text:
Scientology library: "Edward "Eddie" Walters"
auditing • bill prescott • blackmail • charles lecher • city of clearwater 1982 hearings • confidential preclear (pc) folder • cost • edward "eddie" walters • fair game • fort harrison hotel (also, flag land base) @ 210 south fort harrison avenue clearwater fl united states • fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • hugh wilhere • infiltration • internal revenue service (irs) • lavenda van schaick • lawsuit • medical claims • michael j. flynn • office of special affairs (osa) (formerly, guardian's office) • paul b. johnson • paulette cooper • people's temple • ronald "nibs" edward dewolf (l. ron hubbard, jr.) • slave labor • suppressive person (sp)
Reference materials Edward "Eddie" Walters
23 matching items found.
Scientology on trial — Willamette Week
Author(s): Bill Driver
Source: Willamette Week
Why a Portland jury awarded $39 million in damages against one of the world's most profitable cults. ONE SUNNY AFTERNOON last week, an elderly man, who looked as though he had probably spent the past few nights sleeping under the stars, stood in the southeast corner of Lownsdale Square in downtown Portland gazing in bewilderment at the scene before him. Several hundred people, many wearing T-shirts proclaiming something about a crusade for religious freedom, gathered around a large stage in the ...
Tag(s): Apollo (formerly, "Royal Scot Man"; often misspelled "Royal Scotman", "Royal Scotsman") • Assets • Bill Driver • Blackmail • Church of Scientology Mission of Davis • Church of Scientology of California (CSC) • Communications Course • Confidential preclear (PC) folder • Delphi Schools, Inc. • Disconnection • E-Meter • Earle C. Cooley • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fair game • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Garry P. McMurry • Gerald "Gerry" Armstrong • Heber C. Jentzsch • Howard "Homer" D. Schomer • Income • Inurement • Judge Donald H. Londer • Judge Robert P. Jones • Julie Christofferson Titchbourne • L. Ron Hubbard's credentials • Laurel J. Sullivan (née Watson) • Lawsuit • Margaret Thaler Singer • Mark Segal • Martin L. Samuels • Medical claims • Mission Corporate Category Sort out (MCCS) • Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) • Pat Flanagan • Perjury • Protest, picket • Refunds • Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF) • Religious Research Foundation (RRF) • Ronald L. Wade • Royalties, license, trademark, management fees • Salary • Sea Organization (Sea Org, SO) • Security check ("sec check") • Sequoia University of California • SOR Services (UK) • Statistics (Stats) • Suppressive person (SP) • Timothy Bowles • Training Routines (TRs) • Willamette Week • William W. "Bill" Franks
Jury told of Scientology 'attack' policy — The Oregonian (Portland)
Author(s): Fred Leeson
Source: The Oregonian (Portland)
Tag(s): Confidential preclear (PC) folder • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Fred Leeson • Julie Christofferson Titchbourne • Lawsuit • The Oregonian (Portland)
Covert action claim made in testimony — The Oregonian (Portland)
Tag(s): Better Business Bureau (BBB) • Confidential preclear (PC) folder • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Fred Leeson • Julie Christofferson Titchbourne • Lawsuit • Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) • The Oregonian (Portland)
Sinking the Master Mariner — The Sunday Times (UK)
More: link, reprint in The Weekend Australian
Author(s): John Barnes
Source: The Sunday Times (UK)
"Corrupt, sinister and dangerous" were the words used to describe the Church of Scientology in a judgment given by Mr Justice Latey this summer. He also referred to it as "immoral and socially obnoxious". But who controls the Church now? A major Sunday Times Magazine investigation into the activities of the cult in America and Britain has uncovered a disturbing and extraordinary story — the takeover of the organisation by a small band of youthful fanatics following the disappearance of the ...
Tag(s): Advanced Ability Center • Alan Walters • Annie M. Tidman (aka Annie Broeker aka Annie Logan aka Lisa Mitchell) • Apollo (formerly, "Royal Scot Man"; often misspelled "Royal Scotman", "Royal Scotsman") • Assets • Auditing • Author Services, Inc. (ASI) (dba, Galaxy Press) (subsidiary of Church of Spiritual Technology) • Battlefield Earth • Bent Corydon • Blackmail • Bridge Publications, Inc. (BPI) • California • Cause Resurgence Rundown aka "Running Program" • Church of Spiritual Technology (CST) (dba, L. Ron Hubbard Library) • Commodore's Messenger Organization (CMO) • Confidential preclear (PC) folder • Cost • David Mayo • David Miscavige • Diane Voegeding • Edward "Eddie" Walters • False imprisonment • Florida • Fort Harrison Hotel (also, Flag Land Base) @ 210 South Fort Harrison Avenue Clearwater FL United States • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Gerald "Gerry" Armstrong • Gold Base (also, "INT Base") @ Gilman Hot Springs • Golden Era Productions • Hard sell • Heber C. Jentzsch • Howard "Homer" D. Schomer • Income • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) • Inurement • Jay Hurwitz • John Barnes • Judge Ben Krentzman • Judge Paul G. Breckenridge Jr. • Justice Latey, Sir John • Kathleen "Kathy" Gorgon • Kenneth McFarlane • Laurel J. Sullivan (née Watson) • Lawsuit • Lee Lawrence • Lyman D. Spurlock • Marc Yager • Mary Sue (Whipp) Hubbard • Membership • Michael "Mike" Garside • Michael J. Flynn • Mission Holders Conference • New Era Publications International, ApS (NEPI) • Operating Thetan (OT) • Patrick D. "Pat" Broeker (aka Mike Mitchell) • Registrar (also, to "reg") • Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF) • Religious Research Foundation (RRF) • Religious Technology Center (RTC) • Richard N. Aznaran • Ron's Journal 38 • Ronald "Nibs" Edward DeWolf (L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) • Saint Hill Manor @ East Grinstead (UK) • Sea Organization (Sea Org, SO) • Security check ("sec check") • Slave labor • Southern Land Development and Leasing Corporation (SLDLC) • Stephen "Steve" Marlowe • Suppressive person (SP) • Tax matter • The Sunday Times (UK) • The Weekend Australian • Tonja C. Burden • Vicki J. (McRae) Aznaran • Warren L. McShane • Wendell Reynolds • William W. "Bill" Franks
Scientology chief got millions, ex-aides say — New York Times
More: link, nytimes.com
Author(s): Robert Lindsey
Former officials of the Church of Scientology say they helped L. Ron Hubbard, the reclusive founder of the cult-like organization, to secretly divert more than $100 million from the church into foreign bank accounts he controlled. The organization, long a subject of investigations in this country, Britain, France, Australia, South Africa, Spain and elsewhere, has maintained that Mr. Hubbard cut his ties to it in the mid-1970's, that he has received only a token consulting fee of $35,000 annually since then ...
Tag(s): Annie M. Tidman (aka Annie Broeker aka Annie Logan aka Lisa Mitchell) • Auditing • Author Services, Inc. (ASI) (dba, Galaxy Press) (subsidiary of Church of Spiritual Technology) • Barrett S. "Barry" Litt • Blackmail • Canada • Church of Scientology of Toronto • Confidential preclear (PC) folder • Copyright, trademark, patent • Cost • David Miscavige • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fair game • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Gerald "Gerry" Armstrong • Germany • Howard "Homer" D. Schomer • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) • Inurement • Judge Paul G. Breckenridge Jr. • Kima Douglas • Laurel J. Sullivan (née Watson) • Lawsuit • Michael J. Flynn • New York Times • Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) • Operation Snow White • Patrick D. "Pat" Broeker (aka Mike Mitchell) • Religious Research Foundation (RRF) • Religious Technology Center (RTC) • Robert Lindsey • Salary • Tax matter • Toronto
Church of Scientology of California vs. Gerald Armstrong: Decision — Superior Court of the state of California
Type: Document
Source: Superior Court of the state of California
In this matter heretofore taken under submission, the Court announces its intended decision as follows: As to the tort causes of action, plaintiff, and plaintiff in intervention are to take nothing, and the defendant is entitled to Judgment and costs. As to the equitable actions, the court finds that neither plaintiff has clean hands, and that at least as of this time, are not entitled to the immediate return of any document or objects previously retained by the court clerk. All ...
Tag(s): Confidential preclear (PC) folder • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fair game • Gerald "Gerry" Armstrong • Howard "Homer" D. Schomer • Judge Paul G. Breckenridge Jr. • Kima Douglas • Laurel J. Sullivan (née Watson) • Mary Sue (Whipp) Hubbard • Michael J. Flynn • Nancy Dincalcis • Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) • Omar V. Garrison • Superior Court of the state of California
City, Scientologists fighting new battle in 7-year-old war / Scientologists cite changes; city officials skeptical — Miami Herald
Author(s): John-Thor Dahlburg
Source: Miami Herald
Tag(s): American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) • Charles LeCher • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Sun (Florida) • Death • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fort Harrison Hotel (also, Flag Land Base) @ 210 South Fort Harrison Avenue Clearwater FL United States • Gabriel "Gabe" Cazares • Hugh Wilhere • Infiltration • John-Thor Dahlburg • Judge B. J. Driver • Lawsuit • Membership • Miami Herald • Mike Hayes • Nazi labelling • Operation Snow White • Operation Speedy Gonzales • Paul Johnson • People's Temple • Protest, picket • Rita Garvey • Ronald "Nibs" Edward DeWolf (L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) • St. Petersburg Times (Florida) • Tax matter
16 witnesses unlock sect's closed society — Clearwater Sun (Florida)
Author(s): Bill Prescott
Source: Clearwater Sun (Florida)
The 16 witnesses who testified in Clearwater's public hearings on Church of Scientology activities provided the first-hand information city officials will use if they decide to design ordinances to regulate the sect. Boston attorney Michael Flynn, who gathered the witnesses, said he questioned them extensively about their Scientology experiences and people they knew in the sect. He confirmed that information through other witnesses and contacts inside the church, he said. If they had not been in the sect, Flynn said, "I'd ...
Tag(s): Adelle "Dell" Hartwell • Apollo (formerly, "Royal Scot Man"; often misspelled "Royal Scotman", "Royal Scotsman") • Apple Schools • Bill Prescott • Burglary • Casey Kelly • Children, youth • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Sun (Florida) • Confidential preclear (PC) folder • David Ray • Death • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Ernest "Ernie" Hartwell • F. Brown McKee • Fort Harrison Hotel (also, Flag Land Base) @ 210 South Fort Harrison Avenue Clearwater FL United States • George Meister • Gerus Society • Harassment • Infiltration • Jane Lee "Janie" Peterson • John Gordon Clark Jr. • LaVenda Van Schaick • Lawsuit • Lori Taverna • Medical claims • Michael J. Flynn • Narconon (aka Scientology drug rehab) • Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) • Paulette Cooper • Robert Dardano • Ronald "Nibs" Edward DeWolf (L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) • Rosie Pace • Scott Mayer • The Scandal of Scientology (book)
Sect lawyer calls hearings 'a Roman Circus,' walks out — Clearwater Sun (Florida)
Calling Clearwater's public hearings on the Church of Scientology a "Roman Circus," the sect's lawyer walked out on the proceedings Monday. "The Church of Scientology has been embarrassed and scandalized," said Tampa attorney Paul B. Johnson before leaving. In a brief presentation as Monday's session began, Johnson chastised city commissioners for what he said was their lack of objectivity. He also questioned the selection of Boston attorney Michael Flynn as the city's consultant and the credibility of "handpicked" witnesses Flynn provided. ...
Tag(s): Anthony Shoemaker • Bill Prescott • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Sun (Florida) • David Ray • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fair game • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) • LaVenda Van Schaick • Lawsuit • Michael J. Flynn • Paul B. Johnson • Release contract, form, waiver • Rita Garvey • Ronald "Nibs" Edward DeWolf (L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) • Suicide
Sect to counterattack, city told — Clearwater Sun (Florida)
Clearwater city commissioners received a warning and some advice Saturday as witnesses gave final testimony against the Church of Scientology during public hearings on the sect's activities. Scientologists' four-day time slot to present their side in the controversy begins Monday. Church spokesman Hugh Wilhere said Saturday night it has not been decided whether the sect will take advantage of its rebuttal time. The warning came near the end of the hearings as consultant Michael Flynn, the Boston attorney hired by the ...
Tag(s): Anthony Shoemaker • Bill Prescott • Charles LeCher • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Sun (Florida) • Commodore's Messenger Organization (CMO) • Edward "Eddie" Walters • False imprisonment • Fort Harrison Hotel (also, Flag Land Base) @ 210 South Fort Harrison Avenue Clearwater FL United States • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Harassment • Hugh Wilhere • Infiltration • Lawsuit • Michael J. Flynn • Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) • Paul B. Johnson • Rita Garvey • Scott Mayer
Witnesses tell of break-ins, conpiracy — Clearwater Sun (Florida)
Author(s): Steven Girardi
In a story of international intrigue, a former senior executive of the Church of Scientology testified Saturday about a worldwide sect network involving infiltrations, conspiracies and smuggling. Scott Mayer, 38, told Clearwater city commissioners "I have personal experiences of all of these," in the forth day of the city's Scientology hearings, where legal consultant Michael Flynn paraded seven of his most damaging witnesses. Commissioners heard also from a former Guardian Office worker who said she used the sect's "confessional files" during ...
Tag(s): Apollo (formerly, "Royal Scot Man"; often misspelled "Royal Scotman", "Royal Scotsman") • Apple Schools • Better Business Bureau (BBB) • Blackmail • Burglary • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Sun (Florida) • Confidential preclear (PC) folder • Dead agenting (Black PR, smear campaign) • Death • Destroying/hiding/falsifying evidences • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fair game • False imprisonment • Fort Harrison Hotel (also, Flag Land Base) @ 210 South Fort Harrison Avenue Clearwater FL United States • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Front groups • Gerus Society • Hugh Wilhere • Infiltration • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) • Jane Lee "Janie" Peterson • LaVenda Van Schaick • Massachusetts • Michael J. Flynn • Narconon (aka Scientology drug rehab) • Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) • Operation Freakout • Operation Shake and Bake • Paulette Cooper • Red box • Robert Dardano • Scott Mayer • Steven Girardi • Suicide • The Scandal of Scientology (book) • Threat
City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings - Church of Scientology: Janie Peterson
Type: Hearings
Tag(s): Alan Hubbard • Anthony Shoemaker • Anti-psychiatry • Apple Schools • Applied Scholastics • Auditing • Barry Clingler • Bette Orsini • Blackmail • Bruce Hamilton • Carol Garrity • Charles LeCher • Children, youth • Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Confidential preclear (PC) folder • Cost • Dan Zalens • Dead agenting (Black PR, smear campaign) • Destroying/hiding/falsifying evidences • Disconnection • Don Cooper • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Ernest "Ernie" Hartwell • Ethics (Scientology) • Extortion • Fair game • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) • Fort Harrison Hotel (also, Flag Land Base) @ 210 South Fort Harrison Avenue Clearwater FL United States • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Freeloader's debt • Front groups • Gerus Society • Harassment • Income • Infiltration • James "Jim" Calderbank • James Berfield • Jane Lee "Janie" Peterson • Julie Bergman • Las Vegas Review Journal • LaVenda Van Schaick • Lawsuit • Mary Sue (Whipp) Hubbard • Medical claims • Michael J. Flynn • Narconon (aka Scientology drug rehab) • Nevada • Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) • Operation Shake and Bake • Operation Snow White • Pam Bevin • Paul Hatchett • Paul Sheffield • Potential Trouble Source (PTS) • Project Oscar • Red box • Rita Garvey • Robert "Bob" Anderson • Russ Andrews • Safe Environment Fund • Salary • Schools • Security check ("sec check") • Slave labor • St. Petersburg Times (Florida) • Statistics (Stats) • Suicide • Suppressive person (SP) • Threat • Tonja C. Burden • TR-L (Training Routine Lie) • William "Bill" Broderick
Fort Harrison: 'horror house' — Clearwater Sun (Florida)
A 17-year veteran of the Church of Scientology told Clearwater city commissioners Thursday she lived through "horror" while staying at the former Fort Harrison Hotel three years ago. Lori Taverna, who said she broke with the sect two months ago, was asked by Mayor Charles LeCher to describe a "normal day" while she worked as a Scientology trainer. "Most of it was horror, so I don't know," said Mrs. Taverna, 39. But in about three hours of testimony during the second ...
Tag(s): All About Radiation (book) • Bill Prescott • Casey Kelly • Charles LeCher • Children, youth • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Sun (Florida) • David Ray • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fort Harrison Hotel (also, Flag Land Base) @ 210 South Fort Harrison Avenue Clearwater FL United States • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Hugh Wilhere • Income • Lori Taverna • Medical claims • Michael J. Flynn • New Era Dianetics for Operating Thetans (NOTs) • Operation Z • Paul B. Johnson • Paulette Cooper • Real estate • Ronald "Nibs" Edward DeWolf (L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) • Rosie Pace • Sea Organization (Sea Org, SO) • Slave labor
L. Ron Hubbard's son says his father 'destroys' foes [incomplete] — Clearwater Sun (Florida)
The son of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of scientology, testified Wednesday his father was obsessed with controlling people and "destroyed" those who opposed him and the church. "My father only knew how to do one thing; that was destroy them," said L. Ronald Hubbard Jr., who has changed his name to Ronald Edward DeWolf. DeWolf contended also the elder Hubbard, fabricated most of the personal qualifications and scientific expertise he claimed when forming the sect. "I can say ...
Tag(s): Bill Prescott • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Sun (Florida) • David Ray • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • L. Ron Hubbard's credentials • Lori Taverna • Michael J. Flynn • Paul B. Johnson • Ronald "Nibs" Edward DeWolf (L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) • Rosie Pace
Medium-sized crowd sees hearings opening — Clearwater Times (Florida)
More: news.google.com, news.google.com, link
Author(s): Laurie Hollman
Source: Clearwater Times (Florida)
[Picture / Caption: A crowd looks on as the Clearwater City Commission begins hearings on the Church of Scientology.] CLEARWATER — Pushing 80, Stewart Wilson is too old and too sick to do the raucous anti-Scientology crusading he once enjoyed. But he came to Clearwater City Hall Wednesday with the Holy Bible and an American flag almost as big as Richard Tenney, the ex-city commissioner who led many of the anti-Scientology rallies, to show his opposition to the Clearwater-based organization. Wilson ...
Tag(s): City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Times (Florida) • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Gabriel "Gabe" Cazares • Hugh Wilhere • Karleen De Blaker • Laurie Hollman • Michael J. Flynn • Paulette Cooper • Richard Tenney • Robert "Bob" Bickerstaff • Scientology Victims Defense Funds • Sidney R. "Sid" Klein • Sven Egil Omdal
Scientology founder's son: Father a liar — St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
Author(s): John Harwood
Source: St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
What they said: [Picture / Caption: Attorney Michael J. Flynn promised that Wednesday's testimony "is just laying the foundation" for revelations concerning Clearwater.] [Picture / Caption: "If Hubbard decides to leave this planet, he will take these people with him," said former Scientologist Edward Walters, drawing a comparison to the late Rev. Jim Jones.] [Picture / Caption: "My father only knew how to do one thing and that was to destroy people," said the former L. Ron Hubbard Jr., now known ...
Tag(s): Abortion • Charles LeCher • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Dead agenting (Black PR, smear campaign) • Dianetics • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • Internal Revenue Service (IRS) • James Berfield • John Harwood • Kidnapping • L. Ron Hubbard's credentials • Margaret Louise Grubb • Michael J. Flynn • Paul B. Johnson • People's Temple • Religious cloaking • Ronald "Nibs" Edward DeWolf (L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) • Sara Northrup • Sidney R. "Sid" Klein • Silencing criticism, censorship • St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
Sect hearings open calmly — Clearwater Sun (Florida)
Edward Walters was fidgety and nervous as he embarked on five hours of testimony Wednesday during the city of Clearwater's first day of public hearings into alleged criminal activities by the Church of Scientology. "Excuse my nervousness," began the 44-year-old former high-ranking Scientologist. "I've never been in public like this before." "We're all a little a tensed-up, I suppose," Mayor Charles LeCher replied. So began testimony in the much-awaited and much-publicized hearings that city officials said could result in two ordinances ...
Tag(s): Charles LeCher • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Sun (Florida) • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Lawsuit • Paulette Cooper • Ronald "Nibs" Edward DeWolf (L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) • Sidney R. "Sid" Klein • Steven Girardi • The Scandal of Scientology (book)
Walters: 'They'll take the Kool-Aid' — Clearwater Sun (Florida)
The Fort Harrison Hotel in downtown Clearwater could be the scene of another Jonestown-type mass suicide when Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard dies, a former high-ranking church official said Wednesday. Edward Walters, the first witness called during Clearwater's public hearings into Scientology practices, said under oath that many Scientologists are "addicted" to Hubbard the way members of the People's Temple were to their leader, the Rev. Jim Jones. "If Hubbard decides to leave this planet he'll take the others with him—they ...
Tag(s): Auditing • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Sun (Florida) • Confidential preclear (PC) folder • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) • Fort Harrison Hotel (also, Flag Land Base) @ 210 South Fort Harrison Avenue Clearwater FL United States • Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) • Paul B. Johnson • People's Temple • Steven Girardi
Witnesses are critical of church — Tampa Tribune (Florida)
Author(s): Tom Ward
Source: Tampa Tribune (Florida)
CLEARWATER — The Church of Scientology deceives, brainwashes and takes money from its followers, and its founder is a man who beat his wife and is preoccupied with sex, two witnesses told the City Commission Wednesday. The hearings are being held by the city to investigate church practices. One of those witnesses was the 47-year-old son of church founder L Ron Hubbard. Another witness was Ed Walters, a former high-ranking church official, who said followers are encouraged to donate all their ...
Tag(s): Abortion • Brainwashing • Burglary • Charles LeCher • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Fair game • Fraud, lie, deceit, misrepresentation • L. Ron Hubbard's credentials • Medical claims • Paul B. Johnson • Ronald "Nibs" Edward DeWolf (L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.) • Tampa Tribune (Florida) • Tom Ward
Hubbard's son will testify today — Clearwater Sun (Florida)
The son of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of the Church of Scientology, is scheduled to testify today in the opening round of public hearings on the sect, the city's hired consultant said Tuesday. Boston attorney Michael Flynn, who proposed the hearings this past fall, said Ron DeWolfe—once known as L. Ron Hubbard Jr.—will be the second witness to be heard in City Hall. Ed Walters, a former high-ranking church officer, will testify first, Flynn said. The planned eight days of hearings ...
Tag(s): A Look Into Scientology (book) • Anthony Shoemaker • Bill Prescott • City of Clearwater 1982 Hearings • Clearwater Sun (Florida) • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Michael J. Flynn • Ronald "Nibs" Edward DeWolf (L. Ron Hubbard, Jr.)
Scientology Church official quits — Las Vegas Review Journal
Source: Las Vegas Review Journal
The top spokesman for the Church of Scientology in Nevada, Arizona and Utah has defected from the church, causing considerable concern among Scientology officials. Church officials are warned about her knowledge of dubious church activities, which may arouse the interest of the FBI. Carol Garrity of Las Vegas has gone into seclusion and is shunning all direct contact with the church, a close friend of the former church official said. Garrity could not be reached for comment. Church officials have ...
Tag(s): Carol Garrity • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Las Vegas Review Journal • Michael J. Flynn • Robert Vaughn Young • Suppressive person (SP)
Top regional Scientology official quits church — Las Vegas Review Journal
Tag(s): Carol Garrity • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Las Vegas Review Journal • Lawsuit • Michael J. Flynn • Refunds • Sherman R. Frederick • Silencing criticism, censorship • Suppressive person (SP)
For some it was hard to forsake Scientology — St. Petersburg Times (Florida)
More: news.google.com, news.google.com, news.google.com
Author(s): Craig Roberton
On Dec. 13, former Scientologist LaVenda Van Schaick filed a $200-million class-action lawsuit against the Church of Scientology in Federal Court in Boston, contending that the church falsely promises to improve the lives of its members. Since then, 10 other ex-Scientologists have filed affidavits in support of the suit, giving a glimpse of life within Scientology. The church has filed a motion to dismiss that case. It also sued Mrs. Van Schaick and others, contending that she is "motivated by malice." ...
Tag(s): Anne Rosenblum • Auditing • Blackmail • Brainwashing • Confidential preclear (PC) folder • Cost • Craig Roberton • Edward "Eddie" Walters • Freeloader's debt • LaVenda Van Schaick • Lawsuit • Marjorie J. Hansen • Michael J. Flynn • Office of Special Affairs (OSA) (formerly, Guardian's Office) • People's Temple • Raymond Reynold • Rehabilitation Project Force (RPF) • Silvana Garritano • Slave labor • St. Petersburg Times (Florida) • Success stories ("wins") • Threat • Tonja C. Burden


Durable stainless steel construction with rolled edges for safe and easy handling. It starts brewing instantly and perks coffee at a rate of a cup a minute. Automatically swithces to a "keep warm" temperature. Has a stay cool handle and knob with a detachable cord.


I woke up in the middle of the night wondering if I had lost my mind. I have invited a desperate blog reader to come stay at my house for an indefinite period of time. I know what she carries with her and it's dangerous. I came online to see if there was anyone in my network who might be better qualified to take her, but there's a persistent Scripture ringing in my mind, "I was a stranger and you took Me in." Then I saw your post in my inbox and I clicked over here… and there is the same Scripture.
You are right, there is no better place to shine, even if it is dangerous, than the dark. Simple yet profound.
Against all logic and previous ministry training, I believe I am to take her in. Thank you for posting this today – it gives me so much more confidence.
Ah… Now the messy reality of real hurt and the hard work of true grace and painful redemption begins. So few are willing to step out of their comfort zones by embracing and bringing broken people into their own lives.
Sometimes it turns out well, and sometimes it doesn't. God doesn't promise one way or the other, because it always comes down to their choices. He just calls us to be there for them, in obedience to His actual prompting, as His salt and His light. But it is amazing how many lives Marianne and I have seen redeemed because we cared enough to obey by touching the brokenness of others.
Connecting with brokenness is never easy. But it has always ultimately transformed us for the better – even when it has been the most challenging.


The school has three buses. Many of the students travel by the school bus. The cost on running the school bus service is very high and is not covered by the subsidized fees collected from the students. Few students are unable to pay the school bus fees. Hence the school looks out for sponsors to support the travelling expenses.


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Home Tech Reaching the Nearest Star System with Stephen Hawkinsg's Breakthrough Starshot
It is indeed very hard to keep Stephen Hawking away from limelight. He, along with his esteemed colleagues has recently launched massive $100 million project in relation to exploration of space which he has named as Breakthrough Starshot having the objective of reaching the nearest system of star called Alpha Alpha Centauri which may take a span of 20 years.
Stephen Hawking along with Russian millionaire who is also a scientist and philanthropist, Yuri Milner disclosed what Breakthrough Starshot project is all about and what its major objectives are. Yuri Milner discussed that this project is all about exploring life in the universe, apart from the planet Earth. Its main objective is to discover places in the outer space that could support and benefit the human race.
Stephen Hawking believes that the divide between the nearest star system and the Earth can be transcended by the humans and that is what Breakthrough Starshot project is all about. According to him, the nearest system of star, Alpha Centauri could be reached by mankind with use of light beams and lightest and smallest spacecraft that is ever built like nanocraft which is called Starchip. Amazinly, the Starchip, which is even smaller than an iPhone could take 20 years to reach the nearest star system.
New York Times has revealed that the nearest star system Alpha Centauri is 4.37 light-years away from Earth. According to Milner, this spacecraft could take his entire life-time to be completely built, considering its lift off and return to the Earth. He further added that he will be content by just witnessing the lift of this spacecraft from the Earth. Both the scientists have estimated that in order to complete the project, it may take $5 to $10 billion.
Hawking ended up by adding that his team is committed to materialize the next great cosmos because being humans, our nature is to fly.
Stephen Hawking along with Russian millionaire
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Birmingham native and Hibbett Sports photographer discusses collaboration over competition, the importance of patience, and discovering your life's purpose.
Giani: Something that I've had to learn over the past three years or so, I've really dived deeply into being a creative and so one thing that I've always been a someone who asks questions. Sometimes I don't even think about the fact that the basis upon which I'm asking the question. One thing that really irks me in the creative world is that asking someone for information is like gold to that person or it's this prized possession. People aren't willing to give you advice and so you end up leaving feeling like you didn't really learn anything.
I understand what you mean. It's like a scarcity mindset.
Yes! And I cannot stand that because there is so much stuff that I wish people relayed to me a long time ago. Yes, I've learned things on my own but I feel like because people are so obscure with their information. I feel like we could be pushing each other forward and harder so much more if we all genuinely cared about seeing other moving forward. Many people don't want to see others getting ahead.
Do you have friends like that now? Ones that really support and push each other? I feel like that's kind of hard in this city.
I feel like naturally the people who weren't positively acting for the benefit of everybody has fallen off. Of course, people come in and out of our lives in this cycle, but I feel like now the people that are surrounding me are genuine from what I can tell. Everybody's doing their own thing and no one is stepping in anybody else's way. We're all at the point where we're busy and don't have time to be malicious.
That's one thing that I've been trying to do. Help people anyway that I can even if that means giving a contact. You never really know how you helping someone else can benefit you later on even if it's not an instant thing.
I just want to let you know that I am so proud of you. I love seeing people doing well especially when they're hungry for opportunity. It's one thing to be handed everything, but the gratification of really going for it feels so much better.
Especially being around here, no one is just handing out opportunities. There's not that many and then the ones that are, people aren't freely sharing it. To be around people who are accepting of the cards they were dealt, but also willing to figure out how to play them to win in the end is a really good feeling. It's refreshing to see people actually doing things, not just twiddling their thumbs, but trying to make something of themselves.
How would you describe yourself and how has that been described in your work?
Storytime. First of all, I am a Taurus, so we are very patient. One time, I was talking to my friend and had gathered all of my things and had a shoot for Hibbett. I felt like I had everything and was good to go. I was in 8:00 am work traffic, gritting my teeth all the way, and was getting on the freeway to go to Birmingham when I realized that I'd left my memory card. It must have fallen out of my pocket when I was reaching under my bed to grab my shoes. So that meant that I had to stop and drive all the way back home.
I try not to get too worked up over stuff especially when you think about something as minute as having to turn around to go get something that you need to do your job. So I'm talking to my friend and I told him the big thing that I try to push is that there are so many things that you could get worked up over, but small stuff is not one of those things. It's up to each person to determine what is small or big.
That's something that I show in my work. There are so many ideas that I have and even when there are circumstances that I'm not able to do right then and there. If there are materials that I need, I'm not stressed. I gather myself before going into a project and so I think that's something that shows in the things that I do. I feel like you can see that my work isn't rushed, but that it's a more drawn out production.
Would you attribute your patience only to being a Taurus or more so to your upbringing?
I look to my grandmother as being a big influence. She was never one of those people who would be worked up over stuff. Accidents would happen, things would come up, people would not show up, or whatever, but there were very few times when I would see her actually upset over something. So that really impacted me. Why do we get worked up over things? Why are we so impatient? Why are we so angsty all the time? Of course, there are some things that we can't help. I got anxious on my flight to California and was convinced that our plane was going to get hit by another one. There are some thoughts that you just have and you can't control, but I try to as much as I can.
-- if it's not physically manifested. So my mantra over the past year has been, "Everything is going to work out the way that it's supposed to." I know it sounds cliche, but honestly when has it not? I've talked to so many people about this and that is my argument. When has something ever not worked out? Not saying it from an objective standpoint, but who's to say that losing your job wasn't an opportunity to move from one place to another place? Who's to say that wasn't a setup for you to be free so that when this other thing comes up shortly - if you have the patience to wait for it - that you'll be prepared because you don't have anything else that's captivating your attention?
So I think that I've really been living and breathing off of that vibe. There have been several instances when things didn't go as I wanted or expected them to go, but some way the opportunity fell in my lap. So in moments where I wouldn't be booked with a thousand clients and was feeling like I had to be working all the time and booking all of the commercial gigs, that was supposed to be time preparing and resting. I was just so angsty about having 5 clients and wanting them TODAY. I had a number of people call me shortly after I was strong in that mindset. When I got out there to perform, I was so drained and not rested enough to do it. I realized that that time was supposed to be spent resting and I didn't even know it.
I feel like that was literally what my reading was about today. We're moving to Atlanta next month. I quit my job to freelance and I've been feeling so much anxiety lately. This reading was talking about having a vision or purpose. It was talking about how oftentimes God will give us a vision or purpose for our lives and THEN prepares us. So oftentimes we feel like, "Oh, I know what I'm meant to do so I must be ready," and we go ahead and do it without being prepared adequately.
Yes. Yes. And so the biggest thing that I can say to that is that eventually those layers will be peeled off so that you can cross that threshold and live in that space that you were once thinking about. You just have to keep living. We're not supposed to be searching for our "next level person". We develop into it by living life daily.
Oh, but that is SO HARD NOT TO DO!
I know! It's like Mario when you're looking for that next mushroom, but it's like no! You will get it eventually. You just have to keep going through the course.
So do you ever feel any kind of fear or anxiety with your work? There's the tension between waiting, preparing, living and then actually doing.
That's a really interesting question because from personal experience there are times when you feel like you're at the bottom. We don't really know where our position is, but we just feel like we're rock bottom. I feel like looking back, it's those moments when I am going through that God will turn a situation around just like that.
So yes, I feel like I live in that tension a little bit, but it's in those moments where I see blessing or opportunities. That tension lasts for a very brief moment and then something happens where your hope is revitalized. It's always been like that for me. I'm not carried in the valley too long. He always shows me that he has my back and that's just something that I've had to learn to be okay with. I try not to live in a negative thought for too long.
Any advice for someone who's starting college or close to graduation?
Really consider what it is that you feel is for you and not on a surface level. Really take yourself into consideration, what you're interested in, and the field that you want to go into. Look at what's necessary and what is not. I don't feel like college is really necessary for what I'm doing, but looking back I would've gone to an actual art school. That's not something that I considered starting college because I went into college as a pre-med major.
I went in for Neuroscience! Looking back, I was obviously living up to someone else's expectations.
Exactly! I did not weigh any other options. I was shadowing an anesthesiologist. I was in a rural minority health scholars camp by way of my mother. You have to be honest with yourself. Sometimes the stuff that I do is stressful, but I would not trade it for the world. It is so much fun. It goes back to that quote that says, "If you do something that you love. You'll never work a day in your life." I feel like I'm not "working". I enjoy the field and being creative and allowing my creativity to pad my bank account. I love it and it's a really great feeling.
I would tell any to just make your own footsteps and you'll be fine.
Listen to the full conversation on the Undiscovered Worth Podcast.


HAuNTcon kicks off the 2015 convention season with a bang! Sponsored by Gantom Lighting and Controls, HAuNTcon will be in Baton Rouge, Louisiana February 6-10th, 2015 at the Belle of Baton Rouge Hotel and Convention Center. Over 50 hours of education, haunted house tours including 13th Gate, which is known as one of the top haunted attractions in the country, trade show floor filled with exhibitors, networking, and much more all crammed into the annual conference!
Open to haunters of every level, HAuNTcon brings people who love Haunted Houses, Halloween, and scaring people, together for five fun-filled days and nights of Haunt Tours, Education, Tradeshow, and Networking. The convention is rounded out by a Haunted Garage Sale and the Annual HAuNTcon Costume Ball!
Moving to a new city every year allows HauNTcon to offer off season tours of area haunted houses for attendees. Haunt tours allow haunt owners, home haunters, haunt actors, and Halloween enthusiasts an off-season look at pro-haunts both in full operation and lights-on backstage.
HAuNTcon literally hits the road running on February 6th with the "Pre-show Inspiration Tour", a bus tour of Louisiana's best and most unusual haunts and attractions. While some attractions will be staffed with actors in full October mode for your "fright-tainment," attendees will also get a once in a lifetime opportunity for a behind-the-scenes look during backstage lights-on tours. Pre-show tour tickets include transportation, meals and tours of a many diverse offerings; from behind the scenes of the highly detailed Rise Haunted House (featured in the movie The Houses October Built) to the creepy St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. This year will also feature a walking tour along Bourbon Street and a backstage tour of Mardi Gras World where famous floats are made for not only Mardi Gras, but parades all over the world!
Without time to even catch a breath, the HAuNTcon schedule continues Friday night with the Kick-off Haunt Tour at 13th Gate and Necropolis 13. The Haunt Tours are rolling again on Saturday with tours of Rise Haunted House and Zombie Paintball. Monday night buses will take guests to The Mortuary Haunted House for a tour and the wrap party!
Haunter Education is a key component of HAuNTcon. Classes begin early Saturday morning running through-out Tuesday afternoon. Over 50 hours of Education offered during the convention is FREE WITH SHOW ADMISSION! Creative Sessions, Business Seminars, Hands-on Workshops, Make Up and Product Demonstrations are all designed to provide cutting edge information and tips and tricks to show attendees ways to do what they do better, faster, easier and cheaper.
Instructors include haunt industry notables such as Robert Kurtzman of Creature Corps, Ross Karpelman and Jay Gracianette of House of Shock, D'Ann Dagen of Hangman's Haunted House, Quan Gan of Gantom Lighting and Controls, Chris and Jeff Davis of Davis Graveyard and so many more! As if all these speakers were not enough, HAuNTcon offers a set of Advanced All-day Hands-on Workshops on Tuesday February 10th.
Coinciding with the Education, HAuNTcon offers a "Cash and Carry" Tradeshow Saturday and Sunday. Attendees can get a head start on purchasing and placing orders for the industries NEWEST haunting products and services. Since HAuNTcon is in February, many of the vendors will be releasing their 2015 product lines on the show floor! Quality Haunt Vendors like Gantom Lighting and Controls, Creature Corps, Froggys Fog, Store of Doom, AEO Studios, Inc. to name a few, will be selling the latest in animations, makeup and props; many at wholesale prices!
HAuNTcon's signature event is the annual Costume Ball. This upscale party on Sunday night gives people who are normally working in October a rare chance to get into costume and celebrate Halloween with friends and family. Haunt owners, actors, makeup artists, and Halloween fanatics from around the world will be in attendance for an evening of partying, networking, and ghoulish fun. Sponsored by Froggy's Fog, this year's spooktacular will ensure that frightfully decked-out guests celebrate the industry in style, with party favors, prom photos, a Cajun buffet, free beer and soft drinks. A DJ and a dance floor will keep the festivities rocking throughout the night, (costumes are suggested but not required).
Haunters eagerly anticipate HAuNTcon each year for it's Education, Haunt Tours, Networking and Show Floor. From its first year in 2004, HAuNTcon has listened to attendees and exhibitors, and made changes to tailor the conference to what the haunt industry needs. If you own, operate or work for a Halloween event or even just dream of having one someday; if you're a haunt actor, makeup artist, prop builder or just love Halloween, attending HAuNTcon is THE BEST investment you can make towards fulfilling your Haunting dreams.
See – 4 Haunt Tours featuring one of the top haunts in the country.
Join – like minded haunters at HAuNTcon 2015, Baton Rouge February 6-10.
For more information and to register, visit the official HAuNTcon website by clicking here!


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Saturday February 4 2017
Eibar bows for Zaza & Orellana?
By Livio Caferoglu
Simone Zaza and Fabian Orellana will reportedly make their home debuts for Valencia on Saturday against Eibar.
Zaza has played just 32 minutes since joining Valencia on January 15, whereas Orellana has only been at the club for a few days.
Nonetheless, AS reports the pair are set for their Mestalla bows this weekend, although only the former is expected to start.
"The coaching staff have made it clear what they're looking for," Coach Voro Gonzalez said at a Press conference.
"The transfer window has shut and now we have to focus on ourselves, the priority being [Saturday].
"It's non-negotiable, that's the way forward. We must work hard and not leave this path. Now we have a chance to win again at home.
"We must all ensure that Mestalla is a difficult venue for our opponents. Eibar work well as a team and it won't be easy.
"We're aware of it. They have a philosophy of playing and working, and it'll be difficult to hurt them.
"They know their strengths and exploit them to the fullest, so it'll be a tight match.
"They won't surprise us, they have 29 points and it's not by chance. Our objective is to play with intensity and know what we're doing.
"Zaza starting? He has improved a lot and is a player who kills himself in each training session.
"Physically he needs to be at 100 percent to give his all and he's very close to it.
"Enzo Perez? He won't be with us because he's not been able to recover in time.
"Still, we have players who are competing well and the most important thing is the group. For me, it's a guarantee. We'll compete well.
"Orellana? He's trained well. He comes from a spell of inactivity, but he'll be in the squad.
"We have several absences in attack and that's why we're counting on him."
Sergio Busquets: Barcelona can win everything in 2020
Lionel Messi secures La Liga winning debut for Quique Setien at Barcelona
Alaves' John Guidetti joins Bundesliga side Hannover on loan
Quique Setien: Winning is not enough at Barcelona


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Q: I have this error when i try to add a product in the cart : "Property [id] does not exist on the Eloquent builder instance." I have a problem with an ecommerce's cart.
In my controller when i use the first() property in my query the product that is added in my cart is always the same, the first that I click.
This is my code:
Controller:
public function addToCart(Request $request)
{
    $reference = $request->reference;
    $ean = $request->ean;

    $product = Product::where('ean', $reference)->first();

    if(!$product) {

        abort(404);

    }

    $cart = session()->get('cart');

    // if cart is empty then this the first product
    if(!$cart) {

        $cart['product'] = [
            'id' => $product->id,
            "ean" => $product->ean,
            "quantity" => 1,
            "price" => $product->product_price,
            "reference" => $product->reference
    ];

        session()->put('cart', $cart);

        return redirect()->back()->with('success', 'Product added to cart successfully!');
    }

    // if cart not empty then check if this product exist then increment quantity
    if(isset($cart['product'])) {

        $cart['product']['quantity']++;

        session()->put('cart', $cart);

        return redirect()->back()->with('success', 'Book added!');

    }

    // if item not exist in cart then add to cart with quantity = 1
    $cart['product'] = [
        'id' => $product->id,
        "ean" => $product->ean,
        "quantity" => 1,
        "price" => $product->product_price,
        "reference" => $product->reference
    ];

    session()->put('cart', $cart);

    return redirect()->back()->with('success', 'Book added!');
}

shop view :

            ID
            Ean
            Prezzo
            Actions

          @foreach ($products as $product)

              {{$product->id}}
              {{$product->ean}}
              {{$product->product_price}} €

Add to cart

            @endforeach

In dd($product) I have this:

I don't know if the problem is the first() property or it is in the other part of code;
How can I solve this problem?

A: make your controller And view backup. check this code. First read
controller
      public function addToCart(Request $request)
    {
        $reference = $request->reference;
        $ean = $request->ean;//you don't get it. It's waste variable

        $product = Product::where('ean', $reference)->first();

        if(!$product) {

            abort(404);

        }

        $cart = session()->get('cart');

        // if cart is empty then this the first product
        if(!$cart) {

            $cart['product'] = [
                'id' => $product->id,
                "ean" => $product->ean,
                "quantity" => 1,
                "price" => $product->product_price,
                "reference" => $product->reference
        ];

            session()->put('cart', $cart);

            return redirect()->back()->with('success', 'Product added to cart successfully!');
        }

        // if cart not empty then check if this product exist then increment quantity

        if(isset($cart['product'])) {

            $cart['product']['quantity']++;

            session()->put('cart', $cart);

            return redirect()->back()->with('success', 'Book added!');

        }
        else{
//this below code run with your both if statements. if any one statement true then both if statement and this below code run one same time so check this below code your controller and think
        // if item not exist in cart then add to cart with quantity = 1
        $cart['product'] = [
            'id' => $product->id,
             "ean" => $product->ean,
            "quantity" => 1,
            "price" => $product->product_price,
            "reference" => $product->reference
        ];

        session()->put('cart', $cart);

        return redirect()->back()->with('success', 'Book added!');
      }
    }

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Now displaying: 2017
Episode 22: Dear Boston Marathon Runners: 0
Boston is unlike any marathon in the world. It first started in 1897 with a whopping 18 runners. In 2011, nearly 27,000 runners ran the race on "Marathon Monday," also known as Patriot's Day in Massachusetts.
In one of the most famous stories, Kathrine Switzer finished Boston as the first woman with a race number in 1967. She registered as "K.V. Switzer" to avoid detection since women were not allowed to run at that time. When officials found out she was running, they tried to physically eject her from the race. Luckily another runner body checked the official to the ground and she was able to keep running.
Her historical finish proved that women could run marathons and sparked a women's running revolution. Race officials eventually recognized the female race winners from before they were officially allowed to compete in 1972.
After Bill "Boston Billy" Rodgers, a Boston legend, won the race four times in trademark style in the 1980's, the race has become one of the most competitive marathons in the world. With a prize purse approaching $1 million in 2011, the best marathoners in the world show up to give it their all.
Showcasing the extreme competitiveness of Boston, in 2011 Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai overtook early leader Ryan Hall and crushed the last 10k to finish in a mind-blowingly fast time of 2:03:02.
Yes, you read that right: the world's fastest time is an average 4:41 mile pace over 26.2 miles.
In this podcast, Jason shares some words of wisdom before you line up in Hopkinton to race the world's most prestigious marathon.
Episode 21 - Nate Helming on Movement, Strength, and Dynamic Athleticism 0
Nate is the cofounder of The Run Experience. And he doesn't just have a USA Track & Field coaching certification. He's also completed continuing education courses in:
CrossFit Mobility
CrossFit Endurance
Carol Paoli's Free Style connections
Like me, he recognizes that injury prevention and athleticism are what make faster, healthier runners.
And in this conversation, we dive deeper into mobility work for runners and how to implement a daily mobilization routine into your schedule. Plus, the differences between mobility and flexibility.
You'll notice that Nate has quite the background in CrossFit. While I've gone off on CrossFit in the past, we acknowledge the helpful parts of this sport that runners can use to design smarter training.
If you're injury-prone or looking for ways to level up your training, you don't want to miss this episode.
Episode 20 - Author Matt Fitzgerald on "The Endurance Diet" 0
Diet is more important than most runners realize - and the effects of poor eating habits can derail anybody's running:
If you don't eat enough, you're more prone to running injuries and won't run as quickly during races or workouts
If you eat too much, you'll gain weight and running economy will suffer
A sub-par diet results in poor recovery (and could result in weight gain, too)
A sub-par diet also causes low energy levels outside of running
But if you dial in your nutrition then performances will improve, recovery will be faster, and you'll just feel better.
And I think every runner would benefit from that.
To help optimize our dietary choices and approach to fueling, I invited author Matt Fitzgerald onto the podcast today.
Over the last several years, Matt has been investigating the eating habits of professional endurance athletes around the world.
And his findings are powerful. World-Class runners in the United Sates, top swimmers in Australia, and champion triathletes in South Africa all have one thing in common: their diet.
There's overwhelming evidence from around the world - and indeed, from every type of endurance sport - that the best runners in the world all eat the same way.
Matt calls this approach The Endurance Diet and outlines five foundational habits that shape how elite runners fuel their training.
And on the podcast, we outline each of these habits and how you can apply them to your life. Enjoy!
Episode 19 - Dathan Ritzenhein on Strength Training and Marathon Fueling 0
Ritz has more career highlights than there are spectators at the Boston Marathon (ok maybe not but still!):
3x Olympian at the 10,000m and marathon distances
Former US Record holder in the 5,000m (12:56.27)
3rd fastest American marathon time in history (2:07:47)
Three-time USA Cross Country Champion
Two-time Foot Locker National high-school Cross Country Champion
Half-marathon PR of 60:00 (2nd best HM time in US history)
A Generation UCAN-sponsored athlete, he is now preparing to run the River Bank Run 25k this May.
I kicked off the episode with an embarrassing story - one I debated sharing but I thought it was funny. Enjoy!
On more serious topics, we chat about:
His injury prevention approach that's helped him rebound after so injuries (stress fractures, hernias, Achilles problems, and more)
His favorite confidence-building workout
His go-to meal after a marathon
Eating pop-tarts the night before racing a marathon
How his training has changed since turning pro
I hope you enjoy my conversation with Dathan Ritzenhein!
Episode 18 - Coach James Dunne on Injury Prevention for Bigger Runners 0
James doesn't look like the "typical" runner - he's 6'6" and 250 pounds. A former professional rugby player, James has a degree in Sport Rehabilitation and is fully insured member of the British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT).
He's the founder of Kinetic-Revolution and has an ongoing fascination with the functional biomechanics of running (in other words, how you move while running).
In this far-reaching discussion, we talk about quite a few issues:
Should overweight runners be more worried about injury?
Is gaining weight more important for injury risk than being consistently overweight?
Does training for weight loss differ than training for a race? How?
Enjoy my conversation with James (and don't miss the announcement at the end of the show!).
Episode 17 - Overcoming Self-Doubt and Failure 0
In this short episode, Jason shares a letter from a runner named Colleen. She experienced self-doubt and was afraid of failure before a race. But with a positive mindset and a few inspiring lessons, Colleen successfully finished her race.
In this letter, Colleen shares her journey. And I hope you find it motivating as you push through with your training.
Episode 16 - Matt Frazier on the Healthy Habits that Support Hard Training 0
Long runs, weekly mileage, and faster workouts are all important - but they won't help you improve if you don't prioritize a healthy lifestyle.
Without proper nutrition, you won't have as much energy to tackle your training.
Without enough sleep, recovery will be sub-par and some of your hard work will be wasted.
Without reducing stress, the risk of over-training and injury increases (and you'll rarely feel good).
So it makes sense to give yourself every advantage and set yourself up for success, especially if you're gearing up for a big race or attempt at a personal best.
When you get these "little things" (which are not so little) right, it makes training much easier to accomplish.
After all, success in running depends on the lifestyle that surrounds the training.
So I invited No Meat Athlete founder Matt Frazier on the podcast. In just the last few years, Matt has implemented a staggering number of changes to his life:
He adopted a vegetarian diet - and then vegan
No Meat Athlete was born and quickly became a world-wide movement
He improved his marathon from 4:53 to 3:09 to qualify for Boston
Not wanting to settle, he started running ultras - including a 100-miler
He's given up oil and experimented with other habits like journaling, meditation, and fruitarianism
If you've ever tried to start a new healthy habit, you know how difficult this can be on top of your other obligations like work and family.
And I wanted to know how to make all of these "little things" easier to implement in your life.
Because if you're not sleeping well, eating right, and eliminating stress the other 23 hours of the day, then running a longer distance or racing a Personal Best is going to be that much more difficult to achieve.
Episode 15 - Dr. Mike Young on Speed Development, Sprinting, and Lifting for Speed 0
Dr. Mike Young is the Director of Research and Performance at North Carolina-based Athletic Lab. A Lead Instructor for both USA Track & Field and USA Weightlifting, he also works with elite athletes and has consulted with the MLS, MLB, NFL, PGA, and NHL.
He has degrees in exercise physiology, coaching science, and biomechanics – not to mention his prowess publishing multiple peer-reviewed journal articles.
Mike has coached seven national champions in Track & Field and at four Division I NCAA programs.
He's on the Strength Running Podcast today to talk about how distance runners can benefit from speed development – from specific workouts to other ways of getting faster (it's not all sprint work).
Episode 14 - Running and Pregnancy with Claire Shorenstein MS, RD, CDN 0
Claire Shorenstein is no stranger to running long: she's a Boston Marathon-qualifying runner, frequent triathlete, and multiple ultra marathon finisher.
Perhaps more importantly, she's a Registered Dietitian and New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist with a Master's degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. A certified Road Runner's Club of America running coach, she works at several private practices to counsel athletes and non-athletes on their nutrition goals.
Her specialties include weight loss, sports nutrition, chronic disease prevention and management, and pre- and post-natal nutrition. Read more about Claire on her website, Eat for Endurance.
She is also very pregnant as of now!
In this episode of the Strength Running Podcast, we discuss how pregnancy will change your approach to running, nutrition, and exercise in general. Please enjoy!
Episode 13 - Building Your 'Foot Core' with AFX Founder Matt Ferguson 0
Current research shows that strengthening the small stabilizing muscles around the arch and plantar fascia can improve ankle stability and balance - but it's often neglected.
So I invited Matt Ferguson, the founder of AFX, on the Strength Running podcast to discuss several topics around foot strength:
How to build strength in these oft-neglected muscles
Mistakes to avoid and myths that can derail your progress
The value of being a "cautious minimalist"
How to choose shoes that are right for you personally
We also dive into the history of running shoes and why they look very different today than they did 40 years ago.
Episode 12 - Bart Yasso, the 'Mayor of Running,' on His Life on the Run 0
Bart Yasso is a legend in the running community. And as the "Mayor of Running" and Chief Running Officer at Runner's World, he's one of the most recognizable faces in the sport.
If you don't yet know Bart, here's a short list of what he's been up to over the last 30 years:
Competed in more than 1,000 races during his 30+ career at Runner's World
Successfully finished the 56-mile Comrades Marathon, the Mt. Kilimanjaro Marathon, and the Badwater Ultramarathon
Has run races on all 7 continents (yes, even Antarctica)
Inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions
Inventor of the "Yasso 800's" marathon predictor workout
Winner of the 1987 U.S. National Biathlon Long Course Championship
1998 winner of the Smoky Mountain Marathon
2:39 marathon PR (like me!)
Has cycled twice across the country by himself with no support
He's also the author of My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing Icon.
In 2014, I had the pleasure of meeting Bart at the Runner's World Half Marathon and Festival (recap here) where he shared the running stories that have shaped his life.
In particular, how the Comrades Marathon brought South Africa, a country weighed down by the horror of Apartheid, closer together.
And how his favorite running memory is drinking coffee by the Trevi Fountain with his mom during the Rome Marathon.
More importantly, Bart spoke about the people that make the sport of running so incredible. Meeting other runners is what keeps him going – and he meets a lot of people flying to 45 races every year!
Episode 11: Your Questions, Answered: Motivation, Trail Running & More Fun 0
This episode of the Strength Running podcast is brought to you by... YOU! Coach Jason Fitzgerald answers 7 of your biggest questions about running consistently, improving your trail running skills, motivation, and how many miles you should start with when you first begin running.
For beginner runners or those who are just getting back into running after a long layoff from injury or simply taking a break, how you tackle your training is really important. For more beginner-oriented training advice, sign up at http://strengthrunning.com/new and you'll also get the bonus encore podcast that answers even more of your burning questions!


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Home / CITES media / NWCU intelligence sharing results in Swedish prison sentence for CITES crimes
Golden Eagle leg-claws in advert
A picture from an advert on Facebook of a Norwegian golden eagle ended in a prison sentence of 1 year and 4 months.
On 27 October 2020, the Alingsås District Court sentenced a man in his fifties for one year and four months in prison for aggravated crime against protected species and smuggling. This is the biggest wildlife crime concerning the sale of animal parts of protected species ever investigated in Sweden.
Bear Paws
The man's passion for the culture of American Natives set him on a path that ended in 200 ads and sales on Facebook and Messenger of bear claws, eagle feathers, one python skin, parts of a golden eagle, wolf pelts etc. The National Operations Department (NOA) at the Swedish Police Authority and the CITES and Cultural Heritage Crime Unit have investigated the crimes. This is the biggest wildlife crime investigation concerning the sale of animal parts of protected species ever conducted in Sweden.
The sentence is the result of intensive investigative efforts by the Swedish Police, says Public Prosecutor Christer B. Jarlås. It all started with the Swedish police receiving a case, via the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit. They had information about an ad on Facebook of a man, who was later convicted, holding up a golden eagle from Norway. The picture could be found at places such as the Facebook group "Norwegian Indian & Trapper Association". The picture resulted in a house search conducted at the address in Värnamo, Sweden, where the suspect was registered. The suspect no longer lived there, but many of his belongings were still there and were searched. Nothing was seized.
Wolf Pelts
The suspect was called in for questioning at the police station on Borås, Sweden, along with his public defence counsel. During the questioning, it emerged that the suspect lodged with his cousin. He also stated that there were objects of his that were assessed as being of interest to the investigation. In parallel to the questioning, a search of premises was carried out with the assistance of local police. Seizures were made of several animal parts belonging to CITES-listed animals. When the police investigators came back from the questioning, a new search was conducted on suspect's Facebook, and another ad for a python skin was found. In addition, because the documents they needed did not exist, the smuggling of the golden eagle from Norway into Sweden was also investigated.
When the investigation of the first case was almost completed, the suspect's Facebook account was checked again and 258 new ads containing CITES listed animal parts were found and a new case was set up. 175 of the ads above remained in the case and in 113 of them objects were found and seized.
In September 2017, the suspect was called in for questioning at the police station in Alingsås, along with his public defence counsel. In connection to this, another search was conducted, this time of his car and at his new address. Further seizures of CITES-listed animal parts were made, inside his vehicle as well as at his new home. Following the extraction of data from his mobile phone, two sales of CITES-listed animal parts were revealed and subsequently linked to the suspect's bank account.
In October 2017, a request for mutual legal assistance was sent to the United States, to a US prosecutor, in order to extract data from Facebook and Messenger, via a US court, and in November 2018 a CD record containing the extracted data was received from Facebook and Messenger. On it were found four sales that could be linked to the suspect's bank account in 2015 and 2016. Experts were brought into the investigation. The birds and mammals' section at the Swedish Museum of Natural History along with an independent ornithologist determined the species of the animals shown in the ads including the seizures made in the case of animal parts, claws and feathers. An age determination of the golden eagle and wolf pelts using the Carbon 14-dating technique was made at the Ångström Laboratory in Uppsala University, and an expert from the Swedish Board of Agriculture explained the formal requirements in line with the regulatory framework.
Norwegian Golden Eagle
In all three cases, a final interview was conducted in October at the police station in Alingsås. Charges were brought in January 2020. The trial lasted five days in the Alingsås District Court in September 2020. Both the public prosecutor and the police investigator were present during the whole trial. The sentence was handed down on 27 October 2020. The suspect was sentenced to one year and four months' imprisonment for gross crime against protected species and smuggling. Most of the items seized have been forfeited.
Deadline for appeal is three weeks from the pronouncement of the judgement. As always when it comes to wildlife crime, the complex legislation places high demands on the investigative process and the presentation before the court. In this case, there were both A and B-listed species in accordance with the EC convention 338/97. But the judgment is clear and pedagogical and will be a useful tool in these cases in the future, says Christer B. Jarlås.
The investigator was Police Inspector Anna Bergquist, Detective Inspector/temp. app. Head of Unit, Crimes against Protected Species and Crimes against Culture Heritage, NOA/Investigations Section The Public Prosecutor was Christer B. Jarlås, Senior Public Prosecutor, National Unit for Environment and Working Environment Cases, National Public Prosecution Department
Source: Swedish Police Authority, National Operations Department


Homes loans are serious and should be handled with care. If you rush head first into a loan without educating yourself about them first, you can cause yourself big financial trouble. If you are not sure of how the loan process works, you should probably keep reading.
Avoid borrowing your maximum amount. A mortgage lender will show you how much you are qualified for, however, these figures are representative of their own internal model, not exactly on how much you can afford to pay back. Think of how you spend money and what payment amount feel comfortable.
Regardless of your financial woes, communicate with your lender. Before the situation reaches foreclosure, the smart borrower knows that it is worth trying to make arrangements with the mortgage company. The only way to know your options is to speak with your mortgage lender.
You will most likely have to pay a down payment when it comes to your mortgage. Although there are some mortgages you can get without a down payment, for the most part you are required to have one. You need to know your likely down payment before applying.


This important piece by George Packer deserves to be read carefully, thoroughly, and--for those who start out feeling skeptical about its arguments--with an open mind. That's not such an onerous recommendation, since the piece is clear, concise, and well-argued. In my view, it's also cogent and convincing.
Packer is someone who speaks about Iraq with unusual seriousness, depth of knowledge, and genuine concern. Back in 2002-2003, he was one of the left-liberal reluctant hawks who (like me) supported military action against Saddam Hussein--primarily, in Packer's case, on humanitarian and anti-fascist grounds. He later decided that this had been a mistake. (His reasons for coming to both of those conclusions are explained, along with much else, in his excellent book The Assassin's Gate: America in Iraq.) But he's also argued that at this point it would be catastrophically wrong, on both moral and prudential grounds, for the US to simply abandon Iraq and the Iraqis. And he believes, correctly, that developments in Iraq over the past year and a half have strengthened the case for a more constructive and morally responsible alternative.
Some of Obama's advisers, including Samantha Power and Colin Kahl, "have been more forthcoming"--or at least more tantalizing--in talking about possibilities for flexible planning and "conditional engagement."
Obama has shown, with his speech on race, that he has a talent for candor. One can imagine him speaking more honestly on Iraq. If pressed on his timetable for withdrawal, he could say, "That was always a goal, not a blueprint. When circumstances change, I don't close my eyes—I adapt." [....] If Obama truly wants to be seen as a figure of change, he needs to talk less about the past and more about the future: not the war that should never have been fought but the war that he, alone of the two candidates, can find an honorable way to end.
People who support Barack Obama for President (as I do) should pay special attention to what Packer argues here ... because if a President Obama does wind up doing the right thing with respect to Iraq (which I strongly hope he does, and which I think there is some possibility he might), then that may surprise and upset a number of his most ardent fans.
=> Sometime soon I may write some some further things about these matters myself. In the meantime, if you're interested in reading some other cogent analyses and recommendations that largely dovetail with Packer's, I also recommend consulting Fareed Zakaria ("What Obama Should Say On Iraq") and Trudy Rubin (for example, here & here & here).
But for a start, let me just repeat that Packer gets it right here, so please read the whole thing.
In February, 2007, when Barack Obama declared that he was running for President, violence in Iraq had reached apocalyptic levels, and he based his candidacy, in part, on a bold promise to begin a rapid withdrawal of American forces upon taking office. At the time, this pledge represented conventional thinking among Democrats and was guaranteed to play well with primary voters. But in the year and a half since then two improbable, though not unforeseeable, events have occurred: Obama has won the Democratic nomination, and Iraq, despite myriad crises, has begun to stabilize. With the general election four months away, Obama's rhetoric on the topic now seems outdated and out of touch, and the nominee-apparent may have a political problem concerning the very issue that did so much to bring him this far.
Obama's plan, which was formally laid out last September, called for the remaining combat brigades to be pulled out at a brisk pace of about one per month, along with a strategic shift of resources and attention away from Iraq and toward Afghanistan. At that rate, all combat troops would be withdrawn in sixteen months. In hindsight, it was a mistake—an understandable one, given the nature of the media and of Presidential politics today—for Obama to offer such a specific timetable. In matters of foreign policy, flexibility is a President's primary defense against surprise. At the start of 2007, no one in Baghdad would have predicted that blood-soaked neighborhoods would begin returning to life within a year. The improved conditions can be attributed, in increasing order of importance, to President Bush's surge, the change in military strategy under General David Petraeus, the turning of Sunni tribes against Al Qaeda, the Sadr militia's unilateral ceasefire, and the great historical luck that brought them all together at the same moment. With the level of violence down, the Iraqi government and Army have begun to show signs of functioning in less sectarian ways. These developments may be temporary or cyclical; predicting the future in Iraq has been a losing game. Indeed, it was President Bush's folly to ignore for years the shifting realities on the ground.
Obama's advisers have been more forthcoming. Samantha Power, before she resigned from the campaign for making an indiscreet remark about Hillary Clinton, told the BBC, "He will, of course, not rely upon some plan that he's crafted as a Presidential candidate or a U.S. senator. He will rely upon a plan—an operational plan—that he pulls together in consultation with people who are on the ground." Last month, the Center for a New American Security, which has become something like Obama's foreign-policy think tank, released a report that argued against a timetable for withdrawal, regardless of the state of the war, and in favor of "conditional engagement," declaring, "Under this strategy, the United States would not withdraw its forces based on a firm unilateral schedule. Rather, the time horizon for redeployment would be negotiated with the Iraqi government and nested within a more assertive approach to regional diplomacy. The United States would make it clear that Iraq and America share a common interest in achieving sustainable stability in Iraq, and that the United States is willing to help support the Iraqi government and build its security and governance capacity over the long term, but only so long as Iraqis continue to make meaningful political progress." It's impossible to know if this persuasive document mirrors Obama's current thinking, but here's a clue: it was co-written by one of his Iraq advisers, Colin Kahl.
A "conditional engagement" policy is a much better fit for the present situation in Iraq. It would keep the heat on Iraqi politicians, whose willingness to reach compromise on issues like oil revenues, provincial elections, de-Baathification, and power sharing still lags well behind the government's recent military successes. It would allow for a phased withdrawal of most troops, depending on political progress and on the performance of the Iraqi Army. This, in turn, would ease the pressure on the American military and answer the rightful disenchantment in American public opinion. There will be no such thing as victory in Iraq, but the next President, if he remains nimble, may be able to keep the damage under control.
The politics of the issue is tricky, because acknowledging changed ideas in response to changed facts is considered a failing by the political class. Accordingly, Obama, on the night that he proclaimed himself the nominee, in St. Paul, made a familiar declaration: "Start leaving we must. It's time for Iraqis to take responsibility for their future." His supporters claim that the polls are with Obama, that war fatigue will make Iraq a political winner for him in November. Yet, as exhausted as the public is with the war, a candidate who seems heedless of progress in Iraq will be vulnerable to the charge of defeatism, which John McCain's campaign will connect to its broader theme of Obama's inexperience in and weakness on national security. The relative success of the surge is one of the few issues going McCain's way; we'll be hearing about it more and more between now and November, and it might sway some centrist voters who have doubts about Obama.
Obama has shown, with his speech on race, that he has a talent for candor. One can imagine him speaking more honestly on Iraq. If pressed on his timetable for withdrawal, he could say, "That was always a goal, not a blueprint. When circumstances change, I don't close my eyes—I adapt." He could detail in his speeches the functions that American troops and diplomats can continue to perform even as our primary combat role recedes: training and advising, counterterrorism, brokering deals among Iraqi factions, checking their expansionist impulses, opening talks with our enemies in the region. He could promise to negotiate all this with Iraqi leaders, emphasizing the difference between a relationship that respects the wishes of the public in both countries and one in which Iraqis are coerced into coöperation. If Obama truly wants to be seen as a figure of change, he needs to talk less about the past and more about the future: not the war that should never have been fought but the war that he, alone of the two candidates, can find an honorable way to end.


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Why the EU Taxonomy Regulation is about much more than climate
Green transition 9 February 2021 Meike Verhey Veronika Abraham
The "EU Taxonomy Regulation" will require most European financial institutions and non-financial companies to outline the environmental sustainability of their economic activities. Given that the first EU Taxonomy disclosures are due by the end of 2021 and throughout 2022 it is important to act now.
Meike Verhey
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Veronika Abraham
CONTACT Veronika Abraham
There are six key objectives in the The "EU Taxonomy Regulation". The first two are climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation. They represent the current priorities and as such take centre-stage. Not just with the Commission but equally so for member states, local authorities, companies, and the likes.
In this article, we place an emphasis on the other four objectives outlining why these are no less important and indeed may prove more complex than the two climate specific objectives. The four remaining objectives are: sustainable use of water & marine sources, circular economy, pollution prevention, and healthy ecosystems & biodiversity.
The pollution of our oceans, resources scarcity and, indeed, biodiversity loss are enormous challenges that we as both an economy and as a society face.
Take for example the 13 million tonnes of plastic flowing into the oceans annually, or the fact that 1 million species already face extinction within decades. Other examples include that the amount of fresh water available for each person has plunged by a fifth over two decades, and if we maintain our current use of resources, we will need the equivalent of almost three planets by 2050.
These are only a few of the many issues related to the remaining four objectives. Therefore, the Taxonomy will play a significant role in combating all of these challenges whilst in tandem combating climate change.
> Get a quick overview of how Ramboll can help you with the taxonomy
The EU Taxonomy Regulation in brief
The European Commission has ramped up its green ambitions of achieving the Paris Agreement objectives by 2030, by setting a new target of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 with the European Green Deal. To finance the green transition and the European Green Deal, the EU is in the process of developing the EU Taxonomy. This is a classification system to identify truly sustainable economic activities.
On the 12th of July 2020, the Taxonomy Regulation entered into force, specifying alignment with the EU Taxonomy for financial institutes and non-financial companies.
Furthermore, a delegated act on the reporting of the EU Taxonomy alignment will be adopted by June 2021. It will specify the information companies will have to disclose on how, and to what extent, their activities align with the EU Taxonomy. The first disclosures are due as of the 1st of January 2022.
This pressing timeline, and the expectation that it is a quite complex and extensive framework, leads to the understanding that it is key to start aligning with the
EU Taxonomy as soon as possible. Reasons to align and the general implications and structure of the EU Taxonomy Regulation have been detailed in a previous article here.
So far, the European Commission has emphasised and prioritised climate objectives in the Taxonomy, and for good reason. However, this has caused for limited attention towards the remaining four environmental objectives. In the following paragraphs we will give insights on the implications of these environmental objectives and emphasize the importance and benefits of bringing these into scope sooner rather than later.
The six environmental objectives
For an economic activity to align with the Taxonomy Regulation, a company must indicate how the activity substantially contributes to one or more of the six environmental objectives, does no significant harm to the other objectives, and meets minimum social safeguard standards. The criteria for substantial contribution and significant harm are given in the Technical Screening Criteria for each environmental objective.
The Taxonomy Regulation established the following six environmental objectives:
The six environmental objectives established in the Taxonomy Regulation
So far only the screening criteria for the first two environmental objectives have been established and will soon be passed as delegated act. Financial institutions are to comply with the associated criteria as of the 1st of January 2022, and non-financial companies throughout 2022. The remaining four criteria are to be established by the end of 2021 and will apply as of January 1st, 2023.
The initial focus of the European Commission on the climate change mitigation and adaptation objectives is also seen in the EU's pressing climate policy and targets. Economic activities mitigating and adapting to climate change have been prioritised in the development of the screening criteria for the Taxonomy Regulation.
Why focus on full alignment now?
Without disregarding the inevitable urgency of aligning with the screening criteria for the climate change objectives, we emphasise the importance of the remaining four objectives. A full alignment that is. Rather start aligning today as the impact they will have on your business are substantial.
While there might be more reasons for your business locally, we stick to a handful of reason why:
1 - Become a frontrunner
Even though there are currently no precise criteria and thresholds for the four environmental objectives, the Taxonomy Regulation already specifies for each objective how substantial contribution is defined (Articles 12-15), indicating what activities will be considered as eligible for screening. The Platform on sustainable finance is currently developing technical screening criteria for the objectives which will be published in a report in summer this year. This report will form the basis for the delegated act to be adopted by end of 2021.
As a starting point, businesses can assess now whether they have related activities and how they will be affected. In this way, they will be ahead of their peers and possibly more attractive to investors looking to develop a greener portfolio, a trend that becomes visible already now before disclosure obligations are in place.
This particularly concerns businesses with a potentially high impact on one or more of the objectives, as technical screening criteria are likely to be put forward for these activities first. Nevertheless, other businesses can be frontrunners in assessing their potential contribution to the objectives even before the activity is covered under the Taxonomy, as more and more sectors and activities will be included over the course of the next years.
Smaller companies are also encouraged to assess and disclose their alignment with the Taxonomy due to potential upcoming market or supply chain pressures despite no legal obligation under the EU regulation. They could be called upon by investors or customers to provide data regarding their Taxonomy-alignment.
Furthermore, the scope of the reporting directive is under revision, and might include smaller companies in the near future.
2 - Increased complexity
Whereas the criteria for the climate change mitigation objective are quite straightforward, it is expected that the criteria for the remaining four environmental objectives are going to be much more complex. The screening criteria for climate change mitigation have a single indicator, namely CO2 equivalents. The technical criteria for the four objectives are bound to be based on many more indicators, as they will depend on many more factors and can't be broken down to one single indicator.
For example, Ramboll analysed the impacts of different economic activities for the four other environmental objectives for the European Commission and based the assessment for pollution prevention and control on as much as twenty-two indicators.
It is still to be seen how the final criteria for the remaining four environmental objectives will be structured, but it is safe to expect a more extensive set of indicators than for the climate change mitigation objective. This will result in a more complicated and time-consuming alignment process.
3 - Pressing timeline
The Taxonomy regulation for the four environmental objectives concerning water, circular economy, pollution and ecosystems & biodiversity is to be adopted by the EU Commission by the end of 2021 and should be applied by companies as of the 1st of January, 2023. This might seem further down the road, but to provide a high-quality assessment and disclosure of these objectives by then it is recommended to start alignment as soon as possible.
Expecting extended complexity of the screening criteria for these objectives, a good preparation and understanding of the objectives, in light of the specific activities of your business, will be an advantage once the criteria are fully established.
hese preparations could include for example following discussions and publications of relevant reports published by parties such as the EU platform on sustainable finance. Furthermore, it is possible to scrutinise the current activities in light of the information that is already made available for each objective of the Taxonomy.
The timeline between adoption of the criteria by the EU Commission and reporting obligations is tight, merely a year, and we even see slight delays in the adaptation process of the climate delegated act now. Although planned to be ready by the end of 2020, the delegated act for the climate objectives is still not adopted as of now, indicating a delay in the process.
This likely also impacts the timeline of establishing the remaining four objectives, which are planned to be adopted by the end of this year. It can be therefore beneficial if not crucial for institutes and companies to consider alignment with the objectives already now.
4 - Overlapping assessments
Even though there are six different environmental objectives, there will be some overlap between them. Take for example the objectives of climate change mitigation and pollution prevention and control. These objectives will overlap on, for example, economic activities involving the reduction of emissions from fossil fuel combustion, as CO2 emissions as well as other air pollutant emissions decrease.
Similar overlaps exist between the water and ecosystem objective. Due to the various expected overlaps, it is recommended to gain an overview of those relevant for your business. This will avoid doing any double-work and create a more efficient alignment process and give insights already now on where a contribution is done to multiple objectives at the same time.
5 - New EU legislation
Besides the Taxonomy Regulation, other legislation and regulation is being developed concerning the four environmental objectives. Take for example the legislation around the Circular Economy Action Plan. The Commission is developing a legislative framework to ensure that products become fit for a climate-neutral, resource-efficient and circular economy, that avoids waste completely wherever possible. At its core is a review and widening of the Ecodesign Directive and the establishment of product sustainability principles that will guide broader policy and legislative developments in the future.
Furthermore, the Commission has also been developing an EU Biodiversity Strategy, including the strengthening of the EU legal framework for nature restoration. The Commission will propose legally binding EU nature restoration targets in 2021 to restore degraded ecosystems. Besides nature restoration, the strategy will also focus on biodiversity issues related to soil ecosystems, agriculture, forests, marine and freshwater ecosystems, urban areas and pollution.
These various legislative frameworks and strategies will be closely aligned with the EU Taxonomy. This implies that aligning with the remaining four environmental objectives will also provide insights and preparation for the forthcoming EU regulations.
The five points explained above underline why companies and institutions should think about all environmental objectives of the taxonomy regulation already now, and not solely focus on the climate objectives. The pressing timeline of alignment and disclosure is apparent, and investors are already increasingly looking for sustainable activities now.
By this, companies can be ahead of peers and legislation by already understanding the requirements for Taxonomy alignment and thoroughly investigating the potential and opportunities it offers. And as we all know, being ahead on your to-dos is so much better than being behind.
> Get our quick guide to the New Standard for Green Transition
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