text:
preparing for war
World War Two timeline
combatants in World War Two
World War II begins
French air defence collapse
bombing raids
German airborne operations
German radar in WW2
U-Boats' AA
the autumn pause of 1944
the Eastern Front
Mediterranean theatre
Luftflotten Before D-Day
the German ICBM
the end of the Luftwaffe
US apartheid
women pilots at war
the air forces of WW2
World War Two radar
German 'wonder' weapons
WW2 air aces
RADAR: The German Side of the Story
By Raul Colon
Wurzburg , FuMG 62
Short-range ground fire control radar. Range 170km, frequency 560MHz, range precision 100m, angle precision 0.2 degrees.
Radio detection and ranging (radar) is viewed by most as one of the quintessential technological accomplishments of the Twentieth Century. Radio detection finding or RAD, as it was known in Great Britain, was perhaps the single biggest piece of technology, aside the atom bomb, that emerged from of the ashes of World War II. The employment of RAD made the defence of Britain possible. The Royal Air Force enjoyed a major technological advantage during the Battle of Britain because most of the time, they knew where was headed the bulk of the Luftwaffe force. It could be argued that without radar, the fierce battle that ranged over the skies above the British country side would had been lost. Radar also warned the Americans at Pearl Harbour of a massive airborne formation heading towards them. Unfortunately for the United States forces at Hawaii, misinterpretation of the radar data lead to the attack being a 'surprise'. Radar was used extensively by the Americans in their Pacific and Atlantic campaigns. Today, many facts about the development of radar is widely known. What is seldom mentioned by historians and researchers alike is the fact that in the beginning, it was Nazi Germany, not Britain, which was leading the way in the field of radio detection.
On a the clear morning of September 26th 1935, a group of high ranking German naval officers, including the overall commander of the German Fleet, Admiral Erich Raeder and various Nazi party leaders; visited the new Funkmessgerat station (radar finder device) at Pelzerhaken near Neustadt in the Bay of Lubeck. On top of the forty feet tower, the visitors, for the first time, were able to see in action Germany's new technological marvel: the radar. The rudimentary equipment, which included sets of transmitters, receivers, turntables, monochrome screens and two electrical generators; was designed to located a ship up to a distance of five nautical miles outside the field of view, quiet an accomplishment for the day.
As it was setup, the transmitter would send out a radio pulse signal in all directions which would proceed to bounce off the searched platform and return to the receiver. Then the receiver would send a signal to the monochrome display projecting a one dimensional image revealing the platform's present. To the stunned VIP audience, the demonstration was an eye opener. But to those who knew radio technology it was but just one step towards a bigger goal. Almost a year early, American inventor Robert Morris Page had demonstrated the feasibility of a radar system with his December 1934 experiment near Washington DC. Three months later, Robert Watson Watts, known to many as the father of the radar; completed his first active experiment. From then on, radar was well on its way. The first German active radar experiment took place on March 1935. A rudimentary set of transmitters and receivers were able to pickup a faint signal bouncing from a German warship one mile away. Similar efforts were also taking place in France, Italy, the USSR and, on a somewhat more limited scope, in Japan.
The system demonstrated at Pelzerhaken on September 26th was the direct result of the research done by the brilliant German physicist, Rudolf Kuhnold. In the mid 1930s Kuhnold was the owner of a small new corporation named Gesellschaft fur Elektroakustische and Mechanische Apparate (GEMA) which specialized in the development of sophisticated transmitters and receivers mechanisms. GEMA had close ties with Germany's Naval Research Institute. From the mid 1935 onward, GEMA, although not officially linked to Germany's military industrial complex, was an integrated part of the Fatherland's war effort. Before the war ended, the small 1935 company would had grown in size and scope. By early 1945, GEMA employed more than 6,000 skill workers, a far cry from the days of a seven staff operation. But although GEMA began the radar revolution, it had by no means a monopoly on the new technology. Within three years, Siemens, Telefunken and Lorenz would push their own radar system programs.
Beside the enormous potential the Pelzerhaken experiment showed, it also seeded a deep distrust between the Navy and the very powerful Luftwaffe. Because the experiment was first showed to the top brass of the navy, many of them resentful of the treatment they had been receiving from the Luftwaffe leadership, wanted it to keep the news of the system in the dark.
No radar story could be told without mentioning the extraordinary efforts of one man, British physicist Robert Watson Watt. At forty two, Watson Watt, the head of Britain's National Physicist Laboratory's Radio Research Station, was summoned in 1934 by the Air Ministry to explore the possibility of developing a transmitting, damaging radiation platform to be employed against possible enemy air incursions, mainly from Germany. He began his research in earnest focusing on utilizing radio signals for early detection of incoming objects. On February 26th 1935, Watson Watt and his trusted fiend and colleague, AP Rowe, turned on the world's first true radar mechanism at the British Broadcasting Company's short wave radio station in Daventry, Northamptonshire, almost seven months ahead of the Germans. Watson Watt's system operated at a 164' wavelength spectrum. It employed a basic receiver set that gather signals generated from a high frequency alternating current (the number of cycles per second is known as frequency). Radio emissions or waves are electromagnetic radiation similar to light waves, but they have a longer wavelength range.
When utilizing radio signals for detection of objects, a beam is emitted, the waves scatter all over the "target" to later return as an echo which the receiver picks up at the point of origin. Radio wavelengths are, by definition, large, and those utilized by radio transmitters are measured in feet or meters. A smaller wavelength is require in order to make a much accurate profile of the targeting object. This was the first problem encounter by Watson Watt and the others radar pioneers of the times. The generation of wavelengths less than a feet, also known as microwaves, required massive amounts of raw energy in order to travel long distances. Any mechanism capable of generating such a force was bound to be big. Then the process would be complicated. The mechanism needed to be reduced to its smallest form in order to be fitted on in aircraft's bay. On Watson's experiment at Daventry, a heavy bomber flew over the BBC's radio towers and on the second pass, radar operators saw "beats" on their monochrome displays screens for just over two minutes. They were able to track the bomber flying pattern for up to eight miles.
Although early successes on both sides of the Channel were promising, they by no means were error-free. Mistakes in developing the new technology was a common trend in both Germany and England. In Germany, the most costly error made was in ceasing research into the development of an magnetron, which German physicists tested and later on, discarded for obscure reasons. A fact attributed to the rigid Nazi political system. In February 1953, while giving a lecture on the birth of radar, Watson Watts stated that "I believe that British and American success in radar depended fundamentally on the informed academic freedom which was accorded, in peacetime radio research, to my colleagues and myself…I believe the most valuable lesson from radar history is that of the intellectual organizational environment from, and in, which it grew".
the Würzburg Radar formed part of the German defensive systems in World War 2
Renowned German historian, Harry von Kroge disagreed "The aspect of the German effort that seems to have differed from the Allied was the degree to which corporate rivalry affected the course events. The numerous agreements that had to be made concerning licensing and post-war rights In order to smooth production will certainly seem remarkable to American and British readers", he went on to say that "a puzzling aspect of German radar research was the delay imposed by severe secrecy in drawing on the many excellent universities and polytechnic institutes until late in the war". His claim was that the British and, to a lesser extent, the American radar effort ran more smoothly because its was under the auspices of the military with full access to all of the academic and civilian sources of expertise.
The Me110 became the mainstay of the Luftwaffe's night fighter arm, but lacked the speed to battle the RAF's heavy bombers. Its replacement, the Me210, proved an abject failure, and so the Zerstörer soldiered on long beyond its sell-by date. This Lichtenstein-equipped Me110G-4 was the ultimate version of the type, with nitrous boost for its engines at high altitude.
His claim has some merit. Germany's first radar array was developed by a private company with the encouragement of a major naval research institution. This contrasted with Germany's other top scientific programmes such as missile development. Engineers assigned to rocket and propulsion development usually drew freely on the expertise of others, specially on the universities ranks, to achieve their goals. Again, there is evidence to support the theory. It's true that the British main radar problem, the development of a workable and reduced microwave-based system was enormously enhanced by the programme's ability to recruit the best talent from any source. This, pluralistic effort would eventually find its way to a central research programme and thence to full production.
In Germany on the other hand, there was not enough collaborative diversity, instead, a series of modern era monopolies worked under the cover of secrecy, not for military purposes but to protect their intellectual rights. This problem was compounded by Germany's leaders preferences for offensive weapon systems instead of purely defensive ones such as a radar array. This mind set would have a devastating effect on the overall German war effort. But what is more puzzling about the whole programme was the lack of understanding of what a radar system could achieve by the very top political and military leadership. A clear example of this was the Luftwaffe's technology chief, General Ernst Udet, who objected from the very beginning to the massive amounts of money the radar programme were being allocated on the basis that if it works "flying won't be fun anymore".
Despite all those factors, Germany could have matched or even surpassed Britain's radar program if it was not for Watson's obsessive determination. The prominent scientific historian David Zimmerman put it simply, "Much of the rapid early progress in the early years was a direct result of the drive, energy and leadership of Watson Watt", but "paradoxically, it would be Watson's erratic, almost manic behaviour and lack of administrative skills which would be a significant factor in the failure to mount effective night defences ready in time for the Blitz".
The Paperclip Conspiracy: The Battle for then Spoils and Secrets of Nazi Germany, Tom Bower, London 1987
What Little I Remember, Robert Frisch Otto, Cambridge 1979
Quantum Generations: A History of Physics in the Twentieth Century, Helge Kragh, Princeton 1999


Southeast Edmonton is a residential area in the southeast portion of the City of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. It was established in 2005 through Edmonton City Council's adoption of the Southeast Area Structure Plan, which guides the overall development of the area.
the Walker NSP in 2007, which applies to the Walker neighbourhood.
We have found a total of 720 listings, but only 500 are available for public display. Please refine your criteria, in order to narrow the total number of matching listings.


They say great things come in small packages. Well these easy to make mystical houses are a lot easier to make than you think.
What's that coming over the hill, is it the summer holidays?! Worried about running out of things to do when the kids break up from school? Well these easy to make fairy houses has everyone going crazy for a bit of D.I.Y fun, and we're sure that you'll enjoy making them too.
They say seeing is believing, and before you can start to work on your dream fairy house, you must first sketch out how you want your fairy house to look. Once you have your design ready, you'll know EXACTLY what you need to decorate it.
Aside from keeping you hydrated, water bottles are great for creating a structure to your fairy house. To start your base, grab an empty water bottle and carefully using scissors, cut out your windows and doors. Children make sure you have a supervising adult with you and beware of sharp edges.
Read More: This Family's Harry Potter Photoshoot Is The Cutest Thing EVER!
Once your base is ready, use your selection of natural materials to start decorating. If you're using things like pebbles and stones, try using hot glue or double-sided sticky tape. For materials such as leaves and small twigs, normal glue will do.
If you are using pebbles to decorates the outside of your fairy house, you'll need a little grout to keep it firmly in place and REALLY add the old magical touch to it. Mix together a bit of grout/plaster until its the consistency of thick whipping cream or thin mash potato. Cover the pebbles with the mixture using your fingers, making sure all the spaces are filled in. Using a paper towel or damp cloth, remove any excess grout/plaster then leave it to set for at least 24 hours.
Your fairy house is almost complete. Add glitter or any final details to your house and find a great spot in your garden where the fairies can feel at home.
What a Fairy good idea.


From now till 30 June 2019, Sonata Western Restaurant introduces the "Fall in Love with France and Japan" Seafood Dinner Buffet, taking you on a phenomenal tour to savour and experience authentic French and Japanese cuisine at its finest in Hong Kong!
Book 15 days in advance for a special price at HK$268 net per Adult and HK$208 net per Senior/Child (applicable to Mondays to Thursdays) (all prices are inclusive of 10% service charge). Please click here to download the coupon!


text:
Business First Covers: Jewish Community of Louisville launches $2.75 million campaign
Business First by John R. Karman III, Reporter
Date: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 3:03pm EST
Jewish Community of Louisville Inc., a local nonprofit that provides educational, recreational, social and cultural services and works to preserve and enrich Jewish life and values, has launched a $2.75 million goal for its 2012 fund-raising campaign.
The goal represents an 18 percent increase over last year's, according to a news release.
The campaign's official kick off will be Dec. 1 when the Jewish Community of Louisville will host Mitch Albom, author of "Tuesdays with Morrie."
He will speak at The Henry Clay in downtown Louisville.
Jewish Community of Louisville was formed in 2009 with the merger of the Jewish Community Federation and the Jewish Community Center.
Funds raised during the coming campaign will help Jewish Family & Career Services provide adoption assistance, career management, counseling and college advisement.
The money also will fund the nonprofit's own programs, including lectures, festivals and celebrations and social activities.
Read more by clicking here!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Beume, N., Fonseca, C. M., Manuel, L.-I., Paquete, L., & Vahrenhold, J. (2009). On the complexity of computing the hypervolume indicator. IEEE Transactions on Evolutionary Computation, 13(5), 1075–1082.
Jiang, S., Zhang, J., Ong, Y.-S., Zhang, A. N., & Tan, P. S. (2015). A simple and fast hypervolume indicator-based multiobjective evolutionary algorithm. IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics, 45 (10), 2202–2213.
Rao, R. V. (2016a). Teaching learning based optimization algorithm and its engineering applications. Switzerland: Springer.
Rao, R. V. (2016b). Jaya: A simple and new optimization algorithm for solving constrained and unconstrained optimization problems. International Journal of Industrial Engineering Computations, 7, 19–34.
Rao, R. V., & More, K. (2017a). Design optimization and analysis of selected thermal devices using self-adaptive Jayaalgorithm. Energy Conversion and Management, 140, 24–35.
Rao, R. V., & More, K. (2017b). Optimal design and analysis of mechanical draft cooling tower using improved Jaya algorithm. International Journal of Refrigeration. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.ijrefrig.2017.06.024.
Rao, R. V., & Rai, D. P. (2017a). Optimization of welding processes using quasi oppositional based Jaya algorithm. Journal of Experimental & Theoretical Artificial Intelligence, 29(5), 1099–1117.
Rao, R. V., & Rai, D. P. (2017b). Optimization of submerged arc welding process using quasi-oppositional based Jaya algorithm. Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 31(5), 1–10.
Rao, R. V., Rai, D. P., Balic, J. (2016). Multi-objective optimization of machining and micro-machining processes using non-dominated sorting teaching–Learning-based optimiza- tion algorithm. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845- 016-1210-5.
Rao, R. V., Rai, D. P., & Balic, J. (2017). A multi-objective algorithm for optimization of modern machining processes. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 61, 103–125.
Rao, R. V., & Saroj, A. (2017). A self-adaptive multi-population based Jaya algorithm for engineering optimization. Swarm and Evolutionary Computation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. swevo.2017.04.008.
Rao, R. V., & Saroj, A. (2018). An elitism-based self-adaptive multi-population Jaya algorithm and its applications. Soft Computing. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00500-018-3095-z.
Rao, R. V., Savsani, V. J., & Vakharia, D. P. (2011). Teaching–learning-based optimization: A novel method for constrained mechanical design optimization problems. Computer-Aided Design, 43, 303–315. Simon, D. (2013). Evolutionary optimization algorithms. New York: Wiley.
Teo, T. (2006). Exploring dynamic self-adaptive populations in differential evolution. Soft Computing, 10, 673–686.
Yang, S. H., & Natarajan, U. (2010). Multiobjective optimization of cutting parameters in turning process using differential evolution and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II approaches. International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 49, 773–784.
Zhou, A., Qu, B.-Y., Li, H., Zhao, S.-Z., Suganthan, P. N., & Zhang, Q. (2011). Multiobjective evolutionary algorithms: a survey of the state of the art. Swarm and Evolutionary Computation, 1(1), 32–49.


text:
CUB Releases Free Online Guide to Help Illinois Consumers Advocate for Themselves against Big Gas and Electric Companies
PDF version of this release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Jim Chilsen
Dec. 11, 2018 (o) 312-263-4282, (c) 312-513-1784
As a public service to the people of Illinois, the Citizens Utility Board (CUB) on Tuesday released a free online guide that clearly explains the rules that govern gas and electric companies, so consumers can advocate for themselves against the big utilities, avoid scams, and save money on their energy bills.
CUB's Gas and Electric Guide: A handbook for residential utility customers in Illinois can be ordered at CitizensUtilityBoard.org. It was researched and written by CUB experts who tackle thousands of complaints and questions from Illinois utility customers each year.
"There is no other place in Illinois where you can get a detailed, easy-to-understand outline of your rights as a gas and electric customer, as well as helpful tips," CUB Executive Director David Kolata said. "If you want to avoid scams and advocate for yourself against the big utilities, you have to educate yourself, and that's why this handy guide should be required reading."
The guide was completed after months of research and writing by CUB's consumer advocates, based on their knowledge of complex state regulations and utility tariffs, as well as their experience assisting Illinois consumers. CUB's toll-free Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, takes thousands of calls each year, and the utility watchdog's outreach team has staffed 500 events across the state in 2018.
The 19-page guide is filled with helpful facts and tips, including:
When a utility CAN and CANNOT disconnect service;
When a payment is considered late;
How to file a complaint about your utility with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC);
Where to look on your gas and electric bills to spot alternative supplier rip-offs;
Special electricity pricing plans that might save you money; and
How to complain to your utility.
"This guide is meant to be a utility customer's best friend," Kolata said. "Nobody should feel powerless facing the big utilities."
CUB's Gas and Electric Guide is free at CitizensUtilityBoard.org.
CUB is Illinois' leading nonprofit utility watchdog. Created by the Illinois Legislature, CUB opened its doors in 1984 to represent the interests of residential and small-business utility customers. Since then, it has saved consumers more than $20 billion by helping to block rate hikes and secure refunds. For more information, call CUB's Consumer Hotline, 1-800-669-5556, or visit its award-winning website, www.CitizensUtilityBoard.org.
Your ticket for the: CUB Releases Free Online Guide to Help Illinois Consumers Advocate for Themselves against Big Gas and Electric Companies


text:
Invada Playlists #8: Ben Wheatley
Written By Invada Records - April 28 2020
Our next guest is film maker & long-standing friend of Invada Ben Wheatley.
Some of Ben's work includes Kill List, Sightseers, A Field In England, Free Fire & High Rise.
Netflix will release Ben's latest film "Rebecca" (adaptation of the Daphne du Maurier novel) later in 2020.
Ben has made three individual playlists for Invada & each is themed - read the description from Ben below.
When I start to write or get into production for a film I usually make a playlist. Sometimes it's thoughts about what music will go in the film, sometimes it's music to listen to while writing or storyboarding. Over the years these playlists have built up. A lot of films never get made or are abandoned and all that's left is their playlist. A soundtrack album for a lost film.
Two for Hell OST
Two for Hell was written after Kill List and was going to be a crime thriller starring Neil Maskell and Myanna Buring as a couple that were professional thieves. The plot revolved around them doing a robbery on a casino and then being betrayed by the mob. They then had to fight their way out.
It started in Camden in the late 80's when the two met as kids and then jumped to now (or ten years ago seeing as it didn't get made) I had plans for an extended breakdancing scene at a wedding with Neil and Myanna doing all sorts of body popping to old skool hip hop. The film didn't ever really get past the 40 pages mark and this playlist.
The playlist has a lot of my fave 90s tunes and then a sprinkling of later pop. Ive always loved Lily Allens 'the fear' its up there with Mel and Kims Respectable as a litmus test of the time.. Blue Monday I always wanted to use.. but its been thoroughly rinsed in recent years. That's Entertainment immediately brings back 70s summers.
The film was going to start with Baggy Trousers as two rival schools clashed in a violent punch up and our main characters eyes meet.
Two For Hell OST - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3oZLKK2PNYVuM3lnLTdGgu?si=C80J5qrCQFeiZwgkG0CIlg
Freakshift OST
Seems like i've been trying to make Freakshift for years. It was originally meant to happen after Sightseers. A tale of a police force that patrolled at night hunting down crab like creatures that burrowed up through the ground. It was a mix of 2000ad, Doom and Hill Street Blues. The cast was mainly women and at the time the idea of an action sci-fi women led movie was a bit of a hard sell.. no fury road yet. We came very close to making it but couldn't quite get the budget. Ended up making A field in England instead. It's still kicking around though.. one day..
The soundtrack was going to be a range of girl bands from the 60's to now, Women solo artists mixed with rap and tv soundtracks.
Freakshift OST - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2GQqEnu70keZP6PFa9RjDf?si=8oUOMpVPS_66mGLHdRoQKQ
A Field in England Non Official Soundtrack
This features none of the brilliant Jim Williams score. If you havn't checked that out please do. Films often get scored with temporary music before the actual score is written. This wasn't the case with A Field in England. Jim very quickly created a suite of music and Amy Jump and I edited the film with these demos in the edit.
So what is this playlist?
This is the playlist of mood music I was listening to during the production of the film. Some of these tracks were played in on set to give the actors something to think about and get them in the right frame of mind. Lurking in there is Chernobyl by Blanck Mass. Its the only bit of source music that made it into the film. (i'd been told specifically it all had to be composed as source or needle drops .. AKA other peoples music would be too expensive) Andy Starke the producer of A Field in England said he had the perfect track for the scene where Reece Shearsmith's Character Whitehead emerges from the tent transformed.. Chernobyl.. So I put it on the shot that night.. and we never changed it. That's quite a rare thing to happen.
A Field In England Non Official OST - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1QcKdDYPxdKjYVVnX0yfJ6?si=8Q6JEHECSZyy3rXC66qGuA


text:
CBD / SEPLS / Satoyama Initiative
Aichi Targets
IPSI collaborative activities
IPSI Global Conference
Regional Workshop
CBD Events
Conserving local marine and terrestrial biodiversity and protecting community resources through participatory landscape governance in Semau Island, Indonesia
SUBMITTED ORGANISATION
UNDP/GEF SGP, Jakarta; Independent Consultant, Berlin; Independent Consultant, Seattle; UNDP, New York
Coastal & fisheries management; Reforestation; Traditional knowledge; Participatory landscape governance;
Agrochemical-use reduction
Dwihastarini, Catharina1; Tamara Tschentscher2; Gregory Mock3; and Diana Salvemini4
1 UNDP/GEF SGP, Jakarta, 12130, Indonesia
2 Independent Consultant, Berlin, 10245, Germany
3 Independent Consultant, Seattle, Washington, USA
4 UNDP, New York, NY-10025, USA
Corresponding authors:
Catharina Dwihastarini
Tamara Tschentscher
Gregory Mock
Diana Salvemini
Abstract
While significant progress has been made in expanding the national networks of Protected Areas in the last few decades, most biodiversity remains outside of formal PA systems in production landscapes involving agriculture, forestry, and other land and water uses. The fate of this biodiversity, and of the vital ecosystem services it sustains, will depend on the sound management of these landscapes and seascapes.
In Semau Island in Indonesia, the community-based landscape approach supported by the COMDEKS Programme aims to preserve island ecosystem functions through sustainable management of forest cover, as well as coastal, marine and coral reef systems, enhance resilience of agriculture and mariculture systems through improved cultivation practices and water conservation methods, promote alternative livelihoods for local communities, and foster participatory decisionmaking on environmental governance at the landscape level. With Semau Island being a rich ecological habitat hosting monsoon forests, and surrounded by one of the world's richest coral reefs, such community-based initiatives are vital to creating a "society in harmony with nature" and conserving the rich local marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
Supported initiatives have contributed to improved water management and seaweed farming practices, have promoted organic agriculture, and have empowered local communities to establish new institutions and networks as well as negotiate new agreements to protect community resources and local biodiversity. Environmental forums and other community institutions have been formed by local clan leaders, village governments, and community members to Satoyama Initiative Thematic Review vol. 4 51 Chapter 5: Conserving local marine and terrestrial biodiversity and protecting community resources establish and enforce environmental agreements. These agreements cover activities such as watershed protection, seaweed farming and mangrove restoration. In Batuinan Village, for example, community members have declared a 3-ha water catchment area as a conservation zone to raise the local water table.
This case study showcases local community activities in Indonesia that maintain and revitalize critical production landscapes and seascapes, and documents knowledge and best practices from successful on-the-ground activities to build the resilience of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) by developing and diversifying livelihoods while enhancing biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.
Figure 1. Map of the country and case study region. (Source: East Nusa Tenggara Province and Google Maps.)
Figure 2. Land use and land cover map of case study site (Source: Bingkai Indonesia Foundation).
Funded by the Japan Biodiversity Fund, the COMDEKS Programme (2011-2016) is a unique global effort implemented by UNDP in twenty countries, in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, the CBD Secretariat, and the United Nations University – Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability. Working through the UNDP-implemented GEF Small Grants Programme, COMDEKS builds the capacities of community organizations to take collective action for adaptive landscape management in pursuit of social and ecological resilience.
In Semau Island in Indonesia, the COMDEKS-supported community-based landscape approach aims to preserve island ecosystem functions through sustainable management of forest cover, as well as coastal, marine and coral reef systems, enhance resilience of agriculture and mariculture systems through improved cultivation practices and water conservation methods, promote alternative livelihoods for local communities, and foster participatory decision-making on environmental governance at the landscape level. With Semau Island being a rich ecological habitat hosting monsoon forests, and surrounded by one of the world's richest coral reefs, such community-based initiatives are vital to creating a "society in harmony with nature" and conserving the rich local marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
2. The Landscape
The target area selected as the focus of the COMDEKS project in Indonesia is Semau Island, which is a 265 km2 island located in the western portion of Kupang District, the capital of East Nusa Tenggara Province. Semau Island borders the Sawu Sea in the south, west and north, and the Semau Strait to the east (see Fig.1). Administratively, the island is part of Kupang District and is divided into two areas: the Semau Sub-District in the north, consisting of eight villages, and the South Semau Sub-District in the south, consisting of six villages.
Semau Island is a lowland island with the average highest points at 50 m above sea level. It consists of coral and limestone, with a thin layer of soil on the surface. Most soil types found in Semau Island are Mediterranean, latosol, and alluvial with alkali saturation and limited clay content, particularly kaolinite, making it nutrient poor (Sutedjo, 2009).
For generations, the communities of these 14 villages have survived on the available agricultural and marine resources of the small island. Located in the Wallace bioregion, the island is host to rich marine, terrestrial, and coastal biodiversity. However, given the limited freshwater supply and thin soil layer, both agriculture and biodiversity are increasingly threatened, and the island faces a disproportionate risk from climate change and extreme weather (see Fig.2) (GEF SGP Indonesia 2014).
2.2 Biological resources and land use
Semau Island is a rich ecological habitat hosting monsoon forests, and the surrounding Sawu Sea is home to one of the world's richest coral reef covers. The Sawu Sea is also a critical habitat and migration corridor for 18 sea mammal species, including two endangered species: the blue whale and the sperm whale (YPPL and TNC 2011).
The local monsoon forest consists of tree species shedding their leaves during the dry season and growing new foliage during the rainy season. Some of these species are particularly significant to the lives of the Semau people, as they are used to build houses and boats, and are also sources of food and medicines. In addition to threats from climate change, biodiversity on the island and the surrounding sea is threatened by the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture, which decreases soil fertility and results in chemicals in the soil being carried to the oceans through rainwater. The use of chemicals in agriculture rose in the last two decades and has increased ever since the community was introduced to vegetable seedlings and hybrid corn. Because land cultivation with mechanical equipment is difficult on the karst terrain, farmers rely on herbicides and pesticides to assist with land clearing and weed control. After the land is utilized for farming for five to six years, farmers are forced to abandon it with the expectation that the soil fertility will gradually recover. Additionally, deforestation is a serious threat, with trees being cut faster than they can be replenished (GEF SGP Indonesia 2014).
2.3 Socio-economic context
In 2013, the population in Semau Island numbered 11,756, with an average population density of 44 people per square kilometer. The majority of the island's inhabitants belong to two ethnic groups (clans) with different cultures and languages: the Helong and the Rote. Until a few years ago, clan leaders governed the distribution of land. Today, the Village Government regulates the utilization of the coast and adjacent shallow waters (extending several hundred meters from the coastline). The people of Semau Island largely depend on farming and fishing for their livelihoods. Seaweed farming, which only started in 2001, has become the main source of income for communities living along the coast (see Fig.3 and 4). When freshwater from wells is available, short-term cash crops such as fruits and vegetables provide another source of income besides fishing and seaweed farming. Rice and corn, on the other hand, are the community's primary source of food, and these locally grown staple crops are largely kept for family consumption. In addition to farming, raising livestock is important to the people of the island. Fishing occurs throughout the year, except for the rainy season when the monsoon brings high waves and strong winds. Development in Semau Island has been slow, as a number of people believe that the Semau people have magical powers, and prior to 2000, government officials were often reluctant to be sent to Semau Island, resulting in a lack of development initiatives in this region (GEF SGP Indonesia 2014).
Figure 3. Shallow waters off Semau Island, SGP/COMDEKS Indonesia
Figure 4. Seaweed farming is one of the major local sources of income, SGP/COMDEKS Indonesia
2.4 Key environmental and social challenges
The principal environmental and social vulnerabilities in the target landscape are related to the availability of water and inappropriate agricultural practices and land use. Particular challenges include the following (GEF SGP Indonesia, 2014):
Limited supply of fresh water for both agricultural and domestic uses: Rainfall, which is the primary source of water for agriculture, is limited, with an annual precipitation of only 700-1,000 mm. Moreover, there is an insufficient number of wells, which are the primary source of water for drinking and bathing. While the government has constructed dams in several villages, a number of them are malfunctioning or experiencing siltation (BPS, 2009).
Limited knowledge of agricultural practices and extension services: The District Government has a limited number of agricultural extension staff and rarely conducts any extension services on the island, such as scientific research and dissemination of information on agricultural practices through farmer education. This has resulted in a low level of knowledge on agriculture and sustainable, innovative practices that can increase productivity and income.
Soil degradation, pollution and loss of biodiversity due to the inappropriate use of chemicals: In order to speed the cultivation of farm fields, the community relies heavily on herbicides and pesticides. Unfortunately, the soil types on the island are naturally nutrient poor, and the excessive use of chemicals further degrades soil quality. The result is that farmers are forced to abandon farmland after 5 to 6 years of use to let the soil recover. In addition, overuse of chemicals harms local biodiversity, both on land and in the surrounding sea when these chemicals are carried to the ocean in rainwater (see Fig. 5).
Climate change and extreme weather: The biodiversity and human communities of the island are threatened due to a disproportionate risk from climate change and extreme weather events, which have increased in frequency in recent years.
Lack of knowledge and skills to improve livelihoods: Community groups currently lack the skills and knowledge base to spur local innovation, improve economic activity and increase the local standard of living. Lack of capacity often limits the activity of these groups in the construction of basic village infrastructure.
Deforestation: Increasing deforestation in the area, particularly from land clearance for agricultural use due to local population growth, has further threatened biodiversity and sustainable land management.
Figure 5. Degraded and abandoned farm land, SGP/COMDEKS
3. COMDEKS activities, achievements, and impacts
3.1 The landscape approach and use of resilience indicators
The set of 20 Indicators of Resilience of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS), developed by Bioversity International and the United Nations University, is a centerpiece of the community consultation process. The COMDEKS methodology relies on community consultation to drive a process of participatory landscape planning. As part of this process, community members and other stakeholders come together to conduct a baseline assessment of landscape resilience, forge a Landscape Strategy on the basis of this assessment, and identify potential community actions to carry out the Strategy. The resilience indicators figure prominently in all three of these steps. As a focus of discussion, analysis, and negotiation, they are integral to the community process of generating baseline information, reaching consensus on the primary challenges to local resilience, and developing a plan of action to address these challenges. Because of their central role enabling group discussion and interaction, they are also critical to the process of generating the social capital necessary to undertake community-driven landscape projects (UNU-IAS 2013; UNU-IAS et al 2014).
Moreover, the usefulness of the resilience indicators is not restricted to the initial baseline assessment and the early stages of participatory landscape planning. They are also critical at the end of the COMDEKS grant cycle. Aside from their central role in the landscape planning process, they are also a key tool used to capture perceptions of local stakeholders of changes in landscape resilience due to supported initiatives. During the ex-post baseline assessment at the completion of COMDEKS projects, the resilience indicators are again scored, and scores compared with those from the ex-ante baseline assessment. Although comparing indicator scores from the baseline assessment to indicator scores from the ex-post assessment cannot be used as a quantitative measure of landscape resilience change, it can be used to highlight changes in local perceptions due to the completed COMDEKS projects and to determine progress toward the landscape goals enunciated in the Landscape Strategy. Thus, the resilience indicators are a prominent feature of COMDEKS implementation from beginning to end. They are also a key feature of the adaptive management cycle that COMDEKS relies on, in which project results are used as a source of learning and innovation for future community efforts (UNDP, 2016).
3.2 Community consultation and baseline assessment
In November and December 2013, the Bingkai Indonesia Foundation conducted a baseline survey to determine conditions in the target landscape. Active participation of local communities and other key stakeholders in the baseline assessment was assured through literature reviews, field observations, community interviews, and a participatory assessment of community resilience. The assessment used the resilience indicators to help measure and understand the resilience of the target landscape. Nine small group discussions and six individual interviews with village leaders were initially held. To foster women's empowerment and their effective participation in the planning process, 24 of the participants were women, and two of the small group discussions were attended exclusively by women.
A baseline assessment workshop was subsequently held with 25 participants, five of whom were women, using the resilience indicators. Following this, a second consultation was conducted (33 men, 4 women) to present the results, to discuss key problems and to identify activities that could contribute to the long-term sustainability of the target landscape. Some of the main areas of concern identified were the lack of access to freshwater, the adverse impacts of overuse of chemicals, the need for greater ecosystem and biodiversity protection, particularly of monsoon forest tree species and mangroves, as well as local crop varieties, and the need for increased agricultural/aquaculture innovation and knowledge (see Fig. 6) (UNDP 2016).
Figure 6. Mapping Semau Island resources and communities during the Baseline Assessment
3.3 Landscape Strategy and community-led landscape projects
The baseline assessment and community consultation gave rise to the COMDEKS Indonesia Landscape and Seascape Strategy, which sets out a slate of four Landscape Outcomes and associated indicators to measure progress toward these outcomes. It is the most critical element of the landscape planning process, where landscape communities generate a vision of what a more resilient local landscape would look like and determine what actions would be required to realize this vision (UNDP 2016). In the case of Semau Island, the target area is classified as a seascape due to its small island characteristic, and the concept of a seascape consists of land and marine management based on terrestrial governance. This long-term plan strives to improve the social and ecological resilience of small island and coastal communities as well as local and surrounding ecosystems through community-based activities, incorporating the conservation of terrestrial and coastal and marine areas – as stipulated in Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 – into the core objectives of the participatory Indonesia Landscape and Seascape Strategy (UNDP 2017a).
Table 1 lists the four Landscape Outcomes around which the strategy is built, the performance indicators that are used to measure progress toward these outcomes, as well as a number of activities that would contribute to the accomplishment of each Resilience Outcome to guide the selection of local projects GEF SGP Indonesia 2014; UNDP 2016).
Table 1. Landscape outcomes, indicators, and suggested activities from the Indonesia Landscape and Seascape Strategy
3.4 Achievements and impacts to date
Improving water management practices and promoting organic agriculture: Supported initiatives have brought improved agricultural practices that increase water access and decrease the use of agricultural chemicals. These include the establishment of a water conservation area that integrates tree planting with increased access to water by communities and improved irrigation systems. Village water committees have also been formed in each participating village. At the same time, 12 organic agriculture demonstration plots have been established, with crops including bananas, eggplant, capsicum, tomatoes, watermelon, sorghum, and red onions. A concerted effort to increase market access for organic crops in off-island markets is also underway. The combination of better irrigation (using both sprinklers and hand-held devices) and organic culture has led to zero chemical inputs by partner communities, a reduction in time spent irrigating crops, production of two crops per year instead of one, about 20 percent higher yields, as well as higher prices for organic produce. Adding to the success of these farm interventions has been the introduction of biogas systems in communities, which has resulted in reduced fuel wood use and related deforestation (see Fig.7).
Figure 7. Farmer woman in Semau Island, SGP/COMDEKS Indonesia
Improving marine management and seaweed culture: Marine Protected Areas, restored mangrove forests, and protected watersheds are important elements of resilient landscapes and seascapes. Supported marine interventions on Semau Island have focused on better management of the shoreline, improvements in seaweed cultivation, and restoration of mangroves, which were heavily cut to expand seaweed farming (see Fig.8). One major advance in terms of decreasing environmental impacts has been the imposition of restrictions on the extraction of beach sand, particularly in Batuinan Village, where a guarded portal was installed to limit sand mining in the area. Meanwhile, improvements in the growth and processing of seaweed have led to higher quality and quantity of seaweed for wholesale, and the development of seaweed-related secondary products has added value to the seaweed farming enterprise. Mangrove restoration is just beginning.
Figure 8. Sustainable seaweed farming practices, SGP/COMDEKS Indonesia
Establishing new institutions and networks: A range of new institutions and networks have been established in different Semau Island communities. These, along with environmental education in schools, have acted as a key mechanism to increase local environmental awareness and planning. More importantly, these new institutions have created governance platforms for community members to act on this increased awareness. Perhaps the most important new institutions are local Environmental Forums, which have been formed in seven communities. These forums include participation of customary authorities, community leaders, community groups and government authorities. They were established at the village level to ensure restoration of damaged ecosystems and to build a system for the continuing sustainability of these ecosystems. These local forums also participate in inter-village meetings so that issues of broader concern can be discussed and planned for in a collaborative manner.
Negotiating new agreements to protect community resources and local biodiversity: Taking into account the local clan-based land tenure structure in Semau Island, the formation of Environmental Forums and other new institutions has resulted in a variety of new environmental commitments by local clan leaders, village governments, and community members. These agreements cover a wide range of activities from watershed protection, irrigation and agricultural production, to seaweed farming and mangrove restoration. For example, in Batuinan Village, community members have agreed to declare a 3-ha water catchment area as a conservation zone, with the landowners agreeing not to lease this land for other purposes and community members agreeing to limit the number of private wells in the surrounding area in order to raise the water table. In line with local clan customs, these agreements have been fostered as customary oaths – instead of written laws – demonstrating a good example of how communities manage their land in a participatory manner based on spiritual values. In addition, village members have agreed to plant some 1,650 mahogany trees in their family gardens to regenerate local forest cover. Village churches in Batuinan have even agreed that couples getting married should each plant two trees in their home gardens. In Uitiuhana Village, villagers established a nursery to raise endemic tree seedlings to be planted on an 11-ha area donated by the clan leader. A draft agreement accompanying this tree-planting effort specifies nursery and forest management rules (trees cannot be cut for 20 years) and a monitoring system. Overall, about 67 hectares of monsoon forests have been conserved through community initiatives and agreements.
Mapping local environmental governance leaders: Little time has passed since the implementation of COMDEKS projects, so changes in the quality of local environmental governance cannot be assessed yet, although it can be said that the inclusion of women and youth has improved. To help in assessing governance changes, PIKUL (a local NGO) has produced a comprehensive baseline that, among other things, mapped 93 local leaders and social innovators (69 men and 24 women), including landowners, clan leaders, community leaders, community groups, and government. The map provides an important overview of the ecosystem of actors with decision-making power regarding the utilization of resources in villages, gardens, forests, water, coasts and marine areas. It aims to support future assessments of changes in governance quality as well as efforts to carry out area-based conservation of terrestrial and marine biodiversity and community resources at the local and landscape level (UNDP 2016).
4. Conclusions: progress at the landscape level
The establishment of so many local environment-focused community groups and the forging of a considerable number of formal, written environmental commitments at the village level is evidence of a strong participatory trend among Semau Island communities in environmental governance. As yet, this interest is mostly confined to local village matters, and is also mostly segregated into clan and ethnic groups. To date there has been little mixing among the two different ethnic groups, who tend to live in different areas and work in different enterprises (UNDP 2016).
On the other hand, project partners are continuing to meet to share lessons among themselves, and there has been robust support from government and clan leaders of all supported projects promoting landscape resilience. The seven different Environmental Forums have established a mechanism for inter-village meetings to discuss issues that reach beyond the village level, which could be considered the beginning of an island-wide landscape community to protect local biodiversity and community resources. Moreover, the multi-stakeholder nature of these forums brings together community and clan leaders with government officials from the Ministry of Forestry and the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, which manage the Marine National Recreation Park covering almost the entire coastal areas, and the Sawu Marine National Park located in the south and south-east waters, respectively. These forums create a fertile environment for future collaboration and exchange between the customary conservation areas governed by community leaders and the surrounding government-protected areas. They can also serve as a good example with replication and upscaling potential in other regions with similar governance structures.
5. Key messages and lessons learned
Figure 9. Community discussion on local environmental issues and governance
A number of valuable lessons learned were derived from supported projects' activities. In the early stages of project conception, mapping of actors, governance structures and social innovators to understand responsibilities and roles of stakeholders in the target landscape significantly contributes to successful project design and implementation. It helps the project partners to develop a clear understanding of the current arrangements, identify areas for improvement, implement innovations and monitor progress.
The baseline assessment highlighted that addressing current problems seemed more important to the local community than anticipating future risk. As resilience measures are often perceived as generating only longterm benefits without immediate improvements to daily challenges for rural livelihoods, community consultations and discussions with individuals and groups about current challenges are a vital part of the participatory landscape approach supported by COMDEKS. Assigning facilitators from grantee NGOs and CSOs to small groups, and arranging individual and group discussions throughout project implementation, significantly helps with the collection of data, which can be used as supporting elements to facilitate the SEPLS resilience assessment, in addition to applying the Indicators of Resilience. Moreover, using demonstration sites is instrumental in raising the interest of stakeholders in new approaches, concepts and technologies and helps generate buy-in from local leaders and landlords who are critical to governance reforms on the local and landscape level (see Fig. 9) (UNDP 2017b).
Addressing governance issues is a critical pillar of improving landscape resilience. Revitalizing traditional values blended with human rights values is an important process to promote an inclusive dialogue among stakeholders. Dialogue on equity together with landscape and seascape control needs to be stimulated, including discussion of details on how shared values will be implemented in landscape management. Approaching such issues in an integrated manner is critical to conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable livelihoods through landscape approaches. In the case of Semau Island, water supply had to be increased to boost agricultural yield, and in order to achieve this, certain agreements had to be formed with landlords who control the watersheds. In this context, agricultural productivity is a governance issue as much as it is a technical one relating to farming methods. Establishing environmental forums and water committees supported transparency and accountability around the projects in Semau Island, and has been instrumental in developing new rules and brokering agreements. These agreements have not only helped to retain customary arrangements, but also to make them more robust and less open to the vagaries of individual landlords. In addition, they promote intra- and inter-community dialogue. In this context, however, it is key to facilitate a common understanding towards long-term goals among customary leaders, clan members, community members and village governments towards sustainable landscape management. At the same time, promoting goals of individual stakeholders is the key towards collaboration (UNDP 2017b).
The NGO conducting the ex-post baseline assessment at the end of the COMDEKS project cycle used a technique called the Most Significant Change to collect stories from stakeholders throughout the target landscape. This technique was instrumental in identifying and documenting what stakeholders at the local and landscape level saw as the most significant change—in terms of resilience improvements—due to supported project activities. Field observations, interviews, focus group discussions, photographs, and video recordings were used to capture and record these stories, which were then used as part of the overall participatory evaluation procedure to assess project accomplishments, alongside resilience indicator scoring (UNDP 2018).
Funded by the Japan Biodiversity Fund, the COMDEKS Programme (2011-2016) is a unique global effort implemented by UNDP in twenty countries, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment of Japan, the CBD Secretariat, and the United Nations University – Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability. Working through the UNDP-implemented GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), COMDEKS builds the capacities of community organizations to take collective action for adaptive landscape management in pursuit of social and ecological resilience.
Badan Pusat Statistik 2009 – 2012, Kecamatan Semau Dalam Angka, BPS Kabupaten Kupang.
GEF SGP Indonesia and Bingkai Indonesia Foundation 2014, Country Programme Seascape Strategy for Community Development and Knowledge Management, (COMDEKS) Indonesia.
Soetedjo, P, Aspatria, U, Surayasa, MT & Rachmawati, I 2009, Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Alam dan Lingkungan di Pulau Semau, Yayasan KEHATI, Jakarta.
UNDP 2016, A Community-Based Approach to Resilient and Sustainable Landscapes: Lessons from Phase II of the COMDEKS Programme, UNDP, New York.
UNDP 2017, Community Action to Achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets: The COMDEKS Programme, UNDP, New York.
UNDP 2017, Landscape Governance in Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes: Experiences from the COMDEKS Programme in Ecuador, Ghana, and Indonesia, UNDP, New York.
UNDP. 2018. Assessing Landscape Resilience: Best Practices and Lessons Learned from the COMDEKS Programme. UNDP, New York.
United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) 2013, Indicators of Resilience in Socio-ecological Productions Landscapes (SEPLs), Policy Report, UNU-IAS, Yokohama.
UNU-IAS, Bioversity International, IGES & UNDP 2014, Toolkit for the Indicators of Resilience in Socio-ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS).
Yayasan Pengembangan Pesisir dan Laut (YPPL) & The Nature Concervancy (TNC) 2011, Pemetaan Partisipatif Taman Nasional Perairan Laut Sawu, Final Report, YPPL, Kupang.
Secretariat of the International
Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative
Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
5‒53‒70 Jingumae
Email: isi@unu.edu
© 2019-2023 International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative The United Nations University


To win a little you have to risk something. To win big, you have to risk it all.
Gracie Faltrain is back and she couldn't be happier. Her team won the Championships, she scored a few goals and a boyfriend, as well.
Just as she's settling down to a new season of soccer, the stakes are raised. Coach has entered the team in the Firsts - a boys only league. To prove herself, Gracie has to fight harder than ever before. The other teams will do anything to keep her out of the game, and if she makes it, they'll do anything to see her lose.
But Gracie is sick of losing. She's sick of seeing friends, like Martin and Alyce, unhappy. Gracie decides it's time to take control and even the score for everyone, on and off the field.


These workout shorts have a body-flattering fit that will make you feel super comfy even during the most intense of workouts. With a familiar...yet different take, our fitness shorts come in a plethora of prints & colors and are cut with a high waistband that is made from a super-soft microfiber yarn.
These are Off-WHITE leggings with a graphic print, they are NOT sheer, however, please allow for these friendly words of advice: you may want to carefully consider the color of your undergarments :) Nudes/Tonal colors are most comparable.


text:
On TV Tonight
Winter/Spring 2018 TV Premiere Dates
'Black Mirror' Season 4 : Season's Rankings
'Vikings' Season 5 Episodes 5 & 6: "The Prisoner" and "The Message"
'The Flash' (Season 4): Another Barry Allen Backslide
'Legends of Tomorrow' (Season 3): Fixing the Firestorm Problem
Reign Season 1 Review "Consummation"
Reign, Reviews
First things first – I couldn't get my hands on the so-called 'extended' version of this week's Reign, 'Consummation', ahead of writing, and so will just have to make do with the incredibly awkward yet relatively chaste scenes of voyeuristic sex that were included in the original broadcast. That said, there's still a heck of lot to talk about, and I can't see how any more explicit content would have added to the episode at all. Maybe it was all about punishing Bash a little bit more in preparation for his inevitable descent into broodiness.
The episode's title, of course, refers to the marriage of Mary with one of her suitors, and we were all left guessing as to whom that would be for a significant portion of the episode. Are we happy with how things have turned out, even if it does indeed mean that Francis might eventually die (spoiler: he does)? This love triangle has been more compelling than most simply because of the stakes that are wrapped up in both unions and now, with the historical fact of Francis and Mary's wedding done and dusted, Reign has a lot of leeway for future twists and turns regarding Mary's heart.
As invested as we all are in who gets to live happily ever after with our favorite plucky queen, however, it's the characters that really make the show as compelling and entertaining as it is. The union between Mary and Francis is great not just because it makes good on the initial promise of a legitimate, historically accurate wedding for shippers that lean that way, but also because it gives the writers the flexibility to do whatever they want with Bash. This turn of events will no doubt lead him down a darker path than we've seen and, having gotten to know the noble, kind and lovesick Bash over the last few weeks, that's an exciting prospect.
The wedding is a point in the narrative that other shows would have left until at least the season finale, but not Reign. Instead, we have a total of nine episodes left to enjoy before the end and, with all of the chess pieces rearranged yet again in new and exciting ways, it's refreshing not to know what might be in store.
– Am I the only one thinking that Mary and Catherine should stop listening to the wild ravings of Nostradamus after he's backtracked on so many visions of late? So what if he says the prophecy referred instead to Clarissa when they've already altered the fate of nations in a bid to avoid Francis' untimely death? It's too late to go back now, ladies!
– And Clarissa isn't really dead, which became obvious to anyone who's ever watched television before when they zoomed in on her face at the end of last week's episode.
– Did anyone watch the extended version of the episode, and would you care to shed any light as to what extra bits on offer?
What did you think of the episode? Who out of Lola and Bash is going to cause more trouble for the royal couple? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
CWReignReviews
Caroline Preece
Caroline is a telly addict with a slightly age-inappropriate addiction to teen dramas, watching almost everything aired on The CW, ABC Family and MTV. A freelance entertainment and tech writer, she's never happier than when discussing a new episode of her favourite show.
Outlander Season 3 Finale 2017 "Eye of the Storm" REVIEW
Outlander Season 3 Episode 12 "The Bakra" REVIEW
Outlander Season 3 Episode 11 "Uncharted" REVIEW
'DC's Legends of Tomorrow' Season 3 Winter Finale: One Christmas and A Viking Funeral
Winter/ Spring TV 2018 Premiere Dates
TV Chats
'Black Mirror' Season 4 : Season's Rankings
'Vikings' Season 5 Episodes 5 & 6: "The Prisoner" and "The Message"
'The Flash' (Season 4): Another Barry Allen Backslide
'Legends of Tomorrow' (Season 3): Fixing the Firestorm Problem
'Once Upon a Time' (Season 7): It Is the Season of the Witch
Andrée gay Baermann CSI Miami Season 8 Spoilers: Emily Procter In Trouble
maazkalim 'Family Guy' Season 14 Finale: "Road to India"
Florencia Frias The Strain "Bad White" Review (Season 3 Episode 2)
Jonjonbinks Matrix Star Carrie-Anne Moss To Appear on CHUCK This Fall
Ron Hallmark's THE NOTE 2: TAKING A CHANCE ON LOVE Review
Copyright © 2006-2017 TV Equals™, a division of Daemons Media Inc.™ All rights reserved | DTV MT Host


IS MY MORTGAGE "DUE ON SALE"? …Maybe NOT! — Jerome Strelov Esq.
IS MY MORTGAGE "DUE ON SALE"? …Maybe NOT! was posted on September 10th, 2014 at 3.36pm and is filed under News, Transfer of Real Property. This entry has no comments (yet). You can follow any responses through the RSS 2.0 Feed.


As I'm sure you've been told, You TRULY DO take the cake!!
While this email is overdue, it is nonetheless sincere. We just wanted to let you know how impressed we were with the cake you made us.
Everyone at the party was dazzled & amazed with your creativity, which was exceeded by the cake's deliciousness!
It was a complete pleasure working with you. You have a great way of establishing rapport and sharing your expert advice. The passion and care that you have for your craft is apparent in the quality product and exceptional service you deliver - A milliom Mahalo's!! We had a wonderful celebration that will be a treasured memory for years to come!
In the almost 10 years that I have worked with Patricia of Cravings Bakery, I have come to know her as a caring, engaging, talented and professional individual who not only loves what she does, but always puts her own personal sweetness into every ounce of delectable dessert she creates, with the outcome being amazing in every way! Her attention to detail is unsurpassed and I highly recommend her services without hesitation. Don't delay! Be sure to call Pat for your next event, you will be glad you did!
Event Planner-A White Orchid Wedding, Inc.
This is a very belated email from Jorge and me to thank you for everything you did to make our wedding so wonderful and memorable. Our cake was SO beautiful AND delicious. It was, literally, everything I had hoped it would be. How does one possibly thank you for that? You literally made a little dream come true. And many more thanks for letting us use your beautiful cake plateaus. They took our cake table beyond the next level. You were so clever to have used two plateaus. (I'm going to do that at home from now on!) I have only a few pictures of our wedding day now but I can honestly say that amongst my favorite pictures are those of our lovely, beautiful cake table.
With the very first bite, Jorge proclaimed the guava cake with guava mousse "awesome!" My only regret is that I did not have seconds of any of the cakes. There were no left-overs! The next time we are on Maui, we are going to order a guava cake with guava mousse from your shop and selfishly devour it ourselves.
But beyond creating delicious and beautiful cakes, you were so easy to work with. Encouraging me to ask questions and have an open dialogue with you is, in my opinion, what puts you in a category by yourself. I appreciate all the time and energy you took to patiently answer my questions, speak with me on the phone and answer my emails. You were organized, prompt and a pleasure to work with. If you would ever like a recommendation or endorsement from a client, please feel free to use this email.
I was hoping to meet you on my wedding day but understand how busy you are. If we ever attend a celebration on Maui again - whether for ourselves or for others - we are definitely pointing the celebrants in your direction. From now on, whenever we are on Maui, for whatever reason, we are going to stop by your shop.
Sending all our best wishes to you, your family and your team!
WOW is all I can say! Pat Pimentel of Cravings Bakery is a talent beyond measure! I have had the priviledge of working with this talented wedding cake specialist and baker for over twenty years and have never been disappointed. Her professionalism and attitude go beyond measure and no feat is ever too much of a challenge. She is "hands on" creating delicious cakes from scratch using only real island ingredients. We have often had requests for a gluten free, vegan or special order option and this is never a problem either. Not only do her cakes and desserts taste incredible, but as the artist they are stunning! It is without hesitation that I strongly recommend Cravings Bakery for your next special occasion. You will have made a very wise choice!
Cravings cakes are beautiful and tasty. Patricia puts much time and effort into each and every one of her cakes & desserts. I definitely recommend and continue to purchase one of her masterpieces.
I would highly recommend Pat from Cravings as a baker. She does amazing work with her cakes and pays attention to detail with all orders.
Guess what?!? Your cake was a hit among-st EVERY single guest! I personally am not surprised because I know you are the best baker that walked the earth! Shirley and Tiare both commented right away and said your cake was not only the cutest cake they had ever seen but the BEST tasting! So Kudos to you sister! You are the best really! Thanks a million for all your hard work and patience with everything throughout this planning, and for being so flexible with us! You also delivering the cake was a tremendous help and you were so friendly and happy through it all, even upon delivery!!!
Please accept our very belated Thanks for the wonderful custom wedding cake last September! Our guests absolutely Loved it! We had Mac nut with mango mousse, lemon with lemon curd. Not only was your cake quality and presentation excellent- your customer service was very nice too! We were so impressed by your generous samples...please keep it up! My friend whom you did her cake last October was also very pleased with her Pink Champagne cake!
The cake was Fabulous! Thank you so very much for sharing your time, Talent and Giving Spirit!
Your wonderful pineapple dessert helped to raise over $700 for Maui County's abused and neglected children. Thank you for your time and generosity, we will able to say "yes" to a few more of our children. Best wishes to all your endeavors!
Mahalo nui loa for your generous gift of your time and talent in he making of those beautiful and tasty chocolate truffles, mini rum cakes and gingerbread cookies!
Christmas House, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Maui, Inc.
In 2016 I will have worked with Pat and Cravings Bakery for 15 years. She is one of my most prized vendors. Her cakes and other goods are beautiful, creative, and MOST importantly, taste amazing! She does not limit options, but encourages clients to get creative, make it their own. Results have been no less than spectacular. When clients contact me years later to request a cake from Cravings for their vow renewal, you know that client had a true WOW moment at their wedding. Pat has a true talent and I know my events are that much better because of it. Thanks Pat!
Pat is one of a kind. We have been using Cravings for over 8 years and everything she does is exceptional. The cake is moist, the fillings are delicious and the design is always created to perfection. Pat is a top choice on Maui. She takes pride in all of her creations.
Food For The Soul Catering Maui Inc.
which gave the illusion of a bigger cake. Made up of Lilikoi (Passionfruit) with Bavarian Cream filling & French vanilla with Lilikoi filling. Each layer was moist & beautiful without tasting too sweet or artificial. The fondant was beautifully decorated, dusted with pearl dust & flowers.We carefully packed the top tier and have impatiently waiting for our one year anniversary. Today, October 18, 2015 is our one year anniversary and though we spent a wonderful weekend in San Francisco, the thing we looked most forward to was cutting open our cake. Champagne in hand we toasted to a wonderful year & decades to come. Patricia, your cake did not disappoint, the cake was as scrumptious and moist as our wedding day, the only regret is that you are not located in California! Once again, I Thank You for helping to make our wedding day & first anniversary so memorable. Hope to see you soon!


text:
Q: How do I know which question increases the total questions count to #1,000,000? I can see that every StackOverflow question has its own id, but how can I see which question is the question #1,000,000? In general: How can I find out the serial number of a question?
Update: As I get it now, is "serial number" the wrong expression. I'm asking for the first question which will let the total question count climb the million number range.

A: Yes, I don't think it is that easy either.  There isn't any property of a question that would make it obvious.  The question number is approaching 4 million right now.  I assume that the question count is fairly heavily cached, far too expensive to calculate for every page refresh.  So the storm of page refreshes when it gets close isn't going to show the winner.  And it is very dynamic with questions getting deleted all the time, #1M can be (will be) #999,999 a second later.
Knowing the SO team, I bet they've programmed some kind of custom trigger that flashes a Unicorn page up for at least 5 minutes so the number is stable for at least that long.  Looking forward to it, hope it's a good question.  And have the honor to get the answer mark for it :)

A: Here's a data explorer query to find question number n. This doesn't include deleted questions.

A: Wel if you're talking 1,000,000 for the database Id then you can see the question here
 Display Progress Bar at the Time of Processing

A: You can probably see it in the blog.
I'm not how you can find it yourself. You can probably use the data dump to find the nth question, but it doesn't include deleted posts. Without deleted posts, you can't have a nth question.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Benjamin's Descendants 8 1Benjamin fathered Bela, his firstborn; Ashbel was born second, Aharah third, 2Nohah fourth, and Rapha fifth. 3Bela's sons: Addar, Gera, Abihud, 4Abishua, Naaman, Ahoah, 5Gera, Shephuphan, and Huram. 6These were Ehud's sons, who were the heads of the families living in Geba and who were deported to Manahath: 7Naaman, Ahijah, and Gera. Gera deported them and was the father of Uzza and Ahihud. 8Shaharaim had sons in the country of Moab after he had divorced his wives Hushim and Baara. 9His sons by his wife Hodesh: Jobab, Zibia, Mesha, Malcam, 10Jeuz, Sachia, and Mirmah. These were his sons, heads of families. 11He also had sons by Hushim: Abitub and Elpaal. 12Elpaal's sons: Eber, Misham, and Shemed who built Ono and Lod and its villages, 13Beriah and Shema, who were the heads of families of Aijalon's residents and who drove out the residents of Gath, 14Ahio,[O]8:13-14 LXX reads Gath 14 and their brother Shashak, and Jeremoth. 15Zebadiah, Arad, Eder, 16Michael, Ishpah, and Joha were Beriah's sons. 17Zebadiah, Meshullam, Hizki, Heber, 18Ishmerai, Izliah, and Jobab were Elpaal's sons. 19Jakim, Zichri, Zabdi, 20Elienai, Zillethai, Eliel, 21Adaiah, Beraiah, and Shimrath were Shimei's sons. 22Ishpan, Eber, Eliel, 23Abdon, Zichri, Hanan, 24Hananiah, Elam, Anthothijah, 25Iphdeiah, and Penuel were Shashak's sons. 26Shamsherai, Shehariah, Athaliah, 27Jaareshiah, Elijah, and Zichri were Jeroham's sons. 28These were heads of families, chiefs according to their genealogies, and lived in Jerusalem. 29Jeiel[P]8:29 LXX; MT omits Jeiel; 1Ch 9:35 fathered Gibeon and lived in Gibeon. His wife's name was Maacah. 30Abdon was his firstborn son, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Nadab, 31Gedor, Ahio, Zecher, 32and Mikloth who fathered Shimeah. These also lived opposite their relatives in Jerusalem, with their other relatives. 33Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, and Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-baal.[Q]8:33 = Man of Baal 34Jonathan's son was Merib-baal,[R]8:34 = Baal Contends and Merib-baal fathered Micah. 35Micah's sons: Pithon, Melech, Tarea, and Ahaz. 36Ahaz fathered Jehoaddah, Jehoaddah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri, and Zimri fathered Moza. 37Moza fathered Binea. His son was Raphah, his son Elasah, and his son Azel. 38Azel had six sons, and these were their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan. All these were Azel's sons. 39His brother Eshek's sons: Ulam was his firstborn, Jeush second, and Eliphelet third. 40Ulam's sons were warriors and archers.[S]8:40 Lit valiant ones who string the bow They had many sons and grandsons—150 of them. All these were among Benjamin's sons.


Camp life doesn't get much better than sitting down with a cool beer and tucking into a delicious meal cooked over a campfire. But when you've just spent two hours building said fire, to ensure that it's the perfect temperature to not flame-scorch everything in sight, the cooking part becomes a little less enjoyable than it should be. After all, camping is all about the process, right? But what if campfire cooking was as easy throwing steaks on a gas grill? And what if the results were just as good? Queue The Frank Crank. This bad boy has you and your campfire cooking conundrum covered, ensuring stress-free, relaxed roasting.
This lightweight cooking tool is essentially a rotisserie on a stick. The sharp stainless steel skewers hold anything from sausages, corn, kebab meat and veggies, to marshmallows and bannock bread. Hold the handmade wooden handle from the safety of your cosy camping chair and sit back while the magic happens in front of you. All you need to do is twist the aluminum knob at the handle end of the stick to rotate the skewers at the other end. The result is evenly cooked campfire food every time. No burning, no under cooking. Just perfectly roasted yumminess. So simple. But oh-so-effective.
An ideal gift for the camping foodie in your life.


text:
Панаирджийските певци Парушеви
The Parushev Fair-singers
Author(s): Nataliya Rashkova
Subject(s): Anthropology
Published by: Институт за етнология и фолклористика с Етнографски музей при БАН
Summary/Abstract: The professionalism of the singers who performed at fairs developed at a stage when the patriarchal way of life in the Bulgarian villages broke down. These singers most often break their ties with the village community and create their works out of the peasant milieu, from which they have derived. At the same time they remain transmitters of the peasant folk-song tradition and especially of the epic recitative. Their performances are carried out in front of the mass public, which gathers at fairs in towns and villages. Their repertory is therefore conformed to this particular circumstance and includes traditional and widely-known peasants' songs, authorized songs of wars and novelles of everyday-life events, city songs, etc., which are all printed in small song booklets sold by the singers themselves during their performance. Marin Parushev and his son Parush were the initiators of the professional fair-singing. As their contemporaries recall, the Parushev family were talented singers with a fame practically throughout the country. A great number of songs created by them were widespread in various regions and could often hardly be discerned from the folk songs. This is mainly due to the extraordinary interest on the part of the audience towards the contents of the songs, which relate of events connected with the wars at the beginning of the century, and of exciting occurrences such as diseases, bad accidents, murders, etc. The musical aspect of the songs also contributes to their success, although text plays here the leading part. The melodies are completely in the style typical of our folklore and most often bear the characteristic features of the epic recitative. Marin Parushev and his son Parush came from Thrace and they followed in their songs the tradition of the Thracian epic recitative. The regional adherence to this latter is revealed in the lack of heroic songs in their repertory under investigation and the presence of narrative chronicle-songs and ballads, in the octosyllabic metre, in the peculiarities of the melody – a presence of melodic models which are widely used in songs from Thrace. The professional tradition of Marin and Parush Parushev was continued by their grandchild and son Marin, named after his grandfather. He was the family's last fair-singer and did not contribute too much to the development of the professional fair-singing. The tradition came to an end for the Parushev clan with the third generation of singers. The professional fair-singing is a transient phenomenon, which is connected with concrete historical circumstances and cannot find a ground for its development at present. The folk artistic culture has presently evolved other trends and has acquired new forms of existence and performance.
Journal: Български фолклор
Issue Year: VII/1981
Песните на панаирджийските певци Парушеви The Songs of the Paruschev Fair-singers 1982 И. М. Жордания. Грузинское традиционное многоголосие в международном контексте многоголосных культур. Тбилиси, 1989 I. M. Zhordaniya. Gruzinskoe traditsionnoe mnogogolosie v mezhdunarodnom kontekste mnogogolosnyh kul'tur. Tbilisi, 1989 1990 Интерпретации на телесното в музикално-фолклорния инструментализъм Interpretations of the Corporal in the Instrumentalism of Music Folklore 1995 Пирин фолк '95 Рirin folk '95 1995 Валентина Ганева–Райчева. Българите в Унгария – проблеми на културната идентичност. С., Академично издателство "Марин Дринов", 2004. 156 с. Valentina Ganeva–Raycheva. Bulgarite v Ungariya – problemi na kulturnata identichnost [The Bulgarians in Hungary – Problems of Cultural Identity]... 2006


After Pakistani Chaiwala photos went viral on the internet, now it's Justin Bieber's security guard Roeles from Netherlands who has become a new internet sensation.
It all started at international pop singer Justin Bieber's most recent performance in the Netherlands, for the Pinkpop music Festival last weekend, where Reoles was handling security.
And a bunch of girls spotted the "hunk" and keep swooning for days.
They took the pictures of the hot guard and posted them on "Twitter" with swooning comments about his good looks!!
Within no time this handsome teen's photos and videos went viral, reaching thousands of people and everyone is loving him.
7-year-old Issa Van Der Heijden apparently lost self-control a pic of young Boy because she thought he was super hot.
It didn't take long for the Internet to develop a huge crush on Reoles.
Issa's pictures quickly went viral on the social media.
Well, almost he is really too hot. Isn't it?
18-year-old Dutchman security guard, Boy Reoles.
Yes, I am not kidding. He's just 18 years old.
But, it's really hard to control especially when you have all those good looks in one body.
Girls have found their new crush, LOL…!!
And the girls couldn't stop discussing this new hero.!!
Haha vanmiddag broodje gehad bij t'gerecht…euhh… BroodJE?
For Roeles, all this happened too quick that he just couldn't handle all the attention that was coming.
His official Instagram account is floated with dashing pictures.
One Twitter fan was so excited that she was even ready to marry Roeles instead of Justin.
Yes, the internet is demanding their own personal security guard and yes they want hot "Reoles".


text:
« Will health care myths dissipate by November? | Main | Roger Cohen reads Obama's mind »
Hack narratives on Obama's decline
As predicted, the press continues to invent an array of silly narratives blaming the tactics of Obama and his staff for the President's current political standing.
The latest example is George Packer's New Yorker article, which heads downhill from the hack subtitle "The President's failure to connect with ordinary Americans." As I wrote, presidents "connect" when they're popular, and they're popular when the economy is strong.
The underlying analytical claim of Packer's piece is that Obama is in trouble because he has "struggled to convey to his countrymen that he understands their suffering, and knows what to do about it." Packer suggests the President needs to convey "a strong worldview" like Ronald Reagan, who supposedly succeeded despite the recession of 1981-1982 and political compromises with Democrats because he conveyed such a worldview: "Reagan could recover from battlefield setbacks because he was fighting a larger war."
In reality, Reagan "could recover" because the economy recovered. His supposedly clearer worldview didn't seem to change media coverage or his approval ratings in 1981-1982 when the economy was at its worst. There's no reason to think that speeches conveying a clearer worldview would have a significant effect on Obama's standing. (Per Matthew Dickinson, see also the New York Times profile of David Axelrod for additional pining for a better meta-narrative.)
An even more insipid analysis comes from Time's Mark Halperin, who blames "much of the political predicament in which the present decider finds himself today" on Obama's lack of a chief economic spokesperson, lack of sufficient political and policy integration, failure to distance himself from Congressional Democrats, and failure to delegate to his cabinet on domestic policy. Really? Obama's "political predicament" would be different if he turned loose Ray LaHood? (See Jonathan Bernstein for more on Halperin; I refuse to dignify the piece with a longer response.)
In short, this entire genre of political coverage is useless. If/when the economy picks up, Obama's speeches will start "connecting" and everyone will marvel at how effective the White House political team has become.
It's logically possible that a President's popularity is determined by both the state of the economy and how he connects with people. However, I don't know how one could study that hypothesis, at least not by statistical techniques. The President's popularity is numerical as is the state of the economy. But, a President's speaking ability or ability to connect is not measurable as a numerical figure.
Posted by: David | March 08, 2010 at 11:42 PM
Obama's "political predicament" would be different if he turned loose Ray LaHood?
FREE RAY LAHOOD!!!
Posted by: mercurino | March 09, 2010 at 02:46 PM
Here's a personal anecdote that reflects on Obama's communication. My wife, a close friend, and I were discussing Obama's health reform. We discovered that none of us knew what it consisted of. Not just small points. We didn't even know whether it included a government option.
My friend and I are insurance experts; my wife was a long-time medical school professor. I get much of my news from conservative sources on the web; the other two get their news from the Lehrer Report, National Public Radio, the local paper, and the New York Times.
I think it reflects badly on Obama's communications that three people with some degree of expertise in the field of health care and insurance, from different political backgrounds, and using different news sources are all so clueless about the contents about the President's defining legislation.
By comparison, when Reagan did his defining legislation, the public understood that we were going to have a big tax cut.
I agree Obama isn't connecting, but the lack of connection is in policy, not communications.
US unemployment rates are at record levels for the modern era, with a population that's no longer used to joblessness or significant recessions. Yet, using the most tortured logic to rationalize it - "we might save $100b over a decade! What a victory!" - he persists in focusing his political capital on the passage of an expensive, incoherent and largely futile twist of the health care dial a tiny notch or two to the left.
It's not just that he doesn't feel America's pain; it's that he's also doing too little to heal it.
Posted by: Brian | March 09, 2010 at 06:17 PM
Apropos of my prior comment, another blogger pointed out a telling quote from Nancy Pelosi:
"But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it"
Quote including context:
"You've heard about the controversies within the bill, the process about the bill, one or the other. But I don't know if you have heard that it is legislation for the future, not just about health care for America, but about a healthier America, where preventive care is not something that you have to pay a deductible for or out of pocket. Prevention, prevention, prevention—it's about diet, not diabetes. It's going to be very, very exciting.
"But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy....
I'm not sure David's lack of understanding of Obama's health insurance reform is Obama's fault. Has he listened to any of the speeches, esp. the Sept. 9, 2009 speech? Time had a good overview, Ezra Klein covers this topic in exhaustive detail, and the White House web site breaks it down. Hopefully, his employer won't be affected by the reforms since he's unprepared to even discuss them. At minimum, he can get familiar with RomneyCare in MA to give him a starting point.
Posted by: JohnR | March 09, 2010 at 07:16 PM
What Brian sensibly describes as "a largely futile twist of the health care dial" is considered as "the most dramatic improvement in social justice in at least four decades" by Jonathan Chait of The New Republic. That would make the health care bill a more dramatic improvement in social justice than equality for women, freedom of choice, gay rights, the rise of the black middle class and the end of the draft. If we look back beyond four decades (since Chait says "at least"), it would make the health care bill a more dramatic improvement in social justice than the civil rights movement.
How can anyone take Chait seriously when he is this overwrought? There must be something in the water at The New Republic that causes this condition in writers like Chait and Andrew Sullivan.
Posted by: Rob | March 09, 2010 at 07:32 PM
All that proves is that people with some degree of expertise in the field of health care and insurance, from different political backgrounds, and using different news sources can be willfully ignorant brats who don't pay attention and then blame their teachers or parents for flunking the test.
Posted by: bullfighter | March 10, 2010 at 02:56 PM
That would make the health care bill a more dramatic improvement in social justice than equality for women, freedom of choice, gay rights, the rise of the black middle class and the end of the draft.
Title IX is 38 years old, so he was 2 years off on equality for women. I can't think of more recent federal legislation that would undermine Chait's statement. FMLA of 1993 and Ledbetter Act of 2009 were helpful, but certainly not comparable to covering 40 million uninsured.
The draft ended 37 years ago, and it is not even clear that it has led to improvement of social justice. It is still mostly poor kids who die in wars.
There has been no federal law enacted in the last 40 years that significantly advanced freedom of choice or gay rights. On the contrary, most federal legislation in those areas has hindered those rights (Hyde Amendment, "partial birth" nonsense, DOMA...).
Obviously, no law created the black middle class.
So, other than pedantry about 37-38 vs. 40 years, what is the point of the objection?
Bullfighter, why do you think that improvements in social justice can result only from federal legislation? Chait's statement was not so limited. For example, the change in the role of women in American society over the last forty years has little or nothing to do with Title IX. The mentality that societal changes must emanate from federal legislation is quite remarkable, though it probably does put you squarely in the mainstream of the Democratic Party.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aeSenIUvpSK0
Posted by: tom | March 10, 2010 at 04:42 PM
Bullfighter, why do you think that improvements in social justice can result only from federal legislation? Chait's statement was not so limited.
Rob, why do you think you can compare federal legislation with judicial decisions, secular trends in the society, and other completely different beasts? That would make no sense at all, which is why Chait's statement can only be reasonably understood as limited to legislation. (The federal part may be too narrow, I grant that's open for debate, but I don't think the conclusions would change significantly if state legislation were included.)
There's a reason for Chait's over-the-top purple prose. He can't describe the plan and explain why it will work. That's because the plan will not work. Thus, the plan is being promoted by means of vague superlatives and by demonizing health insurance companies. There's no way to sell the Plan itself.
Nor will it lead to social justice. It will create a 3 tier system. Members of Congress and others in power will get much better care than the proletarians. And, wealthy people will be able to buy private care that will be superior to what the plan provides for the poor.
So bullfighter, I think we're actually pretty much in agreement. We both feel that it makes no sense at all to say that the pending health care legislation is "the most dramatic improvement in social justice in at least four decades," since judicial decisions, secular trends in the society and other developments have wrought far more significant improvements in social justice.
Our only difference is that I take Chait's statement at face value and conclude that he makes no sense, whereas you believe that in order to make his statement reasonable we should understand it as limited to legislation. That's a difference scarcely worth arguing.
I'm only now getting around to reading all of Packer's essay. My favorite passage is this:
It's not that he's been less eloquent as President, or that the public has grown disenchanted with his character. Obama's honesty, thoughtfulness, discipline, far-mindedness--none of this has been muffled by a year in the cocoon of the Oval Office.
Reading this, I can't help wondering whether Packer is able to type with just one hand.
Posted by: Rob | March 15, 2010 at 11:25 AM


Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang died on Friday at the age of 61, state media reported.
Reports say he had been suffering from serious illness for several months and died at a military hospital in Vietnam's capital Hanoi.
His last public appearance was just two days ago on Wednesday at a meeting with visiting Chinese politicians in Hanoi, the reports added.
Quang -- whose role as president was largely ceremonial -- took office in April 2016. Before that, he had served as minister of public security.