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Author: richardmiron13
November 9, 2019 November 9, 2019 / richardmiron13	/ Leave a comment
Elections are always i mportant but for this British election, it's personal. On this occasion the outcome will decide whether the UK can continue to be my home.
For me as a liberal minded British Jew, this election is about the future for myself, my family and the Jewish community here as a whole. I know that if Jeremy Corbyn – or one of his allies – becomes Prime Minister then our future in the UK is untenable. I never thought I would revert to the mindset of my forebears who would talk about the necessity of keeping a bag packed – just in case. But that is where I – a formerly Labour- voting, third generation British-born Jew – find myself, as I contemplate the possibility of an institutionally anti-Semitic party leading the Government.
The events of the past year and more, with the litany of anti-Semitic insults and incidents emanating from the Labour Party have been shocking. But what has added salt to the wounds is the way in which many Labour MP's and their supporters are willing to throw the Jewish community under the bus in pursuit of power under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn.
For me there is an irony in all this. I always saw the threat to the Jewish community as coming from the right (and on its extremities it still presents a very real danger). But the left was a part of my identity. I felt that belonging to the Labour Party meant being antiracist. I could never stand with a party that was compromised by institutional racism – against any group in society. I supported the Labour Party across decades as it strove to build a more equitable, just and outward-looking society.
Not very long ago I considered Labour supporters as my fellow ideological travelers; we shared the same political DNA. This no longer holds true. Those people who now cheer the Labour Party have betrayed me in exchange for a chance at power with bigots in charge. When it is your group that is being vilified and hung out to dry, the legitimacy of that party to rule no longer exists. Now every time I see a Labour poster I feel like I have been slapped across the face.
My local Labour MP, (Catherine West, Horney & Wood Green) has talked the talk on anti-Semitism, decrying anti-Jewish racism when it hasn't cost her any political capital. But she has not expended anything in taking a real stand on behalf of the Jewish community and has run to defend Jeremy Corbyn's position time and again. I see her out campaigning for a Party that if it becomes the government will have me and my community in its crosshairs.
We have seen how Corbyn and his allies in opposition treat us with contempt, and we know that it will only get worse if he wins power. We have watched how the Labour leader initially applauded and then pretended not to see anti-Semitic caricatures painted on walls that stare him in the face, and we have heard him declare that we 'English Zionists' fail to understand 'English irony'.
We have watched how he and his cronies have turned their backs on Jewish MP's and others who have faced mountains of abuse for pointing out the fact of anti-Semitism, and we have witnessed how they have vilified and bullied those within the Party who've sought to highlight anti-Jewish hatred.
The campaign to malign the Jewish community and anyone who complains about anti-Semitism is an almost daily feature of the Labour Party on the campaign trail. John McDonnell, Corbyn's right-hand man has described a former Labour MP who left the party because of his rage at anti-Semitism as a Conservative stooge. In the past couple of days news has come to light of yet another Labour candidate having made an anti-Semitic slur by calling a Jewish council member 'Shylock'. This is the true ugly face of Corbyn and Co's politics, as the Labour Party has become a comfortable home for anti-Jewish bigotry.
To those who I used to consider my political bedfellows I have one message – you cannot do a deal with racism. If you stand with the Labour Party, you are standing with a party that is fueling anti-Semitism. And if you tolerate anti-Semitism it is only the start in a long line of hatred that will consume this country.
As a liberal-minded Jew I find myself caught between the extremism of both the Labour and Conservative Parties in their current incarnation. Neither represent me or my values. I recently joined the Liberal Democrats as I see in them the only expression of true anti-racism and pro-Europeanism. But I am very nervous about what will happen once the votes have been counted on December 12th. Who will be in charge? Will my new party stick to its promise not to put Jeremy Corbyn (and indeed any of his allies) in power? The future feels fragile and uncertain.
I was born lucky, to parents and grandparents who contributed to this society through hard work and service. I was the beneficiary of their professional success, and of the greater openness of British society. I now wonder if that sense of belonging I inherited is illusory.
The coming election is crucial in answering these concerns about my future in the UK. The result will decide whether I need to get that packed bag out of the closet and prepare to use it.
May 4, 2017 May 5, 2017 / richardmiron13	/ Leave a comment
Podcasts have gone mainstream – that is the inescapable conclusion as audiences for online audio grow exponentially.
'S Town' made by the producers of the earlier hit 'Serial', has become the latest star in the podcast firmament achieving 10 million downloads in just four days. The series – recorded over 3 years – revolves around the compelling story of John B McLemore, an exceptional and talented middle-aged man from a small town in rural Alabama.
S-Town and Serial have both proved – beyond doubt – that podcasts have mass appeal, and are challenging traditional radio broadcasters for the way in which people access audio programming.
But their broad success hides another potential draw of podcasts – to serve niche groups of listeners which radio stations have traditionally overlooked.
The beauty of podcasts is that they are ideally suited in catering to more select audiences and interest groups. They can narrowcast in contrast to the broad reach of terrestrial radio networks.
Niche podcasts can range far and wide serving a multitude of differing audiences; from those curious about the intricacies of international finance and how money makes the world go round, to others fascinated with astronomy and what makes up the whole universe turn.
Technology has democratized the airwaves (or at least the on-line audio pathways). Anyone with an internet connection, a microphone, a laptop and sound-editing software can theoretically put themselves on the same playing field as NPR, BBC and other established broadcasters.
Such access also means that the quality of the some of the offerings from DIY podcasters is of wildly variable quality. Just as the internet has put 'fake news' and respectable reporting on the same platform – so it also allows sub-par podcasts to bracket themselves alongside stellar productions.
If niche interest podcasts are to stand the test of time – as well as stand out amid an increasingly crowded field – they must serve up high quality, focused programming. As more and more podcasts are launched so producing a polished and appealing product becomes increasingly important.
My own experience in producing and editing the World Bank podcast series, 'Between 2 Geeks' is illustrative of this trend. Another example of similar programming is 'Pocket Economics' made by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Both podcasts are squarely aimed at a particular constituency – in this instance those interested in international development. Both have been made to a high standard – technically and editorially – so they that offer a stimulating, informative and convenient (i.e. not too long) listen.
Podcasts are an ideal medium for numerous other organizations which possess a specific field of expertize, to connect with a particular audience. Think-tanks, universities, even hobbyists, can use this tool to serve – and even reach beyond – existing constituencies, generating new interest and awareness in their areas of expertize.
Additionally audio has the ability to generate an intimate and personal connection with listeners, in a way that largely eludes print and television. Good stories and strong presentation generates loyal audiences. With the right pieces in place, podcasts can create communities and become a tool in joining together like-minded individuals.
But ultimately the loyalty of listeners will not be won with the subject matter alone. Amid the growing chatter of on-line programs, niche podcasters will succeed by ensuring that their content is compelling, conveniently packaged and above all interesting.
Either way, podcasts – both for broad and narrow audiences – are the destination of the future for great audio.
February 15, 2017 February 15, 2017 / richardmiron13	/ Leave a comment
The feeling of victory following the decision by a Federal Appeals Court in upholding the restraining order on Donald Trump's Muslim travel ban is deceptive. The rejection of the now notorious Executive Order (EO) could prepare the ground for a future power grab by the autocratically inclined President.
My reasoning is as follows – it is tragically inevitable that at some stage in the coming weeks, months, or years there will be a terrorist attack somewhere in the US, by an individual claiming to act in the name of Islam. There will similarly be other attacks – in all likelihood more frequent – caused by people who aren't Muslims but who are inspired by some other fanatical belief (such as neo-Nazi terrorist Dylan Roof) or simple insanity.
But the moment an attack happens at the hands of a Muslim assailant (such as occurred in San Bernardino, or the Pulse nightclub in Florida), Trump will cite the rejection of his Executive Order by 'so called' judges as to blame for the bloodshed.
It obviously won't be important to Trump if such a terrorist is found to have been born in the US, or to have come from one of the countries not cited in the EO. All that will matter to Trump as he stokes the fires of bigotry and fear, is that it will have taken place and that it involved a Muslim.
As he has proven in the past, Donald Trump will appeal directly over the heads of Congress and the judiciary, straight to his core base as a way of intimidating those other branches of government to come to his heel. It is easy to imagine how facts, the Constitution and the law will be swept aside In the midst of such carefully choreographed hysteria.
I tend to dismiss conspiracy theories – and clearly the actions and intentions of Trump are difficult to discern at the best of times. But judging by his erratic and impulsive thought process, it is hard to believe that he alone is the architect of such a strategy – although he would benefit from its outcome.
To guess what lies behind the EO, look no further than its authors Steve Bannon and Stephen Miller. Bannon – ex-Breitbart chief now the White House 'chief strategist' has expressed his desire to 'destroy all of today's establishment'. Miller a senior White House advisor and alt-right disciple of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, said only days ago on TV, that 'the powers of our President to protect our country will not be questioned' (my emphasis). Miller's interviews on this subject on the weekend political talk-shows, were a case book example of wannabe totalitarianism in action.
One can only conclude that the specter of the Muslim Ban is being weaponized by the White House to sweep away – when the moment presents itself – the checks and balances on the office of the President.
Knowing this is a possibility, what is the best way of dealing with it?
Firstly, we must acknowledge the terrible fact that a terrorist attack by Islamist extremists is likely to occur at some point and at some place in the United States, despite the best efforts of the security services to prevent such an incident. Recognizing this eventuality is not anti-Muslim or racist. Those ISIS inspired killers who have wielded weapons against innocents in Europe and elsewhere, no more represent Muslims than Timothy McVeigh (the Oklahoma City bomber) represented white American Christians. It's also important to remember that the overwhelming majority of victims of Islamist violence have been Muslims.
Democrat legislators from Chuck Schumer down, must be ready and willing to talk about the possibility of an attack by Islamist inspired terrorists. But they must do so in the context of emphasizing the anti-democratic intentions of those in the administration who are looking to exploit such an event.
Secondly, responsible politicians and public figures must call out Trump's manipulations and hypocrisy in ignoring other acts of violence while seeking to highlight attacks carried out by Muslims. When a far right gunmen shot up a mosque in Quebec killing 6 and injuring 19 worshippers, Trump's Twitter feed was silent. Yet when a machete-wielding attacker from Egypt injured a soldier in the Louvre in Paris, Trump immediately fired up his account to blame it upon a 'radical Islamic terrorist' and warned the US to 'GET SMART'.
Reminders of Trump's inconsistency serve to highlight his motivations and hopefully blunt his use of anti-Muslim sentiment as a spear with which to attack established political institutions.
Thirdly, while the immediate danger of a Muslim ban has for the moment receded, there can be no letup in vocal and highly public efforts to oppose it at every opportunity. The spontaneous demonstrations that sprung up at airports around the country, along with the calls by ordinary people to elected officials had a decisive impact in setting back the EO. Any absence of public noise is music to the ears of those seeking to undermine democracy, while legal protest and pressure are critical in repelling autocracy.
Amid all this, those who crave unrestricted power will not give up easily, and they will return, riding on the back of fomented mob rage or in some other form to try to get what they desire. So we must be ready for the next attack, the one after that, and all the others that will inevitably follow.
January 13, 2017 January 13, 2017 / richardmiron13	/ Leave a comment
For the past couple of weeks I have been stuck in La La Land – the movie not the state of mind. I've already seen it twice, have the soundtrack blasting out from speakers at home, and keep replaying the scenes and tunes on a never ending loop in my head.
For those who have been living under a rock, the Golden Globe winning film, is an old-fashioned musical telling of love and broken hearts alongside the search for stardom.
It is set in present day Los Angeles, with its overabundance of sunshine, and hope.
Emma Stone plays a talented wannabe movie star, alongside Ryan Gosling as the moody Jazz pianist awaiting his big break. They sing, act and dance their way through brightly lit scenes filmed against a cloudless Californian backdrop. The whole movie harks back to another era from Hollywood's past.
In La La Land the streets are clean, there is no racial disharmony or poverty, and even LA's notorious traffic jams provide an opportunity for good song and dance.
It self-consciously plays up the motif of life as a stage, where people break out a tune while walking down the street or getting ready to go out to a party.
The movie's escapism perfectly captures one aspect of the current moment in America. On the screen in La La Land there is optimism, innocence and gentleness. Sitting in a darkened cinema for two hours transports you to a happy place where ambitions can be fulfilled and dreams can become reality.
Apart from the wonderful cinematography, acting and choreography, the reason that La La is such a success is because it is the perfect counterpoint to what exists in the America beyond the silver screen.
In the land of real America no-one is dancing in the streets, or filled with melodies.
How can you be uplifted when the news is filled with X-rated allegations of prostitutes, 'golden showers' amid the presence of Donald Trump?
How can you believe the soon to be President will act in the interest of the country when he is more concerned about personally profiting from his business interests above all else?
How safe can you feel when he trashes the country's own intelligence services, comparing them to Nazi Germany?
How can you also have faith that it will all be OK in the end when Congress (with its Republican majority) helps swing a wrecking ball into the checks and balances meant to prevent Presidential abuses?
Truth is certainly stranger than fiction when the Trump declares his respect for the autocratic election-hacker Vladimir Putin, while simultaneously portraying the free American press as public enemy number one.
The current reality feels like a plot line from an overly dramatic film noir movie – with cut out villains in sharp suits, and breathless plot twists following one after the other in rapid succession.
Maybe the best way of dealing with the hallucinatory goings-on is to treat them like La La Land; as a temporary break from reality. But the looming shadow of Donald Trump is all too real – resembling a horror story scarier than anything to be found at the cinema.
January 5, 2017 / richardmiron13	/ Leave a comment
A new year and a new phase of life has opened up for the Miron household. Nine and a half years after we left London one overcast August day we're now planning to return in summer 2017.
The reasons are ostensibly uncomplicated, involving a desire to be close to family and old friends. But coming to this conclusion has been accompanied by a rollercoaster of indecision, doubts, second-thoughts, and further prevarication.
Further postings will – among other things – chart the preparations, reality and long journey (in more ways than one) of going back to the UK – no doubt registering the daze of returning 'home' having been overseas. They will also reflect upon the time spent in the US and Israel, as well as relate the many experiences yet to be had.
When I established this blog I titled it 'Foreigndaze', reflecting the curiosity and periodic confusion of being outside my native country. In the course of the past decade away a lot has happened. My children have grown from infants to young girls – ingesting the languages, accents, customs and ways of the places we've lived. For them the UK is not home, it's the place they go reconnect with grandparents, cousins, and Cadbury's chocolate.
For me, the UK has also begun to feel foreign. When I go back it feels exotic. I have to remember to look the right way when stepping into the road to ensure I'm not run over, and have to force myself to alter my vocabulary as appropriate (trousers instead of pants).
This most recent extended jaunt away follows a further 7 years I spent outside the UK when I was younger. But returning on this occasion is different and somehow more significant. It feels as if the once familiar world we inhabited has become foreign.
There have been huge changes in the US and the UK in the course of the past ten years. When we left George Bush was on the way out of office having dug the US into a morass in Iraq and Afghanistan. His Presidency gave way to the stunning reality and hope of Barak Obama – the first man of colour in the White House, and a person who – unlike his predecessor – possessed ample intellect and caution.
Back in 2007, the UK was still governed by the Labour Party and wedded to the idea of the European Union. It ruled over a country that seemingly had no problem embracing notions such as gay marriage and understood that immigration was a symptom of a healthy economy and not a malignancy.
Now both the UK and US are unmoored. Two pronouns sum up all that feels unsettling and ominous: 'Trump' and 'Brexit'. On top of that Israel, a country where I have spent eleven years of my life, also appears to be heading down a similar path where chauvinistic populism is laying siege to tolerance, consensus and basic democratic values.
But rather than just complain and bemoan the fact that the world appears to be going the wrong way down a one way street, I hope this blog will also chart the excitement and challenges of finishing one long adventure outside the UK, and the beginning another within it.
Venturing overseas has brought an array of experiences that my family would never have had if we'd stayed within the comfortable confines of North London. Some of the times have been good, a few truly terrible – but all invaluable.
Preparing to move, to find new jobs, sort out schools, manage finances and attend to all the matters big and small of our transition, are headaches. But along with all of that I plan to ensure that this final portion of time in the US isn't wasted.
It is a privilege to be here even during these truly disturbing times. Alongside travelling to far corners of this amazing country, I will also take the opportunity to observe the goings-on close-by: at home, with friends and particularly from a certain Oval Office situated just a couple of hundred meters from where I'm writing this blog.
More than anything I hope my postings will serve as a record of a special time, and that they will provoke interest and reaction among those who come along for the literary ride.
August 23, 2016 August 23, 2016 / richardmiron13	/ Leave a comment
'A unique partnership to reduce poverty and support development' – that is the briefest of descriptions of the World Bank's mission.
A more lengthy explanation would fill an encyclopedia, detailing the kinds of projects the Bank is involved in, from improving sanitation to fighting corruption.
But much as this information is important in describing The World Bank, it also misses a vital and often over-looked component in explaining the institution and in communicating what it does.
That missing element is the ten thousand or so employees who are situated in over one hundred countries around the globe.
The stories of these people, what they do, how they came to work at the World Bank are endlessly fascinating. In my four years with the Bank, I have worked with a financial expert who was once a teacher in rural Ecuador, an anti-corruption specialist who served as a lawyer to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and an administrative assistant who studied medicine in Kosovo.
Those who have come to work at the World Bank arrive with often fascinating personal stories, which says a great deal about them and their talents but also something significant about the institution.
Communicating about The World Bank is normally concerned with explaining program objectives, projects, research, and accomplishments. But without diminishing the critically important work of the Bank in fighting poverty, it is often those working within it who possess an often overlooked and compelling narrative.
With this in mind, I decided to showcase a number of current and former World Bank personnel on subjects unrelated – but sometimes tangentially linked – to their day to day work. I wanted to demonstrate the multi-dimensional and multi-skilled characters who fill the Bank and illustrate that 'something extra' about them.
As a result, I sought out people who had authored books, both fact and faction. I interviewed a former administrative assistant who had composed a volume on Cambodian food, as a means of recovering parts of her country's culture destroyed by the Khmer Rouge. I also spoke to a former World Bank Treasurer who along with his wife, penned a children's book explaining global trade. Other interviewees included a communications officer writing on the life of women in Iran, a senior researcher's fictional murder mystery involving Charles Dickens, as well as an action packed thriller set in Somalia, a children's book involving a mischievous cheetah and a novel ranging across continents involving a cast of characters struggling to deal with poverty.
The edited interviews form individual weekly episodes in a podcast series called 'Bookmark' – the first of which goes out today on the World Bank's Sound Cloud Channel.
The decision to put them out on-line in an audio format rather than as blogs is deliberate and reflects what I believe is the both the best medium for these interviews and an increasingly important tool for communications.
In previous postings I have written about the growing importance of on-line audio as well as its commercial potential ('the podcast gold rush'). I have sought to show the mushrooming creativity and huge potential of this medium.
As a communications professional I believe it is vital for large international institutions – like the World Bank – which have a global mission and message, to fully participate in the rapidly expanding realm of on-line audio. But in doing so, the podcasts must be inventive, well produced and most importantly – a good listen.
Communications in the digital age is composed of a seemingly endless range of easily accessible media products. Only by competing with the multitude of other on-line offerings on the quality of the audio rather than worthiness of the institution will it be possible to successfully describe what it is and why it matters.
In the case of the World Bank it is the distinctive experiences (and voices) of the staff that make it stand out – and through them it is possible to more fully tell its story.
In that vein I urge you to listen to 'Bookmark', and consider how the people rather than the product can amplify what you do.
To hear the first episode: 'A Cheetah's Tale for Children – An Ecologist's Story from the Plains of Africa' go to: http://wrld.bg/aRcG303vFZg
You can also find further episodes on Twitter via the hashtag #Bookmarkpodcast
Richard Miron is a Senior Communications Officer for The Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative, and formerly worked for a number of years as a reporter for the BBC.
May 23, 2016 May 24, 2016 / richardmiron13	/ Leave a comment
Malcom Winfell was an everyday hero. The 44 year old father of two was a guy who tried to do the right thing in the wrong place and ended up paying for his actions with his life.
Two weeks ago during lunchtime in the parking lot of a shopping mall in Bethesda, Maryland, he and a friend ran to help a woman who'd been shot in an apparent car-jacking. Winfell ended up getting shot himself and dying.
A short time after, a 65 year old woman who was sitting in her car in a nearby supermarket was attacked and killed by the same gunman. He had also murdered his ex-wife outside a high school the previous day.
I was reminded of Malcom Winfell's death yesterday while running, as I glimpsed the makeshift memorial of flowers and stuffed toys, which marks the spot where he was gunned down. It's about a thirty minute slow jog from there to my home.
These kind of violent incidents are a part of daily life in the US, and their frequency has an anesthetizing effect. Maybe Malcom Winfell's death would have passed me by without notice, had it not brushed close to my little corner of the world.
After the gunman had shot Malcom Winfell and was en-route to his next killing, the schools in the vicinity – including the one my daughters attend – imposed a 'shelter in place' order. That meant the building was locked down with no comings or goings, until the all clear had been given.
Apart from relief when the incident had passed, I felt – and continue to feel- angry that such a thing could happen. I was infuriated and that my children along with others were forced to shelter because of the madness that allows anyone to get guns with as much ease as library books. This reality means that my daughters have to undergo routine drills which include hiding in closets or getting under their desks and remaining silent, in case of a rampaging armed lunatic.
For me the ultimate culprits of this situation in which thousands die and millions live in fear are the gun lobby, and the spineless politicians in Washington who do its bidding.
I find myself comparing the situation in the US, with Israel where we used to live, and which also has an over-abundance of weapons along with a heightened awareness of security. At the school my daughters attended, there were also security drills, which included them heading down to an underground concrete shelter when an alarm sounded.
This was in case of missile attack from Gaza, Lebanon or further afield. As a parent it was a terrible scenario to contemplate. The first time my wife saw my elder daughter – then aged 3 – wandering hand in hand with her classmates into the shelter, she was reduced to anxious tears.
But I rationalized this reality, and the presence of guns, seeing it as based upon the intractable conflict between Israel and its neighbors.
By contrast, in the US the security situation exists because of the domestic gun industry's appetite for profit and its selective interpretation of a line from the Constitution. I know of many, many people here who vehemently oppose the proliferation of weapons but who have become fatalistic and impotent in the face of the National Rifle's Association's bullying power.
The gun lobby is cynical in exploiting and fueling people's anxieties about safety. Every time there is yet another massacre of innocents even more weapons are sold. To the lobbyists even more deadly weapons are the answer the scourge of killings wrought by those same guns. Some are now calling for armed guards at all schools, and for teachers to be able to have weapons.
There is a madness to this which I can't understand and to which too many in the US remain oblivious. People here are no more intrinsically homicidal than others elsewhere. Yet, thanks to the ready availability of guns, the USA has the highest murder rate in the advanced industrialized world.
Last year, I got into a discussion with a gun owner in Vermont, who insisted that such figures were lies, and those who were dying were mostly criminals. For this man, keeping his armory of weapons was a right to be defended at the barrel of a gun.
I grew up in a country – the UK – where most policemen are unarmed, and almost every gun death induces a newspaper headline. That should be the norm everywhere, not a situation in which guns are sanctified.
I understand that weapons occupy a particular place in American society and culture. But that must not mean gun violence becomes a normal part of everyday life.
I can only hope that greater sanity and sense come to bear on this issue to stem the seemingly endless bloodshed.
Tragically, I doubt that will happen any time soon – if ever, but if it does, it will have come far too late for hundreds of thousands of people – including the family of Malcom Winffel.
A fund has been set up to pay for Malcom Winffel's funeral expenses and to contribute towards his children's education. For further details go to: https://www.gofundme.com/23bm3zff
February 9, 2016 February 9, 2016 / richardmiron13	/ 1 Comment
What could be better for a politics nerd than spending a few days in the cold and snow of New Hampshire following wannabe Presidents of the United States?
That is how I passed the last few days in the run up to the Democratic and Republican Party primaries which are taking place tomorrow.
There's a saying that while, 'the people of Iowa pick corn, the people of New Hampshire pick presidents'. For a small state (45th out of 50 in the US) it has a big role to play in influencing which candidate will represent their party in the electoral contest for the White House.
New Hampshire holds the first primary vote (as opposed to caucus, which takes place in Iowa a week earlier) – and as such is known as a major testing ground for the candidates.
It is therefore a great place to view American politics up close. All the candidates – Democrat and Republican – rush around the state pressing the flesh, kissing babies and trying desperately to ooze empathy and understanding in a monumental effort to impress upon locals that they are the best man or woman for the job.
In my forty eight hours in New Hampshire I got the full immersive experience seeing three Republican candidates (John Kasich, Ted Cruz and Chris Christie) at small town hall meetings, and also attending a major Democratic gathering which hosted speeches by both Hilary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.
At this time, New Hampshire is crammed – seemingly at every corner – with campaign posters, activists, journalists, and political obsessives like myself who have come to witness the action.
For me, the experience was telling in what it said about both about American democracy , American society, and the candidates themselves.
In no particular order these are my observations:
A carnival of American democracy.
Those aspiring for the office of leader of the most powerful nation on earth have to face the voters in small and intimate settings and make their case to be the candidate. I saw John Kasich – Governor of Ohio in a draughty barn take questions for almost an hour on issues ranging from funding for schools, to internet access in rural areas, as well as American involvement in Syria. People had turned up (no invitations necessary) despite the falling snow from throughout New Hampshire as well as neighbouring states, to ask their questions and get a measure of the candidate. This speaks to a facet of American society that is sometimes missed from overseas. America is a society founded on what was in the 18th century the revolutionary idea that leaders are there to serve the people, not the other way around. This streak of accountability still runs deep, and the primaries are a powerful demonstration that this mindset is alive and well. It is uplifting to see this democratic spirit in meeting rooms and community centers of 21st century small town New Hampshire, and is a testament to one of the great strengths of the USA.
The meekness of the media
That spirit of holding potential leaders accountable may be observed by ordinary people but it does not seem to extend to the media. Despite the wall to wall attention on TV, there was an almost deferential regard for the candidates. Watching Jake Tapper – one of CNN's main heavyweight hosts – interviewing Donald Trump was akin to witnessing someone being beaten with a feather. Tapper asked Trump gently about a statement he'd made calling for a return to waterboarding and methods 'a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding' for suspected Islamist militants – despite such actions being war crimes under US law. The mogul responded with a potted answer about changing the law once he was President, while confirming that he was 'fine' with 'beyond waterboarding'. That answer seemingly satisfied Tapper who then moved to more urgent matters such as the mathematics of the forthcoming electoral battle in New Hampshire. There was no follow up, rather Trump was allowed to run rhetorically riot unchallenged. Tapper's flaccid interviewing is par for the course with the mainstream cable and network news outlets. They seem more concerned with losing access to the 'stars' like Trump than the pursuit of journalistic inquiry (as happened to Fox after Megan Kelly had the temerity to question Trump's offensive comments about women).
The Republican divide – between right and hard right
The USA is deeply split not only between left and right, but also within those respective camps, reflecting a deep sense that something has gone wrong with the political system and the society it is meant to serve. On the Republican side, there is a battle between the hard right insurgents and those of the more moderate 'establishment'. I attended a rally for Ted Cruz – the banner holder for the evangelical and 'tea party' wings of the party. In the packed gym of an elementary school, he spent just as much time railing against the Republican establishment as he did against President Obama. The mood of the audience was angry, booing mentions of Washington DC and calling for Democratic Party opponents to be, 'put in jail'. There was a sense from these people – overwhelmingly white, less well-off and from outside the main cities – that the America they knew had been taken from them by sell-out politicians from the left and right, and that they had to fight (electorally) to get it back.
The Democrats – a battle between the head and the heart
That sense of disillusionment is also alive among Democrats, although not as deeply or angrily felt among Republicans. At a major Democratic Party event held in the city of Manchester, Hillary and Bernie Sander's supporters sat on opposite sides of an indoor stadium chanting and waving banners for their respective champions. Sander's followers – overwhelmingly youthful – spoke of him in breathless terms normally reserved by teenagers boy bands. For them Bernie was the real deal, who spoke in simple, uncompromising terms about what was needed to make the country right in the face of growing economic inequality, foreign adventurism and more. No matter that he's unelectable as President, for them, he is authentic particularly in comparison to Hilary. When asked what they would do if she became candidate , a group of college students said they would probably choose not to vote. There is no doubt that seeing Hilary in action is also to witness her vulnerability. Her speech hit all the right buttons, but even its apparent passion seem manufactured and market tested. With her experience, polish and power she should have swatted Bernie to one side by now, but instead she is in the trenches of a hard fought political battle – and this is even before she has to face the real opposition of the Republican candidate for President.
The only sure thing is uncertainty
There is a sense in talking to people who have witnessed many Presidential contests that this one is somewhat different. There is a real battle underway about the future of the country – not just about policy but also about its very essence. Moving between Republican and Democratic supporters is to enter different cultural universes, where attitudes – on homosexuality, guns, religion and a host of other issues – sit in direct opposition to each other. Political commentators have been predicating the fall of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders since they first appeared as candidates – and yet these two opposites continue to flourish. The opinion polls which once could be depended upon to provide some guide to what will happen have been confounded by the unpredictability of the voters.
Witnessing the fight for New Hampshire primary is an education in the both the positives and negatives of American electoral contests. It is also an eye-opener on the raw divisions in American society. And while every election is important, this one is highly significant given the uncertainty about the state of the country and where it is heading. So in anticipation of the vote tomorrow and of the others to come, I am fastening my seat belt for the rough and eventful ride in the coming year
Fool's gold or a golden age? These are the two divergent views on podcasts that are being voiced as on-line audio garners more and more attention.
As explained in a previous blog I sit firmly with the 'golden age' viewpoint. Podcasts represent the greatest opportunity for accessible high quality audio since BBC Radio began broadcasting from a makeshift studio in central London ninety five years ago.
That may be a slight exaggeration, but the development of smartphones, growing access to the internet, and the innovations of digital recording technology are unleashing a new bonanza of audio production.
But firstly to address the detractors. Jessi Hempel from Wired sees the podcast phenomenon as overblown with an uncertain future. 'Like those blogs of yesteryear,' she writes, 'the promise feels huge. But as that brief era also taught us, the golden age doesn't last.'
She cites an estimate of 180,000 active podcasts, suggesting that many of them are like the prospectors of the Wild West who ended up with handfuls of gravel as opposed to the riches of their dreams. She also contends that most people still haven't figured out 'how to listen to them yet', and that podcasts are hard to share given the lack of user-friendly platforms that would make on-line audio simple to produce and be heard. As a result Hempel says, 'only 17% (my italics) of Americans have ever listened to a podcast'.
Only 17%! That amounts to 55 million people – a figure that would make most radio executives weep with joy. In addition that number which dates from last year is an increase of 16 million or 5% from 2014 – a rate of growth that is the stuff of fantasy for those same executives.
This phenomenal expansion is being driven by a combination of new technology and innovative content.
Podcasts cater to a wide variety of listeners' interests as well as allowing access cut to the convenience of the consumer. Content can be disseminated in whole programs or alternatively smaller bite size segments (The Moth). They can be heard in weekly episodes or binged upon marathon sessions (Serial).
Digital technology also means that there is a far more 'democratic' environment for program makers to produce and broadcast their wares. Where once studios, a radio frequency and sound technicians were required, now there is only need for a computer, an internet connection and a basic understanding of user-friendly software.
New technology also means that listeners need only a mobile phone or computer to hear the podcasts.
And where America is currently leading in popularizing on-line audio the rest of the world is likely to follow. According to recent research global access to smartphone technology is exploding with 7.1 billion in 2014, compared to approximately 7.5 billion a year later. Most of those new phones are being taken up by people in the developing world with the greatest growth in the Asia/Pacific Region and Africa.
All of this goes to highlight the vast untapped riches of podcasts, not only in the US and other developed countries but around the world.
Savvy investors, broadcasters and media networks are waking up to the possibilities – commercial and otherwise – of this new audio landscape.
Just this week The Economist reported that 'an industry to support podcasting is developing'. It cited a number of examples of new media companies devoted to hosting and monetizing on-line audio.
But the podcasting 'industry' is in its infant stages and as such it is destined for big shake-ups. Writing in Nieman Lab two months ago, Joshua Benton laid out his assessment for the future of this newly popular medium which he summed up as, 'exciting, evolving, and trouble for incumbents'.
Benton foresees many of the current podcasts falling by the wayside leaving a more modest number of polished productions, along with a few commercial 'platforms' upon which the audio can be made and uploaded.
Amid all the uncertainty of this nascent medium, one of the few certainties seems to be that as it develops, many podcasts that exist today will face into obscurity.
Those quality podcasts that remain and stand out, then have a chance of hitting the rich seam of large audiences. They will also create usher a new era of inventiveness and creativity for audio. That will prove equally true of commercial and public service productions for listeners from Los Angeles to Lagos.
So for any doubters – the gold age is for real and there are riches to be won for those pioneers who venture into this new and exciting territory.
October 22, 2015 / richardmiron13	/ 2 Comments
Over a decade after my mother's death I consider the lingering effects of the illness that plagued her life
My Mum's handbag normally contained a few perennial items: balloons, sunglasses and wine gums (candies). She kept the balloons to give out to her grandchildren, great-nephews and nieces along with other kids she encountered; the sunglasses were an accessory she never did without even in the depths of winter, and the wine gums were the occasional treat she allowed herself.
Mum was idiosyncratic, and vaguely eccentric. She possessed the cut glass accent of an English Duchess – the result of childhood elocution lessons, and favoured long flowing skirts (particularly in summer) accompanied with beaded necklaces and glittering rings.
She died at the age of 62, fourteen years after my father who she always adored. The memories of her from childhood and adulthood are crystal clear, and yet at the same time they are clouded. They are blurred by the illness that she suffered for most of her life, and which also cast a long shadow over all our family.
In 1977 Mum was hurt in a house fire, which inflicted serious burns on her body and also wounded her deep within. In the wake of the accident she developed depression and then manic depression – latterly renamed bipolar disorder.
My childhood was punctuated by her periods of dark depression when she would retreat into her bedroom, emerging only occasionally as a teary-eyed and wisp-like presence. By contrast during her manic times, she was a tornado of activity, mowing the lawn at dawn, cleaning the house from top to bottom, and speaking at lightning speed as her mouth attempted to keep pace with her overactive mind.
For my Dad, my brother, sister and myself, it was generally disorientating, sometimes frightening and occasionally funny – such as the manic phase when she went on a shopping spree for Edwardian carriage clocks, which we then had to return to local antique shops.
My Mum's illness was also our family secret. We didn't discuss it outside the house, lending it the air of something dark and shameful.
There came a time when my Mum began to talk about it, and we took our cue from her. But mental illness is hard to discuss not only because it is painful and a social stigma persists, but also because it is so hard to explain. For those who have not experienced it at first hand, it is impossible to convey how confusing it is, not just for the sufferer but also for those caught in the immediate vicinity. The boundaries of normality become twisted and distorted, in behavior, routine and family dynamics.
For me, it was like an incendiary device going off in the heart of our family. My mother bore the brunt of the blast from her illness, but its effects spread like a destructive shock wave through us all. Family life was always held hostage by the whims of the disease. One day for no apparent reason she could be transformed from a happy smiling and dependable parent, into a mass of anxiety, fatigue and tears needing gentle care.
From my long years of observation I can only liken mental illness to cancer of the soul. That mutant force fought a relentless battle with my Mum for her essence and character. She battled the illness, trying not to let it win, and dictate how she should act, and who she would be. There were times of peace when it was kept at bay thanks to a delicate balance of medications and good fortune. But there were other long periods when the illness overcame her, wreaking its chaos upon us all.
In recalling my Mum, almost eleven years to the day since her death, I find the memories of her illness intruding upon my thoughts about the person she was, and the times we had together. We argued and bickered as a mother and child do. But there were many good times, when I got to fully enjoy her lively and loving presence.
I remember wandering through Regents Park, with her and my then girlfriend – now wife – drinking tea and gossiping as she took photos of the musicians playing on the bandstand. I recall the gentle hugs she gave and her affectionate reprimand to me not to hug her back 'like a sack of potatoes', and I remember her inexhaustible energy for walking in all weather and all places including through central London and the Egyptian desert.
But the problem is that I have to fight hard to get to those good memories, navigating a path between the pain, confusion and fear that the disease brought. It was like an ingrained stain that spread beyond her and that is still very hard to remove.
Bi-polar was her nemesis – and ours – to the very end, over a decade ago. She became physically unwell with a difficult to diagnose condition. But she was also in the midst of a severe manic phase, when her mind moved seamlessly between real and imagined thoughts. The doctors missed what was there, and she died. Such tragic occurrences aren't uncommon in people with mental illnesses.
Today like every day I remember my Mum with love, but I also continue to hate her illness with a vengeance for what it robbed from her and our all family.
To know more and/or to donate go to:
Bipolar UK
The Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (USA)


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Sebastes joyneri is een straalvinnige vissensoort uit de familie van schorpioenvissen (Sebastidae). De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1878 door Günther.

Sebastidae

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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How to Get a Japan Visa as a Freelancer
I've been to Japan three times and I have only been given Single-Entry Visas until last week when I reapplied for another visa that they have finally given me a Multiple-Entry Visa.
Seda Hotel Now Open in Central Bloc, Cebu
Cebu, being the perfect gateway to most of the major tourist destinations all over the country, has remained on top of the most visited places in the Philippines. For the past months, Cebu has developed so much in terms of infrastructure and tourism. Different establishments started to rise at the heart of the Queen City…
Cebu's Diving Heaven, Sumilon Island
Named as the diving heaven by locals, Sumilon Island is a tiny but rich island located at the southeastern tip of the Municipality of Oslob in the province of Cebu. This 24-hectare luxuriant island could be your next Philippine destination to explore!
PAL Launches New Routes for 2020
It has been PAL's goal as the country's flag carrier to continuously bring the Heart of the Filipino to all areas of the globe.
Four Ways to Visit Korea Visa-Free
K-Pop and K-Drama fans, heaven heard your prayers. Dreams do come true!
DIY Day Trip to Ayutthaya Thailand
And I thought I was templed out.
Our last stop for our Indochina trip was the second capital of the Kingdom of Siam after Sukhothai, Ayutthaya.
A Non-Backpackers Guide to Indochina
10 Days, 3 Countries, 3 Plane Rides, 30 Hours Land Travel – What an experience!
Indochina Food Run
Who travels for food? I do. My friends and I take food seriously, we don't just dine for the 'gram. We don't even care if we have to line up for an hour or two, or if we have to eat beside a canal, or even if there's a language barrier. We find ways! As…
DIY Day Trip to Mũi Né, Vietnam
That was a total of 10 hour land travel. Phew! Was it worth it?
New & Fast Way to Explore Mt. Fuji
Japan launched the Fuji Excursion Train which connects Mt. Fuji area directly to Shinjuku Station.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport Welcomes Air Busan's Cebu-Incheon Service
GMR MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), in partnership with the airport authority, Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA), is proud to announce and welcome the inaugural flight of Air Busan from Incheon International Airport on November 13, 2019. The flight arrived at 03:10 p.m. with a total of 194 passengers. The aircraft was hailed with…
KFC Tokyo Japan All-You-Can-Eat
For many years, Kentucky Fried Chicken or KFC has rolled out seasonal all-you-can-eat fried chicken options at select restaurants in Japan. But its menu items have been limited to fried chicken and only for a limited time. Every time I travel, I always try to dine at fast-food restaurants because food menus differ from one…

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Whatever your goal, Chichester College can help you to achieve it. Our vision is to change lives through learning and, with more than 1000 apprentices training with us, that's just what we're doing.
Our apprentices work with some of West Sussex and Hampshire's top employers. We offer apprenticeships in a wide range of industries, from accounting to mechanical engineering, childcare to town planning – there is something for everyone. Our apprenticeships can help you build a broad range of skills that employers want and will help you progress in your chosen career.
From the moment you get in touch, we provide support and advice every step of the way. Our team of advisors will help you to decide which apprenticeship is right for you, and introduce you to current and upcoming apprenticeship vacancies, so that you can take the next step in your career.
Chichester College was the number one training provider in Sussex in 2014/15 for overall apprenticeship achievement rates (according to the national achievement rates table published in May 2016) and we are one of only a few colleges in the country to have been rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.


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Jean Dubuffet on show Venice until October 20, 2019. A review by Sophie Webel e Frédéric Jaeger
Lara Ferrara, Italia Magazine, July 2, 2019
ean Dubuffet, known for his "art brut" and his simple, primitive style, his images seem almost encrusted on the canvas, his unique trait has made him famous all over the world. In fact, the surface of his canvas is often made up of materials such as tar, gravel, slag, ash and sand bonded with paint and glue.
Fascinated by the art of children and madmen, the artist creates the term "raw art" (art brut) which brings back to painting all the violent energy of that world.
Many of Dubuffet's works are assemblages, the result of the combination of found objects and other elements creating an integrated three-dimensional result, as for the door with the weed (1957, Guggenheim Museum, New York), a work that is mainly composed of fragments of paintings, grass and stones.
The artist returns today to the protagonist with a considerable review, curated by Sophie Webel and Frédéric Jaeger, which intends to pay homage and remember the importance of two famous exhibitions which, precisely in the lagoon city, have marked the artist's path: exhibitions at Palazzo Grassi in 1964 and at the French pavilion of the Biennale in 1984, important stages chosen by Dubuffet himself to exclusively present his most recent works of the time. The exhibition is housed in the history-rich halls of the noble floor of Palazzo Franchetti, a prestigious fifteenth-century building directly overlooking the Grand Canal and is organized by the company that manages the exhibition venue, ACP, with the precious collaboration of the Dubuffet Foundation. The catalog is published by Five Continents Editions.
The exhibition at Palazzo Franchetti presents the three most important cycles of Dubuffet's work: from the series Célébration du sol ( The Celebration of the Sun), in which the artist deepens his research on the infinite effects of matter in the 1950s and to which the Matériologies and Texturologies belong, to the cycle L'Hourloupe ( The foul language), the real "core" of Dubuffet's research, as Daniel Abadie writes, "which directs the previous and following side", developed between 1962 and 1974 and presented for the first time in the exhibition at Palazzo Grassi in 1964 The twenty or so works selected for this section reveal how the normal perception of the world is challenged by the visual stimuli of the sinuous graphics of this series, continually transforming itself into the viewer's gaze. It is a crowded art, full of suggestions, almost noisy, as the very term of "Hourloupe" (from the French entourlouper, swindler) indicates, creator of an alternative universe capable of penetrating reality itself. Interesting sculptures also belong to this cycle, such as the monumental work located in the garden of the Palace, directly overlooking the Grand Canal and therefore great visibility, a few steps from the Accademia Bridge. The eighties conclude the journey with the Mires series, well represented in the exhibition by about fifteen paintings which, with vibrant colors and fluid brushstrokes, make the physical limits of the picture yield. These are the works chosen by Dubuffet to officially represent his country at the 1984 Venice Biennale. To complete and enrich the exhibition, a studied selection of drawings, gouaches and documents bearing witness to the exhibitions of 1964 and 1984 is proposed, accompanied by photographs, letters and articles that do not neglect the artist's musical experiments. In the same period he devoted himself to sculpture, but in an unusual way. In fact, he prefers to use ordinary materials such as simple paper and light polystyrene, which he models very quickly and then easily passes from one job to another, such as sketches on paper. His latest work, in fact, is made up of large polyester paintings and resin sculptures.


After purchasing Deep Playa, the first project Patrick and I completed was to tear out all the old vinyl foam that lined the entire hull of the boat. After this was complete we prepped the hull and, in some areas, we painted and installed insulation to cover interior spaces and inside cabinetry. This makes a really big difference in the comfort level on the boat especially when sleeping near the hull!
I was able to find a local hardwood specialty shop that was able to cut the ash according to my specifications. After receiving the battens I had our buddy, Jim Harris of Classic Wooden Boats, put a ¼ round edge on the battens and had him sand them down. Jim has all the high-end tools and know-how to finish them off beautifully. If you would like to complete the project without outside help, then please feel free to read through Jerry's detailed instructions for recommended procedures.
I then laid out 20-30 battens at a time to sand and varnish the battens in our workshop. I first sanded them all down using 100 grit sandpaper, both sides and worked my way up to 120, 150 and finished them off with 220 grit. I then vacuumed and wiped them down with a tacky cloth and mineral spirits to remove any debris.
I decided to use a polyurethane varnish with a Satin finish which leaves a nice sheen but not a shiny finish. I applied three coats and sanded lightly with 220 grit sandpaper between coats on both sides of the battens.
Again, Jerry was obviously much more skilled then I and completed this step on his own. I decided to cut the firring strips into small pieces so they fit snug to the hull. I then thickened up some epoxy and placed the strips on the hull ensuring that they are perpendicular to the berth. I then held them in place with tons of blue painter's tape. I ensured the strips were straight so that the screw heads lined up after installing the battens. After the epoxy dried I went back and wet down every inch of them with epoxy to ensure that any moisture accumulation behind the battens would not penetrate the Fir strips. To ensure the screw heads lined up straight I took a carpenters' square and drew a straight line down the middle of each firring strip. This acted as a guide for placing the screws into the battens.
I cut the battens to fit starting at the top of the berth underneath the cabinetry and making our way down. I had a foam brush soaked in some varnish to apply to the unvarnished ends of the newly cut battens. Ash wood tends to blacken with age so I dabbed each end and each screw hole with varnish in hopes of preventing this from occurring. I then predrilled the holes through the battens and countersunk the holes. We chose #4 ¾" stainless steel flat head screws. Patrick and I created an assembly line to make the process faster. We would dry fit the batten against the hull. I would drill the holes ensuring that they lined up with the ones above it, then using another drill with a countersink bit, he would countersink the holes I just completed. After this is complete we held up the batten and screwed it into place.
After we completed the process I had to retrofit the old teak trim pieces we removed. I had refinished the varnish on each piece to make it really shine! It took quite a bit of modification to make the varnish trim that surrounds the scupper hose in the aft berth. Since we were pulling everything apart, we decided remove the old hose and replace it with a new one. The new one was less flexible so it stuck out slightly further then the old one.
I repeated this same process in the cubby holes (what we refer to as the "Library") in the salon.
I bought way too much Ash wood for the job. I didn't take into consideration that Jerry's original project used 1 ½" battens and I decided to go with 2". So I recommend doing a final measurement on your own to ensure you don't purchase too much wood.


The photo banks for the 2010 Red Bull Illume Image Quest are now open. 4,337 photographers registered for this year's event, hailing from every lifestyle, walk of life and far-reaching corner of the Earth. With opening the Image Quest to the public and geo-tagging all the shots, both the people and the entrants can now fully size-up the competition, including where and what's going down, all over the world. Judging is overseen by a wide collection of some of the most famous and respected photo professionals in all of action sports, with captions and credits remaining anonymous to ensure a neutral process. Here's a selection of just a few of the many finalists; for more, check it at www.redbullillume.com.


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Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts presents Step Afrika!
August 26, 2017 at 3pm to April 28, 2018 at 10pm – Kumble Theater at LIU Brooklyn	Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts presents Step Afrika! Saturday, April 28, 2018 at 3pm & 8pm Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College concludes its 2017-18 Season at th… Organized by Emily | Type: dance, performance
The Theater at the 14th Street Y Announces 2017-2018 Season
August 28, 2017 at 7pm to May 31, 2018 at 7pm – 14th Street Y	The Theater at the 14th Street Y Announces 2017-2018 Season NEW YORK - The Theater at the 14th Street Y continues to honor the edgy, diverse, and rich history of innovative culture making in the Eas… Organized by Emily | Type: theater, performing, arts
Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts 2017-18 Season at the Kumble Theater at LIU
October 21, 2017 at 8pm to April 28, 2018 at 8pm – Kumble Theater at LIU Brooklyn	Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts announces seven performance at the Kumble Theater at LIU Brooklyn for the 2017-18 season Featuring jazz performances by the Tierney Sutton Band, Kenny Barron,… Organized by Emily | Type: performing, arts
Works & Process, the Performing-Arts Series at the Guggenheim, Announces Spring 2018 Season
January 8, 2018 at 7:30pm to July 29, 2018 at 7:30pm – The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Peter B Lewis Theater	Works & Process, the Performing-Arts Series at the Guggenheim, Announces Spring 2018 Season Highlights: - Commissions by Ryan McNamara, Jodi Melnick, and Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung - Music o… Organized by Emily | Type: theatre, dance, music, museums
THE PERFORMANCE JAM Workshop in Contact Improvisation & Performance Research by SCOTT WELLS
February 2, 2018 at 4pm to April 2, 2018 at 6pm – Tanzfabrik Berlin	THE PERFORMANCE JAM Workshop in Contact Improvisation & Performance Research by SCOTT WELLS February 26-28, 2016 Tanzfabrik Berlin COST: Early bird 150€, thereafter 170€ REGISTRATION: For regis… Organized by contact-improvisation.net | Type: workshop


There is more going on with autumn leaves besides the color changes of yellow, orange, and red - fungus. September is when fungal spotting has reached its peak, causing many of your favorite plants to defoliate or go dormant early.
See, in spring, fungal spores are everywhere, dancing and flying around, looking for an unsuspecting host to land on. This is why it's so important to prune your trees late in the season or when they are dormant. Fresh cuts on a tree are like blabbing the password to a private party and the fungi can easily enter and start trashing the place. This year, I've noticed that fungal issues are particularly bad. A cool, wet, prolonged spring, followed by a mild, humid summer is the perfect invitation for fungi.
Common fungal victims are crabapple trees, which are prone to apple scab. Some of the most susceptible varieties are the ones with bright magenta flowers in spring, like Profusion and Prairifire. They put on a gorgeous display of blooms, leaf out nicely with purplish-green leaves, then by mid-August, the leaves start to yellow and drop, until they are nearly bare when September rolls around. Then the cycle repeats itself next year. Generally, white-flowering crabapples like Firebird Crabapple and Adirondak, tend to have more resistance (though not always- fruitless Spring Snow is one of the worst options). If you want something a little showier, Royal Raindrops is a superior alternative with purple leaves and magenta flowers.
Rust is another fungus to watch out for, which can affect anything in the Malus genus as well as Hawthorns (Crataegus). See picture below, left side. Trees first show the effects of rust with yellow spots on the leaves in spring. As the disease matures, the spots turn orange and create visible elongated lesions on the leaves, fruit, and stems. Cedar apple-rust is actually a very interesting disease. It needs a date at the party, Red Cedar (Juniperus virgiana or J. scopulorum), to complete the life cycle. You will notice chocolate-colored "galls" that sit dormant on the evergreen host until conditions are just right in spring. Then the galls burst with what looks like fingers of orange Jell-O (actually called telial horns) which propel billions of fungal spores into the air, looking for a tree to infect. By September, you will have lost most of the leaves and, if you were trying to grow edible apples, your crop will most likely be deformed. I always suggest staying away from native juniper trees if you want to grow apples, crabapples, or hawthorns without doing fungicide applications. We say trees, because the shrub forms don't harbor the disease - Juniperus communis and J. horizontalis are ok. Or you can plant Asian Juniper species, Juniperus chinensis, which don't have the same co-dependent, dysfunctional relationship with those ornamental trees.
Perennials and shrubs aren't immune to fungal problems either. Leaves of Goldsturm Rudbeckia and Red Twig Dogwoods can end up mostly black with spots by the end of summer. Tall Garden Phlox and Ninebarks will often be covered with powdery mildew (especially if they are not in a full sun location). See picture above, right side. By the time you notice the black spots or the leaves covered in white, you can't get rid of the disease, but spraying fungicides can keep it from getting worse. As with any fungal problem, spring prevention works best. If spring is a wild party, then fungicides are the bouncer that keeps the party crasher, "Fun Gus" (who isn't such a "fun guy" , Ha Ha) from getting in the door. If you don't pay attention, fungi will take over and give your plants a wicked hangover in the fall.


ARCE is a membership organization, composed of both individual and institutional members. By their annual dues and contributions to ARCE, member institutions provide major support for the Center's operations and its programs in Egypt and the United States. ARCE, through its Cairo and U.S. offices, provides support for the work that its member institutions, and individuals affiliated with these institutions, undertake in Egypt.


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New York, NY - The company behind the first offshore wind farm in North America won approval Wednesday from New York state to build the country's biggest seaward turbines yet.
The Long Island Power Authority, a state-run utility company, gave Deepwater Wind the green light to begin construction on the South Fork Wind Farm, a 90-megawatt, 15-turbine development 30 miles southeast of Montauk.
The move comes as the nascent U.S.
offshore wind industry finally begins to gain steam. In November, Deepwater Wind completed construction on the Block Island Wind Farm, the five-turbine, 30-megawatt project that became the country's first commercial wind farm located in the water. Last month, Statoil, Norway's state-owned oil and gas giant, won a $42.5 million bid to lease 79,350 acres of federal waters located 14 miles off Long Island's southwest coast. It's unclear how many turbines would go up, but the company plans to build a wind farm producing at least 600 megawatts.
Winds off the coast of the U.S. are so reliably strong, turbines built offshore could generate 4,223 gigawatts of power ― four times the amount of electricity that's currently produced from all sources in the country, according to a 2012 study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Yet, even as the offshore wind industry boomed in Europe, tapping that resource has proved difficult. Wind turbines remain expensive. Electricity produced mostly by natural gas and coal continues to be cheap, relative to prices in other countries. Developers must navigate a Byzantine web of state and federal regulations before gaining approval to build turbines offshore.
Despite his pledge to eliminate up to 75 percent of federal regulations, newly sworn-in President Donald Trump could complicate things for the industry. He filled his Cabinet with climate science deniers and fossil fuel executives explicitly bent on boosting the oil, gas and coal sectors by slashing environmental rules that favor zero-emissions energy sources. He has a history of battling the wind industry, describing land-based turbines as a death trap for eagles and restarting a yearslong feud over an offshore project underway that obstructs the view at his golf course in Scotland.
Under Cuomo's plan for New York to get half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, offshore wind provides 2,400 megawatts ― enough to power 1.25 million homes, according to state estimates.
"It's massive, how much energy is out there," Catherine Bowes, senior manager for climate and energy at the National Wildlife Federation, told The Huffington Post on Wednesday. She added that her nonprofit planned to work with Deepwater Wind to ensure that migrating whales, fish and other sea creatures would not be hurt by the construction of the windmills. "It is a game-changing scale of the amount of clean energy out there right where we need it, right along the big coastal zone from Boston down to Washington, D.C.," she said.


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CNN's Ben Wedeman is reporting from eastern Libya, part of which no longer appeared to be in Moammar Gadhafi's control.
In eastern Libya, citizens buoyant and cautious as they await Gadhafi's move
Editor's note: CNN's Ben Wedeman reports from eastern Libya after crossing into that country from Egypt. He is the first Western television correspondent to enter and report from Libya during the current crisis.
"Your passports please," said the young man in civilian clothing toting an AK-47 at the Libyan border.
"For what?" responded our driver, Saleh, a burly, bearded man who had picked us up just moments before. "There is no government. What is the point?" He pulled away with a dismissive laugh.
On the Libyan side, there were no officials, no passport control, no customs.
I've seen this before. In Afghanistan after the route of the Taliban, in Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein. Government authority suddenly evaporates. It's exhilarating on one level; its whiff of chaos disconcerting on another.
The scene on the Libyan side of the border was jarring. Men - and teenage boys - with clubs, pistols and machine guns were trying to establish a modicum of order.
Hundreds of Egyptian workers were trying to get out, their meager possessions - bags, blankets, odds and ends - piled high on top of minibuses.
Egyptian border officials told us that 15,000 people had crossed from Libya on Monday alone.
"Welcome to free Libya," said one of the armed young men now controlling the border.
"Free Libya" was surprisingly normal, once we got out of the border area. We stopped for petrol - there were no lines - and saw some stores were open. The electricity was working. The cell phone system is still functioning, though you can't call abroad. The internet, however, has been down for days.
On the other hand, we did see regular groups of more armed young men in civilian clothing, stopping cars, checking IDs, asking questions. All were surprised, but happy, to see the first television news crew to cross into Libya since the uprising began February 15.
They were polite, if a tad giddy. Having thrown off the yoke of Moammar Gadhafi's 42-year rule (longer than most Libyans have been alive), it's understandable.
As we made our way westward from the border, driver Saleh gave me a running commentary on all the sins of the Gadhafi family and its cronies:
"You see all the potholes in this lousy road? This should be a four-lane highway. Gadhafi spent hardly a dinar on this part of the country."
"You see that rest house? Gadhafi's son built it, and overcharged the government."
"You see that house? It was stolen from its owner and given to one of Gadhafi's sons."
"You see those flashes? That's an ammunition dump an army officer loyal to Gadhafi set on fire before fleeing to Tripoli."
Saleh was also full of useful advice, I think.
"If you get stopped by forces loyal to Gadhafi, tell them you're a German doctor. Don't say you're a journalist. And say your colleagues are doctors, too."
When we finally reached our destination - which I can't disclose - we drove up to a nondescript villa and were greeted by a dozen men who could barely contain their excitement.
After endless handshakes, embraces and greetings, a man in his 50s wearing a dark overcoat and red sweater pushed through the crowd.
"You must show the world what has happened here. We will show you everything, everything!" I'll call him Ahmed, and he described himself as one of the leaders of "the resistance." He had studied briefly in the United States, but his academic career was cut short when he was imprisoned for three years for leading student protests against Gadhafi in the 1970s.
He accompanied us to our accommodations, asking us about American football, baseball, the American university where he studied. I was able to get a few questions in sideways. He told me the army in the east had joined the
anti-Gadhafi movement, that there were still pro-Gadhafi elements operating in the east (and therefore we needed to be very careful).
He and many others in eastern Libya are well aware their struggle against Gadhafi's regime is going to be tough, and bloodier still. They may be buoyed by their success so far, but they're under no illusion that Gadhafi isn't willing to use everything in his arsenal - aircraft, mercenaries, whatever it takes - to stay in power.
At the border, a man asked me, "Did you see he used helicopters and war planes against protesters in Tripoli today? This is genocide."
Post by: CNN's Ben Wedeman
Filed under: Libya
I am a Libyan student at the US. I am living the worst days in my life ever, nowadays. I am too scared of losing my family in this massacre and worries are killing me about my country. On top of that we- The Libyan students here- do not know if our scholarship and allowance will still be given to us or not. We receive warnings from the embassy to either demonstrate in the favor of Gaddafi or else. Why is it the case with us- Libyan people- to live all our lives under oppression?We paid enough for the change. We lived 42 years of fear and humiliation and now we are losing hundreds of our people for the change which does not seem to be happening quickly. All we need from the world is a real stand with us to get back our freedom, respect, justice and dignity. Our main problem now is the headquarter ( alqiyada) that Gaddafi lives in now. It represents a central location to control all the finance, media, broadcasting, weapons and the attack. Gaddafi will resist there for a long time attacking his people , giving orders to the mercenary and his followers to kill Libyans in the streets, depriving the Libyans from food and money and chasing anyone raising a word against him.
It seems that these big countries and organizations can not be modest enough to feel those people who are not of benefit to them and who represent no threatening to Israel. Why care then?
February 24, 2011 at 5:48 am | Report abuse |
Ben, if you will be among the journalists visiting and investigating the facts in Tripoli on Friday, you need to know that Gaddafi is working hard now to hide all the evidences such as throwing the dead bodies in the sea, painting the walls. taking the wounded patients from the hospitals to their houses even those in the ICU, and threatening all the people from saying anything to you. Thus, you got to be creative- as usual- to find the truth. also, u need to remember that people in Tripoli are still under the captivity of the government, so those who u will ask should be scared and forced to hide the facts.
Jeff Morgan
Great reporting. I work at Cyrene and with Benghazi Univ.
One of only US NGOs in Libya. Try to visit Cyrene UNESCO
World Heritage site.
Be careful you are making history,
astwhya
WE SALUTE !! YOU JUST BECOME A PART OF MASTER PEACE ABOUT BLODY BALLET WITH DICTATORSHIP IN EYES OF CIVILIZED WORLD , BECARFUL SATY IN DOOR YOU ARE MAKING HISTORY FOR THE AMERICAN MEDIA i HOPE WILL NICK COME THREW FROM OTHER SIDE !!
HE IS TOUGH ON ENEMY OF HUMANITY
February 26, 2011 at 4:24 pm | Report abuse |
david bidlack
every news network is reporting on libya. their are lots of people who think our president is not doing enough to help. i am 60 years old and have seen marines blowen up in a bulding in the middle east , embassies blowen up , a person in a wheel chair pushed off a ship to drown, planes blowen out of the sky , trains blowen up in a station and two very big buildings taken down in new york city. can someone explain to me why i should care even a little bit that Muslim are killing Muslims any where in the middle east! we can't winn there because if we do nothing or something we will be blamed by muslims for anything thats wrong in the middle east! let them keep kiling each other until they stop themselves. than and only than they well come to grips that their future has always been in their hands to control not ours.
March 1, 2011 at 11:18 pm | Report abuse |
Terry C - NJ
Ghaddafi is dead.
And I agree with you, David. We need to get out of that region of the world and let those people solve their own problems. We have done nothing to stabilize that region. We have only made matters worse.
October 20, 2011 at 3:23 pm | Report abuse |


Announcing the First eBird October Big Day!
Join the fun during the first October Big Day on October 6, our chance to set a benchmark for the future through eBird. You don't need to be a bird expert or participate all day long; even 30 minutes in your backyard counts. The October Big Day runs from midnight to midnight in your local time zone, and you can report birds from anywhere in the world on eBird, a worldwide bird checklist program used by hundreds of thousands of birders. On May 5, during the Global Big Day, more than 28,000 people ventured outside in 170 countries, finding 6,899 species, two-thirds of all the world's bird species in one day, a new world record for birding!
Why October 6? Because the northern reaches of the world are in the midst of fall migration, and spring is rejuvenating the Southern Hemisphere. No matter where you are, we're confident you can find some great birds and share them with the world on eBird. Let's see what we can find together on the first October Big Day!
Every year for the last four years the Global Big Day has set new heights for a single day of birding. This impressive international birding collaboration has been so great we want to have another worldwide eBird Big Day – in October. No matter where you are, we're confident you can find some great birds on October 6th. Let's see what we can find together on the first October Big Day!
Can we record 5,000 species from 125 countries for the inaugural event? No matter how you celebrate birding on October 6, have fun, enjoy the birds you find, and share your sightings on eBird, because in our world, every bird counts!


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Scenes from the Set of HSPVA's Upcoming Downtown Campus, Now In Progress
by Christine Gerbode
Featured Posts, New Construction, Redevelopment
The first act of construction of the new downtown facilities for the High School for Performing and Visual Arts featured an extended solo by a lone excavator supported by a small cluster of white vehicles, per photos of the site released yesterday. Work on the former parking lot bounded by Austin, Capitol, Caroline, and Rusk streets got the go-ahead in late February now that some budget issues are settled, according to HISD.
Here's a ground-level shot that introduces a few more characters to the production — in this scene, the Excavator meets with the Man in Yellow, as a Blue Semi observes in stony silence:
Behind them, the Great Southwest Building at 1314 Texas Ave. contemplates its Petroleum Building past and possible residential future. The 1927 building was developed by J. S. Cullinan of the Texas Company (which became Texaco in 1959) to house a variety of oil companies' operations; plans from Dallas-based Todd Interests are currently in the works to preserve the skyscraper's Mesoamerican-themed Art Deco exterior and redevelop the interior as apartments.
And here's another rendering of what the space will look like by opening night, if the $80-million project wraps up in late 2018 as expected:
HSPVA gets go-ahead to proceed on new building [HISD News]
Previously on Swamplot: Inside the Stacked Theaters and Studios of the New HSPVA, About To Go Up Downtown
Images: H.S.P.V.A. Friends (photos); Gensler (rendering)
Encore on Austin St.
77002, Adaptive Reuse, Apartments, Downtown, HISD, Historic Buildings, New Construction, Proposed Developments, Schools
Brand New Vintage Blue Tile Street Sign Now in Place on Upper Kirby Curb
The 'Weakening' Houston Apartment Market; Inside the Texas Medical Center's New Biotech Lab
Superdave March 2, 2016 at 1:06 pm
That school needs a better name. HSPVA sounds like a collection of venereal diseases.
detroux March 2, 2016 at 1:45 pm
@Superdave …and STEM sounds like an infection. As to the site, I'm really pleased work has resumed after a worrisome delay.
Native Houstonian March 2, 2016 at 2:13 pm
Honestly, I can't believe that HISD spent the money for this expensive real estate for HSPVA. This school could have been built in another central location, for a fraction of the land cost, and probably would have saved on construction costs as well, if land would have been purchased for parking rather than pay for an underground garage. Our ever increasing tax dollars at work.
Cody March 2, 2016 at 4:20 pm
Native: Not that I disagree, but why would construction be more expensive? I get the land argument…
Major Market March 2, 2016 at 5:49 pm
I've lived in this town long enough to know that HISD will most likely squander the construction money raised through the bond issue. Then, they will probably come back to voters for another bond issue saying we need the new money to supplement the wasted original money.
As for the $80 million price tag for this building: I'll bet it comes in closer to $100 million when it is all said and done since there isn't much accountability. Why does a school need to cost $80 million?
GL March 2, 2016 at 8:19 pm
Hasn't HISD owned this land for decades? They didn't purchase new land to build this.
Dana-X March 2, 2016 at 9:06 pm
Both of the new secondary high schools are along Metrorail lines, the other being the criminal justice school over by Scott and Leeland on the East End along the Purple Line. Guess they're trying to give the kids that "urban" experience.
Jim March 3, 2016 at 8:13 am
There was a school on this site from the late 1850s, and it was a public school from the 1870s. HISD has had the block for a long time. Makes sense to put it to good use.
Colleen March 3, 2016 at 4:46 pm
My son is a graduate of HSPVA. His reaction to seeing the photo of the proposed school: "Windows?!"
tony March 4, 2016 at 6:41 pm
This noble endeavor by HSPVA ensures that young, creative people help magnify the vibrant mix downtown.
J March 10, 2016 at 6:25 pm
Proposed 2016-2017 HISD budget cuts almost 10% of HSPVA's funding due to reallocation of funds away from GT (gifted and talented) programs. All HSPVA students are considered GT. If this budget passes, the school will be on the receiving end of the largest percentage cut in the district. The next largest cut, going to Bellaire HS, is roughly 4%.
Great building, hopefully they'll be able to afford teachers…
New Overflow Pools Coming To Clear Out Trees, Anthills from the South Side of Buffalo Bayou
Nabbing an Empty Parking Spot Across the Street from the Oaks on Caroline Condos
by Dan Singer


These 8 friends, moms, dad and all decided to meet up at a park before the big shindig (let's just go ahead and really age myself here) to get photos done.
They looked gorgeous, had a great, safe time and loved the camera as much as the camera loved them.
Enjoy these times kids – they really are the best years of your lives!


Destined Enterprises is the social enterprise arm of Destined, a learning disability support charity operating in the North West. The organisation operates a taxi business through which they provide disabled friendly transport for those living within the Derry area.
The service is seen as a vital support to people with disabilities enabling them to take part in normal activities within the community.
A loan facility from the Building Better Futures Fund will enable the organisation to further develop this valuable service through the purchase of additional vehicles, modernised meters and new billing equipment.
Destined Manager, Dermot O'Hara said: "We have put a lot of energy and resources into giving our members the skills and confidence to go about their everyday business such as going shopping, meeting friends, going for a cup of tea or coffee or going to see a film in the cinema.
''We have found in the past that they have encountered difficulties accessing transport especially at night and that at times their disability leads to misunderstandings with drivers.
''All our taxi drivers are now undertaking disability training to support not just the destined members but all people with disabilities including those with physical and sensory. Drivers are also offered specialised training in areas such sign language and physical access.
''The loan from the Building Better Futures Fund will enable us to develop the service further''.
Community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises are being encouraged to access the loans available through the Building Better Futures scheme which has been created and funded through a partnership between three leading local charities - Building Change Trust, Belfast Charitable Society and Ulster Community Investment Trust (UCIT).


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Awards & Nominations, It's Complicated
Streep scoops IFTA award
In the first announcement from The Irish Film and Television Awards, Meryl Streep has won this year's Pantene Best International Actress Award for her performance in the romantic comedy 'It's Complicated'. Streep, who won the same award last year for her role in 'Mamma Mia!', faced competition from fellow nominees Penelope Cruz ('Broken Embraces'), Marion Cotillard ('Nine') and Anna Kendrick ('Up in the Air'). The award is the only People's Choice category at the IFTAs, and the Irish public voted in their thousands for Streep. The awards ceremony will be held at The Burlington Hotel, Dublin on Saturday, February 20th and will be broadcast live on RTE One that evening.
Read posts from the archive:
"Mary Poppins Returns" London premiere pictures
"Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again" starts promotion with Cher featurette
"Big Little Lies" episode 2.04 screencaptures – She Knows
Writer-director Greta Gerwig has crafted a Little Women that draws on both the classic novel and the writings of Louisa May Alcott, and unfolds as the author's alter ego, Jo March, reflects back and forth on her fictional life.
Latest Featured Updates
Posted on January 13th, 2020
"Little Women" receives 6 Oscar nominations, including Best Picture!
"Little Women" opens strong at the box office, receives ensemble cast nominations
Oscars, Politics, #Metoo: Simply Streep's A Decade in Review
The cast of "Big Little Lies" receives Screen Actors Guild Award nomination
Meryl Streep receives Golden Globe nomination for "Big Little Lies"
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SimplyStreep.com celebrates 20 years online this June. Thanks to all visitors and my contributors for your support.
Simply Streep - The Meryl Streep Archives is a non-profit fansite and is not affiliated with Ms. Streep herself or her management in any way. The cause of this website is to represent the work of Meryl Streep in an accurate and up-to-date version for fans all over the world. I do not claim ownership for any information or material published on this website. If any copyright holder wishes to have specific content removed, please drop me a line. I hope you enjoy your stay and check back soon!


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Faculty & Guests
Johnny Temple
Guest Speaker/Lecturer
Editor (Akashic Books)
Johnny Temple is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Akashic Books, an award-winning Brooklyn-based independent company dedicated to publishing urban literary fiction and political nonfiction. He won the 2013 Ellery Queen Award and is the editor of the anthology USA Noir, which was selected as a New York Times Editors' Choice and includes stories from Dennis Lehane, Jonathan Safran Foer, Joyce Carol Oates, and others. Temple has taught courses on the publishing business at Wilkes University, Wesleyan University, and Pratt Institute; and is the Chair of the Brooklyn Book Festival Literary Council, which organizes the annual Brooklyn Book Festival. He also plays bass guitar in the bands Girls Against Boys, Soulside, and Fake Names, which have toured extensively across the globe and released numerous albums on independent and major record companies. He has contributed articles and political essays to various publications, including The Nation, Publishers Weekly, AlterNet, Poets & Writers, andBookForum.
Writers in Paradise
at Eckerd College
The Eckerd College Writers' Conference: Writers in Paradise is organized by Marina Pruna, conference coordinator, and by Les Standiford, conference co-director.
wip@eckerd.edu
© Copyright Eckerd College All Rights Reserved.


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Jean-François de Bourgoing, baró de Bourgoing (Nevers, 20 de novembre de 1748 - Carlsbad, 20 de juliol de 1811) va ser un diplomàtic i escriptor francès, ambaixador de França a Espanya.

Havent conclòs els seus estudis primaris en el col·legi militar de París, va ser enviat pel govern a Estrasburg, on va estudiar el dret públic, sent deixeble del cèlebre doctor Kucler. Després va emprendre la carrera militar, va ser nomenat secretari d'ambaixada a l'edat de 20 anys i a poc temps encarregat dels negocis de França prop de la dieta de Ratisbona. Va estar després agregat a l'ambaixada d'Espanya i va esdevenir ambaixador quan Mr. de Montmorin va ser cridat a París en 1777. En 1787 i 1791 fou enviat per la cort de França a Hamburg en qualitat de ministre plenipotenciari i després va ser a exercir les mateixes funcions a Madrid. Va poder salvar-se de les proscripcions de la revolució francesa. Quan Bonaparte va ser nomenat primer cònsol, fou enviat a Estocolm en qualitat de ministre plenipotenciari i en 1808 fou escollit per anar a Dresden a tractar dels interessos del govern imperial. S'havia afeblit la seva salut i en 1811 va anar a prendre les aigües a Karlovy Vary on va morir en 20 de juliol d'edat de 62 anys.

Obra
Va publicar diverses obres, entre les quals destaquen:
 Nuevo viaje a España o Bosquejo del estado actual de la monarquía, 1789, cinco tom. en 8 con un atlas titulado: Cuadro de la España moderna.
 Memorias históricas y filosóficas sobre Pío VI y su pontificado hasta su retirada a Toscana, 1798, dos tomos en 8
 Historia de los Flibustieres, Archenholtz, París, 1804, en 8
 Historia de Carlomagno, profesor Hegewisch, 1805 en 8

Referències
Diccionario histórico o Biografía universal compendiada, 1831

Diplomàtics francesos
Escriptors francesos del segle XVIII
Ambaixadors de França a Espanya
Alumnes de la Universitat d'Estrasburg
Persones de Nevers
Comandants de la Legió d'Honor
Morts a la República Txeca


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El municipio de Ryder (en inglés: Ryder Township) es un municipio ubicado en el condado de Ward en el estado estadounidense de Dakota del Norte. En el año 2010 tenía una población de 36 habitantes y una densidad poblacional de 0,39 personas por km².

Geografía
El municipio de Ryder se encuentra ubicado en las coordenadas . Según la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos, el municipio tiene una superficie total de 91.97 km², de la cual 90,28 km² corresponden a tierra firme y (1,83 %) 1,69 km² es agua.

Demografía
Según el censo de 2010, había 36 personas residiendo en el municipio de Ryder. La densidad de población era de 0,39 hab./km². De los 36 habitantes, el municipio de Ryder estaba compuesto por el 97,22 % blancos y el 2,78 % eran de una mezcla de razas. Del total de la población el 0 % eran hispanos o latinos de cualquier raza.

Referencias

Enlaces externos

Municipios de Dakota del Norte
Localidades del condado de Ward (Dakota del Norte)


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From Our Contributors
The Future of Religious Minorities in the Middle East
Syria, the "Arab Spring," and the Future of Christians and other Religious Minorities
Habib Malik
Zurich, June 12, 2012
Habib Malik Calls on Obama to Protect Endangered Minorities in Syria and throughout Middle East
Lebanese Professor Speaks at Christian Solidarity International (CSI) Event on the Future of Religious Minorities in the Middle East
Professor Habib Malik of the Lebanese American University has called on the United States and its European allies to "draw a thick red line" around religious liberty as it responds to the ongoing violence in Syria and the Middle East, and to provide "active protection" for minority rights in the region.
Dr. Malik issued this call this week at CSI's 2012 conference series on The Future of Religious Minorities in the Middle East. (See www.formime.ch for a video of Malik's lecture.) Malik is a professor of history and the author of Islamism and the Future of Christians in the Middle East.
In Syria, Malik warned that the "first wave" of opposition leaders has been replaced by a "militant Islamist grouping" that engages in kidnappings and beheadings, including attacks on religious pilgrims. Given these attacks, Malik said it is impossible to "take seriously" the opposition Syrian National Council's assurances to Syrian religious minorities, given on June 10, that they will be protected after the regime falls.
Malik faulted Western powers for promoting their "democracy" agenda with the help of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, whom Malik termed "fanatic states" and "arch-repressors" that are "financing and supporting a militant Sunni Salafi Wahabi replacement in Syria and indeed anywhere else in the region they can manage it."
Malik said that "if present trends continue," the "better-funded and better-organized" Islamist parties are likely to rise to power in most of the Middle Eastern countries undergoing political change, with adverse consequences for Christians and other non-Muslim communities.
"Without these Christian communities," he said, "pluralism is all but dead in the Middle East, and along with it, any real chances for genuine freedoms and democracy."
To avoid these outcomes, Malik recommended that President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton try to reach a "comprehensive deal" with Russia to put an end to the Syrian conflict and the standoff over Iran's nuclear program, pressure Saudi Arabia and Qatar to "stop fanning the flames of Sunni fanaticism," and defend religious pluralism as an "absolutely integral component" of democratization in the Middle East.
Dr. John Eibner, the CEO of CSI-USA, said that Prof. Malik's analysis "reinforced the urgent necessity for Christians and others of good will throughout the the world to press their governments to defend the Middle East's religious minorities."
CSI has issued a Genocide Warning for endangered religious minorities in the Islamic Middle East, and has called on President Barack Obama to make their survival a priority as the United States responds to the Middle East's ongoing political turmoil.
Malik Tages-Anzeiger 15 June 2012: "Das salafistische Fieber ist die grösste Gefahr"
Malik Tribune de Genève 14 June 2012: "La Suisse peut aider à la négociation"
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