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Canadian Troops in Action
The Film
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Running Time
09 min 01 s
British Topical Committee for War Films
The Canadians had to learn how to fight and survive trench warfare, and in the months after their battle at Ypres in April 1915, they developed their techniques. They built dugouts that could withstand enemy artillery fire, they worked on their trenches (though they could never find a way to keep them dry), and they did what soldiers have always done: trained and trained again; watched and waited; and trained some more. This film, shot in 1915 (when the soldiers still wore cloth caps in the trenches) and in the early months of 1916 (after they had acquired their steel helmets), shows the Canadians in this learning phase.
Pieces of History
Life in the Trenches
Tim Cook
Historian, Canadian War Museum
From Switzerland to the North Sea, some 500 kilometres long, soldiers on both sides carved out ditches in the ground that, over time, were expanded in complexity and depth. By 1915, vast underground cities housed the soldiers, as the opposing armies faced off against each other across no man's land. Along this continuous line of trenches, offensive operations degenerated into frontal assaults, which were usually stopped dead by concentrated fire.
The Western Front, as it was called, consisted of a series of trench systems in depth. The front lines were held in strength, but behind them, joined by a series of communication trenches that ran perpendicular to the front, were support and rear trenches. Deep protective dugouts were situated along the front and rear trenches to provide some degree of safety against all but direct hits from artillery fire. Saps and listening posts were pushed into no man's land, where soldiers were positioned to provide advance warnings of enemy attacks.
Despite the unsanitary nature of front line trenches, they were areas of safety. The trenches protected against small arms fire, shrapnel bursts and high explosive bombardments. Every day and night soldiers shored up the crumbling walls, filled sandbags, and rebuilt sections that had been damaged by artillery fire. It was not only a war of the machine gun and rifle, but also of the shovel.
Life in the trenches was filled with long periods of boredom interspersed with terror. Much of the time was spent in routine duty. At half an hour before dawn, the infantry was roused from their dugouts or funk holes (small spaces carved into the trench walls) and ordered to 'Stand-To.' At the alert, they waited for a possible attack with bayonet fixed. If nothing occurred, and it rarely did, since the infantry of both sides were always at their most prepared at this time, officers inspected the men. Rifles were examined for rust; feet were prodded to ensure that dry socks had been worn to protect against trench foot. The latter being a type of frostbite that occurred from prolonged standing in cold, slushy water, and could, in severe cases, require the amputation of toes or feet. After inspection, soldiers were often rewarded with a small dose of rum, which was much appreciated by the men, who saw it as a form of medicine to help withstand the daily deprivations.
Breakfast, like most meals, usually consisted of canned beef, jam and biscuits. It was a monotonous diet, but soldiers rarely went hungry. For lunch or dinner, soup or stew was brought up from rear areas to offer some variety and warmth. Care packages from home, filled with cheese, bread and sweets, augmented the bland food. During the day, though, the goal of most privates was to avoid the sergeant who assigned trench chores. Most were unsuccessful, with soldiers spending much of their time rebuilding the trenches or standing sentry.
Despite these duties, soldiers had much free time, during which they dreamed of home and of loved ones left behind; worried about children who were growing up without a father; of ailing parents with no caregivers; or of a wife who was trying to feed a family with insufficient funds. Literate soldiers might spend a few hours scribbling letters. Return mail from home was a welcomed treat, with letters read and reread. These exchanges back and forth remained an important life-line to Canada from the trenches. And while they were usually subject to two levels of censorship, by officers at the front and officials in England, soldiers nonetheless tried to share their thoughts with those at home. Civilians could not understand everything, nor could soldiers often capture the full range of their strange experiences in words, but letters remained an important avenue of expression.
Boredom could be kept at bay through gambling, and there was always some rake with dice or cards to fleece his mates. If a soldier had no money, he at least had cigarettes. Soldiers smoked all day long, and cigarettes, which were issued by the army, bought in rear areas, and begged from those at home, were a useful distraction. They helped to calm the nerves, or so soldiers said, and they certainly helped to mask the stench of unwashed bodies.
There were no baths in the front lines and, most soldiers went at least a week, usually longer, without changing their clothes. Dirt and mud were a part of life and, during the winter, helped to insulate soldiers. Far more trying was the infestation of parasitic body lice. The lice lived in the seams of clothing where they feasted on human blood. Soldiers scratched themselves raw to get at their infernal enemies. They learned to defeat their insect adversaries, at least for a time, by taking off their shirts and running a candle over the seams. This drew out the lice that were then squashed satisfactorily between finger and thumb. While soldiers did this, they would sit around, talk, complain and gossip. It was known as 'chatting,' and it is just one of many wartime phrases that would enter the English lexicon. But the lice always came back, tormenting the soldiers day and night.
Rats, too, were a constant plague, and because they lived off corpses, they could grow as big as cats. They bit soldiers and scurried over their faces while they slept. The rats were hunted by soldiers and their trench pets, usually fierce terrier dogs, but the rodents lived in and outside of the trenches and were always multiplying. Their squealing movement could be heard throughout the battlefield.
Amidst the mud and slush in the winter, or heat and flies in the summer, soldiers developed their own trench culture. New words sprang up, slang like 'napoo' for being killed, or 'blighty' that referred to England or home. Artistic soldiers could take spent ammunition and shape it into art. Some soldiers tried their hand at poetry. While most were not as skilled as John McCrae, Wilfrid Owen or Siegfried Sassoon, to name the best-known war poets, the trench poetry or doggerel provided much insight into the soldiers' front-line experiences. At the group level, some battalions printed trench newspapers. Drawing from their own soldiers in the ranks—men who in civilian life had been editors, journalists and cartoonists—these crude newspapers contained rough humour and wry commentary on the strange, subterranean world of the trenches.
But just as a soldier might be penning a letter or staring at the blue sky above, the crash of an artillery shell could bring sudden death. The enemy was always there to kill or maim. Snipers skulked into no man's land, camouflaged and ready to put a bullet through a man's head should it rise, even for a second, above the safety of the trench parapet. Poison gas was released in the form of gas clouds and artillery shells, and soldiers who could not put on their respirator quickly faced a lingering death as chemicals corrupted and ravaged lungs.
Machine-gun bullets raked the front lines day and night. Yet artillery shells were the greatest killer in the war, accounting for more than half of all deaths. High explosive shells blew deep holes in the ground or wrecked trenches; soldiers were atomized by direct hits. Equally deadly, shrapnel artillery shells rained hundreds of metal balls and jagged steel down on soldiers, shredding through flesh and bone. Steel helmets, introduced in early 1916, helped to reduce casualties, but a unit's tour in the front lines almost always resulted in a steady hemorrhage of casualties. It was clinically called wastage, and impersonal charts showed that each month the infantry would lose approximately 10% of its strength, even in quiet areas where no operations were carried out. While the snipers and artillerymen did their dirty work, the soldiers could look around and see their best friends killed and maimed.
Yet the soldiers struck back in the form of nighttime raids. Changing into dark clothes, equipping themselves with revolvers, grenades, daggers and clubs, small groups of men snuck past their wire and into no man's land. Raids were a form of organized mugging, and the goal was to gather intelligence, kill the enemy and grab a prisoner. Enemy sentries were usually the target, but sometimes large groups of raiders slipped into the opposite trenches to wreck mayhem. While Canadian troops acquired a reputation as fierce raiders, these operations were dangerous affairs, and in the confusion of night fighting, casualties were often heavy.
To help relieve the unending pressure on soldiers, they were rotated in and out of the front line. On roughly four- to six-day tours, filthy, verminous, exhausted soldiers passed from front to secondary lines and finally to the reserves. This rotation helped to relieve the strain, but soldiers always knew they would return to the trenches in this maddening cycle.
Endurance was the key to survival and soldiers learned to cope with the inhuman conditions. Some developed fatalistic attitudes, believing they would be killed 'when their number was up'; others lived in terror all the time; a few hoped for a blighty wound, a bullet through the hand or leg that would take them away from the horror and back to a clean hospital in England. Thousands suffered mental breakdowns, known as shell shock, but hundreds of thousands more of the 'poor bloody infantry,' as the soldiers liked to call themselves, learned to withstand the strain of the trenches. And it was these survivors who, after four years of bitter fighting, would finally break the static warfare on the Western Front and defeat the German forces.
Selected Bibliography
Bird, Will R. Ghosts Have Warm Hands: A Memoir of the Great War, 1916-1919. Ottawa: CEF Books, 1997 (1968).
Black, Ernest Garson. I Want One Volunteer. Toronto: Ryerson, 1965.
Canadian Bank of Commerce. Letters from the Front : Being a Partial Record of the Part Played by Officers of the Bank in the Great European War. 11 v. Toronto: Canadian Bank of Commerce, 1915-1919.
Cook, Tim. "`More a Medicine than a Beverage': 'Demon Rum' and the Canadian Trench Soldier of the First World War." Canadian Military History 9, 1 (Winter 2000) : 6-22.
Fraser, Donald. The Journal of Private Fraser, 1914-1918, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Reginald H. Roy, ed. Nepean, ON: CEF Books, 1998 (1985).
Granatstein, J.L. Hell's Corner: An Illustrated History of Canada's Great War, 1914-1918. Toronto: Douglas and McIntyre, 2004.
Litalien, Michel et Stéphane Thibault, Tranchées : le quotidien de la guerre 1914-1918, Outremont, Québec, Athena éditions, 2004.
Morrison, J. Clinton. Hell upon Earth: A Personal Account of Prince Edward Island Soldiers in the Great War, 1914-1918. Summerside, PEI.: J.C. Morrison, 1995.
Morton, Desmond. "A Canadian Soldier in the Great War: The Experience of Frank Maheux." Canadian Military History 1, nos 1 & 2 (1992) : 79-89.
---. When Your Number's Up: The Canadian Soldier in the First World War. Toronto: Random House, 1993.
Morton, Desmond and J.L. Granatstein. Marching to Armageddon: Canadians and the Great War, 1914- 1919. Toronto: Lester & Orpen, Dennys, 1989.
Winter, Denis. Death's Men: Soldiers of the Great War. Markam, ON: Penguin Books, 1985.
Other Materials
Letter from Will Beattie, Feb. 15, 1915
Feb 15, 1915
My Dear Mother,
This letter will be censored so cannot tell you where I am other than that we are at the seat of war and within ear of the big guns though not near enough to be in the danger zone. I can lie in my bed and see the flash of light in the sky made by the artillery duel constantly going on and hear the boom boom boom of the canon regularly. It is awful to think that every time one hears a boom probably some more souls are sent to their God. One can't conceive what it means to be at war at your distance from the seat of it. The village from which I write was eight days in the hands of the Germans in October they were driven out by the British and graves all over the field mark the places where brave men fell. The church tower was shattered by shells and the interior badly damaged. Many buildings suffered. The cottage where I have my billet is near the church and the mother and two children took refuge in the cellar. My room was occupied by a wounded German & two German officers were killed near here & the woman of this home went out with coffee to a third who was wounded. One does not see a young man in any of these villages at all. They are all fighting, dead or wounded. We had two men killed on the journey. One fell off the train & another fell under it. I got off at --- [sic] where one fell & helped amputate his right leg, right arm & left hand. I gave the anaesthetic. He could not survive the shock, we buried him at --- with full military honors. He came from Hespler Ontario.
The little boy here speaks English & I am fast learning to speak French. We have lots of fun. I just finished a two page letter to Mabel in French with the help of the boy. These people are very poor and will be glad of the help I can give them by living here.
Sunday I arrived here about 2 p.m. and in the evening held 4 brief services in the barns & haylofts where the men are quartered. They are in about 35 billets & I purpose [sic] holding 5 services a night. It is interesting work. I go in, speak a little while to them sing two hymns pray & all join in the Lord's Prayer. Then I go on to another place. Tonight two men followed me out of the hay loft where I held my only service one to ask for Baptism, the other to talk with me about spiritual things. I spent today (Monday) visiting the various billets finding where they are (in an area of about 8 sq. miles) and announcing my intention to hold services at night. The boys are very pleased with their beds in straw lofts etc. and nearly all are well.
I could tell you many more things but one must keep the censor in mind. I must just close with this. Sunday night when I asked at one of my 4 services in a loft – what hymn they would like one fellow suggested "Lead kindly light." Think of the words & the situation. Outside the pitch dark lit up on the horizon like a brewing thunderstorm with the flare of canon & bursting shells, the accompaniment. Not that of a swell church organ but the boom boom of the death dealing guns; inside the flickering of a few candles amid the prostrate forms of a hundred men and you will catch a glimpse of the scene & understand how one could preach to boys who will soon move forward to the battlefront. [….] There is probably nothing in this letter to prevent your giving it to [illegible] if you wish.
Much love to you all. I hope you are well as this leaves me well and busy and happy in my work.
Your loving son,
Used with permission of the estate of Will Beattie, provided by The Canadian Letters and Images Project, Department of History, Malaspina University College
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)
The PPCLI, the first Canadian unit to arrive at the war front, was integrated with the British 27th Division and suffered terrible losses. During 1915, a reserve infantry battalion provided the PPCLI with reinforcements. On December 22, 1915, under the command of Brig.-Gen. A. C. MacDonell, the PPCLI joined with the 42nd and 49th battalions to form the 7th Brigade. During the Battle of Passchendaele, before the start of the main attack on the night of October 30, 1917, the PPCLI captured "Snipe Hall," an obstacle pillbox for the 9th Brigade on October 26. Struggling forward through the mire to their intermediate objective, a storm of enemy fire bombarded the battalion causing heavy casualties including most of their junior officers. The main accomplishment of the PPCLI on October 30 was the storming of the heavily guarded position on the Meetcheele crossroads due mainly to the courageous actions of two men. Lt. Hugh Mackenzie, DCM (a Patricia officer serving with the 7th Machine Gun Company), and Sgt. G. H. Mullin, MM, a regimental sniper, led an attack on the enemy's machine-gun pillbox site that was creating an obstacle to the battalion's left company's ascent of the ridge. Mackenzie was killed by enemy fire but Mullin successfully captured the pillbox single-handedly. With his revolver, he killed its two machine gunners and forced the garrison of ten to surrender.
The 5th (Western Cavalry)
The 5th Battalion also engaged in fighting at St. Julien and Boetleer's Farm in April 1915. In 1917 at Hill 70, when the machine guns of the 5th and of the Princess Patricia's Light Cavalry Infantry could not halt the advance of the Germans, the battalion's Mounted Rifles held in check enemy firing. After an assault on Hill 70 on August 15, the 5th Battalion captured 150 prisoners and eight machine guns. On August 9, 1918, at the Battle of Amiens, Sgt. Ray L. Zengel of the 5th Battalion was one of three men who prevented heavy casualties when he charged forward, attacked and silenced a machine-gun post, receiving the Victory Cross for his bold action.
Canadian Operations, January-March 19l6
In accordance with the policy of "wearing down" the enemy the Canadians carried out their orders to harass the Germans by sniping, raiding, and surprise artillery shoots. The second night of the new year saw some 65 members of the 25th Battalion (5th Brigade) adopt a device only recently introduced into trench warfare. To achieve surprise, the raiding party cut the enemy's wire by hand rather than with the artillery. Ironically enough, the experiment proved too successful. The wire-cutting group completed its task before the assault group was ready to enter the gap; and in the meantime a German wiring party discovered and repaired the damage, making the obstacle much stronger than before. The approach of daylight obliged the raiders to withdraw. Not long after this the enemy introduced tempered steel wire, and hand-cutting became a very slow and difficult process.
In the early morning of January 31 1916 the 6th Brigade staged a more eventful raid against the enemy's Spanbroekmolen salient, near the centre of the Canadian sector. Brig.-Gen. Ketchen's various objects were to obtain prisoners for identification purposes, to injure the enemy's morale and destroy his works, and to kill Germans - all in the shortest possible time. Picked parties of 30 men from the 28th and 29th Battalions were given special training at the brigade bombing school. After scouts had cut the wire at great risk the two parties, working to a pre-arranged schedule, crossed no man's land shortly before 2:40 a.m. and reached the German trenches at points 1100 yards apart.
As the raiders' bombs burst among them the startled enemy were further unnerved
by the terrifying appearance of the Canadians, who had blackened their faces with burnt cork. The Vancouverites (29th Battalion), encountering little resistance, secured three prisoners, bombed the enemy in his dug-outs and in four and a half minutes were on their way back to their front line, which they reached without loss of life. The men of the 28th remained in the German trench for eight minutes, the limit allowed by the brigade staff. A German relief was in progress when they attacked, and the Canadian bombs took terrible toll of the clustering enemy. In the return journey across no man's land their prisoners were killed by enemy machine-gun fire. The raid was considered a marked success and attracted great attention along the entire British front. Three German regiments opposing the 6th Brigade had been identified, the total cost to the Canadians being two killed and ten wounded.
Between February 8 and 19 the Germans launched a series of diversionary attacks against French and British positions in preparation for their Verdun offensive. One such attack fell on "The Bluff", a low tree-covered mound on the north bank of the Ypres-Comines Canal, in the sector held by the British 5th Corps. In bitter fighting the enemy captured The Bluff on the 14th, only to lose it seventeen days later to a well-mounted counter-attack.25 Although not directly involved in the fighting, the Canadian Corps assisted its British neighbours with artillery support and by taking over the southernmost 700 yards of the 5th Corps' front on the 17th - a relief which extended the Canadian sector to the outskirts of the ruins of St. Eloi.26 The Canadian operations in this period brought distinction to a member of the 1st Brigade. For conspicuous bravery under a heavy bombardment on March 18, Corporal R. Millar of the 1st Battalion received the Military Medal - the first Canadian to be so honoured. (The M.M., inscribed "For bravery in the field", had been instituted only that month. At first reserved for N.C.Os. and men, it was later awarded also to warrant officers.)
Canadian battle casualties in the first three months of 1916 numbered 546 killed, 1,543 wounded, three gassed and one taken prisoner. There were 667 accidents and other non-battle casualties, of which 20 proved fatal. In spite of weather and living conditions the health of the troops was good; though there were cases of influenza, paratyphoid, and - trench feet.
Adapted and used with permission from Nicholson, G. W. L., Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914-1919. Ottawa: Queen's Printer, 1964, p.119-121.
Teaching Materials
Behind the Lines
Films : Canadian Troops in Action, August Offensive 6, September Offensive 1, The 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion
Background Notes for the Teacher
When soldiers weren't fighting in the trenches, every waking hour was consumed by chores. Communication lines had to be maintained. Trucks needed constant repairs. Horses required attention. There was plenty of laundry, and lice had to be removed from clothing. The transportation and distribution of water and food rations were an ever-present concern. Rifles had to be checked and cleaned. The wounded needed to be cared for prior to being evacuated to a medical facility. Trenches were dug and duckboards had to be placed over the top of the mud in a vain attempt to keep soldiers dry. There were also training drills and other regimens for soldiers. When there was any free time, soldiers usually spent it waiting in line for coffee, tea, food, medical attention or to receive mail from back home.
Introducing the Subject
Discuss and define the term "chores."
What are some of the jobs that students have around the house that "just need doing"?
Soldiers in WWI also had plenty of chores. When they weren't fighting, there were certain routines of war that were taking place behind the lines of battle. Have students brainstorm what some of these routines may have been. The teacher can write the ideas on the board.
Teaching and Learning
While watching the films, note the jobs that soldiers are doing.
With a t-chart, classify the soldiers' activities by personal chores or militarily-related jobs.
List other tasks that did not appear in the students' lists or in the films. (The teacher may have to provide some of this information.)
Applying the Knowledge
Lines of communication were not only crucial to military planning but also to the maintenance of the morale of troops. Ask students to step into the boots of a soldier. Their "chore" is to draft a letter to be sent home to their loved ones detailing what life is like behind the lines of battle. Remind them to avoid modern slang that would not have been used at the time.
Teacher Reflections
Were the students able to incorporate the chores into their letters?
Was a mood established? Did the student / soldier attempt to hide the struggles of military life to protect their family from worry?
Was the student able to step back in time and capture history? Was the language in the letters too modern?
The Battles: In the Trenches
Films : To Willie with Compliments, Canadian Troops in Action, August Offensive 6, September Offensive 1, The 22nd (French Canadian) Battalion
Background Notes for the Teacher
Troops at the battlefront rotated through three lines of trenches: the front line, the support line and the reserve line. The men were separated from the enemy by a barren patch of terrain no more than 30 metres wide called no man's land. Trenches often flooded with rain, leaving soldiers wading through knee-high water. Mud was also a constant reminder of the foul weather. Rats and lice flourished in these horrible conditions. Men would sleep in "funk holes" dug into the walls. Soldiers were required to "stand to" ready to fight. At any moment, they might be ordered to go over the top and cross no man's land to attack the enemy. Fear and extreme discomfort were a soldier's constant companions.
Introducing the Subject
The expression "in the trenches" is a part of our lexicon. Discuss what it means.
In terms of the First World War, what images come to mind when you think of life in the trenches?
Tens of thousands of soldiers from the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought the war from trenches that zigzagged their way across the Western Front.
Teaching and Learning
View film footage that captures life in the trenches.
(Notice the trees in the countryside that appear to be dead or dormant. They were stripped of their bark to provide wall supports for the interior of the trenches.)
Applying the Knowledge
Have students, individually, write fifteen words that symbolize life in the trenches. Once each list is complete, students are to organize their words into a 15-word poem that is six lines long and follows this pattern:
Line 1 (two words)
Line 2 (three words)
Line 3 (two words)
Line 4 (four words
Line 5 (three words)
Line 6 (one word)
See the Appendix for a sample poem and for some Teacher Tips to present this activity.
Teacher Reflection
Does the poem have a rhythm?
Is there a sense of closure with the word choice for the final line?
Were words placed randomly or does the final poem use any literary devices, reflect thought and some sort of organization?
Sample List of Fifteen Words
muddy shells
fear lice
sandbags desperation
dampness danger
cold unbearable
monotony collapse
terror conditions
Sample Poem
Cold fear
Shells sandbags collapse
Lice infestation
Unbearable monotony muddy conditions
Dampness danger desperation
Teacher Tips
Do not tell students what they will be doing with their words until all fifteen have been chosen . Otherwise, students look for partner words and tend to develop phrases. For example, if a student knew that he was going to be asked to place three words together on a line, he might include conditions, were and terrible to formulate a phrase. However, were is a function word that doesn't fit the imagery of life in the trenches. Only after lists have been final should you show students the pattern of the "poem."
Students should not list compounds such as fighter pilots, because this would constitute two words. Discourage any phrasing because it simplifies the sorting process. Just don't explain the "why" of these rules in advance!
Students should consider an introduction and conclusion to their creation.
Encourage alliteration and other literary devices.
Emphasize that revision—writing and rewriting—is essential to this exercise. Playing with the order of the words is the true challenge of this type of poetry.
Explain that some lines and word combinations might not turn out exactly the way that they'd like. Again, that is part of the challenge of this activity!


text:
- 07:49 Ticket #77 (keypad keys) created by
- Recognize the keypad keys. The issue is that we send a "keypad on" …
- 21:23 Ticket #76 (ghci-haskeline intermittent segfault) closed by
- invalid: Never mind, it's a bug in uvector. I've emailed the maintainer.
- 13:38 Ticket #76 (ghci-haskeline intermittent segfault) created by
- The following can cause ghci-haskeline to segfault:[…]
- 13:33 Ticket #72 (terminfo requires importing <curses.h> on Solaris) closed by
- fixed: Darcs has been built against Haskeline (and tests passed) on Karel's …
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
This game was classified by the community with the following category scores - Violence=3/3, Sex=3/3, Mature Content=3/3. Year 43210, the best unit of Space Musketeers of the Imperial Republic has to survive the attack of the Vetustians, the biggest threat to the survival of humanity. You are their lieutenant in this graphic adventure/action-rpg, so solve the personal problems of your unit, bring out the best of them to increase their powers and unlock new skills while you discover the 7 endings of War Rapier 43210.
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text:
After talking with Oglethorpe, Paul took a jeep over to the stand and located Harper.
She was Oglethorpe's interpreter in his first interview with Tomochichi.
Oglethorpe had to be on the watch constantly lest the French or the Spanish should raid his territory.
But I am very much obliged to you for telling me, Mr. Oglethorpe.
You can rouse any woman's curiosity, and no one has more than Mrs. Oglethorpe.
"I had a letter from Mr. Oglethorpe yesterday," Priscilla said, at last.
This caused some delay, but at length arrangements were completed, and Oglethorpe was prepared to take the field.
He was educated at Oglethorpe College, being graduated in 1860.
General Oglethorpe had become offended at his Italian servant.
I would go on my knees to you, Oglethorpe, were they not already frozen.


text:
I made an bootable USB stick and booted it on a Samsung NC20 netbook.
After bootup I ran startx which returned:
Saw signal 11. Server aborting.
Giving up.
xinit: Connection refused (errno 111): unable to connect to X server
xinit: No such process (errno 3): Server error.
After a bit of googling, it looks like, by default, there isn't any support for the VIA Chrome 9 chipset in Debian 5.
I don't know if this is a bug or an unsupported feature.
I'm more into Centos and not much into X, so if anyone can give me any directions on how to solve this, you will make me very happy :)


text:
All the models were accurate...seemingly easy to predict what was going to happen. One thing we need...SAND! After a long summer and tons of south wind flow...all we have is a big sloping beach with no sand anywhere. I am still optimisitic for Sunday, but with the South wind this morning...everyone and their mother was at the cove. I hope no one jumps on here claiming this was the session of the century...I would rather wear a 5.43 and get barreled then surf gutless, soft NS with 3 billion Pennsyletuckians! I heard at least three morons say "I got tubed". I may not be an expert, but head dips don't count. Sorry...just needed to vent. At least I got to see a really cool sunrise. I hope the beach levels out and sucks some sand out this afternoon, so we can all just spread out a little bit. Praying for a better day tomorrow.
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text:
Since I'm in the news business, I listen, watch and read a lot of news. Whether it comes from the radio, the Internet, the TV or other newspapers, the news that comes across my eyes and ears is varied — local, state, federal and world. While I would never consider myself a news junkie, I do feel obligated to be informed, and quite frankly, the way a news story is delivered is often just as interesting to me as the content of the story.
As you well know, the news out there is as varied as the people who report it — there's the good news, the bad news, the fun news, the sad news ... and everything in between. Clearly it's a kaleidoscope of information, and as a reader, watcher, listener, it's up to me to take it all with a grain of salt, keep what's worth keeping and disregard what's not.
While I know there are many, many good news and happy stories published and broadcast around the world every day, I know the negative ones usually outweigh the positive stories. As we live our lives during some troubling times, the news can often be overwhelming, and to someone who listens and watches and reads as much news as I do, well, it really does affect me sometimes.
In the past week, I've consumed stories that made me angry, sad, frightened and absolutely outraged. I could talk about all those stories, but no doubt, you've already heard about them. Still, I find myself going to sleep at night wondering how life got so crazy, so deranged, so maniacal. Several times a week, I find myself questioning the sanity of people I don't even know, as these state, national and world stories play over and over in my mind — some which will, no doubt, stay with me for a long time.
It's the same thing every week; the list keeps growing. While I've often said everybody has the ability to cross that line between right and wrong, good and bad, it just seems as if there are quite a few taking that leap onto the wrong side of the proverbial tracks. It's very troubling.
And so it was the other day when I had just about had my fill of stories about people who had done some pretty crazy things. I took a couple days off, and I was on news overload — between Time magazine, the morning national news show, a check of CNN.com and a quick glimpse at msn.com too, my head was swimming. I needed a break, so I did what any rational person would do ... I got in my car and headed out for a ride ... in the middle of a snowstorm.
While my brain was fairly preoccupied on the awful, it didn't take long for those thoughts to subside. You see, the snow that blanketed Bureau County was wet and heavy, and because many schools had closed for the day, what I found was a myriad of children (of all ages — adults too) putting the finishing touches on ... you guessed it ... snowmen.
That's right. There were tons of them. I saw snowmen of all shapes and sizes. Tall ones, short ones, huge ones, small ones, skinny ones, rotund ones ... it was amazing. There were snowmen with sticks for arms and old boots for feet. Some had on hats — all shapes and colors. Some had scarves wrapped around their wintry necks. Some of the snowmen donned buttons on their bellies. I saw lots of carrot noses ...
As different as they all were, there was one thing that was identical about every snowman I saw. Are you ready for this? Every single snowman wore a smile. That's right. There were no frowns, no scary snowmen, no crazy snowmen ... just snowmen that smiled at everyone who passed by. A good news snowman around nearly every corner.
And for every smiling snowman I saw, I knew there had to be at least one smiling human face who had put that smile on that snowman's face ... and for a few moments, everything seemed right with the world.


text: This paper triangle web by Three Nations blog artist Marsha Golemac is reminding me of our own post right here on CRAFT and MAKE of my 3D Geometric wall sculpture. This trend is definitely growing with more and more geometric paper art sprouting up all over the place. Inspiring and so cool!


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In the News
Betty on the News: Top Stories
Sports reporter horrified over naked video, head butting charges against Kiefer Sutherland dropped, woman to be flogged for drinking beer and more
-Kathy Campbell and Carolyn French
ESPN reporter wants Peeping Tom jailed
Erin Andrews, the ESPN reporter who was secretly videotaped naked in her hotel room, wants to see the Peeping Tom caught and jailed.
Her lawyer says the beautiful blonde is horrified and furious over the invasion of her privacy and adds, "We are focused on putting this predator behind bars."
The six videos, which were leaked onto on the Web, showed the 31-year-old in two different hotel rooms and were shot through a peephole. There are indications that the Peeping Tom might be connected with the coverage of athletic events.
Erin had apparently expressed fears in the past that something creepy might happen to her. Sports blogger Neil Best said she had told him "of her concern over some of the darker corners of her fan base." (NY Post)
Next: Charges dropped against Kiefer Sutherland


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Here is the most recent life cycle chart. This chart is an opinion piece, for fun and conversation starting, not complete, nor actual analysis. For those new to this, this chart strives to plot the current state of some clothing and accessory vendors - including some historically described as purveyors of preppy, trad, or Ivy style such as L.L. Bean, J. Press, Brooks Brothers, and Ralph Lauren - as they evolve from young, innovative companies on the left of the chart to company shells on the right.
A note: most current "Ivy" and preppy social media (both cosplay and online fan sites) embody what many actual Ivy League /New England prep school graduates might associate with "ugly American tourist" or "town not gown" clichés, such as: aspirational vulgarity; staged public displays of affection; for-profit plagiarism; and public displays of criminal behavior, such as advertising-supported sites that rely on illegal copyright-infringement. It is usually helpful to filter out vendors and commentators who choose to align with these alternative sites.
The broad characteristics of each stage are as follows (and all characteristics don't apply to all companies on the chart):
- A company serves demanding clients in authentic environments significantly better then competitors.
- The company's founder is hands on.
- Other people often love the products without necessarily recognizing the company that made it.
- As any VC knows, companies here are highly unstable; they can change nearly instantly, from experiencing overnight rapid growth, to selling out, pivoting, or going away.
- Fiercely passionate customers, who are "in the know", are very loyal to the company.
- The company has much higher prices than competitors, which fans are happy to pay.
Precious companies have much higher prices than competitors, which fans are happy to pay. Marketing is poor, and not a priority. Web sites may be disastrous.
- Quality is paramount. Marketing is poor. Web sites may be disastrous.
- Customers can still call or email and get the owner (and often work through any problems).
- New, great products are added, seemingly effortlessly. The company has an aesthetic certainty, not derivative nor capricious.
- The company has widely recognized popular and unique items.
- Great pride is taken in the company by employees, who go "beyond the call of duty" to make happy customers.
- Items are expensive, but high quality.
- New items, extensions of old, are added.
- Companies gain increasing brand recognition well beyond passionate base.
- A short term flattening of growth can cause panic.
Iconic companies worry about becoming trendy and stylish, something that cash grab companies are desperate to be.
- The company worries about becoming trendy and stylish. They also fear complacency, bloat, and smugness, and don't want to be thought of as the category leader. They sell great products, not a great brand.
- The company is often under new management, typically with MBA and logistics-centric credentials. The company increases focuses on greatly improving contribution margins.
- The new management begins to purge many of the old employees and suppliers/branded vendors that had contributed to the success of the company. Cheaper parts are swapped in.
- Companies in this stage are very interested in new categories of customers, and take the existing customer base for granted; many loyal customers find themselves buying less and less.
- The new management experiments with "leveraging the look and the feel of the brand and brand experience" by tentatively lowering the quality and increasing the channels, supported by heavy marketing, including social media outreach.
- Marketing gets increasingly - often awkwardly - self-congratulatory. Wooden boats are everywhere.
- The company makes big deals of changing the colors of successful products.
- Vendors open mall stores, for example, in this stage, ancillary to design decision making.
- No new great products are launched, despite expensive misfires. Companies go after markets they don't understand. From a creative perspective, the company becomes derivative and inert. Marketing and product design take from outside sources.
- There is a nearly impossible to resist opportunity for upper management to personally cash-in with a one-time windfall through a rapid market expansion with much lower quality goods at still high prices with very high margins, irrevocably sacrificing brand, long-term employees and partners, and traditional customers.
- Companies believe success comes when they can best distract from, rather than highlight, what they are actually selling; "matters of the flesh" are, for example, used, either overtly or, more unctuously, faux-coyly. Skirts get shorter. Contrived lifestyle images and other marketing, more akin to costume play than real use and designed to elicit envy in naïve customers, is used relentlessly.
Contrived over-styled images - costume play instead of real use - dominate cash grab companies.
- There is significant confusion from traditional customers. Long time customers start to experience return-fatigue.
- Some classics remain (but fewer and fewer).
- There are wild fluctuations of prices (higher prices, then massive sales, with various coupons and sweepstakes).
- New products are low quality and relatively expensive. Companies design for 75% to 80% mark ups.
- Mall stores grow in influence over the direction of the company. Outlet stores open. Companies here may invest in "big data" programs.
- Companies increasingly outsource production to low-cost providers.
- Companies are desperate to be stylish and trendy.
- A cash grab company has a significant PR budget, first spent trying to differentiate the company from their past, then relentlessly trying to invoke it. Companies become louder and more strident.
- Companies' products are no longer significantly differentiated in the marketplace. Branding chugs along. Companies here find themselves with new competitors and engage in a race-to-the-bottom in price and quality.
- They shift, almost overnight from an external market perception, from relevant and interesting to irrelevant and over-exposed.
- Outlet stores become highly influential in setting company strategies.
- They bear no resemblance to their original selves. Black and white old photographs are used that have no connection to the current leadership or approach. They have the moral equivalency - if not the legal liability - of some low-rent blogger.
Company shells feature old black and white old photographs that have no connection to the current leadership or approach.
- They rely on good customer service to overcome quality problems, not to meet individual needs or repair but to efficiently replace or refund. Guarantees become more restrictive.
- Coach, for example, is included as a cautionary tale.
- F.L. Woods (http://www.flwoods.com/)
- Sailor Rose (http://www.sailorrose.com/)
- Frank Clegg Leatherworks (http://frankcleggleatherworks.com/)
- Mercer & Sons (http://www.mercerandsons.com/)
- Alden Shoes (http://www.aldenshoe.com/)
- Crockett & Jones (http://www.crockettandjones.com/)
- Rancourt (http://www.rancourtandcompany.com/)
- Lotuff (http://lotuffleather.com/)
- Dubarry (http://www.dubarry.us/)
- Bills Khakis (http://www.billskhakis.com/)
- Filson (http://www.filson.com/)
- Orvis (http://www.orvis.com/)
- Wool Overs (http://www.woolovers.us/)
- J. Press (http://www.jpressonline.com/)
- Patagonia (http://www.patagonia.com/)
- Barbour (http://www.barbour.com/)
- Brooks Brothers (http://www.brooksbrothers.com/)
- J. McLaughlin (http://www.jmclaughlin.com/)
- Sperry Top-Sider (http://www.sperrytopsider.com/)
- L.L. Bean (http://www.llbean.com/)
- Ralph Lauren (http://www.ralphlauren.com/)
- Vineyard Vines (http://www.vineyardvines.com/)
- Lily Pulitzer (http://www.lillypulitzer.com/)
- Vera Bradley (http://www.verabradley.com/)
- Lands' End (http://www.landsend.com/)
- Coach (http://www.coach.com/)
The Lotuff tote is by far my favorite accessory. I often get compliments on its superior craftsmanship and outstanding beauty. (Comment)
Can't get enough of Lotuff's quality and craftsmanship. (Comment)
My Lotuff English briefcase is the most beautiful bag I've ever owned. (Michael Rowe)
I have been using a zip-top Lotuff brief in Chestnut for almost a year, for daily work and commuting. I have found it to be immensely satisfying to use, and very functional. The leather is substantial. (BantamInChicago)
A great value... Thread count and feel of the 100% cotton is the real deal. totally gotta iron, not a hint of no iron plastic. Something that only a true purist cares about is the collar roll on the OCBD. Absolutely the best, IMO. Others have tried to take the shirt apart and copy the collar, but the roll that competitors come up with never approaches the perfect "bell shape" of the Mercer roll. (wf)
I only have six or seven of them in my closet right now, but that's because they wear so well that I haven't needed to replace them. They make the nonpareil, archetypal, classic OCBD. (Michael)
Own some tattersalls. First rate shirts. Reminds me of vintage B2 with collar roll & full cut. Old school grownup shop. Definitely not for J Crew -AF hybrid metrosexuals. (Comment)
I've been purchasing from Mercer for years and I don't believe the shirt has any competitors. The Mercer shirt is a completely different garment than (for example) anything on offer from Brooks. And I mean anything. The blogger Heavy Tweed Jacket did an in-depth analysis of Mercer vs. Brooks (for all you left brained folks) and the differences are substantial. Now, whether those differences are worth paying extra for is up to you. As for the full cut: I've noticed that they no longer include the slogan "Baggier Is Better" on the label of their shirts, but I hope that this is their only concession to current fashion. A bit of bagginess in an oxford is essential. (Sartre)
Dubarry of Ireland - Their boots and boat shoes are expensive but have been well worth the money. (Comment)
Second the recommendation of Dubarry as great quality.(LP)
Go Dubarry! I live in those boots all winter long! (Comment)
Wool Overs
I purchased several Woolovers sweaters this past season and we absolutely love them. Very timeless styling, right down to the ribbed sleeves. Nothing fancy or clever, or anything to "update" them. (Holly in PA)
I have enjoyed ordering from them on several occasions. Their products are high quality and reasonably priced. I have ordered from them for gifts as well as for myself. (Comment)
We like Woolovers very much. We've bought the Fisherman, Aran, Norweigen, Guernsey and Cashmere/Merion cable. All have been excellent in color, fit and make. (Comment)
Good looking sweaters at a fair price. (Comment)
|A Patagonia Snap-T
I am not a big fan of any kind of "fleece" never worn by a sheep; call it what they will, it's still polyester, and has nothing like the warmth or wicking properties of natural wool. (Greenfield)
Patagonia [has a] continued commitment to quality and to reducing consumption by promoting repairing, reusing and recycling to reduce our environmental footprint. (Bitsy)
In the past I have purchased a number of items from Patagonia--including Snap-Ts, Stand Up shorts, insulated vests/jackets, etc. As many of these original items were constructed of "Synchilla", a product of Malden (MA) mills and Polartec, Patagonia has truly gotten away from their roots. Not only were the fabrics quite often created in U.S. mills, but the construction of garments was completed in the U.S. as well. Patogonia's acknowledgement that such construction would currently be virtually impossible is certainly a sad state of affairs, but a little chicken and egg--which came first the lack of U.S.factories/workers or the shipping of jobs overseas for cheaper production and increased profit margins by companies like Patagonia. (childdoc)
|Barbours are Repaired, not Replaced
Functional, long-lasting, outdoorsy, classic. (Michael, August 23, 2013)
These were always just coats we found at the tack shop and wore at the barn! (Sungish60669)
Barbour is well-entrenched modern preppy, been sold at the Andover Shop since at least the early '80s. English origins don't negate its preppiness nor does the fact that people besides Sloane Ranger types wear it. Still great for damp weather. Wish it all was made in England and Scotland like before. (Comment)
It's worn on every continent by people who value quality, craftmanship and tradition. (Bernie)
The quality of Barbour has gone downhill in the last 5-8 years. Several years ago, I went shopping for a Barbour coat for my wife and I was shocked that outside the traditional oil slicked coats, most of their merchandise was mass produced in Asia. (Pete)
Though expensive to purchase, are indeed an example of being frugal in the long run. I have several Barbour coats. The two oldest are a Beaufort which was purchased in 1981. My fly fishing Spey jacket (no long made) in 1983. Both are functional garments, both have been repaired and both represent outstanding value. Plastic, polyester or any type of synthetic outerwear cannot meet the criteria of long life, value and reparability. (Sean W.)
J. Press
If you want an ancient madder or challis tie or a three button sack, Press is the place. Plus their salesmen know what they're talking about. My problem with Press and your chart is that they have made themselves into two companies: J. Press and York Street. (Cranky Yankee)
A shopping experience at J. Press is still a pleasure, and the quality is generally very high. A few disturbing trends that have been noted elsewhere, but on the whole the main brand remains fairly secure. (John)
The cynicism, ineptitude and greed demonstrated by the York Street line screams cash grab. (WRJ)
Brooks Brothers
BB had good quality clothes at a fair price during the 1980s.The quality and style have declined over time. Now they are just a sad joke. (Comment)
My wardrobe includes many good items from BB: sport jackets, pants, ties, sweaters, OCBD shirts, polo shirts, etc. Although, many of these items were bought years ago, I continue to buy their clothing. I just stick with the traditional apparel and look. (Gary)
For their all-cotton sure-to-wrinkle OCBD's and repp ties, or their Alden-made shoes, sure. Otherwise, Brooks Brothers has been wandering in the wilderness for quite a few years. (Michael)
The brand cannot be relied on to provide consistency, and all purchases have to be scrutinized, including BB. Which is annoying. I find BB confusing--literally, I am often confused when shopping online or in stores. There seem to be dozens of fits for pants, suits, jackets, and shirts. There must be thousands of combinations of dress shirts available, between the various collars, patterns, colors, fits, and chemical coatings available. Most of these combinations are undesirable. Quality varies widely--some stuff made in the USA, some in Italy, some in Asia. It's cacophonous. I really only consistently shop at BB for OCBDs, ties, and socks. (WRJ)
I would not buy anything from them for casual wear but I still buy my suits and must-iron shirts from them. (Bernie)
I'm afraid that all I can manage these days from Brooks Brothers are the original fit button-downs, the socks and underwear, the ties, and the shoes. Their khakis feel like design rejects from The Gap, the suits and blazers are all tricked out, and are identical to any good suit sold all over America. I have a pair of khakis from BB which I purchased in 1991, and I treat them like gold, because the cut, the fabric, the hook-eye tab closure, aren't made by BB anymore. Again, if we're going to talk about the loss of preppy aesthetic, we have to address the dumbing-down effect of marketing to a wider, middlebrow, middle-American audience.(Michael Rowe)
I was with Brooks Brother's Parent company in the late 70's and 80's, pretty much the zenith of their business. At the time, our shoes were made in England, we owned our own shirt factories in New Jersey, had a patent on the button down collar. Everything we did was geared to quality as we had clothed Presidents over the years. The boardroom on the 8th floor still echoed the ideas of the founder. But, in an unhappy takeover, the parent was bought out by Allied Stores who knew nothing about upscale retailing. As they began to influence us, they went into cost cutting measure to increase profits...no more own shoes, buy from Bass. Close the factories and have made in the orient. And, so on and so on. Later BB was sold to Marks and Spencer who did not know how to run it and it continued to go downhill. Now the present owners seem intent upon making it another J. Crew or Lands End. The sad demise of a once quality marque.(SpencerGray)
L.L. Bean
I have been a frequent Bean customer since the late 1960s. There is no question that the quality has dropped dramatically over the past 5-10 years. I still try but end up returning most of what I order. (Comment)
Bean's quality has declined at a breakneck pace. (Comment)
LLB should find [a new CEO] who understands that they cannot continue to produce poorly made products that are way overpriced and still make the kind of money that they have made the last few years. That trick may be used up. People are starting to wise up. (Comment)
There is nothing at Bean today that appeals to me and anytime I visit their website, I feel as though I'm looking at a Walmart flyer. I visit Ebay in search of traditional quality made Bean items made prior to 2007 more often than I visit the Bean website. Bean doesn't seem to be carrying many, if any, products that would appeal to a value-minded traditionalist. I will buy the Bean totes and Bean boots but that's it. I once loved their oxford shirts but won't buy them now because they are treated. The rest of their clothing seems extremely over-priced for cookie cutter, cheap, trendy style and poor quality. (Mollie's Mom)
I have never experienced anything but the highest quality customer service from L.L. Bean. (Patsy)
I don't expect the Bean family to correct this when it was the Walton family that ruined their own legacy as well. My recent Bean jacket purchases are unworn; they sit in limbo as I decide to return them or not. I've already returned their completely disappointing Oxford shirts, which would could live up to their "wear like iron" claim as they already feel like something akin to metal against the skin. (James)
Some relevant quotes about L.L. Bean's evolution - their past and their current state - come from two L.L. Bean CEO's, past and present, as quoted in Leon Gorman's book, L.L. Bean: The Making of an American Icon:
Leon Gorman (past L.L. Bean CEO):
- "Our overall strength was functional value – products that did what they were supposed to do, did it every time, and did it for a long time, all for a reasonable price. This was what L.L. Bean was known for."
- Quoting Gentlemen's Quarterly – "…emphasis on simplicity, practicality and durability. Unlike "high fashion" where "look" is foremost and function secondary, the appearance of Bean apparel is guided by what the clothes are intended to do."
- "We also never put a lot of editorial content or outdoors imagery in our catalogs. We relied on our products and their descriptions to tell who we were."
- "LL Bean as fashion was a mixed blessing for us, and we all knew it. Our sales increased markedly in the near term but were unlikely to be sustainable long term. In addition, being fashionable was a serious contradiction of our character and brand positioning. It confused our positioning internally as well as in the marketplace."
- "We continued to use our employees and their families, friends, and dogs as models. We didn't want to come across as slick or sophisticated (and we didn't want to pay expensive fees for professional models.)
- "I don't' want to overstate it but we were lagging on our sourcing competencies. I'm guessing 60 or 70 percent of our items were probably sourced in the (United States) then. Maybe a little bit less than that but not much. What the consultants pointed out is that the world had moved offshore. Yes it would be nice if we could keep sourcing products in the (United States), but, realistically, all those jobs were going offshore anyway. The competencies were leaving this country and from a competitive standpoint we really had no choice. The quality, by the way, would be just as good, if not better than the (United States). So we created the sourcing department and gave them marching orders to improve our margins and reduce our cost of goods sold."
- "To this day (sourcing) was probably the most successful thing that came out of the Strategic Review. Today maybe 20 percent of our items are made in the (United States), and the rest are offshore…We needed to really learn quickly about vendors located in different countries, the quotas and all those tariffs, and everything about bringing product in here and we did that very quickly. The cost of goods initiative was probably the single biggest reason the year... was as successful as it was. That's when our business really turned around. It wasn't so much sales growth that drove the performance of that year, it was improving margins that improved profitability of that year."
Ralph Lauren
RL makes a a number of great items and many awful items, which puts it in the same category as pretty much every other multinational clothing company in the world. Fits are generally predictable--there are two for shirts, classic and custom, and you know what you're getting with each. Non-iron is the exception and not the rule. Colors are consistently good. Tailored clothing is very expensive, but very high-quality. Still selling soft-shouldered jackets. Ties are made in Italy and are a league beyond Brooks Brothers in drape and design. I have a dozen or so of the classic cashmere sweaters that I wear 9 months of the year, and the quality is great, for the same price on-sale as a Shaggy Dog. I can't recall having a serious quality issue with any purchase, even items made in Asia--which I attribute to Mr. Lauren's reputed obsessive quality control. However, I tend to only buy on sale because (1) almost everything is marked down twice a year, (2) the higher-end items, particularly those that are made in Italy, are very expensive, and (3) I have set a low ceiling for what I'm willing to pay for items coming from the country of "Imported". (WRJ)
I haven't forgiven RL for the Olympic uniforms made in China. (Rachel)
I think Ralph Lauren was preppy. But now they have too many off brands and even a factory store. If you walk in any TJ Maxx or Marshalls they always have Ralph Lauren shirts there to buy. I feel that its too out there now, and I feel it kind of lost its luxury appeal. Now they have these oversized logos and this year they highlighted their "downtown prep" theme and its just seems wild to me and too phony. I'm sure there are staple items, but I don't know how long its going to last. (Berniex)
|Looking at Ties in their NY Store
Vineyard Vines
I worked at VV during college and in my experience outside of the ties nothing in the store was of very good quality. Their shirts are either plastic feeling or far too thin,... The best summation I have heard of VV is that they are mockery of preppy. They are over-the-top garish at times. (Zach)
VV is not preppy or traditional. It's a cash grab. (Ice Matty T)
Shep and Ian are laughing all the way to the bank. I like and have a couple of their ties, but most (if not all) of the rest of their stuff is overpriced and of much lower quality.... And yes, a lot of their stuff is so over the top that only young teens and undergrads at southern colleges and universities dare wear some of the more garish colors and patterns. (Paul Connors, August 23, 2013)
I would consider them tourist/resort/cruise wear. (Susan R)
It's what non-preppy thinks preppy should be. (Bernie)
I always feel sad for grown adult when I see them wearing VV, as if they've been duped! As for the younger set, their grown adult parents have also been duped in to buying for their children. (Comment)
Copycat clothing for Copycat preps (Seas-the-day)
|Some of Vineyard Vines' First Products
Lilly Pulitzer
An indicator...?
|From 2011
Vera Bradley
I cherish my older VB bags, totes, and accessories because I preferred the patterns. They seemed to be based on Provencal fabrics and I liked them better. (Carole)
Not impressed with Vera for the last 10 years, they have become too trendy in design and color selection which is geared toward the tween, teen and coed market. (HipWaldorf)
Unfortunately, they have strayed from their French Provencal inspired fabric from the past. The fabrics now seem to be channeling psychodelic prints from the 60's. Some color schemes are pretty horrendous. (Comment)
I own a nice selection of Vera Bradley totes and zip around wallets that have been well taken care of, all purchased new many years ago -- in shades of pink, apple green, pale yellow, red and navy. I'll occasionally find something in a nice old pattern on eBay. However, I've purchased no new Vera patterns for a long time. Like other companies, I wish they'd get the message that we'd like to see a return of traditional colors and patterns from the past. Over time, the collections have become so hideous and ghastly that they look cheap. (Comment)
I recall purchasing a tote shortly after they moved production overseas; the difference in quality was most noticeable in the number of loose threads at the seams.(Mary)
Not only has Vera Bradley decreased in quality and design (though not in price), it's no longer made in the US. I refuse to pay top-tier prices for an inferior, foreign made product. (Comment)
|Vera Bradley Vintage Bags From Their Precious and Iconic Phases
Conclusion: The Barbour-crumb TiniesCompanies are changing, seemingly faster than ever. So perhaps, as Barbour today produces a collection of iconic jackets today, they are doomed.
In the spirit of The Gashlycrumb Tinies written by Edward Gorey and first published in 1963, one can imagine all of the ways these jackets might be unwearable, from lower quality to new designs to deadening over-exposure to wearer misuse.
The Barbour-crumb Tinies(a.k.a. How today's mix of economics, technology, and customer behaviors almost inevitably destroys all great products)
B is for Brand creep: wallets and mittens
C is for Chairman and payout, the max
D is for "Designed now so no need to wax"
E is for Emmys, worn there as an item
F is for Fire, a fast way to dry 'em
G is for "Growth!" on employee screen savers
H is for Heirs who are pro sports team cravers
I is for Ironic: high heels and no liners
J is for Joint venture with hip designers
K is for Knock-offs at Penney's and Sears
L is for LBO's full of arrears
M is for MBA's margins and throughputs
N is for New products made for the outlets
O is for Outsource to China and Turkey
P is for Precious, not worn when it's murky
Q is for Quick buck, to bolster the stock
R is for Retiring – run out the clock
S is for Soccer moms sans perspiration
T is for Tumblr, the new inspiration
U is for Unwaxed, just like Army surplus
V is for Vineyard Vines' poached staff and bonus
W is for Washer, "just trying to clean it"
X is for Xtra large sizes that don't fit
Y is for Young folks who tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet,
Z is for Zippers not for the weak


text:
By Eric Stevick Herald Writer
EVERETT — At the bottom of a police report, the Everett detective wrote: "I am asking for an EXCEPTIONAL BAIL ON RYAN SCOTT …"
On Wednesday, he got his wish. For now, anyway.
An Everett District Court judge set bail at $75,000 for the suspected identity thief.
Scott, 42, was arrested for investigation of stealing a car as well as other fraud-related allegations Tuesday.
The arrest came as welcome news to a Colorado man who has been a frequent victim of Scott over the past two decades.
During the summer of 1996, police in Riverside County, Calif., arrested Scott, who had documents with Matthew Frederic's name on them, including a statement from a fraudulent credit card.
Scott had worked at an auto dealership where Frederic bought a car. Scott stole personal information Frederic had provided to obtain financing, according to court papers.
In 1997, Scott was arrested by Riverside police — this time for possessing methamphetamine and carrying a loaded weapon in public. He tried to pin the rap on Frederic, offering up the other man's name at booking. Scott's face and curly locks appear above Matthew Frederic's name and birthdate in the booking photo.
In 1998, Scott was sentenced to more than three years in prison.
More than 16 years later, police allege that Scott has been using Frederic's stolen identification again.
Around Christmas 2012, an application on Frederic's iPhone alerted him of a hit to his credit score. It said he had just bought $1,200 in electronics equipment from a store in Everett.
After that, there was a flurry of attempts to open lines of credit in his name.
Whoever was behind it had a convincing fake ID and did his homework. He could answer security questions, such as Frederic's wife's name, and list former addresses.
Frederic has not been Scott's only victim over the decades.
In February 2007, Scott, then 37, was arrested at an Everett casino after passing bad checks. Police found him in possession of credit cards, identification and checks belonging to three people.
From the backseat of a patrol car, Scott told an Everett police officer that his name was Matthew Frederic.
The real Matthew Frederic said Wednesday he looks forward to meeting Scott some day, ideally in a Snohomish County courtroom.
"I'm ready to get on a plane any time to testify," he said.
When Scott was arrested Tuesday at a Denny's, police found him in possession of keys to a stolen car parked in the restaurant's lot.
Inside his wallet police found what appeared to be a temporary Washington driver's license issued to a man with a different name. The state Department of Licensing had no such record. The license's photo closely resembled Scott.
Police also found the license of the owner of the stolen vehicle and a stolen checkbook belonging to a different person.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; firstname.lastname@example.com.


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SkrubCRM is a CRM that can be used easily by companies of all sizes. Larger organizations can rely on it to deliver constantly and reliably. It has comprehensive role based security. It can use any Hibernate supported database. It does not require an application server to run; it can run on a Web server like Tomcat or Jetty. It can support millions of customers easily. It is extremely fast. It complies with ITIL, SOX, and other international regulations. Its internationalization and localization features allow it to be translated into any language easily.
Tranche is file storage and dissemination software. Designed and built with scientists and researchers in mind, Tranche can handle very large data sets, is secure and scalable, and all data sets are citable in scientific journals. Features include a fully decentralized architecture, support for very large files, very long-term file persistence/preservation, file immutability/integrity, provenance, encryption, licensing, versioning, and citability.
eXtcos is an extensible JVM component scanner, similar to the component scanning feature of Spring. It is a small library solely focused on the task of class path scanning. It provides an easy-to-use query language for requesting the classes. This is a refreshing change to the boiler plate code you need to use the Spring classes for your own needs. You can get several different kinds of classes with just one query. You can use eXtcos for finding plug-ins for your application, classes meant to be run inside your container or framework, and the like. eXtcos is basically a base library on which other applications, containers, and frameworks can depend on.
Glue Stick is a dependency injection framework for Java applications. Beans may be defined in Groovy scripts, GSON configuration files, or Spring Framework XML files. Compared with other dependency injection frameworks for Java, Glue Stick aims to be faster at assembling applications and simpler to use.
With the Cibet framework, it is very easy to add various control mechanisms into a JPA and/or EJB-based Java application. The actual version includes control schemes like Archiving (manipulation of domain objects; data and execution of business processes are archived). From the archived state, domain objects can be reconstructed and business processes can be re-invoked with the same parameters at any time. The archive entries are secured against manipulation to make them audit-proof and revision safe. Four-eyes principle: this scheme is an example of a dual control mechanism: A user wants to perform some critical data manipulation or business process. With an applied dual control mechanism, the action is not executed in the production system directly, but stored and postponed. A second user must check the data and the action and can approve or decline. Only when the second user approves, the data manipulation or business process is executed in the production system; otherwise it is discarded. An even stricter example for a dual control mechanism is the six-eyes principle. In this case, a third user must approve a data manipulation or business process before it will become productive.
visural-wicket is a useful set of light-weight, loosely coupled components and utilities for the Apache Wicket Web framework. Each component is designed to be easily integrated into any existing Wicket application with minimal dependencies. Each component is also designed to be easily customized to fit a particular system's requirements. Other than components, visural-wicket includes some other utilities that assist in the development of Wicket applications, such as an annotation-based mounting system, model templates, and an automatic "form view mode" component.


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Today is the Feast of the Ascension, when Christians remember how Jesus was taken up into heaven 40 days after his Resurrection. It's one of the stranger bits in the Gospels — both difficult to understand, given our modern cosmology, and difficult to pull off visually — and most of what we know about it actually comes from the Book of Acts. So it's not too surprising that most films about Jesus have tended to skip this episode.
Nevertheless, a few films have depicted the Ascension, often by mixing it with elements from other stories in the gospels; and even those that don't depict it have often made a point of ending on a note that suggests Jesus has transcended this life in some way that parallels the Ascension. Here are a few examples.


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Yonkers, N.Y – St. John's Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, N.Y. has begun work to install seven asphalt roofs with new green rooftops. A $1,000,000 grant from New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation was received last year to renovate and transform approximately 17,000 square feet of roof top.
Edward Brown, AVP of Interfacility Services and Ron Corti, President &


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Kidnapped Teen Didn't Know Mom, Brother Were Dead
(NEWSER) – Kidnapped California teen Hannah Anderson's ordeal is over, but in other ways it has just begun. "The healing process will be slow," said father Brett Anderson at a press conference yesterday. "She has been through a tremendous, horrific ordeal." He was joined by San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore, who shared this wrenching detail: The 16-year-old didn't know her mother and brother had been killed until after her rescue; she was told while in the hospital, reports the Los Angeles Times. (The Times shares Gore's theory: that Hannah was kept in an area of DiMaggio's property where she wouldn't have observed their murders.) Other details from the press conference:
- James DiMaggio fired at FBI agents—at least once, possibly twice—using his rifle before they killed him.
- Gore says that Hannah made it "very clear" in interviews with police that she is "a victim in every sense of the word."
- Gore also said, without elaboration, that the crime was "not spur of the moment."
More stories from Newser:


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Bookmark this site
DESTIN, FL -- The Southeast Vending Association has begun planning for its next annual convention on the heels of its successful 2012 six-state event held here in August. The 2013 conference, which runs from Aug. 7 to 9, will return to Florida's Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, a popular venue that attracts scores of industry professionals from throughout the Southeast for a lively mix of education, networking, entertainment and family fun.
The six SEVA state associations include the Alabama Vending Association, Automatic Merchandising Association of Florida, Georgia Automatic Merchandising Council, Mississippi Automatic Merchandising Association, Tennessee Automatic Merchandising Association and Vending Machine Operators of Louisiana.
The 2012 conference, held from Aug. 8 to 10, was highlighted by a comprehensive overview of new initiatives from the National Automatic Merchandising Association, presented by NAMA chief executive Carla Balakgie. NAMA regional legislative director Sheree Edwards updated members on legislative challenges facing the industry, and emphasized the importance of grassroots organization and action in government relations.
Keynoting the event was legendary Nascar driver and sportscaster Kyle Petty, who delivered an inspirational address and hosted a "meet and greet" for participants.
Dr. Michael Kasavana, NAMA-endowed professor at the School of Hospitality Business, Broad College of Business at Michigan State University (E. Lansing), brought industry members up to speed on "Trends in Vending Technology," including new customer interfaces, machine formats and back-office tools designed to enhance operator business efficiency.
A panel of OCS veterans shared their insights on the state of the coffee industry and how operators can continue to grow top-line sales and margins. Panelists included Howard Chapman of Royal Cup, Vic Pemberton of Pepi Foods (Bainbridge, GA), Craig Nelson of US Roasterie and Brent Toevs of Marley Coffee. Industry veteran Geoff Paul of Excelso Coffee Co. was the moderator.
Vistar's Terry Touchton moderated a discussion on the growing adoption of micromarkets, during which Donnie Pemberton of Pepi Foods, Marc Whitener of Refreshment Solutions (Norco, LA), Scott Plaisted of Southern Refreshment Services (Tucker, GA), Mike Laurer of Aramark (Philadelphia) and Paul Van Vleck of Burdette Beckmann (Hollywood, FL) shared their experiences with the emerging unattended retail model, including selecting locations and products, merchandising, and selling the concept to prospective customers.
Rounding out the educational programming was a lively round of recreational and social events, including the annual Wilbur Langston Memorial Golf and disco night.


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One of the world's favorite dive knives is back! The Tektite Ocean Edge Dive Knife has always been a favorite among divers because of its Versatile -Design and Solid, One-Piece Construction. Now the Ocean Edge Knife is Carefully-Crafted in the USA by our Country's Most-Experienced Blade makers. The Tektite Ocean Edge Knife is has a Stain and Corrosion Resistant 420-Grade Stainless Steel Blade with a Dagger-Style Drop Point Tip and both Edges have Straight Edge starting at the Tip with Serrated Edge near the Knife Hilt. Continues One-Piece Knives Handle is a Skeleton Design.
The Tektite Ocean Edge Dive Knife comes with an Impact Resistant ABS Plastic Quick-Thumb Release Sheath with Quick-Release hook and loop Leg Straps. Knife also includes a Belt Clip Conversion Kit. The Knives Blade measures 3.5" (90 mm) with an overall length of 7.5" (190 mm) and weighs 3.6 oz. (101 g). Knife is covered by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.
This product has a limited lifetime warranty.


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You are here: Home ‹ Board index ‹ Movie Discussion ‹ Upcoming Movies
Discuss other upcoming Jim Carrey movies.
i'm confused about the Stooges gig..............first he's in........then he's 'officially' out............then he porks up and grows a beard and some sites say it's for Curly...........so is he in or out?????......and is it official if he is in now??
"Jim Carrey Shows Off Fuller Figure For 'Three Stooges'"
The comedian has promised to gain 40-50 pounds for his role as Curly in "The Three Stooges"- and he showed off a chubbier figure on Thursday night at UCLA's 2009 Visionary Ball in Beverly Hills.
Ok i am very very confused frist Jim did not get the part WHAT??
Ok to make it easy ok
Did Jim get that part YES or NO TELL ME !! plz
I'm in LOVE with him and I Feel Fine
They need to ask Jim instead of relying on Jenny for information. Nothing against Jenny, but Jim knows more about his carreer than Jenny.
Did I spell carreer right?
To God, every living being is beautiful... Except for you.
The quotes they are using from Jenny are old
Yes the quotes are from April. There is still not a new interview with Jim where he mention "The Three Stooges". And if Jim is preparing for the role, why did the Farrelly-brothers then say that Jim was out in interviews last month. I am confused.
2017 with 2 new Jim Carrey Movies and 1 Series!
"The Bad Batch", "True Crimes" and "I'm Dying Up Here"
Join Jim Carrey Online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, VK and Snapchat
when there's this much contradiction over a movie, I'd say "No, there's no way in hell this Stooges movie is going to be made." sorry to be so negative but I wouldn't even believe Jim if he said "Yes, it's coming." Ripley's not coming either. But don't take my word for it. This is just a big feeling I have.
Not for Ripley. There is still a long way to productions start. They are still in the script stage.
2017 with 2 new Jim Carrey Movies and 1 Series!
"The Bad Batch", "True Crimes" and "I'm Dying Up Here"
Join Jim Carrey Online on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, VK and Snapchat
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New iPhones More Fragile?
(24/7 News) -- A new test of five smartphone models shows that Apple's new iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S are more fragile than last year's iPhone 5.
The test by SquareTrade, a company that sells protection plans for phones, reportedly shows that the two new iPhone models are not as durable when it comes to five-foot drops to the floor or being dropped in water.
Among the models tested, the Samsung Galaxy S4 received the worst rating, failing to work after being dropped or dunked. The most durable model tested was Google's Moto X, which testers called the "most forgiving of accidents."


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News & Announcements - December 2012
Law School Offices Closed for Winter Break
American University Washington College of Law will be closed during winter break, Monday, Dec. 24 through Tuesday, Jan. 1. Dean Claudio Grossman and the administration of AUWCL wish our community Happy Holidays and a prosperous New Year.
Founders' Celebration 2013 Kicks Off Jan. 16
The 2013 American University Washington College of Law Founders' Celebration will kick off Jan. 16 with the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Commemoration. Founders' features events, seminars, panel discussions, expert forums, and Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs covering diverse topics such as government transparency, juvenile justice, copyright and trademark, issues in the law of armed conflict, and more. MORE More
Hypothetical Case for IAHR Moot Court Published
The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law is pleased to announce the release of the hypothetical case for the 2013 Inter-American Human Rights Moot Court Competition. The case, which focuses on the rights LGBTI persons, was co-written by Victor Madrigal-Borloz, principal specialist at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and Silvia Serrano, human rights specialist at the IACHR. Read the hypothetical case. More
Faculty Featured Speakers at AALS; Alumni Reception held Jan. 4
Many American University Washington College of Law faculty are speakers and moderators on 11 panels at this year's Association of American Law Schools (AALS) Annual Meeting, currently taking place in New Orleans. View the schedule. Dean Claudio Grossman and the Office of Development and Alumni Relations also welcome alumni, faculty, and friends for a reception Jan. 4 in conjunction with the event. Students on an alternate winter break in the area will join the reception as well. The event will be held in the Westin New Orleans Canal Place Azalea II room. For questions or to RSVP, please email firstname.lastname@example.com.
Ceremony to Recognize Partnership with Chilean Diplomatic Academy
The law school will hold a signing ceremony today at 3:30 p.m. in the Dean's Suite in recognition of a new agreement with the Andrés Bello Chilean Diplomatic Academy. The agreement, signed with Ambassador Pable Cabrera, director of the Academy, marks the beginning of future collaborative projects; specifically the Academy will send students to the law school's Summer Program on International Organizations, Law & Diplomacy. Ambassador of Chile to the U.S., Felipe Bulnes, is expected to attend.
December Dean's Advisory Council Meeting, Campaign Planning Committee Meeting
The Dean's Advisory Council consists of leaders within many constituencies of American University Washington College of Law, including the areas of law, academia, business, and the community. Dean Claudio Grossman welcomes members Council to the law school Monday evening for a meeting and dinner which will feature a discussion about the legal job market. On Tuesday, Dean Grossman will host a meeting of the campaign planning committee at his home to discuss ongoing plans for the new law campus.
Clinic Releases Report on Money Transfers to Mexico
The Immigrant Justice Clinic announces the release of "Money Transfers to Mexico," a manual examining the transfer of funds from U.S. advocates to clients in Mexico. Read the report. More
Alumni Holiday Reception Held Dec. 13
The Office of Development and Alumni Relations will host a holiday reception Dec. 13 for alumni who graduated prior to 2002. The event will be held at P.J. Clarke's in Washington, D.C. For more information, contact email@example.com. More
2013 Summer Law Programs Abroad
Registration is now available for the law school's 2013 Summer Programs Abroad, held in Chile/Argentina, Europe, Geneva, Israel, The Hague, and Turkey. The programs focus on topics such as international business and trade, human rights, intellectual property law, environmental law, international criminal law, and more. These intensive programs offer unparalleled opportunities to study international law and create professional networks abroad. MORE More
AUWCL Community Remembers Justice Arthur Chaskalson
A great friend and colleague to many at the law school, Arthur Chaskalson, who was South Africa's premier jurist in constitutional and human rights law and a visiting professor at the law school in 2010, passed away last weekend in Johannesburg, South Africa. "Arthur Chaskalson was a towering figure in the fight against apartheid and a role model for all of us," said Dean Claudio Grossman. MORE More
Environmental Law Students Attend Pipeline Rally in D.C
Students and alumni from the Program on International & Comparative Environmental Law (PICEL) recently joined environmental groups for a rally near the White House to stop the Keystone XL Pipeline. In addition, David Hunter, director of the program, and Erika Lennon, program coordinator, recently participated in the World Bank Consultation on its Environmental and Social Safeguards Policies Review. Read MORE recent news from PICEL. More
Dean Grossman Hosts Alumni Dinner in The Hague
Dean Claudio Grossman will host alumni in The Hague for dinner on Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. All law school alumni are welcome to attend the event at Ciao! Ciao! Italian Restaurant. Please RSVP to email@example.com. More than 150 young alumni will also meet Thursday in Washington, D.C. for a sold-out holiday reception at Acadiana.
Students Externs Gain Valuable On-the-Job Experience
Last year, more than 400 students participated in the law school's Externship Program. The Program provides students with the opportunity to earn academic credit for unpaid substantive legal work performed under the supervision of experienced attorneys with government agencies, federal and state courts, and some of the nation's most prestigious not-for-profit organizations and law firms. Listen to students talk about their externship experiences. More
December 2012 Graduates Honored at Reception
On Wednesday, Dean Claudio Grossman hosted a reception at the law school honoring the December 2012 JD and LL.M. graduates. The event was sponsored by the Dean's Office, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, International Legal Studies Program, and Program on Law & Government.


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A nuisance scooter driver has had his scooter confiscated after police caught him without insurance.
On Sunday, police were called by residents on Limes Road complaining of a mini-moto being driven dangerously by youths.
Officers from the Selhurst Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) went to the area in an unmarked police vehicle and within ten minutes saw a youth riding a mini-moto on the road, without a helmet on.
When they stopped the 17 year-old and checked the vehicle, it was also found to be without valid road tax or insurance and the rider was not in possession of a suitable driving license.
The 17-year-old youth riding the mini-moto was prosecuted for driving without a license and without valid insurance or road tax, while the vehicle was seized.
Sergeant Kenny Parker, from the Selhurst SNT, said: "This sort of antisocial behaviour is not acceptable and when we receive any reports like this, we'll take appropriate action as we have done here.
"Mini-moto vehicles are subject to the same laws and rules that apply to other motor vehicles when they're ridden on public highways. I would advise anyone who owns one to bear this in mind before taking it on the road."


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Airbus Corporate Foundation and MASkargo help fight famine in East Africa
An Airbus A330-200F just delivered to Malaysian airline MASkargo has arrived at Dubai during the Dubai Airshow carrying forty tonnes of high energy food. This flight, facilitated by the Airbus Corporate Foundation, along with MASkargo and Action Against Hunger, will boost crucial stocks at the UN's strategically located Humanitarian Response Depot in the emirate.
Founded in France in 1979, Action Against Hunger (with its international counterpart Action Against Hunger / ACF International) is recognised as one of the most important humanitarian organisations combating hunger and malnutrition worldwide. This issue affects approximately one billion people across the globe, particularly in the Eastern region known as the Horn of Africa, afflicted by a severe drought and facing one of the worst humanitarian hunger crises in years with over 12 million people impacted.
Action Against Hunger is using its Dubai base to capitalise on the emirate's strategic location from which to serve a coordinated global effort in response to emergency situations elsewhere in the world. The non-profit, non-religious organisation has established an international network to deliver life-saving programmes in some 45 countries, specialising in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster and chronic food insecurity.
MASkargo, the freight subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, was established in 1972 to handle the delivery of cargo around the world via Malaysia Airlines' global network of routes.
Tom Enders, Chairman of the Airbus Corporate Foundation and President and CEO of Airbus, said: "Thanks to MASkargo, the Airbus Corporate Foundation has been able to support Action Against Hunger, in another great example of how aviation can contribute to humanitarian relief and help people in need in a very tangible way. Since it commenced operations in December 2008, the Foundation has coordinated twenty relief flights.
Captain Raja Yazid Bin Raja Jallaludin of MASkargo said, "MASkargo is happy to be part of this joint relief effort. That we are using our second A330 freighter fresh from the handover is a bonus as the aircraft starts its service on a really good note! Over the years, MASkargo has been very active in relief efforts for catastrophes worldwide.
Erland Egiziano, Logistics Director Action Against Hunger - France, said: The food being delivered today by the Airbus Corporate Foundation is vital in restoring dignity, self-sufficiency and independence for vulnerable communities and saving the lives of children and their families in East Africa".
Since its launch in December 2008, the Airbus Corporate Foundation has completed 20 relief flights to numerous destinations all over the globe.
Notes to editors
About the Airbus Corporate Foundation
The Airbus Corporate Foundation was created to facilitate charitable activities worldwide within an international network of employees and partners. The Airbus Corporate Foundation started its operation on 1st December, 2008 with Airbus president and CEO Tom Enders being appointed Chairman of its Board of Directors.
The ACF focuses its support on the three themes of humanitarian and community support, youth development and the environment.
About Action Against Hunger
More information on Action against Hunger can be found at www.actioncontrelafaim.org/english/


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IDF closes probe into 2009 shelling in Gaza that killed 21 (ISRAEL HAYOM) Lilach Shoval and News Agencies 05/02/12)
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=4173
Israel Hayom
Israel Hayom Articles-Index-Top
Military says incident, which took place during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, did not constitute a war crime and that civilians were not targeted on purpose Advocate-general finds allegations of war crimes "groundless," says soldiers did not act negligently B´Tselem says army´s statement is insufficient.
The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday closed an investigation into a 2009 shelling of a house in Gaza that killed 21 members of a Palestinian family, saying this did not constitute a war crime and that the civilians had not been targeted purposefully.
The incident occurred during Operation Cast Lead, the three-week war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Three and a half years after Operation Cast Lead, Military Advocate- General Brig. Gen. Danny Efroni announced that he would not indict officers involved in the incident, meaning that no legal action would be taken against Col. Ilan Malka, who was then commander of the Givati Brigade.
Israel launched the offensive in late 2008 with the declared aim of ending cross-border rocket fire that continuously struck southern Israeli towns. Much of the fighting took place in densely populated areas of the small coastal territory. More than 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed in the conflict.
Witnesses said that on Jan. 4, 2009, Israeli troops had ordered about 100 civilians in the Zeitun district of Gaza to enter the house and stay there, out of their way. But the following day the house was hit by Israeli shells and collapsed, killing many members of the extended Samouni family.
After an investigation into the shelling and allegations of war crimes, Military Advocate-General Efroni "found the accusations groundless," the military said in a statement. "The military advocate- general also found that none of the involved soldiers or officers acted in a negligent manner." However, the military said it was making changes to "ensure that such events will not happen again."
Reporting on Tuesday on the decision not to take legal action, Israel´s Channel 10 television described the shelling as "the most serious operational mishap" of the Gaza war.
In early 2010, then Military Advocate-General Maj. Gen. Avichai Mendelblit began investigating Col. Malka for allegedly ordering an air strike on a Gaza building despite being aware that only civilians were inside.
During a police interrogation under caution, Malka confirmed his order to bomb the building, but denied that he knew civilians were inside. Malka said he ordered the strike because aerial images had shown terrorists armed with rocket-propelled grenades in the area.
Due to the investigation, then Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi denied him a promotion. Malka currently holds the position of Central Command operations officer. Now that the case against him has been closed, after a delay of two years, he is expected to be promoted to the rank of brigadier-general. However, Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz has decided that Malka will not be promoted to a command position, according to Israel Radio.
Mendelblit said on Tuesday that facts discovered during the investigation refuted accusations of war crimes against Malka and that others involved in the incident were also found innocent of wrong-doing. Mendelblit added that Malka´s decision did not deviate from the decisions that any "reasonable officer" would make.
Lt. Col. (res.) Sammy Asraf, who was Givati Brigade chief of staff at the time, told Israel Radio that had Malka not ordered the strike, Givati soldiers "would no doubt have been wounded." He emphasized that the shelling was aimed at a house from which heavy fire was being aimed at the Israeli troops.
The army statement said, "The Military Advocate-General, Brig. Gen. Danny Efroni, has stated his opinion regarding alleged ...war crimes in Gaza´s (Zeitun) neighborhood. According to the findings, the investigation found the accusations groundless."
"In conclusion ... Efroni decided that legal action should not be taken, and ordered for the investigation to be terminated immediately," the statement said. The military advocate-general emphasized that lessons should be learned from this incident to prevent similar ones from happening in the future. Toward this end, the military advocate-general made several recommendations to the chief of general staff that have already been raised with general staff officers."
A U.N. commission that investigated the offensive in Gaza put the toll of members of the Samouni family killed in the strike at 29. The commission´s chairman, South African judge Richard Goldstone, said it was one of the most serious incidents his team had investigated. Israel refused to cooperate with the inquiry and strongly criticized Goldstone´s conclusions, which said Israel and Hamas were both guilty of war crimes, as biased.
The military´s move outraged relatives of the killed Palestinians and the Israeli human rights group that had pressed for the investigation. They said the findings proved the army is not capable of investigating the conduct of its soldiers.
"We are talking about a crime against civilians," said Salah Samouni, 34, whose 2-year-old daughter was killed when Israeli shells slammed into the Gaza City house where the family had gathered.
"We know that God above will punish the killers. If they escaped trial, they can´t escape God´s punishment," said Samouni, who survived the shelling.
The Israeli group B´Tselem, one of the human rights groups that had submitted a complaint about the incident, said the response it received from the military did not detail the findings of the shelling investigation or provide reasons behind the decision to close the file.
"It is unacceptable that no one is found responsible for an action of the army that led to the killing of 21 uninvolved civilians, inside the building they entered under soldiers´ orders, even if this was not done deliberately," Yael Stein, B´Tselem´s head of research, said in a statement.
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Tablet PC
Tablet PCs offer users the ability to "mark up" or "ink" many applications with a special pen instead of typing. Use of a pen also allows for hand drawn notes, sketches, and other work. Using digital ink to approximate actual note taking and more flexible and graphically-oriented computer-based actvities.
Quick Start Guides
Never used a Tablet PC? Try our Tablet PC Quick Start Guide (pdf)
Please contact an instructional consultant for individual assistance.