFrame from data_df by passing it a list of columns you want,
import pandas as pd
df = pd.DataFrame({'a': [1,2,3], 'b': [4,5,6], 'c': [7,8,9]})
df_filtered = df[['a', 'c']]

or an example using some of your variable names,
import pandas as pd
data_df = pd.DataFrame({'a': [1,2], 'b': [3,4], 'c': [5,6],
                   'd': [7,8], 'e': [9,10], 'f': [11,12]})
experiment_species = data_df.keys()
species_dct = ['b', 'd', 'e', 'x', 'y', 'z']
good_columns = list(set(experiment_species).intersection(species_dct))
df_filtered = data_df[good_columns]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Galaurus () was an Illyrian king of the Taulantii State who reigned in the middle of the 7th century BC. After the first Illyrian invasion of Macedonia in 691 BC because of the interruption of friendly relations, the Illyrians did considerable damage by their ravages. Galaurus invaded Macedonia somewhere between 678–640 BC during the reign of Argaeus I. However the invasion was unsuccessful because  Argaeus cut off great numbers and forced the remaining Illyrians to leave, although further invasions continued right to the time of Philip II.

The historian Polyaenus relates this battle:

"In the reign of Argaeus, the Illyrian Taulantii under  Galaurus invaded Macedonia. Argaeus, whose force was very small, directed the Macedonian virgins (parthenoi), as the enemy advanced, to show themselves from mount Ereboea (Ἐρέβοια). They accordingly did so; and in a numerous body they poured down, covered by wreaths, and brandishing their thyrsi instead of spears. Galaurus, intimidated by the numbers of those, whom instead of women he supposed to be men, sounded a retreat; whereupon the Taulantii, throwing away their weapons, and whatever else might retard their escape, abandoned themselves to a precipitate flight. Argaeus, having thus obtained a victory without the hazard of a battle, erected a temple to Dionysus Pseudanor; and ordered the priestesses of the god, who were before called Klοdones by the Macedonians, to ever afterwards be distinguished by the title of Mimallones."

See also
 Illyrian kingdom
 List of rulers of Illyria

References

Bibliography

Illyrian kings
7th-century BC rulers
Year of birth unknown
Year of death unknown

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Lloyd nello spazio (Lloyd in Space) è una serie a cartoni animati statunitense prodotta dalla Walt Disney Company e creata da Joe Ansolabehere e Paul Germain (creatore anche di Ricreazione).

Trama
Vivendo lontano nel futuro, poco dopo la fine della Nona Guerra Mondiale, Lloyd Nebulon è un alieno dalla pelle verde della razza Verdigrea con orecchie a punta e un'unica antenna che gli spunta dalla testa. Lloyd vive nella stazione spaziale di Intrepidville insieme alla sua sorellina telecinetica e telepatica Francine e a sua madre, il comandante Norah Li Nebulon, il capo di Intrepidville. Gli amici di Lloyd sono Eddie R. Horton (un umano adolescente dai capelli rossi), Kurt Blobberts (un enorme blob viola con un solo bulbo oculare e una bassa intelligenza, di una specie nota come Blobullon) e Douglas McNoggin (un cervello gigante con arti e un volto, di una specie conosciuta come i Cerebelliani).

Episodi

Prima stagione
 Il grande 1-3 (The Big 1-3)
 Il doppio invito (Double Date)
 Il progetto di scienze (The Science Project)
 Il buco di verme (Caution: Wormhole!)
 Un eroe di troppo (The Hero Of Urbit-Knarr)
 Fantasie ingombranti (Daydream Transceiver)
 Gita a Zolton III (Campout On Zolton III)
 Simbiosi pericolose (Kurtlas The Symbiotic Boy)
 Lloyd Babysitter (Babysitter Lloyd)
 Lloyd Androide (Android Lloyd)
 Il nostro amico Larval (Nerd From Beyond The Stars)

Seconda stagione
 La ragazza dal centro dell'universo (The Girl From The Center Of The Universe)
 L'appuntamento di Nora (Nora's Big Date)
 Concorrenza sleale (Pet Wars)
 Scambio di menti (Lloyd Changes His Mind)
 La vita segreta di Boomer (Boomer's Secret Life)
 Ad armi pari (Francine's Power Trip)
 Weekend in famiglia (Lloyd's Lost Weekend)
 Non è mai troppo tardi (You're Never Too Old)
 Pigiama Party (The Big Sleepover)

Terza stagione
 Un Computer quasi umano (Gimme Some Skin)
 Incidente a Luna Vista  (Incident At Luna Vista)
 Fratello maggiore Kurt (Big Brother Kurt)
 Sfida a Intrepidville (The Thrilla In Intrepidvilla)
 That's Debatable
 Spazzini spaziali (Stink-O-Rama)
 Fattoria spaziale (Space farm)
 Love Beam No. 9
 Ragazzo o Ragazza (Neither Male Nor Female)
 Per qualche particolare in più (Cherry Therlap Lloyd)

Quarta stagione
 Un lavoro per Larry (Room For Larry)
 The Big Feud
 Occhio alle teste Blobberts (Heads Up Blobberts!)
 Behind The Bolt
 Halloween
 Picture Perfect
 Comandante Lloyd (Commander Lloyd)
 Primo giorno (Day One)
 Go Crater Worms
 Sei forte papà (Ride Along)

Personaggi
Lloyd P. Nebulon
Edward J. "Eddie" Horton
Kurt Blobberts
Douglas McNoggin
Station
Britney Boviac

Cattivi
The Zeptar's Bandit
Frontok
The Pick-pocket
Kurtlas
The Preditalien

Altri personaggi
Dunkirque
Larry
Boomer
Lou 2000
Commander Norah Li Nebulon
Francine Nebulon
Megan
Mr Stinko
Cindy
Rodney
Mendel
Mr. Blobberts
Mrs. Barbara Bolt

Note

Collegamenti esterni

Serie televisive d'animazione Disney
Produzioni di Disney Television Animation


text:
Paul H. Rogers House is a historic home located at Hartsville, Darlington County, South Carolina.  It was built in 1927, and is a two-story, five-bay, rectangular frame Colonial Revival style residence. It has a hipped roof. The front facade features an iron balustraded balcony supported by two Tuscan order columns. The second story features a four-part Palladian window above the balcony.  It was the home of Paul. H. Rogers (1883-1960), prominent Hartsville industrialist and businessman who served as president of Carolina Fiber Company and as mayor of Hartsville.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

References

Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in South Carolina
Colonial Revival architecture in South Carolina
Houses completed in 1927
Houses in Hartsville, South Carolina
National Register of Historic Places in Darlington County, South Carolina


text:
Local government procurement breaking the last shackles of paper
A largely electronic procurement process at Yarra Ranges was forced back to paper at key stages by the need for signatures. Printing documents and moving them around in the organisation, then back and forward to suppliers created costs, introduced delays and wasted the time of already busy staff.
"The efficiency gains and document security benefits of electronically signed documents is immense" says Jason Farrugia, Manager Strategic Procurement at Yarra Ranges Shire Council.
Yarra Ranges turned to digital signature service provider Secured Signing to deliver secure online signing of electronic documents to achieve a completely paperless procurement process. Documents ranging from conflict of interest declarations, evaluation reports and contract documents are digitally signed, usually within hours, and saved to Council's electronic record keeping system without the need for scanning, photocopying or mailing.
The digital signatures applied to documents with the Secured Signing service represent the highest form of authenticity, reliability and security currently available. Secured Signing is a hosted service offering immediate startup, no capital investment or establishment costs and pricing based on the number of documents you need to sign each month. An online presence also makes it simple to securely include suppliers and other external parties in the signing workflow.
"Secured Signing has saved Yarra Ranges a lot of administration time and significantly reduced printing consumable, envelope and postage costs and has also allowed us to be a greener organisation by reducing our paper consumption." noted Mr Farrugia.
The success at Yarra Ranges has not gone unnoticed, with Manningham City Council also looking to realise the benefits of digital signatures. Tim Lawson, Manager of Procurement Contracts at Manningham City Council is leading the introduction of digital signatures in the procurement process. "For Manningham, the primary driver has been about simplicity and making it quicker and simpler for people to sign, but it is nice to know we are also introducing a clearer audit trail into our signing process with Secured Signing giving us the same security that underpins all online commerce and banking" said Mr Lawson.
With a number of other local governments in the process of evaluating or trialling Secured Signing, it's likely that paper contracts in local government will soon go the way of the telegraph.
About Yarra Ranges Council
The Yarra Ranges Shire is located on metropolitan Melbourne's eastern fringe. It was formed in 1994 following the amalgamation of the former Shires of Healesville, Lilydale, Sherbrooke and Upper Yarra.
Home to a population of around 145,000, the Shire covers an area of approximately 2,500 square kilometres. The Shire stretches from the densely populated outer suburbs up into the surrounding foothills, agricultural valleys and forested areas of the Great Dividing Ranges. It is one of Victoria's largest, most varied and scenic municipalities.
For more information please visit: www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au
About Manningham City Council
Manningham is located 12 km from Melbourne at the gateway to the Yarra Valley, bringing a unique combination of both cosmopolitan city and country lifestyles together over a total land area of 114 square kilometres.
Manningham is made up of a diverse community, with many of its residents born overseas from places including China, Italy and Greece, which brings a wealth of languages, music, food and cultural traditions to the area.
For more information please visit: www.manningham.vic.gov.au
Secured Signing provides a comprehensive and secure SaaS digital signatures service that delivers a full range of filling-in and signing capabilities combining advanced PKI technology, verifying capacity from anywhere at any time, and an easy to use, simple to deploy, compliant solution.
Secured Signing bases its activities on the extensive knowledge and experience of its team of experts in the development of data security products to provide services to a wide range of industries worldwide.
For more information please visit: www.securedsigning.com.au


2012 research confirmed that exposure to all sources of wireless radiation – mostly commonly referred to as WiFi – can disrupt the blood-brain barrier which can cause it to leak. One doctor provided medical testimony in a short video about how exposure can also kill brain cells.
Of course, this can be said of exposure to ALL toxins – not just sources of toxic WiFi.
Despite all of this – there are so many sources of WiFi already and unfortunately more seem to be on their way due to highly promoted campaigns for the "Race for 5G," The Internet of Things (IoT), "Smart Cities," and utility "Smart" Meters. Some sources of WiFi are even being prescribed or endorsed by the medical community – even though insurance companies aren't covering wireless radiation exposure risk anymore. How's that for confusing and hypocritical.
So wouldn't it be awesome if a lot of money was also spent on great commercials showing how bad WiFi exposure is so we could reduce its harmful effects on the public?


Running a convention is not all cosmic levels of glory and fan-dreams fulfilled. Most of the time it is no sleep, endless cold takeout food, and an e-mail inbox with more unread messages than an abandoned 10-year-old Gmail account. Yep, we love what we do!


text:
WATCH: Cop Calls Woman "Disrespectful Little F*cking C*nt" for Recording Cops
By Carlos Miller
A Buffalo cop who stood inches from a woman's face and called her a "disrespectful little f*cking c*nt" for recording police in public has been suspended without pay.
"I don't care if I go viral," Buffalo Police Lieutenant Mike DeLong said in the video that has gone viral, leading to his suspension.
The incident took place Sunday when the woman, Ruweyda Salim, came across Buffalo police confronting a man outside a 7-11 convenience store, frisking him as they surrounded him.
Salim began recording from about 25 feet away, not saying a word, exercising her First Amendment right to document police activity in public.
But that did not go well with Lieutenant DeLong who walked up to her, informing her that "we have cameras too," which was his way of telling her she did not need to record.
He then began invading her personal space the way cops like to do, putting his doughy face directly in front of her face with the hope she touches him, which would then allow him to viciously beat her into unconsciousness and charge her with a felony.
"Move me," he tells her after she asks him to step back, trying his best to engage her.
But Salim was not taking the bait, telling him to "get away from me." He then starts pressing his body into her body as if he was trying to walk and she was impeding his movement. Typical cop tactics that serve no other purpose than to escalate the verbal interaction into a physical altercation.
He then resorted to other cop tactics like ordering her off the sidewalk with the irrational logic that only a cop can muster.
"You can get off the sidewalk though," he tells her.
"Because it's a public sidewalk," he responds.
"And I'm a public person and I live here," she responds.
"So start walking," he tells her, another unlawful order.
"No, I don't have to," she responds.
"You do," he insists.
"No, I don't," she corrects him.
He calls her a "disrespectful little f*cking c*nt" when he realizes his intimidation tactics are not working on her. People react a little differently to unlawful orders when they know their rights.
DeLong later tells Salim that they have been dealing with the same man for 20 years so they are familiar with him.
"How old are you, 12? 14?" he asks her, insinuating she was too young to understand the situation at hand. "I don't care if I go viral."
The video has gone viral and now DeLong is suspended without pay. And it's not the first time.
A quick Google search reveals DeLong was suspended without pay in 2014 for a "domestic incident," which is not surprising considering his bullying controlling personality.
And that personality obviously did not deter him from receiving several promotions since then which is probably why he doesn't really care if he goes viral. It may just lead to another promotion for the cop who made more than $96,000 last year and more than $120,000 in 2018, according to WKBW.
Salim posted the video to Facebook and Twitter on Monday with the following description:
Wheeew child, the Buffalo PD are a bunch of scum. Watch this officer call me a Cunt . Yesterday, I was pulling out of 7/11 parking lot and saw police cars rolling in. I started recording bc I saw a 5 cops walking towards the man in the video, the blonde female cop was walking towards him with a Baton in her hand and the male cop who was physically harassing me yelled at us to "get the fuck out of here" bc we where driving out of the parking lot slow. I was no where near them. I was immediately concerned.
I've lived on the west side of buffalo for my whole life (pre-gentrification), I've seen people in my community battle substance abuse and mental illness. He seemed off, but I was not threatened by him in the slightest. They tried to say he had a weight in his hand, this man had no weapon in his hand. They made him so "dangerous" but people where going in and out of 7-11 inches away from him, he was fully cooperative. I never went near him, all I did was record from the side walk and tell the man he doesn't have to talk to them about 3 times, bc of that I had 3 officers bully me. I wish someone was recording them harassing me.
The cop in the video literally walked up on me and physically and verbally harassed me by shoving his whole body against me, breathing on me, calling me out of my name, and making sexist remarks. I kept trying move away from but he kept coming after me. He was overtly intimidating me and trying to provoke me. None of the 9 other cops stopped this man from physically harassing me.
I'm so small and not intimidating in the slightest but they acted like was such a threat. Who's training these people? Why is acceptable for them to degrade me? Armed police officers should be able to effectively do their job with out being threatened by civilians recording them.
P.S. when I said it doesn't matter or that I don't care if he is out of his mind, it not that don't care about his pain or that supposedly committed a crime. I said that bc the police officer was trying to incriminate the man to justify their actions. It does not matter what his crime was .
DeLong then pulled over the car that Salim was in after she had left to continue the harassment and intimidation.
DeLong is the third cop to be suspended without pay this month. The other cops, Robert McCabe and Aaron Torgalski, have also been charged with second-degree assault for shoving an elderly protester, leaving him critically injured.
Watch the edited video above or the original unedited video below.
Previous articleWATCH: Colorado Cop Arrests, Abuses Man for Refusing to give Witness Statement
Next articleWATCH: Chicago's Top Cop Flashes Badge after Police find him Asleep at the Wheel
Carlos Millerhttps://pinacnews.com
Editor-in-Chief Carlos Miller spent a decade covering the cop beat for various newspapers in the Southwest before returning to his hometown Miami and launching Photography is Not a Crime aka PINAC News in 2007. He also published a book, The Citizen Journalist's Photography Handbook, which is available on Amazon.


For some folks, there is such a thing as a too-sweet jam. This SURE.JELL for Less or No Sugar Needed Recipes - Raspberry-Peach Freezer Jam is for them!
Crush raspberries thoroughly, one layer at a time. Press half of pulp through a sieve to remove seeds, if desired. Measure exactly 3 cups crushed raspberries into large bowl. Peel and pit peaches. Finely chop peaches. Measure exactly 1 cup chopped peaches into bowl with raspberries.
Mix sugar and pectin in large saucepan. Stir in water. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 min. Remove from heat. Add raspberries and peaches; stir 1 min. or until well blended.
Makes about 6 (1-cup) containers or 96 servings, 1 Tbsp. each.