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Time for a pension for those seriously injured during the Troubles
Luke Moffett on December 3, 2014, 11:46 am | Readers 1008
The Good Friday Agreement secured peace for Northern Ireland. While it is easy for the rest of us to get up out of bed in the morning and get on with our lives, those bereaved and seriously injured are reminded everyday of the past, forgotten and left at the way side, as the rest of us enjoy the peace. It says very little of us as a society that we have not developed a comprehensive reparations policy to acknowledge and remedy the suffering of victims and survivors who bore the burnt of the violence. It is shameful.
One such group of victims is those who have been seriously injured by the Troubles. These individuals have been permanently disabled through lost limbs, physical scars, and sensory impairment. They have been left struggling everyday, many reduced to poverty, as a result of being caught up in political violence decades ago. Compensation they were awarded at the time was based on their income, not needs, and underestimated their life expectancy, meaning that such awards were inadequate and short-term. They have been unable to work, left reliant on benefits and prevented from building up a pension to guarantee their secured future. As they get older, their health is deteriorating, and they are facing financial insecurity in light of welfare cuts, adding further distress.
Based on the work of Professor Marie Breen-Smyth on the needs of those seriously injured to develop a pension, which has been proposed by WAVE and endorsed by the Commission for Victims and Survivors. A pension for those seriously injured serves to acknowledge the harm endured and alleviate their daily suffering. The number of those eligible are likely to be less than 500 with most averaging a 50% rate of pension based on the level of their disablement. Other countries have adopted such pensions, such as Spain which has a generous scheme for those victimised by terrorism, but fair amount of €1,597.53. While the suggested NI pension averaging around £500 per month may not be much, for those seriously injured it represents future security and recognition of their suffering. WAVE recommends that the pension should include principles of being:
non-contributory;
non-means tested;
completely disregarded for the purposes of calculating entitlement to means tested benefit;
the level of payments should be graded to reflect the differing levels of disablement that those injured in the Troubles experience;
continue beyond State Retirement Age
To reflect reparation principles in human rights law and the recent report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence, Mr Pablo de Greiff, the pension should also:
have a dedicated budget line
those eligible should be exempt from welfare assessment
In recent weeks First Minister Peter Robinson has stated that the DUP will bring a special pension bill for those seriously injured before the Assembly. While there is a need to develop a reparations programme for those who are bereaved and suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a specific bill on those serious injured is a welcomed step to developing reparation programmes for all victims. A pension for those seriously injured is on the political agenda and is included in the current all-party discussions on dealing with the past.
What is holding it up?
Contention remains around who should be eligible for such a pension. The Victims and Survivors (NI) Order 2006 broadly defines a victim or survivor as somebody who has been 'physically or psychologically injured as a result of or in consequence of a conflict-related incident', a carer, or bereaved as a result of such an incident.' Reparations generally concentrate on those most vulnerable and continue to suffer. Those serious injured are clearly such a group of victims.
However, controversy centres on roughly 10 individuals who were not only seriously injured, but were also convicted of terrorist membership or offences or on active duty. While these individuals have served their sentences, the DUP want to ensure that they are excluded from benefitting from the pension scheme. Yet based on the 2006 Order Sinn Fein want to maintain that these individuals, who come from loyalist and republican backgrounds, are included in the pension no matter their past.
How can we work round this issue?
The law has in the past provided some options to address this issue:
Non-discriminatory approach – Current service provision to victims and survivors makes no distinction between civilian, security forces or paramilitaries from accessing services and individual assistance payments. This non-discriminatory approach is consistent with human rights law that everyone should have access to effective remedy for serious injury or death. Our own domestic law in suing for intentional violence does not deny individuals a right to compensation for serious harm, even if they have been convicted for criminal offences. In human terms these 10 individuals have suffering serious, permanent, debilitating injuries, they have served their time in prison for their crimes, and they should not be further punished for access to a basic pension.
A review panel – in determining whether these 10 individuals should be eligible a review panel could consider their circumstances. Such a review panel is provided for under the Civil Service (Special Advisers) Act (Northern Ireland) 2013. For the pension bill the panel could take into account these 10 individuals' time served in prison, gravity of offence(s), their disability, and impact of their serious injury in daily life. There should also be provision for appeal to a high court judge if the individual is unhappy with the outcome of the review panel.
Private trust fund – to avoid the pension bill leading to a 'terrorist' being handed a monthly government cheque, a private trust fund could be established as part of the pension bill for these 10 individuals. The remaining 350-400 serious injured victims would automatically receive their pension from the government. The 10 individuals would receive a comparable amount through the private trust fund, allowing them access to a pension as a victim, without attaching government money to it. Such funds could come from private charitable donors, international organisations, or even prisoner groups to ensure that they 'look after their own'.
Reduction scheme – the 10 individuals could be included into the pension scheme, but their amount could be reduced by 10% to reflect their past responsibility in victimising others. The Northern Ireland Criminal Injury Compensation Scheme does not entirely exclude those who have criminal offences from claiming compensation. Instead their award is reduced on a point system taking into account their criminal conviction, time served, and time since release. This approach reflects that such individuals are both responsible in victimising others, but due to their seriousness of their suffering they should have some form of remedy.
Reparations are intended to remedy suffering, not to punish. Excluding certain individuals is likely to only delay the pension to individuals who desperately need it now. Moreover, it may be ineffective of ensuring that it will exclude those who were involved in terrorism. It is likely that there may be others who were serious injured, but were not convicted of offences that will benefit from the special pension. In addition, for those 10 individuals who were convicted of terrorist offences, the evidence of such convictions may be unreliable, given concerns over evidence submitted in such trials, e.g. supergrass evidence or interrogation techniques. Perhaps the most workable solutions would be the first two (non-discriminatory or review panel). Either way the majority of victims eligible for this pension should not be denied or delayed access to payments because of political controversy of these 10 individuals.
A need for political leadership
Is it really worth denying a basic pension to individuals who had their limbs blown off, shrapnel and bullet enter their bodies, to the extent that they were no longer able to work, but left with permanent scars, disability and pain. There is a need for compromise from both sides. A pension for those seriously injured cannot be used a political stick to beat the other side. Putting aside one-upmanship for the greater good can only benefit everyone in Northern Ireland. This is what political leadership looks like.
As a society we should be concerned about ensuring that those most vulnerable and continue to suffer from political violence have a right to reparations and remedy. As human beings, everyone is born free and equal in dignity and rights. When we fail to look after those most vulnerable in our society, we fail as human beings and as a 'developed' country. The law is responsive to such challenges; it comes down to whether there is political leadership and willingness to transcend the politics of the past, to build a better inclusive society.
Luke Moffett
Senior Law Lecturer at Queen's University Belfast. Views expressed are my own. Researches in victims, reparations, international criminal justice and human rights.
reparations.qub.ac.uk
Rebuilding Unionist Support for the Belfast Agreement…
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According to Nintendo at E3 2015 in Los Angeles, the company plans to revive their old games titles into its modern consoles for titles such as Mario, Zelda, and Metroid Prime. The new version of Zelda will be available to Wii U next year. 'The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes' for Nintendo's handheld Nintendo 3DS system will be a multiplayer game that players will cooperatively solving puzzles and going through dungeons. For the Wii U, Nintendo showcased 'Super Mario Maker', which invites gamers to create Super Mario levels with the Wii U GamePad, as well as 'Star Fox Zero', a space combat game that utilizes the GamePad to project a view of vulpine fighter pilot Star Fox's cockpit, while more cinematic scenes are shown on TV. Both titles are set for release later this year.


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Q: PySpark string column to timestamp conversion I am currently learning pyspark and I need to convert a COLUMN of strings in format 13/09/2021 20:45 into a timestamp of just the hour 20:45.
Now I figured that I can do this with q1.withColumn("timestamp",to_timestamp("ts")) \ .show() (where q1 is my dataframe, and ts is a column we are speaking about) to convert my input into a DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM format, however values returned are only null. I therefore realised that I need an input in PySpark timestamp format (MM-dd-yyyy HH:mm:ss.SSSS) to convert it to a proper timestamp. Hence now my question:
How can I convert the column of strings dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm into a format understandable for pyspark so that I can convert it to timestamp format?

A: There are different ways you can do that
from pyspark.sql import functions as F

# use substring
df.withColumn('hour', F.substring('A', 12, 15)).show()

# use regex
df.withColumn('hour', F.regexp_extract('A', '\d{2}:\d{2}', 0)).show()

# use datetime
df.withColumn('hour', F.from_unixtime(F.unix_timestamp('A', 'dd/MM/yyyy HH:mm'), 'HH:mm')).show()

# Output
# +----------------+-----+
# |               A| hour|
# +----------------+-----+
# |13/09/2021 20:45|20:45|
# +----------------+-----+

A: unix_timestamp may be a help for your problem.
Just try this:
Convert pyspark string to date format

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Crag Pit, Sutton is a  biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north of Shottisham in Suffolk. It is in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This small disused quarry is described by Natural England as short rabbit-grazed grassland which supports one of only two British colonies of the endangered Small Alison flowering plants. Herbs include the uncommon mossy stonecrop.

As of June 2017, the site is covered with dense woodland, scrub and tall herbs, and there is little or no rabbit-grazed grassland.

References

Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Suffolk
Sutton, Suffolk

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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ISRO All Set To Launch The INSAT-3DR Weather Satellite On 28th August
Rishabh BanerjiUpdated on Jul 30, 2016, 13:16 IST
ISRO is working round the clock and the preparations are in full swing for the launch of its weather satellite INSAT-3DR on the 28th of August, 2016. The satellite with geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-MkII) will launch from Sriharikota base in Andhra Pradesh, officials confirmed.
isro.gov.in
Talking to IANS, P. Kunhi Krishnan, the director of Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) said, "The weather satellite INSAT-3DR will be put into orbit by a GSLV rocket August end. Preparations for the launch are going on." The satellite, which generally reaches the rocket port a couple of weeks before the launch date, is yet to reach Sriharikota, it is said.
"With improved shock absorbing aspects during the transit, nowadays Indian satellites are first sent to the filling of fuel and then to the clean room. We have avoided one testing stage of the satellite and thereby cutting down the launch time," a senior ISRO official told IANS. "However, foreign satellites that ISRO launches with its PSLV rockets will be tested in full without skipping even the first clean room," he added.
spacenews.com
Post the INSAT-3DR launch, ISRO will also launch the ScatSat- a weather monitoring and forecasting satellite with polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV) - in September 2016. The Indian satellite will be launched along with an Algerian satellite. Both of them will be in different orbits. First, the ScatSat will be ejected post which the fourth engine of the rocket will be switched off. Then after about 30 minutes, the engine will be switched back on and put the Algerian satellite into its intended orbit.
We wish ISRO all the luck!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Follow @MikeIsaac
Recent Posts by Mike Isaac
Pay Attention, Snapchat! China's WeChat Messaging App Does E-Commerce Well.
American messaging services could learn a thing or two from WeChat.
The mobile-focused app is massively popular in China and spreading quickly abroad; of the 270-million-plus regular users of the service, about a quarter of those are outside of mainland China.
Aside from its wide user base, WeChat's biggest success looks to be in its bottom line: In-app purchases.
Take WeChat's recent experiment with the fast-growing Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi. The two companies teamed up to offer a limited number of Xiaomi's latest flagship phone, the Mi-3, inside the WeChat app exclusively. Xiaomi set aside 150,000 devices to sell for the promotion, and the phones sold out completely — all within about 10 minutes.
The free-to-download app also updated to include other in-app purchase options earlier this year, including a storefront for sticker-pack sales and, more importantly, an in-app social game network. From early estimates, games using the WeChat network of contacts have seen significant traction in downloads and sales.
Tech in Asia The payment screen for WeChat's promotion with Chinese phone makers Xiaomi.
The app, run by Internet and media conglomerate Tencent Holdings Limited, is one of a handful of highly popular Asian messaging apps taking off at the moment. Japan's Line app recently announced 300 million registered (though not necessarily active) users, while South Korea's KakaoTalk boasted more than 100 million users as of this summer.
If good apps borrow, great apps steal. All of these companies have lifted features from each other, plucking design elements, features and concepts freely from one app and incorporating them into another. Even American companies have joined the trend; Facebook, Path and others have brought stickers and other types of in-app purchases into the companies' own messaging applications.
Will Snapchat, the closely watched ephemeral messaging startup, go the same route?
It seems likely. Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel has said he highly admires the route WeChat has taken to monetization, and would likely offer similar value-added services at some point (though he said the company will be methodical in its implementation.)
What is unclear is how American audiences will react to phenomena that may prove popular abroad, yet are untested in the U.S. Stickers have seen heavy use on both Facebook and Path; perhaps in-app gaming will be next on the list.
And, I imagine, Snapchat will keep a close eye on how WeChat's e-commerce efforts pan out.
Tagged with: e-commerce, Evan Spiegel, Facebook, gaming, in-app purchases, KakaoTalk, messaging, Path, Snapchat, Tencent, WeChat, Xiaomi
In Wake of Delivery Delays, Amazon Offers Gift Cards to Customers
RapGenius and Google: Tales in Growth Hacking Gone Wrong
Twitter Stock Has a Very Merry Christmas
Freshdesk Nabs $7 Million Series C
Tweets Are the New Black: NYT Reporter's Twitter Book to Be Made for TV


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BRIAN KELLY is an award-winning composer, pianist, and recording artist producing contemporary instrumental and solo piano music.
Tomorrow's Daydream, Brian's 4th album release, is a suite of eleven original, neo-classical solo piano compositions, sparkling with elegance and joy. The album has been awarded two silver medals in the 2018 Global Music Awards: one for Album, and the other for Instrumental Performance Solo….Read More
TOMORROW'S DAYDREAM is excellent from the first note to the last
– Kathy Parsons, MainlyPiano.com
a splendid and exciting aural adventure...tunes that stir the heart
– Dick Metcalf, rotcodzzaj.com
definitely one of the few albums I would place on the top shelf!
– Vivek Kumar, 2indya.com
…BUTTERFLY RAPTURE is a many faceted jewel… with sparkling composition and a resonance that sticks with you long after the last song plays.
– New Age Music Reviews
BUTTERFLY RAPTURE has an intoxicating energy… sure to inspire and delight!
– MainlyPiano.com
...the swing and complexity of melodic jazz and the studio precision of Steely Dan...
– East Bay Express
Tomorrow's Daydream
Butterfly Rapture
Afterplay
Pools of Light
Ascending Moon – Solo Piano Music by Brian Kelly
By Brian Kelly | Music | No Comments
Ascending Moon, my new solo piano composition, is now available on all streaming and download platforms! Listen now or purchase a download.
Ascending Moon is an atmospheric and melodic, neoclassical solo piano composition from Brian Kelly's upcoming fifth album. It's infused with magic, mystery and the ineluctable lure of luminescence. Promotional efforts will build on the cumulative success of other single releases from this album, which have received awards from the Indie Music Channel Awards and the Global Music Awards, and a nomination from the Hollywood Music and Media Awards. Brian has a U.S. concert tour scheduled for 2022.
Sheet music for Ascending Moon will be coming soon… please signup for my newsletter to be notified when sheet music is available.
"Ascending Moon" review by Kathy Parsons / MainlyPiano.com
"Ascending Moon" is the second single I've reviewed from pianist/composer Brian Kelly's upcoming fifth album. If the two singles are any indication, that album is going to be incredible! The first single, "Wings Over Water" has already won several awards including "Best Classical Song" and "Best Classical Songwriter" at the 2021 Indie Music Channel Awards (Brian's sixth award from them) as well as a Silver Medal at the 2021 Global Music Awards (Brian's sixth Silver Medal from them). I wouldn't expect any less from "Ascending Moon," a buoyant, shimmering and very dramatic piano solo that clearly demonstrates Brian's magical and very expressive touch on the piano keys. Contemporary classical in styling, anyone who loves beautiful piano music should check this one out! I can't wait to hear it live when Brian plays in my house concert series in 2022! Sheet music will be available soon.
"Ascending Moon" is available digitally from Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes as well as streaming sites such as SoundCloud and Spotify. I give it my highest recommendation!
Brian Kelly – piano
Gary Mankin – recording & mixing
All music composed, performed, and produced by Brian Kelly
© 2021 Brian Kelly
Release Date: Dec. 31, 2021
ISRC: USSL62100002
Label: Skylight Music
Catalog #: 3008
Genres: Neoclassical, Solo Instrumental
Wings Over Water – Solo Piano Music by Brian Kelly
Wings Over Water, my new solo piano composition, is now available on all streaming and download platforms! Listen now or purchase a download.
Wings Over Water, a contemporary solo piano composition from Brian Kelly's upcoming fifth album, is a lyrical, dynamic, and elegant neoclassical piece that is evocative of the motion, grace, and beauty of nature. This track has received awards for Best Classical Song and Best Classical Songwriter in the 2021 Indie Music Channel Awards and received a Silver Medal in the 2021 Global Music Awards.
Sheet music for Wings Over Water will be coming soon… please signup for my newsletter to be notified when sheet music is available.
"Wings Over Water" review by Steve Sheppard / One World Music Radio
I must admit to being most excited to hear this latest single by pianist and composer Brian Kelly, I seem to have been following his musical progression since 2008 and his album Afterplay, and now, some thirteen years later, comes a powerful and vibrant new single entitled Wings Over Water.
This cinematic solo piano offering is truly splendid, I live near the ocean and it would perfectly fit the flight of various gulls and terns as they make their way across the coastal regions.
The fast paced noted structures are sublime in there context, and the chords manifest a creative backdrop, while the melody is rich in colour and texture. Full marks to Brian Kelly, as I have a feeling that Wings Over Water is going to be a big chart hit for the artist.
"Wings Over Water" review by Kathy Parsons / MainlyPiano.com
"Wings Over Water" is an incredible solo piano single from Brian Kelly's upcoming fifth album. Composed, produced and performed by Brian Kelly, the single was recorded and mixed by Gary Mankin. Even before its release, "Wings Over Water" has collected an impressive number of awards, including "Best Classical Song" and "Best Classical Songwriter" at the 2021 Indie Music Channel Awards (Brian's sixth award from them) as well as a Silver Medal at the 2021 Global Music Awards (Brian's sixth Silver Medal from them since 2016).
I've been a big fan of Brian Kelly's music since before his 2004 debut album, Pools of Light, and "Wings Over Water" is definitely one of his most beautiful pieces. Rapidly flowing and in constant motion, it also clearly demonstrates what an amazing pianist he is. Spirited and free, this sampling makes me even more anxious to hear Brian's next album. A second single will be available the end of December 2021. Sheet music is also in the works!
"Wings Over Water" is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes, SoundCloud, Spotify and other streaming sites. Very highly recommended!
• 2021 Indie Music Channel Awards – Best Classical Song
• 2021 Indie Music Channel Awards – Best Classical Songwriter
• 2021 Global Music Awards – Silver Medal
Release Date: Nov. 12, 2021
Brian Kelly wins Best Classical awards in 2021 Indie Music Channel Awards
By Brian Kelly | Awards
Composer Brian Kelly has been awarded Best Classical Song and Best Classical Songwriter in the 2021 Indie Music Channel Awards for his original contemporary solo piano composition Wings Over Water. Brian has received five prior awards from the Indie Music Channel.
Wings Over Water is original contemporary solo piano music from Brian Kelly's upcoming fifth album. All music composed, performed, and produced by Brian Kelly. Release Date: Nov. 12, 2021
LISTEN to Wings Over Water on your favorite music streaming service.
https://smarturl.it/wings-over-water
Composer Brian Kelly Awarded Silver Medal in 2021 Global Music Awards
Composer Brian Kelly has been awarded a silver medal in the 2021 Global Music Awards for Composition/Composer of his solo piano composition Wings Over Water. This is the sixth silver medal awarded to composer Brian Kelly from the Global Music Awards since 2016.
Memories to Come – Solo Piano Music by Brian Kelly
By Brian Kelly | Music, Recordings
Award-winning composer/pianist Brian Kelly has released a single called "Memories to Come." This contemporary solo piano music that sparkles with neoclassical elegance and melodic eloquence, as it evokes happy memories and nostalgic longing. May it offer hope and inspiration as we live through this time of uncertainty. This is one of a series of solo piano singles that Brian has released in 2020. As of today (Friday, July 17, 2020), the track is available on all major music streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc.) https://smarturl.it/memories-to-come
Please listen, share, add to your playlists. I appreciate your support!
Composed, performed, & produced by Brian Kelly
Mixed & Mastered by Gary Mankin
© 2020 Brian Stephen Kelly (BMI)
ISWC: T-932.431.251-8
Record Label: Skylight Music
Cup of Dreams – Solo Piano Music by Brian Kelly
Award-winning composer/pianist Brian Kelly has released a new single entitled "Cup of Dreams." This delightful and celebratory contemporary solo piano music sparkles with elegance, rich harmonies, and improvisational eloquence. The piece is one of a series of solo piano singles that Brian has released in 2020. As of today (Friday, July 3, 2020), the track is available on all major music streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc.) https://smarturl.it/cup-of-dreams
Sheet music for Cup of Dreams will be available in September 2020.
Brian Kelly Awarded Best Classical Song in 2020 Indie Music Channel Awards
Composer Brian Kelly has been awarded Best Classical Song in the 2020 Indie Music Channel Awards for his solo piano composition "Petals on the Path".
This is the fifth award Brian Kelly has received from the Indie Music Channel Awards since 2017.
LISTEN to Petals on the Path on your favorite music streaming service.
https://smarturl.it/petals-on-the-path
SHEETMUSIC for Petals on the Path will be available in September 2020.
Composer Brian Kelly Awarded Silver Medal in the 2020 Global Music Awards
Composer Brian Kelly has been awarded a silver medal in the 2020 Global Music Awards for Composition/Composer of his solo piano composition "Into the Garden". This is the fifth silver medal awarded to composer Brian Kelly from the Global Music Awards since 2016.
LISTEN to Into the Garden on your favorite music streaming service.
https://smarturl.it/into-the-garden
SHEETMUSIC (for advanced/intermediate players, in the key of E Major, 6 pages):
https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/21750127
2020 Solo Piano Concert Tour – POSTPONED
By Brian Kelly | Concerts
UPDATE: Due to health and financial concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of my 2020 concerts have been postponed until 2021. Stay safe and be well!
Award-winning pianist/composer Brian Kelly will be performing a solo piano concert tour in 2021 on the west coast of the USA (California, Oregon, and Washington). Brian will perform music from his acclaimed solo piano albums Butterfly Rapture and Tomorrow's Daydream, as well as new compositions. Each concert will be presented in tandem with another pianist/composer.
Tickets will go on sale in May 2021 at: https://briankelly.eventbrite.com
Info at www.SoloPianoConcerts.com
To stay informed about upcoming concerts and tickets, please sign-up for Brian's Newsletter and "Track" him on BandsInTown:
Trees in the Mist – Solo Piano Music by Brian Kelly
Award-winning composer/pianist Brian Kelly has released a new contemporary solo piano single entitled "Trees in the Mist." This is one of a series of garden-themed solo piano singles that Brian has released in 2020. As of today (Friday, February 7, 2020), the track is available on all major music streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Pandora, etc.) https://smarturl.it/trees-in-the-mist
"Trees in the Mist" is an expressive contemporary solo piano work that conveys qualities of nature inherent in the title: strength, motion, and fluidity. Please listen, share, and add to your playlists. I appreciate your support!
MORE NEWS ==>
Brian's music has been licensed for use by these companies and organizations:
© 2022 BRIAN KELLY. music. All Rights Reserved.
Essential SSL


The philosophy of our work is that all human beings can make a difference to their circumstances and situations and become part of the solution rather than complaining about the problem.
Staff – the people at the 'coal face' who work as part of a team, or department and have a desire to progress and develop their careers.
Managers – those staff members who are currently in a leadership role, or about to take up a position of leadership.
Teams – we work with groups and departments to explore the culture of the team developing their awareness of what it takes to work together and take ownership of their team experience.
There are many courses available dealing with the skill and knowledge base necessary to perform professional duties, however very few of them require the participants to examine their thinking about the process of making a difference in the workplace. Our workshops encourage the participants to examine what it is about their 'way of being' that is preventing them from maximising the difference & contribution they are capable of making to the team, department or themselves. Our trainings also examine how an individual's attitudes and perceptions of current reality affect the choices & the actions available.
We believe that once the 'BE'ing shifts, the 'DO'ing evolves. As a result, staff satisfaction & productivity increases too.
Commitment ~ To establish what it takes to be your word in order to maintain education, employment and develop career potential.
Responsibility ~ To see choices about life that empower your actions and behaviours rather than reacting to circumstances and situations; therefore taking ownership of your goals for education or employment.
Relationship ~ To create relationships that serve you in life allowing you to accept support and contribute to others within the school / university / work community.
A greater understanding of what it means for them to give/ keep their word and the barriers they put up to their success in career/relationships/life.
How to notice and the unconscious blocks that could inhibit their progression in education / work and remove them.
A greater understanding, and experience, of what it is to be fully responsible and own their experience of life, both inside and outside education / work.
A connection with their underlying purposes and how to access these to fuel themselves to bring the best of themselves to their life.
Life Mastery Training & Development offers follow up sessions to deepen the work and continue the journey for the participants. These sessions are designed in line with the requirements of the School / University or Organisation.
They may include 1-2-1 coaching, this could be onsite or over the telephone. Fee's for all follow up work would be negotiated based on content and as needed.
I have worked with thousands of people over the years and enjoy a diverse background and knowledge base. Once we have met to assess your needs I will put together a package of training to suit your requirements and budget.
I have access to a pool of highly experienced trainers I can contract to work with me to deliver workshops in all areas of personal and corporate development & leadership.


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Inquiry of Week: Where was Camp Bide-A-Wee?
Posted on May 18, 2021 by snovalleymuseum
Exit 42 from Google Maps.
Fifteen Mile Crossing was the first fording over the Snoqualmie River after leaving North Bend going over Snoqualmie Pass. It is located about 15 miles east of North Bend.
James Beard became one of the toll collectors when the Snoqualmie Pass Wagon Road became a toll road in 1883. Beard built a cabin at the 15 mile crossing about 1890 and he ferried travelers across the river for an additional fee. Later he built a toll bridge over the river and named it Fifteen Mile Bridge.
A few years later, Beard built some log cabins for tired travelers and called the new camp "Bide A Wee". This rest stop served weary travelers for many years.
In 1893, the County took over the wagon road and it became County Road No. 353 and all tolls were removed.
Cynthia Joyner, Louis Knight, Carrie Scheuchzer on road to 15 Mile Bridge. May 1908. Siegrist Photo. Snoqualmie Valley Museum Collection PO.751.0075.
According to Fred Schechzer's obituary "In 1907 he saw the first automobile come over Snoqualmie Pass on its own wheels- a White Steamer that gave its last dying wheeze near the 15 mile crossing and was towed ignominiously to North Bend by a contemptuous freighter. But it was the forerunner of the unending stream of motor vehicles that now streak across the old homestead on the broad ribbon of concrete that has supplanted the old rutted wagon trail."
Camp Bide-A-Wee, Snoqualmie Valley Museum Collection.
In 1915, when the Sunset Highway was completed. The crossing at 15 mile was bypassed by the new highway that remained on the north side of the river toward the summit. Bide A Wee continued to flourish with travelers going over the mountain and campers who came in from Seattle for a relaxing weekend.
In the early 1920's, M. C. Mason purchased the camp from Beard and renamed it Camp Mason. He soon built better cabins, a restaurant and grocery store next to the Sunset Highway. The camp lasted until the 1950's, when the property was purchased by the State Highway Dept.
Camp Mason, Snoqualmie Valley Museum Collection.
The camp was then bulldozed to make way for the new 4 lane highway. Nothing remains of the once vibrant camp and rest stop. At north side of location of Exit 42.
Deo Reing told a story about going to James Beard's to purchase a colt about 1891 or 1892:
"It was some time in the 1890's, when I was quite young. I was at the Hop Ranch (now the Meadowbrook farm) watching a band of horses passing by. They had just come over the mountains from Eastern Washington. One of the men who was driving them rode over to where I was standing and told me that they had left a fine colt at the Toll Bridge. (This was also called the 15-mile crossing because it was 15 miles east of North Bend.) He said that it had come from fine stock and that I could buy it from the keeper there for two or three dollars.
The next day I took my brother Eddie's donkey and five dollars and left quite early as the road in the mountains was very rough and hilly, and I didn't know what kind of horse I would bring back. When I arrived there and looked the colt over, I decided to take it. It was a bay filly some six or seven months old and was played out and could not go any further.
The keeper, whose name was Beard, said he would have to have five dollars for it. I agreed and after giving him the money we tried to catch her. She never had a halter on and knew nothing about leading. After a lot of chasing we caught her and put the halter on. I put the rope around the horn of the saddle and started to pull. Mr. Beard took a stick to get the colt to move, but she only pulled back harder. There was quite a steep hill we had to go up right at the start and I never thought we would make it. The little donkey pulled with all his might, and when we got near the top the colt seemed to give up and ran right to the side of the donkey and stayed close by the rest of the way home. I surely felt relieved.
When we got home I rode up to the house to show the new little horse to my mother and the rest of the family. My mother soon found that the young one was covered with lice, so she melted some lard and mixed it with kerosene and I applied it over most of her body. I put our other horses in the pasture and kept the filly in the barnyard. When the other horses were gone the new one stayed right by my side. When I left to go to the house she ran up and down along the fence and whinnied with all her might. I went back several times to calm her, and she was fine as long as I stayed with her. It surprised me to learn that a colt could be tamed in such a short time. The next day when she saw me she came running up to me. I always had a little feed for her.
After my horse was about two years old I rode her just a little. I also hitched her to our two-wheel cart. After she was three I could drive her hitched to the cart, or ride her. She was never afraid of anything. I used to hitch her to the cart in the evening and drive to the road by the Hop Ranch where the ground was level and smooth. It was easy to see that the colt had come from good stock, the way that horse stepped out. She could trot faster than any horse around. The cowboy had told me the truth when he spoke to me about that colt.
We had seven horses at the time and my father said we had to get rid of some. Since I had two, I thought I should sell one of mine, so I sold my young mare for $75 to some one else. I never saw her again. I had named her Flora."
– Deo Reing, Grandpa Tell Me A Story
← Snoqualmie's Centennial Log
Lucille Smith Recalls North Bend in 1940 →


with the hopeful coming of Spring brings the return of the Fighter Practice Cook Out! The event is to be held as it was previously at the Compound in lovely Blandon PA.
As before, its a day of food, camaraderie, fun and learning to use that nice sword you have in a more safe and efficient fashion plus rules discussion.
We normally cook on a fire pit but may have a grill for this one- status pending.
Its Pot Luck so bring a dish, beverages (beer is fine), salads or paper/plastic ware.
Contact myself, Leslie McCormack or Bill Schoellkopf with your contribution to this event.
So lock in the date and come on out!
as its been pointed out..... April 4th is Easter Weekend.
Therefore, the date is being changed to April 11th.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE..... and let us know if you can make this.
I'm coming and I'm looking forward to it!
I want to go to this so badly. Just got to figure out a way.
I may be working that day, but if not, I'll definitely be there!
Glaine ár gcroí! Neart ár ngéag! Beart de réir ár mbriathar!
If I can get my hopeful schedule change, then I will do what I can to show up.
Remember, if you plan on drinking, plan on staying overnight. Very limited indoor space but plenty of areas for tents.
Jeremy, taking the train to PHL and then west to Lancaster (Amtrak) or Thorndale (SEPTA)- one of us can get you then. Best bet unless you can hitch a ride with someone driving here.
As mentioned above- there is space for tents here and we strongly recommend folks who are coming from afar make plans for it and bring such for sleeping. We here are very hype on our friends avoiding drinking/driving and or driving home tired. All of us have had friends lost to both things... and you guys are our friends.
As before- we look forward to all who can make it and please let us know who is coming- either here or via PM or Facebook to me, Leslie or Bill Schoellkopf- and let us know what you intend on bringing.
Any questions, please let me know so I can try to answer them.
Again, please let myself, Leslie (Birgitta Drexel) or Bill (Bill S) what you are bringing.
As I have no way of getting there and this is also the same weekend as a convention, I won't be attending.
I would need a ride to and from, I live in allentown, pa.
Please let us know what your contribution is to the Potluck, be it beverages, foodstuffs or plasticware/cups.
More we know ahead of time, the better!
Father Elric Ashby, Artificer, Priest of Galladel, Master of the Adventurer's guild, Warden of the Phokus.
The whole DeFranza family may be coming (this includes Thomas and Lady). We will see what we can bring, may be drinks(non alcoholic) or hot dogs. We will very likely be bringing our tent with us.
If I'm up to making the drive, I may head out thataways.
That does mean that if anyone from the White Plains/Purchase area wants to join me, I'd welcome the company.
I hope you can make this, Karen. Purchase is about 2 hours 45 minutes from us.
Please remember to let us know you are coming and what you are bringing- it helps with logistics of this.
Tents are Welcome and encouraged if you are looking to drive a long distance to get here. :) Nearest hotel is about ten minutes away.
Start time is nominally noon and we are running until we collapse that night.
Who else is bringing what?
I hear, and I forget; I see, and I remember; I do, and I understand.
I'll bring veggie and cheese platters. Looking forward to it!
Katie and I will also bring some hot dogs and buns. Plus sodas and paper products.
Last edit: 09 Apr 2015 13:02 by Matt D (MattD).
Alex is bringing a ton of chicken, I am sure I will grab some drinks as well or help where needed. May, can you brew some of that peach tea? I heard it was great.
When I asked John what kind of beer I should bring, he told me "Nothing with the word 'light' in the name." I will oblige.
Lemme know what sort of food/plasticware is still needed and I'll see what I can find.
Forgive me folks, I have to back out. Apparently there was a communication breakdown and my ride has decided against... I'll make one one day.
"It would seem that we can tick off our first theorem already: all the tea and biscuits in the world will never make a civilised party out of a band of Celts."


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January 11, 2022 January 12, 2022 ~ kcorsini
As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm in the throes of the dreaded Dry January these days. It's very hard to self entertain during the coldest, grayest time of year, especially without booze. Let's all admit it, January sucks. The Holidays, however you feel about them and whichever you choose to participate in, are over and it's just a long, dark slog until Spring. Or at least until Valentine's Day if you're into that sort of Hallmark Holiday. But with the cold, Midwest weather there's really no outdoor activities to help divert the winter blues. All there is to do in Kansas City these days is eat and drink… not that there's anything wrong with that but currently I'm not doing one of those things.
This last weekend my beloved Chiefs played their game on Saturday instead of the usual Sunday football game. My friend Doug came over to watch the game with a couple of boxes full of non-alcoholic beer. While Doug isn't joining me on the long, slow slog of Dry January he was kind enough to support me. I was surprised how good that beer was, but perhaps I just miss beer. I don't miss the bloating beer brings on… Anyway, when Sunday rolled around there were a ton of NFL games on to watch, all of which had playoff ramifications but I could tell the Rock Chick was not enjoying being a "football widow." I knew I needed something on Netflix and I needed it fast. Some buddies of mine have me in that most dreaded of things, a group text. But last week on the aforementioned group text one of my friends mentioned a documentary that came out last March, Under The Volcano. He said to me specifically, "You've probably seen this already, but if you haven't, you'll dig it." I had seen that it was on Netflix (and it was actually on Showtime this last week) but for some reason both the Rock Chick and I thought we'd already watched it. We tend to watch anything about rock n roll if it looks like it's well done but in fact, we had not seen it. I knew this might be the thing to save my wife from the football induced boredom I was subjecting her to.
Apparently in the mid to late sixties Beatles' producer extraordinaire George Martin formed a company, Associated Independent Recording (aka AIR). I had no idea George Martin was going to be at the heart of this story. As soon as I heard that, I sat up straight in my chair and started paying more attention. Martin started this company and opened his own state of the art studio in London, on Oxford Street. I think Martin produced Rubber Soul there. The man was genius. Growing tired of the big city and feeling the need to get musicians away from all of that and more isolated for focus, Martin discovered and fell in love with the island of Montserrat in the Caribbean. Known as the "Emerald Isle of the Caribbean," Montserrat was this sort of unspoiled gem. Martin fell in love with the island but he especially loved the warm and wonderful people there. He bought a property there and eventually bought built a studio down there in 1979, long after the Beatles had gone their separate ways.
In today's world of Pro Tools, digital files being sent around on email and folks recording music on their phones, it's hard to understand how musicians and producers used to actually all get together in the same room and play music together. And, lets face it, in the late 70s and 80s, the time covered in this documentary, record companies had bigger budgets. It was a time of decadence but it was a time of great music as well. Often bands or solo guys with their backing band would retreat to the country or some remote location with a studio and live, party, write and record as a group, or some might say, like a family. And what better place to get away from the distractions of the world than in paradise. Many of the guys would bring their family and make it a holiday. They'd work a few hours on music and then off to the beach of if you're Sting, off to windsurf.
I was aware that there was a studio on Montserrat and vaguely aware that some of my favorite albums were recorded there but had never really investigated it. Again, I had no idea that George Martin was involved. He lived there and would often pop in to check out how things were going even if he wasn't producing the record. That's like having Roger Federer come down to check on how your tennis game is coming along. The island of Montserrat is simply beautiful. However, the island has a "dormant" volcano that stands over the island and the proceedings here like a silent, dangerous, smokey sentinel. It's like recording at the feet of the famous "Iron Man" of Black Sabbath. I knew AIR Montserrat studio closed in 1989 and I kept thinking… "my god, what happened, did the volcano go off?" The studio itself was like a resort. They had a pool right outside the studio – lots of rock star photos jumping into the pool – and an onsite cook and bar. Many locals who worked at the studios or who had gotten to know the rock stars are interviewed and I enjoyed hearing them as much as I did the rock stars. This documentary reminded me a lot of Dave Grohl's documentary Sound City, only with much better surroundings.
The first album produced at AIR Montserrat was by the Climax Blues Band for those of you who feel like getting in the "way back" machine. Jimmy Buffett was the second artist to record there because – hello, he's Jimmy Buffet the island guy. So influenced by the island and it's primary geological feature he called that record Volcano. I love that he bought out the whole bar at the studio one night. If they weren't drinking at the bar, many of these rock stars would venture out to these little, rundown neighborhood bars nearby and hang with locals. How cool would that be? Especially for the rock stars… to be able to act like a normal person.
So many great acts did records at Montserrat. McCartney did Tug Of War and Pipes Of Peace, his first work with George Martin since the Beatles broke up and sadly only weeks after John Lennon was murdered. The Police recorded Ghosts In The Machine and Synchronicity there and Sting fell in love with the place. He recorded his first solo record there too. Artists from Gerry Rafferty to Duran Duran did albums there. They talk about the studio having its own particular sound, like the island was in the space between the notes. That laid back Caribbean vibe soaked into the music like rum into a pineapple. I knew without checking the internet, for example, that Eric Clapton must have recorded Behind The Sun there. Keith Richards brought the X-Pensive Winos down there to record Talk Is Cheap and vowed he'd get the Stones back together and bring them down. As it turns out, the Stones did reunite and recorded Steel Wheels there. Again, so many great albums were done down there.
Alas, the Stones were the last group to record there. Spoiler alert – it wasn't the volcano that destroyed AIR Montserrat, that honor went to Hurricane Hugo. The destruction caused by that hurricane brought to an end a really wonderful point in time in the annals of recorded music. The property now is "returning to the jungle."
I was really entertained by this documentary. If you're into music and how it's recorded… nay, how it used to be recorded this documentary is for you. It's really cool seeing all these guys like Dire Straits down there doing their most famous albums. You even learn the truth about how Sting ended up singing on "Money For Nothing," a story I won't spoil here. Check it out… it's January, you've nothing else to do, especially if you're going dry like me!
Posted in classic rock, Music, rock and roll, rock music, vinyl	@TheRollingStones@PaulMcCartney@Sting@ThePoliceBand#UnderTheVolcano#GeorgeMartin#recordingstudio
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Categories Economy
Liberalism's Greatest Gift
Author November 6, 2022
Watching Ken Burns's, Lynn Novick's, and Sarah Botstein's brilliant 2022 documentary, The U.S. and the Holocaust, is difficult. The viewer's heart is wrenched by photos and home movies of innocent people who would shortly be murdered simply because of their identity. Also distressing is encountering evidence of two other ugly realities: American antisemitism of the era, and the extent to which this bigotry affected American officials' cold political calculations. These calculations led U.S. officials, up to the highest level of government, to refuse refuge to many Jews seeking to escape Nazi terror. (I cannot here avoid noting that the Burns, et al. film makes clear that, for all of her faults, America in the 1930s and 1940s was a relative paradise to which Jews zealously and with good reason, if not with excellent prospects of success, sought refuge from the hell that then engulfed much of continental Europe.)
In 2022 America, it's tempting to conclude that we in western Europe and America are now, fortunately, past the stage of our social development that permitted this barbarism. After all, so very many of us, including nearly all of our elites, not only refrain from expressing racial, religious, or other irrational prejudices, we actively encourage "diversity, equity, and inclusion." We even have legislation and government agencies explicitly aimed at preventing invidious discrimination.
While a few ignorant retrogrades dissent from today's widespread commitment to stamp out bigotry and hatred, perhaps we have by now forever escaped that benighted past in which mindless and mad collective cruelty wasn't just accepted, but was also actively encouraged.
Perhaps. But I have my doubts.
In addition to displaying the bigotry and brutality of the 1930s and 1940s, the Burns film displayed an additional trait that featured prominently in the people of those decades, namely ignorant certainty. Hitler, Himmler, and other Nazi monsters were, of course, certain that Germany's problems were largely caused by Jews and would, thus, certainly be easily solved by eliminating those Jews. There's no doubt that ordinary Germans who were entranced by Hitler and his propaganda machine were equally certain of those same ludicrous propositions.
Many Americans, for much of Hitler's reign, were certain that reports of Nazi atrocities were exaggerated and likely the result of scurrilous Jewish propaganda. These same Americans were largely also certain that admission into the U.S. of more Jews would harm Americans.
The certainty in the people revealed by the Burns film isn't as attention-grabbing as the physical and psychological cruelty. But this certainty is of a piece with this cruelty. Indeed, it's arguable that this certainty was every bit as much to blame for the cruelty as was the bigotry. Doubts that the 'other' human beings whom you are instructed to demonize, imprison, torture, enslave, and murder are really your inferiors dampen your willingness act cruelly toward those 'other' human beings.
Our passions are inflamed by certainty and dampened by doubts. Only when we feel certain that members of that 'other' group are dangerous to us do we not hesitate to imprison or kill them. Only when we feel certain that imperiled 'others' are not deserving of our assistance do we, without qualms, withhold help. Feelings of certainty suppress sympathy or fellow-feeling for anyone or anything not fully on board with whatever tasks we are certain must be carried out.
Nazi certainty about the inferiority and dangerousness of Jews was, of course, not only utterly unfounded, but also especially deplorably placed. Fortunately, this particular species of racism has largely been eliminated. Yet other instances of destructive certainties still abound, and they threaten to unleash much damage if they become more widespread.
Some examples. People who are certain that global warming will soon destroy humanity unless we radically restructure our way of life by abandoning fossil fuels have no sympathy for anyone who disagrees, nor who merely points to downsides of restricting fossil-fuel use. Those who were certain that COVID was destined to kill tens of millions of people annually across the globe, until and unless governments instituted draconian lockdowns, had only contempt and scorn for those who questioned this claim or who pointed to the downsides of lockdowns. Those who are certain that today's income inequality reflects nothing but the pure happy chance lucked into by, or the predations committed by, the rich have no patience for arguments about how the rich might have earned their wealth honestly, nor how confiscatory taxation might destroy our economy.
Those who are certain that Americans' prosperity today is rooted in the chattel slavery of the past, and that a great majority of today's non-Black Americans continue to be incurably if subconsciously racist, self-righteously close their ears to pleas for policies that are colorblind. The reason is that these people are certain that colorblind policies will only further cement in place the unjust privileges and wealth enjoyed by white Americans. And these people are further certain that those individuals who advocate colorblind policies are really cunning knaves who wish to use colorblind policies as a tool to keep people of color poor and oppressed.
Certainty shuts the case on whatever matters the certainty enfolds. Certainty closes off further thought, conversation, and debate. Certainty demands unquestioning loyalty and the enthusiastic performance of whatever actions are prescribed by those who are certain. Certainty tolerates no dissent.
Perhaps liberalism's greatest gift to the world is its rejection of certainty. By rejecting certainty, liberalism opens doors to tolerance, discussion, debate, learning, and, as a result, true intellectual and spiritual growth. The liberal rejection of certainty is the liberal recognition that no human being is a god, and that no human being can be trusted to have a unique pipeline to god.
Skepticism and uncertainty about reality, modesty and humility about what can be known, radically equalize human beings in intellectual and moral dimensions. Insofar as humanity embraces this liberal commitment to epistemic unpretentiousness, humanity is protected against the fevers and passions of persons who are enflamed by their sense of certainty.
Liberalism, in short, is certain about one matter only, which is this: we humans are, and will forever be, denied access to certain knowledge. Relative to all that can be known, our minds are weak and our stock of knowledge meager. This truth means that we will never experience heaven on earth. But accepting this truth does make life on this earth as good as it can practically be, for it naturally encourages toleration, open-mindedness, and, above all, peace.
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U.S. reaches settlement with edX to increase MOOC accessibility for those with disabilities.
Under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, edX will make its website fully accessible to users with disabilities within 18 months and will appoint a web accessibility coordinator, in addition to a number of other actions to ensure accessibility.
The agreement with edX addresses complaints that edX's website is not fully accessible to individuals with disabilities, including individuals who are blind or have low vision, those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and those who have physical disabilities affecting manual dexterity.
Under the settlement, edX will provide accurate captioning for the deaf, oral navigation signals for the blind, and programming changes so those with dexterity disabilities can navigate content without struggling with a hand-operated mouse.


It's Christmas Time! Enjoy These Often-Missed Yuletide Movies | I'm Annette!
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Doesn't this photo epitomize the wonder that is Christmastime?
This photo is shared with you through the generosity and permission of Siddalee Photography.
It's Christmastime! I love it all: the gathering of family and friends, the sparkling Christmas decorations and beautiful nativity scenes, the Christmas carols, the delicious holiday food and snacks, …. Also, at the top of my list, is gathering by the fireplace, and watching with family members, those special Christmas movies each year. Today I share a few lesser-known Yuletide gems that have become my favorites. I hope that you, too, might discover a new Christmas favorite, or two among them! ( The DVD photos below were taken today, near various Christmas decorations throughout my home.) Merry Christmas!
Cary Grant stars as an angel in this magical Christmas film. Need I say more?! :o) Grant/the angel is sent to assist the bishop (David Niven) and his wife (Loretta Young) at Christmastime. Karolyn Grimes stars as the bishop's daughter. (You may recognize her from a better-know Christmas classic, It's a Wonderful Life with Grimes as Zuzu.) This wonderful film was remade in 1996 as The Preacher's Wife.
Originally made for TV, this sweet film stars Roma Downey as, Kathleen, a single mother who is hired by her boss (Eric McCormack), to pose as his wife temporarily, to impress a business associate (Hector Elizondo) at Christmastime.
Sarah Rosen Fruitman plays Zoey, Kathleen's precious daughter.
Probably the best known on this list of movies, Barbara Stanwyck stars as journalist Elizabeth Lane, known for her culinary skills. Although, America delight in Lane's recipes, laced with stories of her idyllic family life in the country, in actuality she is a fraud. Hilarity ensues when Lane's unaware editor (Sydney Greenstreet) invites a WWII hero to Lane's house for Christmas and some good home cooking.
S.Z. (Cuddles) Sakall is wonderful as Felix. This film was remade in 1992 with Dyan Cannon.
Loretta Young and Celeste Holm star as nuns in this charming Christmas film.
(Sam from Casablanca) also stars.
In this post-war romantic comedy, a young Janet Leigh plays a widow, Connie Ennis with a young son (played by Gordon Gebert). Through chance, Robert Mitchum meets the young widow at Christmastime, and takes a keen interest, even though she is engaged (to Wendell Corey). This was remade for television in 1996 under the same title.
White Christmas, Bing Crosby's signature Christmas song, all started here! Crosby stars as an entertainer who retires from show business to open an inn that is only open for holidays. Fred Astaire is his friend, and at time humorous advisory, in this film. Check out Astaire's 4th of July dance, complete with fire crackers!
Listen to White Christmas here.
Don Defore (He grew up in Iowa like me!) stars as Jim, a post-war veteran in need of housing in a crowded New York City. Upon a chance meeting, McKeever, invites Jim to room with him. Jim finds himself living in a boarded up mansion, soon with others joining them. Little does Jim know, that one of his fellow residents is the actual owner of the home, living incognito.
For a free printable of a quote from this movie, click here.
Based on a Damon Runyon short story, Bob Hope stars in this Christmas comedy with a heart. Hope's character, the Lemon Drop Kid, accidentally ends up owing a mobster $10,000, that is due by Christmas Eve. To raise the funds, the Lemon Drop Kid tricks his friends into dressing as bell-ringing Santas, convincing them that they are collecting money for the "Nellie Thursday Home For Old Dolls". In addition to the witty Bob Hope one-liners, listen for the very first performance of the holiday classic "Silver Bells" performed by Hope and Marilyn Maxwell.
Listen to Silver Bells here.
This quick-paced comedy stars Monty Wooley (also seen in The Bishop's Wife) as radio personality Sheridan Whiteside, and Bette Davis as his assistant. Whiteside, while visiting in Ohio, slips on the ice of the Stanley home (Mrs. Stanley is played by Billie Burke who was Glinda in The Wizard of Oz) and becomes their unwelcome houseguest. Check out the live penguins, too!
If you haven't seen this, the newest film on this list, I highly encourage you to do so! This British film is a fun one! Martin Freeman ( of The Hobbit ) stars as Paul Maddens, a melancholy elementary teacher, who is strong-armed into heading up the annual Christmas play. Things get out of hand when Mr. Maddens lies to an old college chum, stating that Hollywood is going to film his Christmas play.
Although rarely acknowledged among holiday films, this one should be!
Errol Flynn and Eleanor Parker (Years later, she would play Baroness Schraeder in The Sound of Music) play a divorced couple and parents of young"Flip" (played perfectly by Patti Brady), their daughter. Errol Flynn is wonderfully cast as the charmingly doting father, and looks good in a Santa suit. :o) Listen for an uncredited voice-over by Humphrey Bogart, as Flynn's character takes a turn at being a tough character. S. Z. (Cuddles) Sakall from Christmas in Connecticut also stars.
Enjoy additional Christmas posts from my past blogs, below.
To read, just click on the blog title.
To enjoy any, or all, of my past blogs and photos, click here, or go to imannette.net, selecting the posts that you desire to see in the Recent Posts, or "search" in the Archives sections, on the upper right-hand side.
I'm Annette usually posts every other week. Due to the Christmas holiday season, however, look for my next blog post on Thursday, January 9.
I would love to hear your kind comments! Post yours in my comment section.
Want to be an I'm Annette follower? It's easy!!!
My newest Christmas decor acquisition is this oversized Merry Christmas ornament. I must admit, this was an impulse buy at our local Pier 1.
You can find it here, or a similar one here.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Borrowed Hearts, Christmas, Christmas angel, Christmas in Connecticut, Come to the Stable, Holiday Affair, Holiday Inn, It Happened on 5th Avenue, It's Christmas Time! Enjoy These often-missed Yuletide movies, Nativity!, Never Say Goodbye, Old Ellicott City, Siddalee Photography, The Bishop's Wife, The Lemon Drop Kid, The Man Who Came to Dinner. Bookmark the permalink.
Some of the movies I have seen, but not all.
I like your big Christmas ornament.
Thanks for the list, Annette! And Merry Christmas!
Thank you for reading! Merry Christmas!!!!!
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Two dockworkers died in bad ventilated ship's compartment in AVIC Dingheng Shipbuilding yard. One of the superrvisors of the yard was on inspection into newbuilding project and entered into ship cabin, but suffocated after lack of oxygen into the compartment and the strong paint fumes. Another dockworker entered into the ship's cabin to save the supervisor but also suffocated. The both people died at the compartment and were found by nearby workers, who just ascertained death. The local authorities and police department started investigation for the accident and if all the safety measures were taken to prevent the suffocation of the two dockworkers.
According to the preliminary information the both people were not carrying gas detectors, which is important when entering to newbuilding compartment. However, the police inspectors continue checking all the evidences around the death of the two people in AVIC Dingheng Shipbuilding yard.
AVIC Dingheng Shipbuilding yard was founded in Feb.2006, located in the Jiangdu Economic & Development Zone, Jiangsu Province, along the Yangtze River. The yard focus on high tech stainless steel chemical tankers, and gas carriers up to 30,000 dwt, production capacity is 16-18 vessels per year.


Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting more than 60 million people. In the United States, more than 3 million people suffer from the disease and there are 100,000 new diagnoses annually.
Blindness from glaucoma is associated with significant productivity loss, lower wages and reduced workforce participation as well as costs incurred from social services, occupational health services, rehabilitation, visual assistance devices, transportation and other services that help blind people regain function in society. There is therefore a major benefit to individual patients and society as a whole for successfully treating glaucoma and reducing the disease burden in the U.S. and worldwide.
LayerBio is developing novel drug delivery strategies for treatment of glaucoma. Topical eye drops are the typical method for delivery of medication to the eye, but they have limitations with respect to patient compliance and inability to adequately penetrate deeply into the eye. Alternative delivery strategies are needed to improve therapies for patients with eye disease, and LayerBio is developing novel solutions to address this important problem.


Ekattva Yogshala is one of the top internationally accredited yoga schools in India with a continuous track record of 5-star yoga class reviews. Our dedicated team is committed to improving yoga teacher training and spiritual experience of our guests which is why we are showered with amazing yoga class reviews from yoga lovers from all over the world.
Team Ekattva recently concluded another successful 200 hours yoga teacher training course and gathered feedback from students on sessions related to various aspects of yoga teacher training course that included Hawan & Mantras, Hatha Yoga and Alignment & Adjustment, Yoga Philosophy, Ashtanga & Vinyasa Flow, Pranayama & Meditation, Concepts of Ayurveda, Anatomy & Physiology, and Weekend Activities that were organized at Ekattva Yogshala.
Before sharing insightful class reviews, Ekattva's Yoga students ranked different yoga classes' sessions based on their experience and satisfaction level at Ekattva Yogashala. Hatha Yoga, Alignment & Adjustment, Ashtanga & Vinyasa Flow, Anatomy and Physiology sessions attained quite a high score on satisfaction level.
We are sharing the yoga class reviews and thoughts of Nichole and Radwa, who were deeply involved in the classes of yoga teacher training.
"The instructors (during my 200 hours TTC) were more than accommodating & have become like family to me. I genuinely feel that I can reach out to them if I have any yoga related questions or queries (anytime post my TTC as well)".
Our team went to great lengths to ensure the comfort of Nichole and other students visiting our yoga teacher training school for yoga classes in Rishikesh, India. We balanced the yoga teacher training along with excursions and outdoor activities to make sure that our guests get the perfect environment to learn.
Unlike most yoga schools in Rishikesh and rest of India, Ekattva Yogshala keeps the number of students in every batch limited. This helps yoga teachers to focus on individual student needs which automatically improves the overall experience.
Check out more yoga teacher training reviews & testimonials from our students.
Our team engages with students throughout the period of their stay to gain insights that will help us in making deeply felt changes. This also opens up scope for yoga class feedback from our YTT students. Here's what Radwa had to say when we inquired about her experience after the end of the first two weeks of 200 hours yoga TTC at Ekattva Yogshala.
13 questions to answer to find out whether you are ready for yoga teacher training or not!
Feedback is the essence of improvement!
Ekattva students love the level of detail and attention teachers pay to each student and also the ease of learning at Ekattva. The positive feedback provided by our students asserts that the quality of our yoga teacher training and retreats is at par with internationally accredited yoga schools.
At Ekattva Yogshala, we believe that student-teacher interactions are most important. Unless students feel comfortable during yoga training & practice, learning is not possible. We have brought on board the university certified and experienced teachers of Rishikesh, India for conducting 200 hours yoga teacher training course in the best manner. Our commitment to providing quality yoga training experience to our students is something that is really hard to match.
Call +91 84470 45597 or drop an email at info@spiritualpunditz.com to become part of our highly reviewed 200 hours TTC certification, weekly meditation retreat, and upcoming 3-day weekend getaway retreat in Rishikesh, India.
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Have you visited Ekattva Yogshala and participated in any of our yoga and meditation courses? Post feedback of yoga class by leaving a yoga class review in the comments section!
Learn more about pursuing 200 hours YTT in Rishikesh, India.


The SWTJC business office is pleased to announce that this year, the 2018 1098T student tax documents will be available in WebAdvisor.
Go to swtjc.edu and click on the "Login" tab, then click on WebAdvisor. Log in using your college credentials. Once logged in click on the "Students" tab. On the left-hand side you will see "1098 Electronic Consent", click and choose option one to receive the 1098T form electronically.
Consenting to receive your 1098T electronically ensures that your document is available through the portal and that you can access and reprint it as many times as needed.
For more information on 1098T's and to view 1098T FAQ's click on the link below.


With a very successful January and February, Chef On Call plans to raise over 10k for local charitable initiatives. "The momentum carried over from 2016 will help us reach our goal in 2017" says Gabriel Malbogat. The Donator initiative, was first started in 2015 and has since donated funds to over 20 different local charities/ non profit organizations. This past February, we were able to raise just over $600.00 for Camp Erin, sending a few lucky kids to camp for free! If you would like to get more involved with our initiative feel free to fill out our contact us form. Someone from the Donator team will reach out. Cheers.


About Dr. Kristian Swearingen and Dr. Jason Winget: Kristian is a research scientist in the Moritz group at ISB. He is also a member of ISB's editorial board. Jason is a research scientist in the Moritz group at ISB.


A smooth velvety textured cheese. Strong flavour of Butter, think of your first slice of buttered toast in the morning. Delicately salty with some mild nutty notes.
An award-winning cheese made by David Jowett and Antony Curnow at King Stone Farm.
Rollright is based on the classic French 'Reblochon'. A mellow, buttery-rich, washed-rind cheese, Rollright has a thin, orangey-red rind and a soft buttery interior, reminiscent of the clover pastures that the mixed herd graze on.


text:
PPC Calls on the United Nations to Hold Trump Responsible for War Crimes
Dear Movement Family,
Today we joined faith leaders, including denominational and national leadership, with moral advocates across the country in requesting that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights hold our government accountable for violating the UN Charter and escalating us toward war with Iran. This afternoon we formally requested a meeting with High Commissioner Bachelet. As the request began:
"We write gravely disturbed, indeed outraged, by the death that is occurring because of our President's rogue actions in the Middle East. His willingness to bypass congressional approval, violate international law, pardon convicted war criminals, implement harsher sanctions and abandon existing peace deals, sets a dangerous precedent that can have continued lethal and destabilizing results.
The US President's order to carry out a lethal drone strike violated the UN Charter's prohibition on the use of force. The assassination of General Qassim Suleimani represented an act of war against a country with whom the United States was not at war. Trump's claim of imminent danger from Suleimani is unfounded and must be investigated.
The threat to add new sanctions to Iran, and to involve the NATO military alliance, all indicate that the threat of war remains very real. Furthermore, we know that the majority of impact from these sanctions will be on the poor."
We know that in the words of Rev. Dr. King "war is the enemy of the poor." We must say no to war and militarism.
Join us in our request. Sign here. Share it widely as we humbly and whole-heartedly work to keep our country from war and our world from the dangerous precedence of immoral and unaccountable leadership. Our people across the world are hurting, and it's gone on far too long.
We know that together we can and must revive the heart and soul of this nation.
Join our signatures here.
Forward together,
Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, President of Repairers of the Breach
Reverend Dr. Liz Theoharis, Director of the Kairos Center
Co-Chairs of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
The Times They Are a-Changin: Bernie Sanders
McConnell Imposes Souther "Justice" on the U.S.
Border Wall Blown Over by Wind
Medicare for All - Sacramento
The Need to Defeat Donald Trump
Adam Schiff Closing Argument
Not Me; Us - the Sanders Campaign
*Pain & Action | The Poor People's Campaign: A Nat...
Countering Annual Whitewash of His Legacy, Progres...
PPC: Call on the Democrats to Debate Poverty
March With the Poor People's Campaign
Dissensus Politics
Women's March 2020- Sacramento
Bernie-and-Elizabeth Matters More Than Bernie-vs.-...
Progressives/Left Urge Unity in Primaries and Beyond
Qualify the Schools and Communities Initiative
"Stop the Money Pipeline": 150 Arrested at Protest...
Choosing Democracy: War is a Racket !
Sen. Bernie Sanders: I Will Do Everything I Can To...
Andrew Bacevich: Trump Sparked "Unnecessary Crisis...
PPC Calls on the United Nations to Hold Trump Resp...
'We Need Everyone in the Streets': More Than 180 E...
Soleimani's Death Could Galvanize Shia Coalitions ...
This Is It Folks: Trump Can Wage War With No Under...
Opposition to the War
How Trump criticized Obama's policy toward Iran
Bernie Sanders Remarks on Iran following Suleimani...
'Right Now Is the Moment to Decide If You Are Pro-...
Do you trust what the Trump Administration Says?
DSA Debate Watch Party


The Mercedes team's Formula 1 title ambitions are over unless Sebastian Vettel retires at least once in the remaining 14 grands prix, says Niki Lauda.
Vettel opened up a 25-point lead over Lewis Hamilton with victory in Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix as Mercedes continues to struggle to get performance on the ultrasoft.
Those problems could continue at the next two tracks in Montreal and Baku as they require a lot less downforce, which could make it even harder to get energy into the tyres.
"We need to find a solution for the tyre window," Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda told Kronen Zeitung.
"And one thing is clear: Vettel needs to retire at least once, otherwise it's over.
"Ferrari has got a momentum going. If it stays like this the gap will become huge – alarming."
Hamilton started a lowly 13th in Monaco and though he salvaged points with seventh, it was the second disappointing weekend in six after Russia, where he was off the pace in fourth.
When asked if he can afford another weekend like Monaco if he wants to be world champion, Hamilton said: "Of course I can't afford another weekend like this.
"At the current rate, where Ferraris are quick, of course not. There's no point dwelling on the fact that you cannot afford it. You just work towards trying to rectify whatever issues you've had and hope that you don't come across it again.
"It's not like we came to Monaco unprepared, it's just things didn't get off right to us, and the car was in a really different place than we've really ever had it before."
Hamilton expects a tough time in the remaining 14 races but highlighted the likelihood Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen will encounter grid penalties for exceeding their engine allocations.
Vettel is set for at least a 10-place grid penalty as he has already used up his allocation of turbochargers and is also on his third MGU-H of four.
Raikkonen, meanwhile, is on his third turbocharger, two changes away from a grid penalty. In contrast, Hamilton and Bottas having used two of each component after six races.
"Ferrari seems to work everywhere, so we've definitely got a serious...these next 14 races will be very, very difficult," said Hamilton. "They've had probably the strongest car all year, a bit like our car last year where it just worked everywhere.
"This car currently is not working every single race we go to but the more races we do, the more we learn and the stronger we get.
"We know that the Ferraris are not bulletproof, they've got things potentially coming up, all the totals they've used or potentially used, so we'll see."


text:
Kyselina cholová je základní žlučová kyselina. Jedná se o pevnou látku v podobě bezbarvých lístků nebo bílého prášku. Velmi slabě se rozpouští ve vodě, dobře v ethanolu. Při použití jako aditivum do potravin se označuje jako E1000.

Kyselina cholová se syntetizuje v játrech z cholesterolu. Před uvolněním do žluči se ukládá navázaná na koenzym A a konjugovaná s glycinem a taurinem.

Použití v medicíně

Protizánětlivé účinky
Kyselina cholová má protizánětlivé účinky, aplikuje-li se jako suspenze ve vazelinové bázi na zanícené klouby nebo hemoroidy. Může mít výhodu oproti kortikosteroidním přípravkům v menších nežádoucích účincích a širším terapeutickém záběru.

Antimikrobiální aktivita derivátů
Některé kationové deriváty kyseliny cholové vykazují silnou baktericidní aktivitu proti multirezistentním gramnegativním a grampozitivním bakteriím. Jiné takové sloučeniny mají jen nízkou účinnost, zvyšují však permeabilitu membrány tak, že mohou hydrofobní antibiotika (např. erythromycin nebo rifampicin) pronikat do bakterií a výrazně tak zesilují citlivost bakterií vůči těmto antibiotikům.

Reference

Externí odkazy

Cholová


ITC is legally and economically responsible for this Networking Service during the SheTrades Commonwealth. Converve GmbH or Converve LLC (called "Converve" in the following) is assigned to provide a web-based networking platform for this event to connect participants before, during and after the event. As part of this event, you use the Converve Networking Platfrom which supports you in finding attendees with matching interests.


text:
Metadorcinus dentifer is een keversoort uit de familie vliegende herten (Lucanidae). De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1912 door Möllenkamp.

Vliegende herten


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text:
These 4 Filipinas are among the world's 100 Most Beautiful Faces – TC Candler
Celebrities and personalities of Filipino descent Ivana Alawi, Liza Soberano, Bella Poarch, and Janine Gutierrez made it to the annual ranking for female beauty by TC Candler and The Independent Critics. Photos from celebrities' official social media accounts.
Filipina celebrities and personalities Ivana Alawi, Liza Soberano, Janine Gutierrez, and Bella Poarch are among "The 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2021" according to the list published by TC Candler and The Independent Critics.
This year, the Philippines' social media sensation and top YouTube content creator Ivana Alawi was ranked 4th, the highest-ranking among the Filipinas in the annual beauty list. Alawi moved up seven places from the previous year's list to become the only Filipina who made it to the top 10.
Actress and model Liza Soberano, the voice of Netflix hit anime Alexandra Trese and named the Most Beautiful Face in the World in 2017, placed 18th in the current list released annually by film critic website TC Candler on December 28, 2021.
Newcomers on the list include New York Film Festival Rising Star actress Janine Gutierrez in the 78th spot, and Filipino-American social media sensation-singer Bella Poarch ranked at 95th.
"Unlike most other annual beauty rankings, the list is not a popularity contest and is most definitely not country-specific," TC Candler and the members explained.
TC Candler and the global critics of the yearly publication select only 100 faces out of thousands of female celebrities from over 40 countries that are regularly represented on the list.
Past editions of the 100 Most Beautiful Faces List by The Independent Critics included Filipino celebrities Jessy Mendiola, Nadine Lustre, and Filipino actor-models James Reid and Daniel Matsunaga.
SEND CHEERS in the comments below to Filipina celebrities and personalities Ivana Alawi, Liza Soberano, Janine Gutierrez, and Bella Poarch for being named among "The 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2021" according to the list published by TC Candler and The Independent Critics.
SHARE your good news story tips to GoodNewsPilipinas.com on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or e-mail editor@goodnewspilipinas.com and subscribe to Good News Pilipinas TV YouTube for more Filipino Pride stories!
Filipino musicians perform for human rights ed in Philippines' 1st onstage-onscreen-online live music bar
America's Got Talent star Marcelito Pomoy set for United States concert tour
SB19 dominates Billboard Trending Songs Chart with "Bazinga" at No. 1 for 4th week


text:
Q: Mean and Variance of SDE How would I compute the mean and variance of the following SDE?
$dX_t = \alpha X_t dt + \sigma dB_t$
I know $E[X_t]$ produces the mean and $E[(X_t)^2]$ produces the variance, but I'm not sure how to do these expectations. Must I use Ito's formula?

A: Note that
\begin{align*}
X_t = X_0 e^{\alpha t} + \sigma\int_0^t e^{\alpha(t-s)} dW_s.
\end{align*}
Therefore
\begin{align*}
E(X_t) = X_0 e^{\alpha t},
\end{align*}
and
\begin{align*}
E\left(X_t^2\right) &= E\left(\left(X_t-E(X_t)\right)^2\right) + \left(E\left(X_t\right) \right)^2\\
&=\sigma^2 \int_0^te^{2\alpha(t-s)} ds + X_0^2 e^{2\alpha t}\\
&=\sigma^2\left(\frac{1}{2\alpha} e^{2\alpha t}-1 \right) + X_0^2 e^{2\alpha t}.
\end{align*}


text:
Review of Senseless Acts of Beauty: Cultural Resistance Since the Sixities by George McKay
We slag off an attempt by the cultural studies industry to grasp the continuity in such developments as the free festivals, anarcho-punk, and anti-roads movements.
Submitted by libcom on July 24, 2005
Review of Senseless Acts of Beauty: Cultures of Resistance since the Sixties by George McKay. London: Verso
This is a book that has already been dismissed with contempt by many people we know within the movement(s) it describes. Various types of criticisms have been expressed, but what they share overall is a dislike of McKay's 'approach' to his subject matter. In our language, this approach is one of recuperation - it is an attempt (not necessarily deliberate) to appropriate antagonistic expressions and render them harmless through transformation and integration into some form of commodity (in this case, academia and the world of coffee-table publishing). Recuperation is a constant danger for anti-capitalist practice. However, we don't think that this book is a particularly powerful example of this, because it is too flawed even within its own terms.
The purpose of the book, according to the author, is to show the historical continuity in such movements as the free festivals, 'new age' travellers, anarcho-punk, rave, anti-roads and anti-Criminal Justice Bill (CJB). The book's publication might be viewed as symptomatic of the growing trend among academics (McKay 'has been' a punk, anarchist and squatter, according to the blurb, but is now a university lecturer) to come to terms with the popularity of direct action, particularly in the eco-movement. McKay's book is within the cultural studies tradition, which allows it to depart from other recent work (typically written from the perspectives of sociology and political science) in an important way: it presents itself as not only an academic work but one from within the movement itself.
From a marketing point of view, this is obviously the best of both worlds. The book appears in the sociology sections of the book shops, but is also displayed prominently in the new books promotions in order to attract those within or sympathetic to the movements (its cover features a well-known photograph from the Twyford Down anti-road campaign). From our point of view, however, McKay's attempt to commentate simultaneously as both insider and outsider has serious problems. In the first place, surely if anything is of value in an academic work, it is its systematicity and scholarship. Cultural studies, however, while breaking down interdisciplinary boundaries, has little of the empirical rigour, of say, sociology. This book is impressionistic, not in the sense that it lacks evidence, but in that its choice of material and subject matter heavily reflects the author's personal experience and liberal preferences.
Second, the value of a piece of analysis or theory from within an antagonistic movement is its grasp of the nature of the movement in practical terms: why certain activities are carried out, how the movement might succeed in its practical aims, etc. McKay's book certainly takes sides (against the police and government, albeit from a civil rights perspective), but too often he analyses the nature of the movement(s) in terms of ideas and symbols rather than practices.
The sections on the free festivals and fairs of the 1970s are written by McKay in his role as someone who took part. For those of us who don't know much about these scenes, McKay's account presents itself as a detailed and useful history, indicating some of the conflicts among those involved as well as their run-ins with the cops etc. However, given what McKay has written about movements that we do have some knowledge of, it might be best to treat this early history with some caution.
Thus in the chapters on the anti-roads and CJB movement, McKay appears very much as someone looking in from the outside and relying on secondary sources. His references to features of the No M11 Campaign, in particular, are strewn with minor unnecessary errors of the sort we expect from journalists. For example, to refer to the 'ancient chestnut tree of Wanstonia' (p. 150) is an anachronism; the 'independent free area of Wanstonia' only came into being around a month after the felling of the Wanstead chestnut tree.1 Similarly, the first collective action against the Criminal Justice Act was on the M11 link road (November 3rd 1994) not the M25 (p. 169). McKay is only saved from making still worse mistakes by the benevolent intervention of some of those involved in SchNews (the anti-CJA newsletter) who checked some of his early drafts.
In the chapters on the anti-roads and CJB/A movements, the book draws upon some of the analysis presented previously in Aufheben2 but also badly misrepresents some of our arguments, as well as those of Counter Information, in order to position McKay as supporting 'diversity' and us as narrow-minded and sectarian. For example, in our commentary on the Brighton 'Justice?' courthouse squat of 1994, we argued that the different uses to which those involved wanted to put the building (e.g., discussion groups on squatting, art displays, drumming workshops) meant that the squat was neither a centre for a 'community of struggle' nor a community arts centre as such; it fell between stools. However, although demands were often contradictory and competed with each other for space, they did express the participants' various needs. This was unlike the attempt by the fluffier elements involved to deny their own needs by subordinating them to media representationalism. For example, their own desires for sensual pleasure took second place to appeasing the media through a public anti-drugs policy. Worse still, in order to portray a certain image of themselves and their struggle, they argued (unsuccessfully) that the courthouse squat should be abandoned without any resistance; in other words, they were even prepared to give up their own 'community arts space' for the sake of a media representation of themselves! McKay simply characterizes our criticism as Aufheben regarding 'poetry' as not 'hardline' enough.
McKay is perhaps right to observe that those involved in the present movement(s) could benefit from being more aware of previous struggles. But in what sense do they share a 'heritage', as McKay suggests? What is the nature of their common resistance? For McKay, what these movements share are 'themes'. Thus, what renders the free party movement political rather than merely hedonistic, he argues, is its reproduction of counter-cultural features of the 1960s - the free festival 'ethos', for example. In the book, this essentially cultural approach to struggles reaches its nadir in the chapter on anarcho-punk. The chapter is solely taken up with the band Crass rather than with the movement itself and is particularly concerned with analysing the meanings in the band's textual productions.
A telling example of the clash between McKay's analysis of 'meanings' and the perspective of the participants he writes about is relegated to a footnote in the anti-roads chapter. McKay interprets the tunnels, tree-houses and benders constructed on the anti-A30 camps between Honiton and Exeter as 'a politicized retreat into the pleasure sites of childhood' (p. 156). The Road Alert! bods rebuked him, arguing that these constructions were rather 'innovative, low-tech, good defensive tactics, cheap and easy to build with readily available materials, low-impact, movable, and don't leave marks' (p. 202).
Similarly, McKay emphasizes some participants' comments on the symbolic features of the Claremont Road scaffold tower ('a critical parody of the Canary Wharf tower, an update of Tatlin's unbuilt monument to the Russian Revolution...'), adding almost as an afterthought that it functioned as an effective obstruction to bailiffs. Though he lauds the artwork of Claremont Road, McKay does not mention that the Aufheben article he quotes from so extensively3 highlights the tension in Claremont Road between art and barricading. This was not a conflict over the importance of aesthetics and symbols per se, but an eminently practical matter. It was a struggle over which strategy would be most effective in the overall anti-roads argument - whether exposing the brutality of the state or physically hindering the state would contribute most in the anti-roads war. The perspective taken in this book, then, tends to get things precisely backwards: symbols appear more important than the social relations that bear them.
McKay wants his book to be seen as a part of the movement(s) he describes, but its approach is quite alien to them. Essentially it renders the movements as fodder for the cultural studies industry. From the perspective of those of us who have been participating in the contemporary movement(s), through its commitment to the cultural studies approach, Senseless Acts of Beauty is not only weak as a history but blinkered in its analysis. Although the book is supposedly a history of struggles, McKay fails to develop the obvious point that otherwise 'escapist' or pleasure-seeking movements become 'politicized' because of their (often unexpected) antagonistic relations with the forces of the state: in the struggles, they are forced to defend themselves, and to see the incompatibility between their initially limited desires for 'freedom' and the incessant demands for conformity and compromise from capital and the state. The themes and cultural expressions that particular struggles share with others emerge because of their parallel practical relations with their class enemy in the form of the cops.
1See 'Auto-Struggles' in Aufheben 3.
2See 'Kill or Chill' in Aufheben 4.
3This article, 'The politics of anti-roads protest', appears in the M11 fanzine The End of the Beginning: Claremont Road (Clare Zine, PO Box HP 171, Leeds, LS6 1XX).
Book traversal links for Review of Senseless Acts of Beauty: Cultural Resistance Since the Sixities by George McKay
Review: Bad: the autobiography of James Carr
Aufheben #06 (Autumn 1997)
Review: Whatever happened to the Situationists?
A steady trickle of publications about the situationists testifies to the market value of their ideas, but it also reminds us of the continued requirement for revolutionaries to engage with them. In this review we look at two recent books. Ken Knabb's Public Secrets illustrates the self-obsessed nature of the situationist milieu after the heady days of 1968. What is Situationism? A Reader includes Barrot's important…
Intakes: Back to the Situationist International
Critique of The Situationist International by Gilles Dauve (Jean Barrot) is one of the more important texts on the situationists.We reprint below…
Aufheben's review of James Carr's autobiography. Carr was a gang-member and jail-bird in 1960's California, became deeply politicized while…
Somalia and the Islamic threat to capital
Aufheben gives the background to the civil war, famine and the US invasion of Somalia in 1992.