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Mend your own potholes, parish council is told
Clayhidon has been told by Devon County Council to mend its own potholes and clear its own lanes of debris. And there is no hope of a speed limit on the dangerous stretch of road past the Half Moon Inn until someone has been injured. This catalogue of "sorry, we don't have the funds" was reported to Clayhidon Parish Council at its last meeting. >Read more.
Ketchup for Christmas
Ketchup, the Shetland pony, was once again one of the stars of the annual crib service at St. Andrews Church, Clayhidon, on 21 December.Others included seven year old Casey Clements, who was Mary on the pony, Drew and Molly Upton, Grace Pepperall, Lydia Persey, Jarvic and Emelia Lumb, Kim, Gabriel,Grace and Thomas.
The candlelit service was completely led by children of the parish who read lessons and prayers, announced the carols and took a collection.
The congregation was welcomed by the Rector, the Rev. David Burton, who thanked the people who had worked very hard to put the service together, particularly Nicky Lumb, Sue Upton and Ann Persey, and said everyone was in for a treat.
Church warden Maurice Bendle said the children looked wonderful and also thanked the organisers and 13 year old Ketchup, of Fields Farm, Clayhidon, who by then was grazing in the churchyard.
Tea and cake were served after a presentation to Margaret Blackmore, 88, who was standing down from much of her work with the church after many years of service, including several years as church warden. Mr. Burton presented her with an inscribed plate made by potter Nicola Werner.
Thanks for everything: The Rev David Burton makes a presentation to former church warden Margaret Blackmore.
Cider Drinkers win again
Clayhidon's Quiz Night on 14 November proved to be yet another intellectual triumph for parish masterminds, the Cider Drinkers, in the face of the stiffest competition in years.
Winning for the umpteenth time, Margaret Blackmore and Alex Hill were this year without Bee Hill, who died in May. Lucy Ball took her place. They are pictured with quizmaster Peter Walter and scorer Sue Johns.
The Parish Hall was packed. Fifteen teams entered and organiser Caroline Bendle had to turn away late entries for lack of space. The hall committee laid on snacks and a raffle.
Parish remembers its dead
The Remembrance Sunday service at St Andrew's Church, Clayhidon on 9 November was followed by a short service outside by the village war memorial.
Led by the Rev John Bolton of Sampford Peverell, the congregation sang the National Anthem and observed the silence along with millions of others countrywide.
Mr Bolton read the names of those lost in the First World War, Hubert John Bright, Reginald Charles Bright, Frank Drake, John Honniball, Gilbert Hutchings, William Richards and William Trickey, and in the Second World War, Wilfred E Greenslade and Frank A J Hutchings.
We will remember them.
Thankyou to post lady Marion
Thanks for everything: Richard Kallaway and parish councillors make a presentation to Marion Tuckey.
Clayhidon's answer to Postman Pat has retired after 17 years chugging around the parish in her little red van with a box of dog biscuits.
Training puppies to sit when she arrived with the mail was Marion Tuckey's survival strategy after she was savaged by a spaniel.
Apart from the odd nip from a puppy and the occasional scrape trying to avoid other drivers in the narrow lanes, Marion's long stint as much loved parish post lady has been quiet – sometimes a little too quiet.
>Read more.
Hot on Your Heels . . .
Hot on Your Heels jive classes started in Clayhidon Parish Hall on 16 October. A dozen jivers braved a thunderstorm for the first of an eight-week series. Gordon Coomber and dance partner Clare (pictured left) led them through the basic steps, to the sounds of classic rock'n'roll. The weekly lessons, formerly held in Hemyock, will progress from beginners through to intermediate. Book ahead on 077481 54897 - £3 for individuals and £5 for couples.
A great day for riders' service
This year's Riders' Service for St Andrew's Church, Clayhidon was very well attended on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the end of September, writes Pam Reynolds. There were about 40 horses and several coaches and many people sitting on the straw bales.
After the service the riders went for a ride through neighbouring fields then returned to lovely refreshments which were ready for them on Garlands Bower. >More pictures.
A century of supper success
Clayhidon's long tradition of harvest suppers continued on 3 October, when 68 sat down for a four-course meal with guest of honour, the Archdeacon of Exeter, the Venerable Christopher Futcher.
It was a poignant night for the Blackmore family, who have been helping to run these suppers for more than 100 years. Margaret Blackmore retired after almost a lifetime's service. Michael Hudson presented her with a gift from the Harvest Home Committee.
Dozens of guests signed a thank you card to Margaret, presented by Casey Blackmore, who is to continue the family tradition by taking her place on the committee.
Michael thanked Karen Pinder and her catering and waitressing team, Alex Hill, for generously providing Bollhayes cider and apple juice, Rumwell Farm Shop for giving a beautiful raffle prize and Brenda Persey for organising the concert.
Brenda led the after-supper entertainment by playing the organ and the accordion, and the audience sang along with many old favourites. Ron White, Clayhidon's answer to Joe Grundy, gave a hilarious explanation of the names of St Andrew's choir members.
And no harvest supper would be complete without Mike Reynolds singing Clayhidon on The Hill, as topical and relevant as ever.
Evening of music and candles
An evening of intimate award winning acoustic music, sitting at a candle-lit table with a glass of wine or a pint of good beer at Clayhidon Parish Hall is promised for Wednesday 26 November, when Ange Hardy and Steve Pledger perform
Steve's writing ranges from fragile reflections on love and loss to blistering commentaries on present circumstances,while Ange sings songs of heritage, stories of working the land and tales deeply rooted in the traditions of rural life.
In January 2014 Ange Hardy was awarded FATEA Magazine's "Female Vocalist of the Year", and the year so far has seen her receiving airplay from both BBC Radio 2 and The Mike Harding Folk Show. Her new album "The Lament of The Black Sheep" was made Iain Anderson's album of the week on BBC Scotland. Wednesday's concert was postponed form postponed from 10 November.
Warm, mellifluous - and deeply relaxing
Kate Howden and Paul Jones, a pair of singer-songwriters who go under the name of howdenjones, sang and strummed to an enthusiastic audience at Clayhidon Parish Hall on 26 September.
We have heard some brilliant guitar playing at the hall in recent years – remember Leon Hunt? – but none as warm and mellifluous as these two talented performers.
Virtually every number in their two 45-minute sets was an original song by Paul, a Merseysider born and bred, whose name could justly be added to the Mersey Poets. The lyrics were poetic, based on closely observed details of life and sometimes bizarre local stories, and the tunes quite beautiful.
And between the songs Kate and Paul told amusing anecdotes. It all made for a gentle and thoroughly entertaining evening.
They lulled the Clayhidon audience into such a state of deep relaxation they even managed to get us to join some of the choruses, including an unforgettable, almost passionate communal rendering of the Elvis song I Can't Help Falling In Love With You. Amazing!
Fire wrecks farm buildings
Fears that the River Culm was badly polluted after a fire at a Clayhidon farm have been allayed by the Environment Agency.
A barn full of hay and a workshop at Palmers were lost to a severe fire in the early hours of 2 September. Diesel from a 2,000-litre tank spilled across the road and some found its way into the River Culm, where the Environment Agency placed a boom to stop it spreading downstream.
Thirty five firemen attended after Thelma and Phil Blackmore awoke at 4am to the sound of popping and saw their outbuildings ablaze. They moved their cows and calves to safety before the fire brigade arrived. Hours later the hay barn was still burning and all the tools in the workshop had been lost.The Environment Agency told BBC Radio Devon it had removed the trapped fuel and the environmental impact seemed "minimal". It did not anticipate any long-term impacts" and no fish had been reported dead.
Where to buy the local history book everyone is talking about
This beautifully produced book records the lives of people in the Upper Culm valley before, during and after the Great War.
Every soldier, sailor and airman who served is here, along with many touching stories. After months of intensive research by a team of volunteers it is now on sale, price £10, at Hemyock Post Office and the Strand Stores, Culmstock.
Autumn entertainment at Clayhidon Parish Hall
There's plenty to keep you entertained at Clayhidon Parish Hall as the nights draw in.
Sun shines for church fete revival
The sun shone, the cold wind abated and hundreds turned up for Clayhidon's Church Fete, which was revived on 23 August after a four year gap. Highlights included a classic car rally, which attracted 12 entrants, and a sheepdog display by Freddie Parker. There were more stalls than ever, plus skittles and a coconut shy and other more bizarre games, including a human fruit machine and a Mad Hatter. The cream teas tent did a roaring trade. The Friends of St Andrew's organised the event, led by Kim Burridge and Caroline Bendle and helped by a squad of volunteers. >More pictures.
Exhibition honours parish war heroes
Clayhidon's heroes from World War I were honoured in an exhibition over the August Bank Holiday weekend by the Local History Group.
Fifty two men from the parish served in the armed services and seven never returned. Their names are recorded on the Roll of Honour, which normally hangs in the Parish Hall but was moved to the St Andrew's Church, where the exhibition was staged.
The stories of several of these men were on display, with photographs, medals and letters home.
One man not included in the roll was Travers Edwards Clarke, son of a rector of Clayhidon, who spent part of his childhood here. He reached the rank of Quartermaster General, General Headquarters.
Two Blackmores survived the war, and Local History Group member Margaret Blackmore provided fascinating material about her father.
Other records were of men who had no connection with Clayhidon but whose descendants now live here.
The exhibition was organised by Pam Reynolds.
The Great War centenary coincided with a significant anniversary in the history of St Andrew's Church, and an adjoining exhibition contained a display about 740 years of Christianity in Clayhidon.>Clayhidon's Roll of Honour.
Fire damages Clayhidon home
A house at Blackdown Court, Clayhidon was badly damaged by fire on 16 August while the occupants were out, the Mid Devon Gazette reports. >Read more.
Did you see the Vulcan flypast?
Clayhidon was treated to a low level flypast of Britain's iconic Vulcan nuclear bomber on 31 August.
No-one knew it was coming and only those who heard the deafening roar of its engines and rushed outside would have seen it disappearing westward along the Culm.
The 54-year-old aircraft, the world's oldest complete Vulcan, was on its way from its base in Doncaster to the Culdrose Air Show in Cornwall.
Riverside farewell to Gary Williams
In a unique and moving ceremony beside the River Culm on 15 August family and friends said goodbye to Gary Williams, who has died at the age of 62.Born in Connecticut, USA, Gary had a passion for music and in his 30-year career in the record business worked with many of the biggest names in entertainment, from Leonard Cohen to Celine Dion and Bruce Springsteen.
After leaving college he talked his way into a job in the mail room at Columbia records, New York and then systematically worked his way up through the ranks of Columbia and Sony. His job took him all over the world. He moved to Denmark, then Holland, where he met Yvonne Roth, and then London.
When he retired at 50 he and Yvonne moved to the Water Mill, Clayhidon. In the beautiful garden Yvonne created beside the river, celebrant Trudy Farmer conducted a farewell ceremony, praising this "patient, dignified and very gracious man" who had fought an unrelenting battle against cancer.
>Read more.
Parish seeks alternatives to broadband
Neil Parish MP (right) at the public meeting, with Clayhidon Parish Council chairman Richard Kallaway.
The news that Clayhidon has been dropped from the current roll-out of superfast broadband has prompted a search for alternative options by the parish council.
At its meeting on 4 August the council decided to explore other options and asked: "Are there any members of the Parish who have expertise in this area who would be prepared to give us advice?"
This appeal follows a 'meet your MP' public meeting in Clayhidon Parish Hall on 1 August, where it was stated that property prices could fall in areas excluded from superfast broadband.
It was revealed that Clayhidon's chances of getting fast internet access within this decade had shrunk to zero after the parish and four other villages were reclassified as "Out of programme".
"These villages are not even going to be surveyed to find out how difficult it is to get fibre broadband to us," broadband campaigner Graham Long told the meeting, at which Neil parish MP answered questions from the public.
>Read more on superfast broadband.
Tractors and potholes worry residents
On the trail of the slimy blighters
"Slimy blighters" lurking in a Clayhidon postbox have hit the headlines in a classic Silly Season story about snail mail. >Read more.
Soldier who came back from the dead
Everyone at home at Palmer's, Clayhidon thought John Blackmore must be dead. His sweetheart Lucy Westlake feared she would never see him again.
War drama off, but exhibition still on
200 celebrate life of Bee Hill
The Blackdown Belles singing group (above) serenade guests at a humanist ceremony on 11 July to celebrate the life of Bee Hill, of Bollhayes, Clayhidon. Around 200 family members and friends from across the UK and Europe met in a field at Biscombe Cross in blazing sunshine to say farewell. They heard moving tributes to Bee and stories of her life and career and of how much she meant to so many individuals.
- In June members of Clayhidon Parish Hall committee stood for a minute's silence for their vice chairman Bee Hill at the start of their annual meeting.
Mike Hudson, the outgoing chairman, said they were all "enormously grateful for her enthusiasm and energy". Her death in May shocked the whole community and was a severe blow to the committee.Mike said the greatest burden of putting on events in what had been a very busy year had fallen on Bee
Under Milk Wood and the wacky villagers of Llareggub
On Friday 17 October, 'Under Milk Wood' will hopefully be coming to Clayhidon. The wacky Welsh villagers of Llareggub are due to come back to life in the parish hall for a performance of Dylan Thomas's comic masterpiece.
This year is the centenary of his birth, and it is 60 years since this famous "play for voices" about religion, sex and death was first broadcast. It seems to be more popular than ever. Jasper Rees wrote in the Daily Telegraph recently that it was "the greatest drama ever written for radio."
This production by the Village Players features "voices" from various Blackdown Hills villages brought together earlier this year by Brian Lewis for the Corfe Festival, where it was warmly received. Thomas's publishers are strictly controlling licences to perform the play this year, but Brian is hoping they will grant permission for extra performances at Clayhidon and Bishopswood in October. See the next issue of The Pump or go online and check on this page for booking information.
Church fete revived after four-year gap
Roll up, roll up! Clayhidon is to have a church fete and dog show again this year after a gap of four years.
So please support the Friends of St Andrews in Garlands Bower, the church field, on Saturday, August 23, between 2 and 4pm.
The event is being organised by Kim Burridge with the support of the committee which is chaired by Nicola Bendle.
The 14 stalls will include a coconut shy and other games, jewellery, Phoenix Cards, Usborne Books and skittles are being organised by the Bendle brothers.
Cream teas will be on offer and entertainment will include a dog and duck demo by Freddie and Julian Day. The afternoon will be opened by the Rev David Burton.
The organisers also hope to have some classic cars on show so bring yours along - it's only £1 per entry.
The August Bank Holiday weekend includes a commemorative tribute to the First World War in Clayhidon on the 100th anniversary with an exhibition at the church. On the Sunday there will be a WW1 play from Hemyock during the afternoon.
Henry piles on the pounds
Baby Henry Hewitt is now doing very well and his family want to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and wishes.
Henry James John Hewitt was born at Musgrove Park Hospital on 15 January, two months early, and weighed just three pounds and five ounces. He came home to Battle Street, Clayhidon, in March, and now weighs more than 12 pounds. His parents David and Kate would like to thank all those who gave cards and presents to their baby.
Kate said: "It was very comforting receiving so much support from our neighbours while Henry was in the Special Care Baby Unit and we would like to thank people for their thoughts and kind wishes."
Hall committee's tribute to Bee
Banned farmer 'refusing to give up his dogs'
A Clayhidon farmer banned by a judge from keeping animals has told the Somerset County Gazettehe will refuse to give up his dogs.
>Mr Govier's interview with Gazette
The parish hall committee are still stunned by the death of Bee Hill who was such a force behind all that we have done over the past few years, writes Caroline Bendle.
She fought tooth and nail for the continuation of Villages in Action which brings such wonderful quality professional performances to rural communities such as ourselves and which Mid Devon in their wisdom, and poverty, continually try to axe.
We shall continue her work and to that cause we have just sent off our bid for this year's choice of acts. Hopefully it will be a wonderful range of talks, theatre and music, something for everyone. More will follow when we know how we have fared.
We have a quiet few months ahead until the Autumn programme kicks in on 26th September with 'Howdenjones' a couple who 'play contemporary acoustic music at its best'. Watch this space, all the reviews are excellent.
The Country and Western Club meet on every third Saturday in the month , so on 21st June, Hombre and on 19th July, West Country will be performing. Did you know that this small group have raised an amazing £2,050 for the Children's Hospice South West this last year and do so most years? A very big pat on the back for the whole club.
Clayhidon Friends meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Contact Anne Langford for more details...680086
Clayhidon Hall AGM will be at the Parish Hall on 4 June at 7.30. Members of the public are cordially invited to attend.
A career working for the Queen
The Queen's former correspondence secretary, Deborah Bean, spoke to Clayhidon Friends about her career in royal service.
In a fascinating talk she described the Queen's dedication to her daily routine, the royals' yearly programme and the enormous size of the royal "machine". >Read more.
Drivers stopped in police clampdown
Police and excise officers stopped dozens of vehicles at Smeatharpe and 20 drivers face prosecution for a range of offences. >Read more.
Catering crew, from left: Maureen Bendle, Alison Weekes, Doreen Pike, Judy Hutt and Nicola Bendle.
Soggy cyclists aid Parkinson'sFeeding wet and hungry cyclists and joggers proved a profitable first fundraising challenge for Clayhidon supporters of Parkinson's UK on 24 May. They laid on morning refreshments, hot soup, a buffet lunch and cream teas for members of the Wellington Wheelers and Cycle Somerset, who used the parish hall as the base for a 50-kilometre ride around the Blackdown Hills.
David Fleming, the cycle event organiser, also arranged a family cycle ride, jog and walk, but heavy rain deterred all but the hardiest. Sixteen cyclists braved the rain. Richard rode up from Exeter, completed the 50km circuit via Hemyock, Sheldon, Dunkeswell, Luppitt, Willand, Churchstanton and Clayhidon, and then rode home again.
Several Cycle Somerset Club riders rode up from Taunton to complete the course, together with cyclists from Wellington Wheelers. " We must do this again on a sunny day" said Ross. "The scenery was great, despite the conditions. But frankly, I'd ride up again just for the food!".
Alison Weekes, who organised the catering, said the event had raised £270 for Parkinson's UK: "We are very grateful for the support given by local helpers and by the generosity of the cyclists, who made this a worthwhile venture despite the dreadful weather.
"I would like to thank everyone who made cakes for us, especially Di Kelly and Doreen Pike'a granddaughter Charlotte for the lovely scones."
Smashing time was had by all
Around 100 cars took part, including national bangers (most of which had been smashed beyond recognition even before the start), F2 stock cars and saloon stock cars. >Read more.
A crowd of several thousand spectators, one of the biggest for years, squeezed into Smeatharpe Stadium on 26 May for Crasharama, a festival of outrageous driving, multiple collisions and twisted metal.
Turbary to be fenced and grazed in biodiversity plan
Clayhidon Turbary is to be fenced and grazed under a Devon Wildlife Trust biodiversity plan supported by the parish council, writes Sue Hay.
Edric Hopkinson from the trust gave the council an interesting presentation on the history and current management plan.
Devon Wildlife Trust has a lease from The Clayhidon Charity to manage the Turbary which is a County Wildlife Site and also designated by the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre in recognition of its significant nature conservation interest.
Over recent years the habitat has deteriorated due to the accumulation of vegetation litter and scrub. It is hoped to reverse this with various management strategies including grazing with ponies at a very low stocking density.
To enable this, the trust applied for permission to fence the Turbary. At present this is a public consultation exercise. As part of the work they propose to put kissing gates at all access points and to re-instate the footpath which crosses the Turbary.
Parish councillors agreed that fencing and grazing the Turbary would help to preserve it for the future.
>Read more from Clayhidon Parish Council.
MP to present petition on Blackdowns slow broadband
Clayhidon's poor broadband service was raised in the House of Commons on 1 May by local MP Neil Parish. He has been promised a meeting with the new Culture Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured) to discuss improvements and and Ed Vaizey, Minister for Culture and Communications, when he intends to present a petition signed by hundreds of local people.
Mr Parish told MPs: "The Blackdown hills and villages such as Upottery, Clayhidon and Rousdon are finding it difficult to get broadband. We welcome the Government's money, but BT is finding things difficult and there is secrecy about where the broadband will be delivered throughout the constituency.
"Will the Secretary of State meet me and local representatives to discuss the way in which we can roll out this broadband in a much better way?"
He was answered by the Culture Minister, Ed Vaizey, who said: "Absolutely. It is important to point out that the progress of rural broadband is really picking up pace, with 20,000 homes passed every week, but we must get out the information to local residents.
Mr Vaizey said he was sure Mr Javid would meet him "at the earliest opportunity" to discuss his points.
More than 1,000 people have signed a petition organised by Upottery councillor Graham Long on Change.org calling for faster fibre optic broadband cabinets in all Devon and Somerset villages, not just larger villages and towns. "
Old Dance School enthrall
The Old Dance School, a seven-piece band from Birmingham, chalked up another resounding success for Villages in Action on April 4, when they played to a packed Clayhidon parish Hall.
Reviewers fall for Rita's charms
"Is it always like this in Clayhidon?" asks Brian Lewis one of our reviewers of Educating Rita, performed by the Uncommon Players at the Parish Halll on 8 March.
"The audience were totally swept along during this production, and showed it, with the end coming to rapturous and well deserved applause. Furthermore, even the interval catering was fantastic."
Diana Speiaght calls it an entertaining evening and days "The Uncommon Players produced an admirable performance full of humour and wit. "
You can read both reviews in full on this link.
Friendly fund-raising fry-up
Big breakfast smiles: part of the kitchen team at Clayhidon Parish hall on 1 March, when Cancer Research UK volunteers cooked a delicious fry-up for dozens of local people. They raised over £1,160.
St Andrew's marks 740 yearsSt Andrew's Church, Clayhidon, celebrated 740 years of existence on 27 February, with a dedication festival eucharist.
A cloth of former ministers attended the special communion service and a lunch later in the church room. >Read more.
At the centre of local life for more than 740 years >Read Rev David Burton's fascinating anniversary sermon
Bee Hill
Cyclists, joggers and walkers invited to a Bank Holiday family exercise event
Cyclists, joggers and walkers will descend on Clayhidon on May Bank Holiday Saturday (24 May) for a family fun day.
Clayhidon resident David Fleming – on behalf of two Somerset cycle clubs – invites you to join them. All events will start at the parish hall, and any profits will go to Parkinson's UK.
How to choose our MEPs
Clayhidon Parish Hall is open for the European Parliament election on Thursday 22 May from 7am to 10pm.
Voters are choosing six MEPs for the South West Region from a total of 48 candidates standing under eight party labels. Simply put an X next to the party you wish to vote for. There is no option to vote for individuals. The six winning candidates are calculated using a form of proportional representation.
The eight parties standing in the south west are:
>Click here for information about how to vote.
No budget for maintaining Clayhidon roads
Clayhidon Parish Council has discovered that there is no budget at all for maintaining parish roads because they are of a low classification.
Potholes will be repaired when reported but otherwise the reduced road budget is directed to the major routes.
The council is to invite Neil Parish MP to a meeting to explain how councils are expected to maintain roads when they do not receive sufficient funds from central Government.
>Read more.
Blackdowns AONB faces 90% cash cut
Staff working to protect and conserve the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are "astounded" by a proposed 90% cut in their grant from Somerset County Council. The AONB office in Hemyock has been warned its annual grant may be slashed to £1,000 on 19 February as part of an £18m budget cut-back . >Read more on Around Wellington.
Fast broadband would cost £2,000 per household
Bringing superfast broadband to one Blackdowns village would cost around £2,000 per household, which would not be cost effective, a BT executive told a public meeting.
Clayhidon and many other Blackdowns parishes are in hard to reach areas which are unlikely to see any improvements in the foreseeable future.
These official replies have been rejected by Graham Long, the Upottery Parish Councillor who organised the meeting and is campaigning for more Government funding.
>Western Morning News report.
>Upottery Parish Council report.
Poets with strings attached
Hmmm. How exactly did Ben and Alfie wow Clayhidon Parish Hall on 12 February? Was this folk, was it jazz, was it world music? It was all those things plus a dash of classical, but above all it was poetry.
Ben is 21, sings and plays the fiddle. His brother Alfie is 19, sings and plays the double bass. Together they write music and invent songs full of wit and wisdom you don't expect from men so young.
A hundred years ago they would have been penning heart rending lines from the trenches, but Ben and Alfie take their inspiration from funny or profound things they heard on Radio 4, or experienced on the train or on wacky taxi rides.
They spent two months with traditional Senegalese musicians and story tellers and the rhythms of West Africa come through strongly. But above all they are writers of brilliant songs with clever lyrics.
They may not yet make it to the big time with their performances – although the Clayhidon audience absolutely loved them. But their songs deserve a much, much wider audience and you could easily imagine some really big-name performers snapping them up. Well done Villages in Action (who supported the event) for a great piece of talent spotting.
Outdoor school planned for Clayhidon
Four new planning applications have been submitted for Clayhidon properties, including an outdoor school and a barn conversion. For details and to find out how to have your say click here.
Farmer accused of neglecting animals
A Clayhidon farmer pleaded guilty to 14 offences of neglect, failing to dispose of carcases, exposing livestock to hazards and inadequate record keeping, the Western Morning News reports.
A judge at Exeter Crown Court on 24 January delayed sentence on Philip Govier, of Willtown Farm, and advised him to give up farming, >Read More.
A chance to have your say on council funding
Julie Fergusson, Project Development Worker for the
Making it Local project in Mid Devon, writes: Making it local is running a programme of over 20 consultation events for different special interest groups in preparation for a new bid for LEADER (local action) funding for 2015-2020.
There will also be a number of other ways to get involved, from our online survey to attending our summer events. One of the events is for people in the Parishes of Mid Devon, including Clayhidon.
Date:- Tuesday 1st April 2014.
Time:- 10am to 1pm (free light lunch included).
Venue:- Hemyock Parish Hall, Hemyock, Devon.
Please note booking is essential. Email email@example.com or call 01823 680626.
We would like to invite you to come to this meeting and share your thoughts on the importance of funding for projects in your area. We will be outlining the current likely priorities for the new LEADER programme and discussing the opportunities, the challenges and where investment would bring the most benefit.
There will also be a chance to flag up suitable projects that you might like to see funded under a future programme.
We are aiming for groups of between 10 and 20 people for these focus groups (2 people max from each Parish Council and please bring your Parish Plan), so we would be interested if you would like to recommend anyone else you think should be involved.
If you can't make this date but would like to have your say, please get in touch and we'll send you the programme of meetings and a link to the online survey. We have invited parish councillors from the list below and would be happy to hear your suggestions for others we should be inviting. You are of course welcome to forward this e-mail to anyone from the mid-Devon parishes who may be interested. Please note booking is essential (by telephone or e-mail).
Band 'leaves audiences breathless'
Another Villages in Action sponsored gig comes to Clayhidon on Saturday 4 April, this time featuring the stupendous band The Old Dance School.
Championed by both Bob Harris and Mike Harding on BBC Radio 2, Birmingham's cinematic septet unleash their duelling fiddles, soaring brass crescendos, wind and vocal harmonies and earth shattering in a genre-busting live show that's leaving audiences breathless.
We recommend that you note this event in your 2014 diaries for it is sure to be a sell-out event.To sample their music go to the band's website. >Click here.
For more information and to book tickets contact Bee Hill on 680347 or email:firstname.lastname@example.com
Bitter-sweet comedy booked for Parish Hall
The Northcott Theatre group The Uncommon Players come to Clayhidon Parish Hall on Saturday 8 March with their new production, Educating Rita.
This bitter-sweet comedy, made famous in a film with Julie Walters and Michael Caine, hilariously explores the prejudices of a strong-minded pair in their story of increasing mutual respect.
It makes for an evening of classic comedy, and with University Degrees becoming expensive commodities it also asks penetrating questions about the purpose and value of investments in education, for students and teachers alike.
For more information and to book tickets contact Bee Hill on 680347 or email:email@example.com
Children and adults are invited to contribute memories, thoughts and artwork to celebrate 790 years of St Andrew's Church, Clayhidon.
There will be two special services in February in celebration of the very long life of the church: 1274 – 2014, writes Pam Reynolds.
The first will be a FAMILY SERVICE on Sunday 23 February particularly for the benefit of the children and young people, who will be told something about its very long life and who will be having a special after-service treat.
We are hoping that as many youngsters as possible will come and join in but particularly we would like them to bring with them something that they have drawn or photographed or written about the church which will help them to remember their church which has stood here for so many, many years.
It could be a kind of 'birthday card' but whatever it is we will keep it as part of our church's history and this special year.
The second service will be at 10.30am on Thursday, 27 February in thanks and praise for the life and mission of the church.
This will be a service of Holy Communion and we hope that many will come even if they are not communicants. We have invited all our past rectors whom we know and the retired clergy who still help us so much.
Again, we would like to ask clergy and congregation to write anything about OUR church. It belongs to us all and just as thousands of people during all those centuries have turned to it through difficult times and happy occasions, now is our opportunity to give thanks and perhaps record our feelings on paper or clay or even material. We look forward to seeing you on the 27th.
Ben and Alfie: folky, classical, utterly originalTickets are still available for the Ben and Alfie gig at Clayhidon Parish Hall on Wednesday 12 February. All of their repertoire is original and some is inspired by their time in Senegal, where they were lucky enough to spend two months living with the West-African musician Seckou Keita.
Ben and Alfie are classically trained but then began playing/arranging old folk tunes. Throughout their lives they have picked up many different musical influences which shape the music. These include Western and Eastern European Folk, Jazz, Classical, West African and South American influences.
Their music has a strong folky feel, yet the textures of classical music are also evident in their stylish and atmospheric compositions. Now with two albums under their belts, the duo is quickly establishing itself as one of the hottest new talents around.
We heard them play at the Villages in Action menu launch and were enchanted by their performance, one that we really wanted to share with you – you won't be disappointed.
See the website: www.benandalfie.blogspot.com/
More informationand tickets from Bee Hill on Tel: 680347 or email: email@example.com
12-mile route for walkers
These little way markers have suddenly appeared all over Clayhidon. They mark a new 12-mile walking route from Hemyock to Staple Hill, the highest point of the Blackdowns. Using existing footpaths, the route takes in Burnworthy, Churchstanton Church and the old airfield at Trickey Warren. It has been created by the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty office. A leaflet has been promised and eventually walkers will be able to download the route here, on the AONB website.
Whisky lovers entertain their lassies
Members of the Clayhidon Whisky Appreciation Society can sometimes be glimpsed wearing Tam o'Shanters and orange wigs, but they looked remarkably sober in DJs when they entertained their wives to a Burns Night supper in the Merry Harriers.
Everyone stood for the Toast to the Haggis. Jeremy Corke, the only genuine Scotsman present, gave the traditional Address to the Lassies, and Maggie Corke gave an eloquent reply.
Various poems by the great man were read, including an unknown work recently "discovered" by Bob Brien and another allegedly written by his great great grandson, Wayne Burns. Robbie would have turned in his grave.
A bottle of Old Pultenay, a fine single malt bequeathed to the society by its late founder, Ken Wakeling, was fully appreciated before everyone sang Auld Lang Syne.
Commandos do battle in Hidon Wood
Royal Marine commandos armed with chainsaws are helping Clayhidon Parish Council restore Hidon Wood and create new woodland walks.
Hidon Wood was bought by the council for the Parish about 10 years ago. Some work was done in the woodland at the time, but since then it has become completely overgrown with holly and birch.
The Parish Council, under the expert guidance of John Greenshields, the Blackdown Hills Woodlands Coordinator, started a project a year ago to restore the woodland. It will take several years to complete.
Royal Marines of the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone were invited to carry out some much needed tree-felling work, as part of their Assault Engineer training. >Read more.
Clayhidon rings in the New Year
Clayhidon's bellringers braved a wild night on Tuesday to ring out the old year and sound a welcome to 2014. High winds and rain couldn't keep them out of the St Andrew's tower to honour a centuries-old tradition. Pictured from left are Brenda Persey, Mike Reynolds, Lyn Davison, Ted Pitt, Rosemary Jones and Pam Reynolds.
Archive >


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subset: commoncrawl


text:
CIST - L5rename
pranitsingh524's version from 2016-09-09 05:54
tag must be inside what?
|the body
|when do you use div?
|for formatting for large sections
|Should you use the type of sectioning element that it asks for? for example, if an assignment asks for an

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|what can you add inside the footer?
|a paragraph
|when it comes to the header, footer, and the div, does it matter what order they are in?
|headers & footers are used ONLY inside what tag?
|body tag ()
|what is the different between class and id?
|class can be shared by others; id's are unique to the person
Pages linking here (main versions and versions by same user)
No other pages link to this page. See Linking Quickstart for more info.


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At the risk of casting myself as a Crazed Cinephile Stalker, I should probably admit upfront that I've followed Mike Figgis for a number of years before he signed up to Twitter. Previously I've sought out his films, read his books and screenplays, as well as spent time viewing his photographs. I even managed to stumble across his accidental appearance on "The Fourth Plinth" somehow (it would be a better/more scary story if I'd managed to be in Trafalgar Square, but I confess, I only watched the live stream online). During this time I've been fortunate to see him speak on a few occasions, most memorably at the first School of Sound in 1998 when I was student and what he had to say about Titanic resonated so deeply that I think it will live with me forever. I think it's safe to say that he has managed to forge a career that is unparalleled in contemporary cinema, for better or worse. It is clear that Mike is a man with a fierce creative drive and voracious interest in the shapes that define the medium. All of which appeals to me greatly.
© Mike Figgis
Needless to say I jumped at the opportunity to attend a Guardian Masterclass with Mike with both feet. So this past weekend I took myself on the EuroStar to Paris and had the pleasure of listening to him share some great stories about his experience and process.
In preparation for the class I spent some time revisiting Mike's work and embarked on a bit of a Figgis marathon. While I've enjoyed watching the films again, it was reading his Digital Filmmaking book that stopped me in my tracks. There are lots of really great, challenging and provocative ideas expressed within the pages, but one observation seemed particularly apt:
"[T]he word 'amateur' isn't used very much any more. Nowadays everyone is a filmmaker. There is an interesting reason for this. Back in the day, there were two very big factors that separated the amateur from the pro: money and technology. An amateur filmmaker shot Super-8, a pro shot on 16mm or 35mm. The difference in equipment and cost was huge. The price of a pro camera was prohibitive, and the cost of processing and post-production so high that only the very rich or professionals could afford it. But that world has now vanished, and along with it the label 'amateur'."
Mike Figgis, "Digital Filmmaking" Faber and Faber, 2007, p. 1.
Now this title was originally published in 2007. What is that in Final Cut years? For those of you keeping score, and to provide some context, it was the year FCP 6 was released and we first met Color, as well as the RED ONE and the iPhone. This was a time before DSLR video and the iPad. So much about the technology we use has changed in this time, yet, as I believe the discussion around FCP X has shown, a great many of us are labouring under the misapprehension that these labels still matter. And whilst we argue a generation of filmmakers have moved on.
As I find myself conducting a bit of a history lesson, we should acknowledge that for British filmmakers the seeds of this change were sown many years ago. If we look to the 1980s we see a similar discourse emerge around ACTT Workshop Declaration. Then as now, the mainstream, commercial industry was challenged by those with access to fledgling technologies and alternative ways of working.
Where does this leave us today? I don't believe that there's a definitive answer, but we must accept that digital technology has changed our world forever. It's possible that we're part of a cycle and that the bubble will burst, but short of one of those doomsday scenarios where all computers fail or the Internet gets unplugged, I'm not sure I would want to stake everything on that.
What I see is an expanding group of filmmakers, some of them well established figures like Mike Figgis or my friend, John Akomfrah, who are actively seeking alternative means to stay productive. The tools they embrace are changing the game. Rather than aspire for the big budget extravaganza, they're choosing to tackle more personal projects that industry often considers too risky or lacking in commercial opportunity. Overall these filmmakers are happier to work with less money if it means they maintain creative control of the film.
In this space an efficient workflow becomes even more critical. FCP X may cost $299 when it arrives, this is great if you need to keep your costs down, but it's only part of the story. How you make use of the software is going to matter too. When you attempt to work outside the mainstream you just don't have the money to throw at difficult problems, especially those you haven't anticipated. It becomes vital that you take time to properly understand the tools you're using or find collaborators who do. In his book Mike suggests you treat all of the tools you use, even the inexpensive ones, with a "seriousness" that reflects the value you place on your work. I think it's the relationship between cost and value that will define your experience FCP X.
The wait for news from Cupertino may continue, but it's high time the debate moved on.
Tags: FCP X


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{gallery}/04_20_10/lung{/gallery} Twenty-five years ago, Rotary International created PolioPlus, to immunize the world's children against polio. To date, Rotary has donated more than $800 million and countless volunteer hours toward their goal. Last week, Jim Reel of Bear Creek Rotary, visited the Eagle Point Rotary with an iron lung, similar to one his brother died in many years ago.
Rotarians get a look at an Iron Lung
April 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment


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Doctor Strange had appeared on screen before in the not bad tv movie Dr. Strange (1978), which was one of a package of Marvel Comics titles brought up for television, which also spawned the The Amazing Spiderman (1977-9) and The Incredible Hulk (1977-81) tv series. There Dr Strange was played by Peter Hooten, but the film failed to attract sufficient interest to sell as a series. Dr Strange has appeared in episodes of other Marvel animated tv series such as Spider-Man (1994-8) and The Incredible Hulk (1996-7). For several years now, there have been rumours of a Doctor Strange film with names like Wes Craven and Guillermo Del Toro attached, before officially emerging as Doctor Strange (2016) directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Full Moons Doctor Mordrid (1992) was also an uncredited version of Dr Strange that did a fine, low-budgeted capturing of the essence of the comic-book.
In the 00s, Marvel Comics have gained huge industry muscle with immensely successful film adaptations of titles like Blade (1998), X-Men (2000), Spider-Man (2002), Daredevil (2003), Hulk (2003), The Punisher (2004), Fantastic Four (2005), Ghost Rider (2007), Iron Man (2008), Thor (2011) and others. Amid this, Marvel formed their own production arm Marvel Enterprises. Among the various high-profile big-budget films, they also started to produce a number of direct-to-dvd animated films featuring their superheroes with Ultimate Avengers (2006), Ultimate Avengers II (2006), The Invincible Iron Man (2007), Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow (2008), Hulk Vs (2009), Planet Hulk (2010), Thor: Tales of Asgard (2011) and Iron Man: Rise of Technovore (2013), along with this version of Doctor Strange.
Doctor Strange comes with a promisingly impressive quality of animation, which bodes well. Although, perhaps the first thing you notice is that Dr Strange is minus the distinctive appearance he had in the comic-books the pencil-thin moustache, the greying sideburns and billowing cape with high-backed collar and that he has been made much younger and given a trendy goatee. You can understand some of the liberties taken when Marvels characters appear in live-action the X-Men minus their yellow and blue costumes, Ghost Riders motorbike without its flaming wheels and so on but when an animated film dumps even the basics, you have to treat it with some dubiousness. That said, the film pays scrupulous attention to other details and we get appearances from a number of regular characters like Dormammu, Mordo, The Ancient One, Wong and places like the Sanctum Sanctorum and Dark Dimension.
The other major disappointment is that the film is distinctly lacking in any of the comic-books wildly psychedelic and mind-bogglingly cosmic visions of the esoteric. When it comes to the magic, the film shares the problem that too many CGI spectaculars do the magic becomes lots of flashing lights that pass by without effect. What the filmmakers should have done is gone and studied some anime or even shipped the production out to a Japanese studio where animes spectacular leaps between the big and small, the regular swathes of power unleashed and mass destruction were exactly what was needed to enervate the magic scenes here. Instead, all we get is people trading animated power blasts without it meaning anything. The film finally starts to go somewhere at the very end when Strange inherits the role of the Sorcerer Supreme and takes on Dormammu in an epic-sized battle of fireballs, mid-air flips, massive energy blasts and conjured energy shields, which does attain some of the scope lacking in the earlier scenes.
The story takes the time building up to the emergence of Dr Strange as the Sorcerer Supreme. As the writers note in the dvd extras, this is something that took place in about three panels in the original origin story but has been expanded out to about two-thirds of the film here. Alas, most of this is only standard cliches of Eastern mystical training. The problem with the film is its very briefness it only runs 73 minutes. It shares the problem of any film that tells a superhero origin story. More than two-thirds of the story is taken up with Dr Stranges transformation into the Sorcerer Supreme ie. we never get to meet the full-fledged version of the comic-book character until near the very end. When this happens, Strange is suddenly handed the Eye of Agamotto and is then off to battle both Mordo and Dormammu, both of which are defeated in no time at all. What is crucially missing in these is any struggle to overcome these nemeses, or of the usual heroic arc where the hero is defeated and must return stronger to win the day. I expected a good deal more of a Doctor Strange film.
Trailer here:-


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The organisation currently delivers four key services aimed at enabling learners to access and succeed in meaningful employment. The organisation acknowledges the increasingly linked relationship between level of education and employability and is committed to continue to add further innovative and creative services in a bid to meet its objectives in this area.
GMS provides a 1-year full-time programme of classes to prepare students to re-write selected National Senior Certificate subjects. Since 1994, over 1 500 young people have graduated from with an improved Matric. They have gone on to access study and employment opportunities that would otherwise have been far from their reach. The school has developed and grown over time, the past few years have seen its student intake grow significantly (from 80 in 2010 up to the current number of 172). This flagship project of GADRA Education set a new benchmark at the beginning of 2015 when it established itself as the leading feeder school of Rhodes University.
Praesent nec odio tempus, imperdiet nisi in, malesuada orci. Quisque volutpat, nulla a volutpat ultricies, sapien leo sollicitudin odio, non eleifend odio mi in neque. Sed tempor in nibh quis consectetur. Pellentesque bibendum eget nulla sed varius. Suspendisse velit est, bibendum quis tortor id, finibus vulputate erat. Morbi posuere augue et auctor rhoncus. Nam eu est interdum, egestas turpis at, tristique diam. Nam et enim elementum, dapibus elit sed, tincidunt felis. Donec nec fermentum odio, at accumsan metus. Sed dignissim diam sed ultrices posuere. Praesent tincidunt ut enim at blandit. Donec tincidunt dui et vehicula ultricies. Donec et metus tortor. Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Aenean mauris ipsum, pharetra at tincidunt eget, ultrices et ipsum.
Maecenas quis sapien eu tortor faucibus laoreet ut vel dui. Quisque mauris nibh, egestas quis orci egestas, ultricies pulvinar magna. Suspendisse eget vestibulum nunc. Sed lacinia dolor a sem elementum, quis tincidunt sapien euismod. Ut feugiat augue purus, faucibus laoreet odio congue sit amet. Pellentesque auctor iaculis dui eu lacinia. Phasellus at risus in nibh eleifend fermentum. Proin consequat lacus vel lacinia tempus. Quisque sodales rhoncus est, a tempor tortor mattis id. Praesent gravida sollicitudin magna vitae tempor. Morbi eget fermentum tortor, luctus pulvinar ex. Praesent suscipit dapibus quam nec euismod. Phasellus sollicitudin nulla sed nisi dapibus lobortis. Ut aliquam tempus odio sit amet dignissim. Cras volutpat velit augue. Aenean lacinia aliquam sem, non rhoncus ante euismod ac.
Accessing Rhodes University is a preliminary achievement; the purpose of accessing the university is to graduate successfully because this sets one up for meaningful economic activity. GADRA Educations bursary programme is strategically designed to assist disadvantaged students to succeed at Rhodes. An area given specific attention is the large gap between study and the world of work. Students who are advantaged have the social capital to convert their university qualification into meaningful employment, this is not so for students without the networks and connections which come with privilege.


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Los Angeles Lakers star Nick Young (aka Swaggy P) recently added a new tattoo the canvas that is his body. Fortunately for Swaggy, his girlfriend Iggy Azalea was still by his side, and still cares about him – Because he was about to make a big mistake. A huge mistake. Instead of being a "Born Rebel", […]Read More
Terry Hollimon
Adrian Broner indicted for assault and robbery Say it ain't so! Former champion Adrien Broner has been indicted on assault and robbery charges as a result of an incident in January that took place outside of a Cincinnati bowling alley. Broner is already serving a 10-day jail sentence after violating his probation due to an […]Read More
D'Angelo Russell Reportedly Being Isolated by Teammates After Taping Nick Young Los Angeles Lakers rookie D'Angelo Russell apparently missed the "Snitches get Stitches" memo. A video popped up on Tuesday allegedly showing Russell secretly videotaping and recording a conversation in which he asked teammate Nick Young questions about being with other women. Nick Young aka […]Read More
Someone… PLEASE step in and get Katt some help. This has gone too far!!! First, he steals on the kid, and then… Just watch. SmhRead More
It's lit my G! Every now and then, we come across someone who is just so enigmatic. So unique. So special. And we here at The Barbershop enjoy sharing these people with the rest of the world. We have found our new "It" person this week – And her name is Lil' Tasty. Lil' Tasty? […]Read More
Tru & T-Holla join their friends from Kiro Radio's top rated morning program, The Tom & Curley show! John Curley & Tom Tagney host a live performance of their show and The Barbershop Boys made a special appearance. Tru was not his normal self…so make sure to tune into find out why! Live from […]Read More
After a disastrous season with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, former NFL leading rusher DeMarco Murray has been traded to the Tennessee Titans. However, he didn't leave Philly without one last parting shot. "I feel like I took a year off last year, so I am fresh," Murray said, according to the Titans' official […]Read More
Donald Trump is back at it again! Or should we say Mack Daddy Trump is back at it again. In a hotly contested, highly combative race to become the republican nominee for President of the United States the current front runner Trump may have actually reached a new low. How low did Trump go? Fellow […]Read More
Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos, the most decorated quarterback in the history of the NFL will say farewell to the game on Monday (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) Manning to retire Peyton Manning, arguably the most prolific Quaterback in the history of the national football league is expected to announce his retirement on […]Read More
The NFL Combine Every winter, the best college football players in the land head off to Indianapolis for the NFL combine. There they have the chance to show their prospective employers (All 32 teams in the Nationl Football League) how strong, fast and athletic they are. And each year, we "Average Joes" look at the […]Read More


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Intervening to create democracy in third-world countries is the obligation of capable societies
|Voting Style:
|Point System:
|7 Point
|6 years ago
|Post Voting Period
|2,580 times
|Debate No:
Rules of debate:
- Round 1 is for acceptance and definition of terms.
- No new arguments in Round 5
- Make your own argument, don't plagiarising someone else's.
- Keep to the topic
Important terms have been defined using Google Dictionary:
Intervening - Come between so as to prevent or alter a result or course of events
- he acted outside his authority when he intervened in the dispute
- their forces intervened to halt the attack
Democracy - A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives
Third-world - The developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America
Obligation - An act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment
Capable - Having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing
Society - The aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community
My opponent should feel free to mention historical events to back up his/her case, but I don't want this to degenerate to an argument based on those events, so please try to stick to the principles as much as possible.
This is my first debate, so I'm still getting used to this stuff! (go easy, but not too easy if you know what I mean)
Who will accept the debate?
Thanks OMGJustinBieber for accepting the debate. Can I first say, the research I've done suggests a lot of people on this site like to refer to you as a 'she' because of your profile pic, there'll be none of that coming from me!
Before I begin I will seek to clarify a comment that was made (I currently don't have the ability to comment due to technical difficulties with DDO's text message identity validation in NZ). Although the methodology to be used to support the flourishing of democracy, I don't believe anyone has a problem with diplomacy. I am talking about when diplomacy fails, when national leaders refuse to respond positively to calls for change from outside. This is, after all, why I'm talking about intervention.
Well then, without any further ado I will open the debate. Good luck to you, Con.
The title of the debate is unfortunately a bit wordy, but it's a difficult one to adequately convey in a few words. The idea however is both well-known and often pondered – that when something goes wrong in a third world country, for example, a head of state is assassinated or a government suppresses the rights of its citizens, such an injustice may move us to want something done about it.
The decision to forego the respect of a nation's sovereignty is, of course, not the first step that should be taken when considering ways to sustain democratic processes, but all too often a particular situation will raise the heckles of NGOs or other interested parties. The media get brought into the fray, and suddenly the world knows about it, and every man and his dog has an opinion about what should be done.
I'd like to defend the following stance in relation to the topic: that if a country is capable of entering the country and restoring general order, it should. Here are my reasons:
Con, you'll need to knock down all 6 arguments in order to win this debate, and after that I hope you intend to make a case of your own as to why NOT intervening IS an obligation. To shed the burden of proof by suggesting that capable societies aren't obliged to intervene but would be justified if they did would be a rather lazy line to take. Whatever you do, make some sort of positive case for your position rather than just attack my arguments!
So there it is. I await your response, OMGJustinBieber.
I welcome my opponent as this is his first debate on DDO. I'll cut directly to his arguments as I don't object to anything he has said thus far.
C2: Democracy does not inherently protect human rights. A constitutional (liberal) democracy (i.e. a republic) does provide a buffer against majoritarian rule, but other forms of democracy do not structurally contain these "inviolables" but rather subject them to the whims of the population. Even in constitutional democracies there are courts which interpret the extent of constitutional clauses which may result in a perversion of their original intent. Ultimately, those who are in power have the ability to overturn long-standing conceptions of "rights" as they hold a monopoly on force regardless of the governmental system.
[1] http://www.tparents.org...;
[2] http://en.wikiquote.org...;
[3] http://www.usnews.com...;
[4] http://www.iraqbodycount.org...;
[5] http://graphics.eiu.com...;
[6] http://www.boston.com...;
leopardforest forfeited this round.
I offer my sincere apologies for not meeting the time deadline for Round 3. I have been moving house this weekend, and don't currently have an internet connection at home.
Thank you, Con, for your words of welcome. It seems we're in for a very interesting conversation over these next 3 rounds! First, some comments about the flow of the debate so far:
Comment 1: Since I take the Pro position, should I be using the "P1, P2…Pn" set, or are P and C used relative to one's own argument, i.e. points for Con would be P and points against Con are C? For this round, I will use P and C as they stand relative to my arguments.
Comment 2: Please explain what you meant by "TURN"? (as used in Round 2 Con P1)
Comment 3: Nice Hitchens quote, and aptly raised. I believe that arguments based primarily on past events are too easily corrupted by bias, incorrectly transmitted information and incomplete context. That's why my preference is to build a case primarily on reasonable sub-contentions and syllogism rather than use past events as the primary evidence (it is to this method of arguing that I referred in Round 1). I hope you will accept this interpretation of evidence, though it contrasts to your requested "case study".
Now it's time for me to attempt to show the weaknesses in Con's case.
Con's Case
C1: Your point in summary appears to be that developed, democratic countries do not have the means to intervene in every nation that has a flawed system of governance. I agree, but your point is unimportant in the context of this debate. The debate topic is that "intervention to create democracy in third world countries is the obligation of capable societies. If a society is not capable of intervening because it is too busy helping someone else out, I argue they have no obligation to intervene additionally and concurrently in that other nation. To this end, I made a comparable point last round, P1, that "can implies ought", which is developed below.
Operation Iraqi Freedom has certainly taken its toll on the American economy and society, as well as that of those nations who contributed to the campaign. The problem with you bringing up Iraq is that the war should never have started in the first place. Consider the Baker Report, commissioned before 9/11. One cannot help but see that the idea was not about ridding Iraq of WMDs or of toppling Saddam Hussein. America's objective was to secure a reliable source of oil for the next few years. As for the folks who were persuaded by the wartime propaganda and joined the cause, they should have backed out too as soon as it became apparent to them that there were no WMDs or WMPs to be found.
C2: I take it the thrust of your point is to suggest democracy is not an inherently superior model. A working democracy gives people what they want. Your case is an interesting for sure, so let's examine your argument a little closer:
If I'm reading you correctly, you've said that in Egypt the flourishing of democracy was responsible for a setback to women's and homosexual rights. May I suggest you alter your wording to read "equality of treatment regardless of sex or sexual orientation" as no rights are exclusively afforded to women and homosexuals. My response is that democracy is the best protection a country can have against violators of human rights. That's not to say that in some democratic countries, like Egypt, that people will always choose to vote in politicians that do the best job of protecting equality of treatment for everyone, but compare this with the protection offered by communism or fascism for example, where there is next to no protection for these individuals' rights.
Let's now return to my arguments and see how they fared.
Pro's Case
P1: "Can implies ought". Sorry, I totally misread that source, and what I wrote was much too ambiguous. However, it is not my intention to drop the point, in fact I believe this idea is at the very core of my case. Let me try a syllogism to explain what I meant and resurrect its pertinence:
Premise 1: Agents encounter situations where ethical responsibility is in play (We must make a choice)
Premise 2: An agent does good by choosing outcomes where their ethical responsibility is intact (To help is to do good)
Premise 3: Excepting limited time or resources, agents have no sufficient reason not to do good (We should help unless we are already helping someone else)
Conclusion 1: Agents with the ability to help in a given situation have ethical responsibility to help (Can implies ought)
Now it should be clear that the argument was not designed to imply that you have ethical responsibility to break the arm of your brother who is supposedly 60 years your junior. Also, I'm happy to admit that this argument implies that democracy is a good thing without giving proof – that burden is sustained by P2.
P2: "Democracy ensures human rights". You raised some good points against P2 last time, but as contentious as the point may be, I believe the point still stands in my favour. What you've attempted to do is to prove that some democracies aren't perfect to an extent, while once again ignoring the darkness of dictatorships, military juntas, or other equally barbaric systems of governance. I'm repeating myself, but democracy as a system of governance is the best at protecting human rights.
The raison d'etre of the point is to establish the goodness of democracy, and by extension, that creating or sustaining democracy in countries where human rights are threatened is also a good thing. So long as I can do this, the associated premise achieves its task.
P3: "Citizens incapable of restoring democracy" Regarding the claim I made last round that the majority of people in third world countries that are capable of overhauling the government are part of the problem, this point is probably going to amount to a matter of opinion, unless someone can find some aggregated statistics on nations deposing bad systems of governance.
But let's skip the opinion tennis and talk about the options instead. If a country's citizens are unable to depose of a dictator themselves, it's perfectly fair for them to seek help from Uncle Sam and his friends. Conversely, if they are able to, this usually doesn't come without years and years of suffering under the same man before positive changes happen. Then there are the cases that nobody has been able to fix up yet, like Zimbabwe. The people of Zimbabwe have suffered under Mugabe for 32 years, and while Mugabe is alive he will continue to oppress his people.
P4: "Diplomacy will not resolve issues" Perhaps a better way to have stated this point would be to say "Diplomacy will not resolve all the issues all the time". As I haven't done this from the beginning, I've left myself open to be misinterpreted. Yes I'm taking an active view of intervention, but only once diplomatic attempts and trade embargoes bear no fruit. To define intervention as including diplomatic measures would make the topic undebatable.
P5: "The UN can help". Of course the point adds to my argument. If a country expects to preserve its integrity when trying to bring about democracy in another land, it had sure better do it in a diplomatic way on a global scale, especially if there is disagreement from some. The UN helps to establish legitimacy to an intervention. If you wish to maintain your objection Con, please show how UN-birthed legitimacy does not help.
P6: "Intervention creates stability" I'm running out of characters. If my opponent wishes to host a further debate on the topic of this point, I'd happily accept, especially since you've shown interest in its development.
The bottom line so far: Con has attacked some minor points around the periphery of my case, but key points of P1-3 are still standing strong. Tune in next round for P4-6 developed.
Response to comments:
C1: Use whatever you like, as long as I understand it and it's structured properly I don't mind.
C2: Just a subpoint.
C3: I'll address this throughout the argument in my responses.
Con Case
C1: "The means to intervene" is a little relative and ambiguous. I think my point still stands here because the US does have enormous military spending relative to the rest of the world and holds one of the strongest militaries in the modern era. Pro's contention implies the initiation of many conflicts in the third world given our capacities. Pro returns to "can implies ought" which, I have mentioned, is contingent on whether we accept the principle at hand. Perhaps if Pro proved the principle this point could accepted. If consequences are viewed as morally relevant - an issue that hasn't been explicitly addressed, but I believe so - then Pro's argument implies interventions across numerous African states. Such an intervention would undoubtedly carry an enormous cost financially and in terms of lives.
It's a little peculiar to see Pro so adamently against toppling Saddam Hussein, an obvious dictator, when he is arguing that intervention against dictators to create democracies is correct. This at first glance appears to be a backpedal from Pro as democracy-building was exactly what occured in Iraq.
C2: Fair enough, when I refer to "gay rights" or "women's rights" I am referring to equal treatment. Unfortunately, Pro refuses to reference case studies here and build a case for democracy which leaves his responses at mere assertions. I have argued that there are structural caveats in the democratic system and that the system is not intrinsically superior to a dictatorship, but Pro refuses to cite case studies because, as noted in comment 3, he believes they are unreliable. Pro has made no serious objection here as my original argument was that there is nothing intrinsically superior - or that a dictatorship could theoretically be superior in terms of the welfare of the people - than a democratic alternative. If Pro is going to make his case that we must systematically intervene in third world nations governed by a dictatorship he must account for these cases.
Pro Case
C1: Yes, as mentioned earlier the acceptance of "can implies ought" is the ethical principle to which the statement is concerned. Pro must make his case before we can accept this.
C2: I've mentioned structural caveats in democracy, Pro concedes this and responds that in general democracy has a better track record in terms of human rights than dictatorships. However, Pro must account for cases where this is not the case as up to now he has not seriously questioned the notion that there may be dictatorships that are more favorable than a democratic option. Also, an enormous caveat here that has not been given due time is the instability if not outright violence in the wake in the collapse of dictatorships. Pro absolutely must address this despite his disdain of case studies, and the French Revolution is a prime example of this. Any quick transition of power is likely to bring instability, as was the case in post-Saddam Iraq.
C3: Again, mere assertion.
C4: Accepted - this isn't really a point of argument but a point of clarification for Pro.
C5: Like C4, this is just a point of clarification that doesn't really add to Pro's argument. In reality there is no way the UN would be supportive of a wide scale intervention in third world dictatorships. Many of these third world countries have seats on the UN and such a measure would be very radical.
C6: Pro runs out of space here so I have nothing to respond to. The debate may take place on a later date.
I'll reiterate my statement made in R2: Pro's case must be two pronged that a) Democracy is inherently superior in terms of upholding human rights than a dictatorship and b) We have a moral obligation to intervene across the third world to accomplish this goal. Pro refuses to engage case studies unfortunately which seriously limits the scope of his case. Nor does b follow from a. The case for "a" must address both case studies and responses to the caveats proposed earlier. Pro also does not respond to the ambiguity in deciding which countries ought to be intervened in terms of whether we're limiting ourselves to pure dictatorships or whether hybrid or corrupt democracies are worth intervention.
Pro thusfar has made no serious counter-point to my claim regarding the staggering costs in terms of human lives and financial resources this policy would entail. Furthermore, he merely posits that democracy is on balance superior to dictatorships in terms of human rights. This statement does not account for cases where that proposition is untrue or where establishing a democracy has led to unintended consequences in the form of guerilla warfare (Iraq, Afghanistan), political turmoil culimationing in terror and executions (French Revolution), or geopolitical instability.
Many of Pro's points (P1, P3, P4, P5) are not directly relevant to the moral proposition at stake. Whether the UN intervenes, diplomacy fails, the citizens are unable to overthrow the dictator, or "can implies ought" are arguments that are essentially putting the cart before the horse. Before we can accept these points as meaningful is contrived from accepting the basic moral principle stated in the resolution. P2 and P6 do take up the issue of consequences, but P6 is not argued due to lack of space and P2 I question in the form of caveats in the democratic system and benevolent dictatorships. The issue of the morality of intervening as opposed to simply acknowledging one system as superior in the domain of human rights is one area of the argument that Pro has neglected. Are we to essentially declare war on every nation which fails to live up to the standards of American democracy?
Back to you, Pro.
And so we enter the final round. During this time I'll first sweep away some glaring flaws in my opponent's argument, then try and bring a sense of closure to the ideas that I brought up.
Con's Case
Are there good reasons to believe that intervention is not an obligation? I think not. Con raises two arguments, one of which is D.O.A, and the other which is fraught with difficulty.
Con's argument from cost can be reasonably ignored, since it has been demonstrably refuted. The core of his argument is that "the cost of intervening in all 55 of these [authoritarian regimes] as well as against rising superpower China would be staggering to the United States and would completely demolish our standing in the world."
This argument can't hold any water in a debate where the topic is about obligation based on capacity. Con rightly points out that if America tried to unilaterally intervene in a country like China it wouldn't work, in other words, that America is not capable of doing this. However, this argument is self-contradictory in a debate about capacity - a society capable of intervention that is not capable of sustaining the cost is a self-contradiction, like a married bachelor or a jobless employee.
Over the course of the debate Con has accused me of making unfounded assertions, but Con has actually made plenty himself, especially in this argument. He says that
"granted the certainty of disapproval from the UN over the prospect of directly intervening against all non-democracies this will lead to the US inevitably committing unilateral aggression"
Plenty of multilateral agreement has happened outside of the UN. Continuing with Con's America-centric view of the world, America has strong connections with many countries in the world, notwithstanding its special relationship with England. There is no need for America to pursue a global takeover on its own.
Notice too how Con has misread my rebuttal to this point in Round 4 – at no point did I say I was against toppling Saddam Hussein. My argument is that America was not motivated to intervene in Iraq because of Saddam, but because of oil. If oil had not been a factor, I think intervention would have better ground to stand on.
Con's only other point is the lack of inherent superiority in democracy. Con and I are in a head-to-head contest to show whether democracy is a superior system of governance. The only problem is, Con comes with no alternative, and his argument is really just a rebuttal to my second point. Back in Round 2 he asked me to give a two-pronged case, one prong of which was to show democracy was inherently superior. So, belatedly, here it is:
Premise 1: Democracy offers comparably good protection against violations of human rights
Con's rebuttal seems to focus on democracy's shortcomings, but nowhere does he give a comparison to other models and their treatment of human rights, and I think we can read a lot into his silence on this. Con is welcome to advocate a rival system of governance, but unless and until he does, we should all accept the conclusion.
Pro's Case
Having explored Con's case, we must now ask ourselves if there are good reasons to think that intervention is an obligation. I've given you successful arguments that solidify each point of the topic, and Con's attempts to rail against these points have come up short.
First, I presented "can implies ought". Con has recently charged me with not making a case for accepting it, i.e. asserting without evidence. Did he miss my argument in Round 4? In case you did too, let's have another look… (by the way, this is prong 2 of 2)
Premise 1: Agents encounter situations where ethical responsibility is in play (We must make a choice)
Note that Con has not interacted at all with this argument, so I am taking it he has no objection to make to it. He has the liberty to attack any of the 3 premises of the argument in Round 5, but unless and until he does, we must assume that the principle is now accepted by Con.
Next, I made a point that democracy is the best system of governance to ensure human rights are protected. I could have made other points about democracy, such as its stability or representation, but I chose human rights protection because it is almost exclusively the violation of human rights that gives any legitimacy to an intervention. For example, a country whose companies pillage the economic resources of that country would not be intervened, at least not in the active sense I'm talking about.
As I said before, Con has had plenty of time to present a different system of governance as better than democracy at protecting human rights. This would have been the simplest rebuttal to the point, but he has not done this. Let this speak volumes to you that democracy does the best job. Remember that if democracy is the best system of governance to protect human rights, we do a good thing to displace a system that is relatively poor at protecting human rights.
So then, why do we need intervention to create democracy, why can't countries just set it up themselves? The answer is because citizens are incapable of establishing democracy on their own. The average Joe who isn't permitted to freely speak his mind is likely to be cut down by police or surveillance groups if he tries to bring people together to create change.
I couldn't think of a more perfect example than Morgan Tsvangirai, the Zimbabwean farmer turned suppressed political voice. Once a part of a farming board, Tsvangirai rose to prominence because he spoke for the people. He wanted to get Mugabe overthrown for the unjust allocation of farms to anybody who called themselves a veteran from the civil war of the 1970s. Long story short, Tsvangirai has been arrested, tortured, mocked and vilified by the Mugabe government. After more than ten years of political activism, Tsvangirai is still determined to depose Mugabe, but while voting systems are rigged, Mugabe won't leave power until he dies.
Con makes no comment on the nepotism that is rife in third world countries, and insists that I'm baldly asserting that the wealth and resources of a country are found in people who will do anything to protect their privileged position. Do I really have to remind Con of Africa's post-independence nightmares, or mention military juntas like Myanmar (pre-November) and Fiji? These political systems need to retire themselves to history and let their people be free.
In his rebuttal to Point 5 we see Con's favourite straw man appear again, that obligation is not limited by capability. The inverse of can implies ought is can't implies needn't, but Con is still convinced that I'm arguing that all third world countries should be intervened at once, like some terrestrial version of Mars Attacks. Need I say anything more?
To summarise, I have given Con the two-pronged case he requested to see, and Con has failed to make a substantive objection or case of his own. For this reason, you owe me your vote.
That concludes my case. Thank you, Con, for a lively first debate. I've appreciated your clarification (and patience!) and feel welcomed into the DDO community. I look forward to a challenge from you to debate Point 6 on your terms which I leave to you to instigate if you wish...
Vote Pro
OMGJustinBieber forfeited this round.
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|Who had better conduct:
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|Had better spelling and grammar:
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|Made more convincing arguments:
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We love this richly coloured print featuring a posy of floral designs in soft neutrals, pinks and teal hues on a black background making each colour pop! Designed by US design house Rifle Paper Co, this would make the perfect finishing touch to a vintage styled room, be it a childs or adults.
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Material: Natural sturdy card
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Wheeling Nailers Tickets
The Wheeling Nailers are an ECHL hockey team from Wheeling, West Virginia. Founded in 1988, the Nailers are one of the oldest low-minor league hockey teams still in existence. They are currently affiliated with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens. The team plays in the North Division of the Eastern Conference.
The Nailers hold the record for three regular season Brabham Cup titles. Their team colors are black, red, Vegas gold, and white. Their home ice is the WesBanco Arena, though they also play at Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown.


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Episode 6
Strictly Dancing
I have a free Friday night!
What to do, what to do?
Stay home and watch a movie with Ben & Jerry?
Go out for drinks at a bar where the sports announcers on the multiple TVs do battle with the music piping through the overhead speakers?
I don't think so.
No, tonight I'm going dancing.
It never dawned on me that regularly scheduled social dance parties would be the norm at Fred Astaire Dance Studios. But in hindsight, it makes perfect sense.
If you are learning how to dance, you want the opportunity to practice…and not just to the radio in your kitchen. The intuitive instructors at Fred Astaire know this and provide the perfect setting to dance the night away…
Off is the fluorescent lighting in the studio this evening. Instead, festive, clear twinkle lights line the walls and small spot lights are strategically placed creating a warm and festive vibe. Music is playing, refreshments are laid out and the waiting area is filled with students, the teachers welcoming and greeting all.
I am not sure how the evening is going to go, but I slip into my sandals and make my way towards the group. I feel a tap on my shoulder just then and turn around to find Tobi asking if he might have a dance. Of course!
After class, staff announced that the following Friday would be a social dance night.
What? FADS regularly puts on social dances right at the studio so you can mix, mingle and practice your moves. What a brilliant idea! I'm in.
Hope to see you there!
The evening passed in a delightful whirlwind. Cha-chas, tangos, rumbas and waltzes. I danced with Tobi and the other teachers. I danced with students of various skill levels.
I danced all night. And as I twirled around from partner to partner, I got to learn a little bit about them. The mood was light and easy.
This was not the time for instruction and rules of learning. This was the time to enjoy dance. Purely. And honestly, I had the time of my life.


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Vauxhall Cleans Up at 2015 Scottish Car of the Year Awards
The new Vauxhall Astra hatchback took home the title of 2015 Scottish Car of the Year last month during the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers' annual Edinburgh awards ceremony. Vauxhall's sporty-yet-practical hatchback also took home the title of Eco and Family Car of the year, and the VIVA was named the best compact car.
"We're extremely proud that the Astra is the 2015 Scottish Car of the Year," said Mark Adams, Vauxhall/Opel's Vice President, Design, who accepted the award on behalf of Vauxhall. "The Scots have made Vauxhall their most popular car manufacturer over the last seven years, so we're glad that we've been able to repay their loyalty by delivering a car that will appeal in so many ways."
The Astra earned the Eco award for its 1.6-liter CDTi Whisper Diesel engine, which only generates 99 g/km of CO2 and returns 76.3 mpg combined thanks in part to the Astra's 200 kg weight-cut. Because of its utility and ample cabin space, the Astra was also named the year's best family car.
The Vauxhall VIVA earned the award for compact cars for its low starting price, smart performance, and fun-loving look.


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Website Launched for Law.com and HP Autonomy
We were hired by ALM and Law.com to make an HP Autonomy microsite. Whereas ALM is the biggest provider of law-related online properties (best known for Law.com) and HP Autonomy that offers excellent technology for eDiscovery research.
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We provided a WordPress content management system that was designed to look like their existing web properties. It included custom functionality to aggregate content, capture and track leads, display events, and publish promotions.


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I joined Peter Kiewit Foundation in January 2017 as the Office Administrator. Prior to joining the foundation, I attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha where I earned my B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in Investment Science and Portfolio Management. Throughout my collegiate career I was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Maverick Investment Club, and Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society. I also had various internships with Fortune 500 companies, such as IPG and TD Ameritrade, where I gained valuable knowledge and insight to both the information technology and business worlds. Following graduation, I spent some time working as an associate financial analyst for a broker dealer.
I was born and raised in Nebraska as an only child by two wonderful and supportive parents. Currently, I live with my boyfriend of two years, Stephen, and our 8-month-old Gold Retriever/German Shepard/Chow Mix, Lando.


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Before you go tinkering around inside your PC, you must be aware of a few potential hazards that exist. Most of the potential problems you encounter can be far more damaging to your equipment than to you. Except for the power supply, the voltage inside your PC is far too low to be a serious hazard to you, but it can cause very serious damage to the sensitive electronic components.
This is one caution we cannot stress enough! The power supply in your PC is built using low release capacitors and contains more than enough wattage to kill you even after it is turned off and the plug is pulled. Absolutely, positively, do not open your power supply under any circumstances!


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I'm excited to finally tell you about the beautiful music I've been listening to for the past week or so! The "Atychiphobia" album is a soundtrack to fulfill your majesty to and in this era of abundant anthems for shunning responsibility, Curtiss King's decision to help create and defend a haven for the folk with a more timeless sense of existence is an example of the difference between a leader and a superstar.
Historically, music resonates with the human psyche, and Hip Hop is no exception. So being the guy who incites people's emotions is just a cheap parlor trick without the grand finale of what you do with those emotions once you have them. It's the bark sans bite. You've demanded our attention, taken away from our achievements, our life lessons and for what? To share wisdom? To offer encouragement? NO! You called us off of our jobs and away from our crafts to sell us some shit, to distort our knowledge of self, and to ultimately keep us enslaved.
I hear the difference in Curtiss' lyrics, and I feel the difference in my spirit. Songs like "Loyal Mrs." and "The Freshest" are examples of how music can provide a new perspective for a woman or a child to vibe to. If you hear that women are gold diggers/hoes/selfish/lazy/etc. all the time not only will it be easier to disrespect them, it will become the norm. Curtiss King's musical acknowledgement of the loyal, supportive, and nurturing characteristics of women–whether it be his mother or his queen–provides an alternative to the bullshit we're served up by the media, and sometimes by friends and family who love us but don't know any better. And he takes the lesson a step further by explaining how a girlfriend/mother/friend playing their role gives him the ability to fullfill his own.
The dissertation given on the word Atychiphobia, which means a fear of failure, by Barely Broke Intellect's Darron Ayers weaved throughout the album, was a reminder for me: that it's impossible to succeed without making mistakes, thereby making failure nothing to fear. That idea is reinforced with tracks like "Hella Close" and "OhMyGod" that provide a defense for the attack against our right (and responsibility) to choose what success is for us. For me, "making it" consists of happiness and health over or in lieu of material shit, and this album reiterates that idea and strengthens my belief in it.
Curtiss King's "Atychiphobia" is a challenge to recall that with the great benefits of music–the ability of it to make or break a party or get stuck in your head or change your mood–comes great responsibility, but to only acknowledge that side of the record is to miss the entire point. There is showboating on this record, there is a challenge that he's the best Curtiss King out and for you to press your luck if you like. He grinds harder, he loves harder, he last longer and he came through with a pack of niggas just like him so don't think that this is the man's transition into Neo Soul. There's plenty for this hip hop head to keep in heavy rotation so I'd suggest you enjoy the bars and beats on this record, and allow the lessons to two-step with your subconscious.
But I don't know, you tell me if I'm right. The album drops on iTunes and in hard copy tomorrow, NOVEMBER 27TH so put your money on the real and let me know what YOU think!
Follow @CurtissKing on Twitter.


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Albany, NY - Albany Ramada Plaza Hotel
Address: 3 Watervliet Ave Ext. Phone: (518)438-8431
Location/ Directions: I-90 East to Exit 5, Everett Road. Bear Right off Ramp onto Everett Road. Left @ 1st light onto Watervliet Avenue Extension.
Average Price (Checked Nov 2010): $90.00 AAA Rated: NO Stars: (n/a)
About Hotel: 9-Stories, 216-Rooms, Interior Corridors, Free High Speed Internet, Gym/Fitness Center, Free Wireless HSIA, Free Deluxe Cont Breakfast, Full Service Restaurant On-Site, Lounge On-Site, Indoor and outdoor pool, Complimentary shuttle to airport, bus and train station, Pets Accepted (fee), Exercise Room, Alarm Clock, Coffee Maker, Hairdryer, Iron/Ironing Board in all rooms, Microwave and refrigerator in all rooms, 32 Inch Cable TV with HBO, Rollaway (fee), Business Center, Adjoining / Connecting Rooms, Guest Laundry, Free Parking - Bus, Truck, RV, Camper.
Railroad View: Good - Fair. Clear but distant view, a zoom lens would work best for pictures. Ask for a high floor on the north side, as you need to look over and past the I-90 Interstate.
Railroads past Hotel: CSX / CP / Amtrak. Most of the trains on this segment of this line are Amtrak passenger trains. Freight trains consist of CSX locals and CP freights to / from Albany, many of which now operate with Norfolk Southern locomotives.
Notes: This hotel was a former Quality Inn, later Clarian Hotel, now a Ramada.
Comments: I stayed here on business during the Quality Inn brand era. I didn't have much time to look for passing trains, though I did see a couple Amtrak's and a eastbound CP freight with a couple SD40-2's powering it. I didn't have a camera with me during that trip.
Picture Comments: The Ramada Inn is the building to the far left; the railroad is seen across I-90, on the right. High floors on the north side of the hotel provide a view of the railroad. It's not a very busy rail line, likely there are about 15-20 trains daily past here (during 24-hour period).