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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The Economic Crisis and the Failure of Democratic Absolutism
What we are seeing around the world today is really the result of a failure in the system of absolute democracy so many have put their faith in. In the United States, and things are even worse in some other places, the vast majority of taxes are paid by a tiny minority of the population. The least noble amongst us who have no stake in the success or failure of the economy have consistently voted for whatever politician will promise them the most with no cost to themselves. Government gets bigger, social welfare becomes more prevalent and the rich and middle class (but especially the rich) are taxed more and more to pay for it all. Socialism is now creeping in and even becoming somewhat acceptable or at least thinkable here in the United States as it has been for some time in Europe. Looking at the big picture this can only spell doom for our civilization and all of our most ancient traditions. We are seeing the rise of mob rule, a sort of neo-version of the French Revolution except that most people today are too apathetic to take in hand operating the guillotine themselves.
People will rule themselves into oppression because they frequently turn to insidious politicians to help them get something for nothing. They want more benefits but no new taxes. This means that a politician must deliver the benefits but always tax someone else, the wealthy minority being an easy target. Consider how the government went after the AIG executives who were given the bonuses they were contractually entitled to. The very same party which demanded that AIG be given government money and which wrote the bill that allowed these bonuses to be paid put on a great show of mock indignation at these evil, greedy, rich people on behalf of their struggling, working class constituents (pay no attention to the fact that many of these same guys got hefty donations from AIG and others like them). The fanatical leftist activist group ACORN (for which Obama formerly worked) even drove protestors to the homes of these evil rich people to shout abuse at them. Keep in mind that none of these greedy AIG executives broke any law and most have more or less been browbeaten into giving back money that they had been promised in their contract when they first went to work for the company. This is class warfare at its lowest. This is Marie Antoinette and the whole cake fabrication all over again.
Out of protest the noble Stuart monarch did not speak much at his trial for he refused to recognize that any court was competent to judge him. It was just as well for he was a dead man as soon as he fell into the hands of his enemies. However, when he did finally speak what he said was as profound as it would be unpopular for modern audiences. The part that no one will like is that he said government was the business of kings and had nothing to do with the common people sharing in it. I know, I know, most today would cut his head off for that alone (unless of course he was the leader of a communist country the rest of the world depended on for trade and cheap labor). However, what I think is too often forgotten is what the noble King said after that about what exactly it was he had been fighting for. He said, if I may paraphrase, that in defending his own rights as King he was defending the rights of every person in the land to what was truly their own. The Crown and his powers were his by legitimate, legal and ancient hereditary right. If the government could take that from him then they could take anything from anyone. So it is today.
When you boil it down, there really is no dispute over what the Greek collapse was caused by. People voted themselves money until they ran out of money at which point they borrowed money and now their bills are coming due. It is obvious and yet no one, on either side of the mainstream political spectrum, seems to understand it. We still have young idiots camping outside Wall Street demanding "free" college and forgiveness of debts and even on the right, notice how the Republicans are still terrified of admitting that social security is broke. All the senior citizens marching with the "Tea Party" shout for budget cuts and smaller government until it comes to the programs they themselves are entitled to. In Great Britain the National Health Service is the biggest economic drain in the history of the British Isles yet, because of democratic absolutism, even those politicians smart enough to realize the obvious dare not say so or make a single move against the NHS because they would be promptly voted out of office for taking away "free" healthcare from the people. No, they will reduce the army to a palace guard, scrap the royal yacht and share a navy with France before they will suggest that the people actually pay for their own healthcare themselves.
The truly maddening thing about all of this is that it is so painfully obvious and was figured out thousands of years ago. The ancient Greeks and Romans understood this. Democracy means the 'have nots' can vote themselves the property of the 'haves' until there are no more 'haves' and everyone is a 'have not' and the nation tears itself to pieces. Which is usually when the dictator steps forward and everyone had better pray he is a benevolent one.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Off Topic Tuesday: Eurozone Crisis
That being said, I cannot be completely upbeat about the current crisis in Europe because it is proving that your average European is just as dumb as your average American in that *they just don't get it*. Just like your majority, apathetic, mainstream Americans, your average Europe has not gotten the message: Socialism Doesn't Work! You cannot get something for nothing, you cannot run up debts and expect future generations to cover the bill (especially when you cannot be bothered to actually produce a future generation) and punishing success and rewarding failure is not the way to create a successful economy. These are not difficult concepts to grasp, yet precious few today seem able to. The austerity measures (such as they are) did not happen in Greece because people suddenly saw the error of their ways. They only happened because Greece ran out of money, couldn't pay back their debts, couldn't get anymore loans and so the Greek borrower became the slave of the EU lender. That is my biggest concern with the current crisis; that, as I see it now, no one seems to be learning from their mistakes but throw an infantile fit at the government gravy train being cut off and turning their anger on whatever unfortunate party or coalition just happens to be in power.
In Spain, for example, recent elections turned out the socialists and brought the 'very, very slightly right-of-center leaning' party to power. I was certainly glad to see the socialists go, it turned my stomach every time King Juan Carlos had to meet with that crowd, but while I don't want to ignore those people who voted them out for the right reasons, most did not. I don't think most Spaniards voted against the socialists because they realize they're wrong (on social as well as economic issues) but simply voted them out because they happened to be in power when the house of cards collapsed. In Italy it was the 'very, very slightly right-of-center' Berlusconi who was tossed out, again, not because of scandals or anything that concrete, but mostly because he happened to be the one in power at the time. He certainly did not create the current disaster that is the Italian economy all by himself since becoming prime minister in 2008. So there was some public outcry but, most importantly, the EU wanted him gone (they had never liked him much anyway). The EU has imposed new leadership on Greece, in Italy (surprise, surprise) the new PM Mario Monti is a long-time EU-supporter and one who actually did help Italy get to where she is now by helping arrange the massive loans to keep up the fools paradise illusion while the country was going broke.
The people though, so far, are not so upset with the EU establishing dictatorial power over the member states, not so upset with the policies that have driven them into bankruptcy and not so upset that the EU has had to go to China (perhaps making all of Europe the slave of the Chinese lender) for more bailout money. No, they are upset because they are being told that cannot continue to get all the freebies from the government they have grown acustomed to. As glad as I am to see the EU in crisis, that simple fact still depresses me.
Monday, November 28, 2011
The Grand Old British Empire
Of course, none of these men were perfect from Raleigh to Clive to Rhodes. Neither was every page of British imperial history a proud one. Individuals will always be fallible, some policies were benevolent and some were rather horrible; such is the history of human beings. The eradication of the Thugee cult in India, for example, was a great service to the subcontinent. The Opium Wars, on the other hand, were a terrible injustice (not perpetrated by Britain alone) and quite a shameful episode on the whole. However, the relatively few ugly incidents should not blind us from the immense good that was accomplished by the British Empire nor intimidate proud Britons from defending their exceptional place in history. Were it not for the British Empire the world today would be a very, very different place and, I happen to think, were it still around it would be a better place for a great many people in the world.
For example, when the British took over the French territory of Canada, early indications were that British rule would be harsh and intolerant. However, the British won the loyalty of the local population by recognizing French law, granting toleration to Catholicism and removing references to Protestantism in the oath of allegiance. It was a winning policy as in the American Revolution that followed later, not only did Canada remain loyal but French Canadian leaders and bishops zealously supported the royal cause. South Africa was another example. The war against the Dutch settlers had been bitter and ferocious (even seeing the first use of the concentration camp) but once Britain was victorious they did not treat the Boers as a conquered enemy but made them partners in the British Empire, ensuring the staunch support of the South Africans in both World Wars that followed. Ultimately the former enemies worked together to make South Africa the most advanced and prosperous country on the African continent. In India, where Britain has been much criticized, the fact remains that local traditions, customs and religions were maintained under British rule. Intolerance and wars of religion only emerged after independence. The extent to which the British were able to work well in cooperation with the native population is seen in the fact that such a relatively small island, half-way around the world, was able to administer an entire sub-continent with fewer troops than the French republic garrisoned in Indochina alone.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Royal News Roundup
Friday, November 25, 2011
Italian Unification - The Characters
The Kings of Italy:King Vittorio Emanuele II
King Umberto I
King Vittorio Emanuele III
King Umberto II
The last, pre-unification:
Viceroy Maximilian of Lombardy-Venetia
Duke Francis V of Modena
King Francis II of the Two-Sicilies
Pope Pius IX
Grand Duke Leopold II of Tuscany
1861-2011 Remember Your Roots!
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Why I Don't "Do" Thanksgiving
The pilgrims were upset with their life in England. They disliked the Anglican church, regarding it as too "Catholic" for their taste and for the pilgrims the Catholics were absolute evil. Even as Puritans went, these were the most extreme. Not only did they few Anglicans and Presbyterians as "too Catholic", even their fellow Puritans were insufficiently puritanical from their point of view. King James I, when it came to religion, was a fairly tolerant monarch. However, he did not want religion causing divisions and strife in his kingdoms and so restrictions were placed on the pilgrims. Disliking this state of affairs, they decided to move over to the Republic of the United Provinces of the Netherlands. Even those many centuries ago the Dutch had the reputation of being very tolerant and libertarian amongst the nations of Europe. In matters of faith, in the Netherlands there was pretty much complete religious freedom for anyone (except for the Catholics of course on whom there were some restrictions) of any Protestant Christian denomination as well as for Jews.
However, the pilgrims ultimately found life in Holland unsatisfactory. They complained about the lack of tolerance they endured in England, yet in the Netherlands they complained that there was too much tolerance. They feared the numerous religious groups around them would corrupt them and their children and they disliked the licentiousness of those who adhered to no real religion at all. So England was not free enough and Holland was too free, so they decided to go to America. They hopped on the Mayflower and sailed west. For government, the leaders all signed the famous Mayflower Compact, remembered ever since as one of the earliest founding documents of what became the United States centuries later. There are a few things about the Mayflower Compact that many people may not know. The Mayflower Compact was actually a very royalist document, the very first words being a tribute to, "our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith etc". The document also stressed their loyalty to the King and the hope that their undertaking would do the King and their country honor. Were they sincere? That's another matter.
At the time (pre-civil war England) royal authority was fairly well accepted as a given. Even the republics of the time such as Venice, Genoa or even the Dutch republic still had royal or at least regal leadership. However, it is hard to imagine that the pilgrims who so loathed the Church of England could have much sincere faith and allegiance for the King was the "Supreme Governor" of that denomination. For those who rejected the Church of England it was not a great leap to at least be lukewarm in their submission to the monarch, especially given how paramount the place of the King was to Anglicans. Although it is mostly ignored today, that is a situation still around today as Anglican canon law still recognizes the Queen as, "the highest power under God in this kingdom, and has supreme authority over all persons in all causes, as well ecclesiastical as civil". At the very least the pilgrims would have objected to the "ecclesiastical" bit, if nothing else.
Long after Massachusetts became a well established English colony it continued to be the favored place for Puritans to flee to and this increased dramatically during the reign of King Charles I who favored a very traditional, elaborate and, some would say "Catholic" style for the Church of England. Needless to say, although the American colonies played no really significant role in the English Civil War, there were divisions and Massachusetts, because of their Puritan foundation and population, was definitely on the side of Oliver Cromwell. Puritan Massachusetts had opposed the Elizabethan uniformity effort, the Bishops War of King James I and they certainly opposed the direction religion in the British Isles took under King Charles. In fact, after the King was martyred, after the long years of tyranny under Oliver Cromwell and after the restoration of the monarchy under King Charles II, Massachusetts showed how anti-royalist it was by being the very last English colony in America to recognize the Stuart monarch as their rightful King, not doing so until August of 1661.
Successive British monarchs likewise found out how troublesome Massachusetts could be, even as religion was eclipsed by politics as the primary vehicle for the old Puritan hostility toward the Crown. As everyone knows, the colony would finally become the greatest hotbed of revolutionary activity and eventually lead the continent into the American War for Independence against King George III. So, to bring it all back, that is one of the primary reasons I don't "do" Thanksgiving. That, and I'm not a big fan of the first President to make it a national holiday. We have also discussed here before how the real first thanksgiving was actually celebrated in Texas long before those dour pilgrims ever set foot in New England. So, be assured it is not an issue of ingratitude which prompts me to sit this one out. You may also rest assured I pass no judgment or think any less of those who do celebrate the day as I know most do it for the right reasons (unlike some other holidays). For all who are joining in, I wish you a happy day and I hope you all know that I am thankful for all you, members, subscribers, lurkers and casual readers, who keep up with The Mad Monarchist. I do appreciate you all.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
China and the Heavenly Mandate
The principle behind the heavenly mandate is that anyone can attain virtue, that virtuous leadership will cause a country to prosper and a prosperous country will be secure and content with such happiness and contentment serving as proof that the leader in question had obtained the heavenly mandate to rule. This principle can, and has, been stretched pretty far on certain occasions. However, the idea was never supposed to be about simply the ability to take and maintain power (though at times it became that and we cannot deny that) nor was it traditionally about popularity with the people. The Emperor, who the Chinese traditionally recognized as the legitimate ruler of the world, not simply China, even if other barbarian nations were too backward to recognize it, was to govern with moderation and virtue, not to be popular, but because this was his moral duty toward Heaven and as a pious believer in Confucian morality. He also had religious duties to perform that went along with the heavenly mandate, as the Emperor was the "Son of Heaven"; the pontiff between the Middle Kingdom and the Kingdom of Heaven. The most important of these came at the Winter Solstice when the Emperor would go to the Altar of Heaven to present offerings and pray on behalf of his people and to, as we might say, give Heaven a progress report on the reign of his dynasty.
When the Ming dynasty was overthrown by the Manchu coalition of forces, establishing the Qing dynasty, it was accepted that the Ming had lost the Mandate of Heaven and that the Manchu Emperor had acquired it. This was reinforced by the extent to which the Manchus adopted Chinese traditions and emphasized Confucian ethics and social order. Over the centuries, the heavenly mandate of the Qing began to be questioned as rebellions became more serious and foreign nations gained stronger footholds in China. The wave of nationalist, republican revolutionaries rejected the whole concept of the Mandate of Heaven, officially, while unofficially arguing that if such a thing did exist the Qing had lost it anyway. When the Qing dynasty was overtaken by the 1911 Revolution the act of abdication which brought an end to the ancient imperial system stated that the dynasty was bowing to, "the Mandate of Heaven as expressed through the will of the people" which was quite a novel concept in and of itself. Since that time, the successive nationalist and communist regimes have been a little uncomfortable dealing with the principle of the Mandate of Heaven. Again, they officially scoff at such a traditional belief but also would like to use it to legitimize their own positions. So, most effectively say that, one shouldn't believe in the mandate but, if you do, believe that they hold it.
Given the number of natural disasters that have befallen China in recent years, some might suggest that this be taken as evidence that the CCP has lost the heavenly mandate and therefore that rebellion against them is justified. As stated, I think rebellion has always been justified because they never even claimed the mandate in the first place nor have they ever shown the slightest interest in ruling according to Confucian morality. This is the same regime, after all, that even in its youth enacted programs which caused the deaths of tens of millions of people and even as millions were dying Chairman Mao took it as no great tragedy, seeing it simply as so many less mouths to feed. If one wanted to argue the case, I am sure the communist sympathizers would in any event point to the higher levels of public education, the growing power of China and the burgeoning middle class (which only emerged after they started to wise up and cut back on the communist economic policies) as "proof" that, now more than ever, they hold the mandate.
In my view (though of course they can not claim it now even if they wanted to) the heavenly mandate still rests with the Qing dynasty by default, simply as the last traditional dynasty to have held it. This has always been my position, both because of my admiration for the culture of the Qing Empire as well as the unalterable fact that no one since has even claimed the Mandate of Heaven. From the fall of the Qing the history of modern China has been unprecedented in every way. Yes, I readily admit, it could be argued (obviously, given the disasters that overtook them and the fact that they were forced to renounce power) that the Qing lost the mandate but, as I see it, if so, it remains right where they left it. Certainly no government that came immediately after could claim the mandate, the country fell into utter chaos and ruin. Whether the communists desire to or not, they could never claim to hold it as that would undermine their very foundation. Will the Qing be restored? The lessons of history say "no" (though they had some very real opportunities in the past). That is why I say the mandate resides with the Qing only by default, waiting to be picked up again or claimed by another. Obviously, I very much hope that day will come and come soon, but the China of today is a totally different animal from the China of history. They have imported something formerly unknown; mass politics and ideological fanaticism, into China and that alone, even without all the power they have accumulated recently, is sufficient to mean that any future change in "dynasty" will likely be a very, very traumatic and violent affair.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Off Topic Tuesday: Super Committee Failure
It is also true that the Democrat war on the rich to increase revenues is simply campaign fodder because they were offered a deal that would close tax loopholes (used almost exclusively by the very wealthy) which would increase revenues to the government while not actually raising taxes. They refused it. One would think they would want to close these loopholes anyway, deal or no deal, but of course not. In case anyone thinks I am being unfair, let me assure you that I still don't believe the Republicans, by and large, are being sincere in their sudden concern with the national debt. Where was this concern when George W. Bush was President for eight years and spending money like there was no tomorrow? I don't buy it. They don't get it either and when I look at the crop of GOP presidential candidates I am only further convinced that the Republicans still just don't get it. They just sound a little better lately because the Democrats keep doing things that are blatantly retarded. Voting against a balanced budget amendment, for example, because it is just a "Republican ploy". Really, how on earth, when the country is $15 trillion in debt, do you argue that balancing the budget is a bad idea?
President Obama never wanted this "Super Committee" to accomplish anything because he wants the narrative of his reelection campaign to be, "Things suck, but blame the 'do-nothing' Congress, don't blame me". The Republicans don't really want an agreement either because they want the campaign narrative to be, "Things suck, fire Obama and elect Governor Romney" (who looks like the dad in the 'came with the frame' family at Sears). Obama keeps whining that the Republicans are "putting party before country" but let's be adult about this. They both put party before country and this is not anything new. This is business as usual. Obama's problem, and one reason why he has had to whip up the class warfare rhetoric to the point that there is riot police in the streets, is because he purposely allowed himself to be way, way over-sold. Expectations for George W. Bush were so low, any time he managed to string together a coherent sentence people were impressed. Obama, on the other hand, came to power as the great leader who would unite the country, rebuild Washington, save the planet, save the economy, make our enemies love us, make the oceans recede and lions sleep next to lambs. Obama has had some pretty dramatic successes (by his way of thinking) as President, yet everything that is bad seems ten times worse because he sold himself as being the super-man who could be all things to all people and solve every problem with no fuss or trouble.
Even if I were to give the Super Committee the benefit of the doubt as to their sincerity, the fact of the matter is that in the United States today the opposing sides have virtually nothing in common anymore. Take someone from east Massachusetts and someone from east Texas; they may as well be from different planets. The people of the red state/blue state divide agree on absolutely nothing, not on morals or values, not on economics, not on foreign policy, not on the proper role of government, not on the environment, not on the constitution. They fundamentally disagree on what the United States itself is or should be about. Nor can I hold out much hope for compromise. They don't agree on the most basic judgments of "right" and "wrong" so how can you compromise on any moral or social issues? Pragmatism doesn't come in to it. You have one side pushing for European social democracy when you can look over to Europe and see the failure of social democracy with your own eyes, yet still they push for it so, obviously, pragmatism is out of the question.
What do I think will happen? Search me, I'm no prophet. I can say I don't think it beyond the realm of possibility that the USA begins to break up. When low tax, business friendly states start to have to foot the bill to bail out high tax, welfare states America could start down the path Belgium is on. It may also be, as Ron Paul has warned before, that the US dollar will become worthless and states will start to simply ignore the federal government and go their own way. Compromise seems even more unlikely to me as I notice the recent rise of the libertarian movement. For the uninitiated these are basically conservatives who have given up on social issues (they are pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-legalized drugs) but hard-line on upholding capitalism and keeping the government out of economics. More and more conservatives seem to be going this way as they basically give up on the social issues because they don't like being the "bad guy" who opposes gay marriage. Yet, they are absolutely opposed to any of the limits to capitalism that past conservative governments have made. As the Democrats drift more toward socialism and the Republicans drift more toward absolute capitalism, moral issues will no longer be an issue and there will be no room for any compromise or concessions at all between these two diametrically opposed world views.
It's not a rosy picture, but then I've never been accused of being all sweetness and light.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Monarch Profile: King Manuel I of Portugal
In 1498 the intrepid Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama found the sea route to India, the first European to reach the subcontinent by ship and who later became the first Viceroy of Portuguese India. The rich lands of eternal Asia were opened to European markets because of this, via Portugal, and in quick order King Manuel I became one of the wealthiest monarchs in Christendom. More advances followed quickly. In 1500 Pedro Álvares Cabral discovered the immense South American nation of Brazil, setting into motion the establishment of what would be the largest colony of Portugal and, in time, the most populous Portuguese-speaking nation in the world. However, based on treaties signed with Spain and the Holy See, the focus on Portuguese exploration and investment was concentrated more on Africa and Asia and in 1505 King Manuel I appointed Francisco de Almeida the first Viceroy of India and from 1503 to 1515 the Portuguese Admiral Afonso de Albuquerque made advances in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean that led to the establishment of Portuguese monopolies on maritime trade in those lucrative sea lanes which ushered in an era of unprecedented prosperity in the Kingdom of Portugal.
The wealth King Manuel accumulated attracted the best and brightest of the era to Portugal which became known as the preeminent nation in almost every field of endeavor. Great scientists, mathematicians, architects, artists and the most bold adventurers all flocked to Portugal as center of learning and progress. New discoveries came in constantly. Economic and diplomatic relations were established with the great dynasties of Asia, the Persian Empire and the Chinese Empire and King Manuel I sponsored architectural wonders, erecting new buildings and majestic monuments to befit an imperial capital. Some of the greatest of these, however, were not symbols of pride but of devotion; monasteries, convents and houses of worship. Portugal under Manuel I was a very Catholic absolute monarchy where the parliament in Lisbon was called only three times, yet, the Portuguese people had never known such success, prosperity and academic freedom. King Manuel reformed the judicial system and the system of taxation, making each more fair.
Only one group did not fare well during the reign of Manuel I and that was the Jewish minority. The King had tried numerous times through marriage to gain for himself a dominant position in Spain. It was a condition of his first marriage to the daughter of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile that he expel the Jews and Muslim Moors from the Kingdom of Portugal. Past Portuguese monarchs had tolerated and protected the Jews, advancing many of them to high office and often relying on them. Some warned the King against the expulsion of the Jews but more supported their eviction. Their money-lending (a practice banned or at least frowned-upon in most Christian nations at the time) stirred up jealousy and hatred against them. So, King Manuel I ordered the Jews to either convert or leave the country. Many falsely converted in order to stay and this would prove a source of problems and endless controversy for the Holy Office of the Inquisition in the future. However, the King was not a hateful man and when mob violence resulted in the murder of a number of Jews he had the perpetrators put to death for the crime.
King Manuel did marry Isabella (daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella) but she died in childbirth in 1498 and their only child, Miguel, who was heir to both Portugal and Spain died a few years later. In 1501 Manuel married Maria of Aragon by whom he had 10 children including the future King John III of Portugal, the Cardinal-King Henry and consorts for the Holy Roman Emperor and the Duke of Savoy. Maria died in 1517 and the following year Manuel married, for the last time, to Eleanor of Austria, daughter of the King and Queen of Castile and sister to the future Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. They had one son, Carlos, before King Manuel I died on December 13, 1521, of plague, in Lisbon at the age of 52. He was succeeded by his son, King John III, who tried to continue his policies. The Golden Age of Portugal went on for a time but a variety of problems began to cause the wave of success to recede somewhat. All subsequent historians would always look back to the reign of King Manuel I as the zenith of Portuguese glory and greatness around the world.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Happy Christ the King Day!
A happy Christ the King day to all Christian readers. Today, in countries at least where Christianity is still considered, and the political left and right squabble over "What Would Jesus Do?" it is worth pointing this feast day out, particularly that it is the Feast of Christ the King rather than Christ the "President". A significant distinction as true authority is not gained by a popularity contest, nor by the bomb or billy club, not by slick advertisements or piles of cash. Power may be gained in such ways, but not true authority. Christ (the anointed) is King (not President) because His position is based on birth (no one elected Him to be the Son of God) on divine authority and does not rest on popular opinion. His orders are not voted on, cannot be vetoed and (as much as some today may like to) He cannot be voted out of office because that "office" exists for the people but is not of or by the people. It is a divine position, not a popular one, something handed down from Heaven, rather than being set up from earth. There are, of course, those Christians today who try to have it both ways (with the best of intentions we must assume) and who will say that they recognize the authority of Christ the King but of none other. "No King but Jesus" was once the popular slogan. Yet, they do the Christ a disservice in saying that, for truly he was called the "King of kings" which would neccessarily imply that there are other kings beneath him and these we are called to obey, rendering unto Caesar as well as unto God. Moreover, the spirit of pride inherent in that phrase is not one, upon closer reflection, I think most sincere Christians should be able to be comfortable with.
So, if I may offer a little suggestion to the subjects of Christ the King today, take a moment to reflect, not only on worldly politics (we have the rest of the year to devote to that) but to the centrality of kingship to the Christian narrative. The foretelling of the coming of Christ was bound up in kingship. The prophecy was that He would be of royal blood, born of the House of David and born to be King. It was because of His royal blood that, even as a newborn, He was hunted and persecuted. The ministry of Christ was the ministry of the King who came to serve rather than to be served, in all things doing the will of the King of Heaven and finally, it was because of His royal blood, ultimately, that it was prevailed upon the Romans to put Him to death with the "crime" nailed over His head being "King of the Jews", wrapped in a purple cloak, holding a reed for a sceptre and wearing a crown of thorns. The kingship of Christ is absolutely central to the Christian story and it is an aspect that should not be ignored, especially in times such as we live in today.
So ends the 'sermon' and may the King of Heaven bless you all.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Royal News Roundup
Starting with Asia, in the Land of the Rising Sun, the Emperor is still dealing with a persistent cough so HIH Crown Prince Naruhito stepped in to welcome Their Majesties the newlywed King and Queen of the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan on Tuesday. The visit is to mark the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Bhutan. The King also met with the Prime Minister and is set to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Keio and will address the Japanese parliament.
In the Middle East, HM King Abdullah II of Jordan has responded to the unrest and killings in nearby Syria by calling on the dictator President Bashar Assad to relinquish power and step down. This came at the same time that the powerful Arab League voted to suspend the membership of Syria. On Tuesday the Jordanian monarch was in London where he visited Buckingham Palace and met with HM the Queen.
In the Low Countries, HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, on Thursday, was at the 16th Foundation Ballet Gala of the Dancers '79 at Amsterdam Music Theater. The event is to benefit the art of dance, encouraging young people especially to take it up. King Albert II of the Belgians underwent surgery as an out-patient this week to remove a bit of skin cancer from his nose. Doctors said it was nothing too serious, that the operations went perfectly well and the King is now recovering. Tuesday was King's Day in Belgium with several ceremonies to mark the occasion, though as per tradition the King himself does not attend these. There was a special Te Deum and a military parade attended by the other members of the Royal Family, including Prince Laurent who has been on the 'naughty list' lately and not seen at many official events. In Luxembourg, Grand Duchess Maria Theresa and daughter-in-law Princess Tessy and her two sons attended the Red Cross Bazaar to benefit that organization.
In southern Europe, Monaco is in full party mode for National Day today, marking the accession of HSH Prince Albert II. More on the events of today (probably more coverage tomorrow) can be found at Mad for Monaco. In Spain, HM King Juan Carlos met with representatives of the country's leading Catholic charity, "Caritas" at Zarzuela Palace along with several other dignitaries this week. On Thursday HRH the Prince of the Asturias donned his naval uniform to visit the 'Strategic Project Ship' (sort of a cheaper substitute for an aircraft carrier) "Juan Carlos I" with the commanding Admiral of the Spanish navy as his tour guide. The ship will be able to carry soldiers, troop transports, landing craft and up to thirty aircraft for strategic operations. Spain may not be the naval superpower that it once was but the new state-of-the-art ship shows that the proud naval tradition in Spain continues. The "Juan Carlos I" was commissioned last year and is the second aircraft carrying vessel in the Spanish navy, the first being, appropriately, the flagship carrier "Prince of Asturias".
In the north, on Wednesday HM Queen Margrethe II of Denmark attended the special Queen's Parade in Copenhagen on honor of the Danish Royal Guard who were drawn up in all their blue and bearskin glory. Events are building up for the 40th anniversary of the Queen's accession in January. Also, very soon, Crown Prince Frederick and Crown Princess Mary are set to visit her native land of Australia. In Norway, tomorrow, a new documentary will begin airing on Crown Princess Mette-Marit. In Sweden, on Tuesday, Prince Daniel handed out the "2011 Leader of the Year Award" in Stockholm, the winner this year being Johan Malmquist, ceo of Getinge AB.
Finally, in Great Britain, the Royal Family was out in force for the official commemorations for Armistice Day/Veterans Day. The only top-tier royal not present was Prince Harry who is still training in Arizona and attended a special ceremony with his comrades there to mark the occasion. On Wednesday the Queen, Prince Philip and the Prince of Wales were at Westminster Abbey to mark the 400th anniversary of that jewel of English literature the Authorized King James Bible which, until fairly recently, was the standard Bible for almost all Protestant Christians in the English speaking world.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Maximilian, Last Viceroy of Lombardy-Venetia
However, trouble had been brewing in Lombardy-Venetia for quite some time. All across the Italian peninsula the national sentiment was coming to boil as more and more people became focused on uniting the Italian states and driving out the foreign armies that occupied Italian soil. Some of this was political, some academic but there were also the secret societies who would not hesitate to use violence to see their goal of a single Italian nation achieved. The area had been engulfed in rebellion during the Revolutions of 1848 and the Emperor Francis Joseph was worried about how his little brother would handle that section of the populace who were very much the unwilling subjects of the Hapsburg Crown. Archduke Maximilian had made no secret of the fact that he had long favored granting greater freedom and self-government to the two most significant non-German populations of the Austrian Empire; the Hungarians and the Italians. For the Emperor, who took his example from the very conservative Emperor Francis I, change was to be avoided at almost any cost. For the new Viceroy, change was essential and he thought himself just the man for the job.
The new Viceroy did everything right. He gave to the poor, generously, went personally to help with the seasonal flooding and organized a lottery to benefit the displaced. He did his best to reclaim land, provide more reliable clean water to the cities, improve education and to beautify Milan and Venice. The Viceregal couple attended every local celebration and the people began to respond positively. No one who met them failed to be impressed by them and soon, in their young and idealistic way, Maximilian and Charlotte began to envision a grand future for themselves with their Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia not being an obstacle to Italian unity but the leader of it and that they might one day become King and Queen of an enlightened united Italy. However, that dream would most certainly never be realized. Many of the people, perhaps even most of the people, truly liked their handsome Austrian Viceroy and his beautiful Belgian wife and appreciated their kindness. However, that personal affection did not extend to political approval. They were still foreigners and in the rising nationalism of the time, that made a difference. Lovely as they might be, they were not Italian and Italy would belong to the Italians and none other. The couple could also expect no cooperation from Vienna in obtaining any greater autonomy for themselves or their kingdom.
Maximilian, of course, resisted this, reasserting that patience and goodwill were necessary to truly win over the public. He also had the audacity to ask for what amounted to autonomy for his kingdom with its own military, governmental, educational and taxation systems. This, Maximilian argued, was the only way to keep Lombardy-Venetia united to the Hapsburg Crown. The Emperor refused and instead encouraged his brother to rely more on the army and police and even went so far as appointing the long-time Austrian army commander in the region, General Count Gyulai, something of a co-Viceroy alongside Maximilian and who would have to co-sign all major decisions. Of course, the Archduke was outraged by this and became more and more depressed with his position. He tried to get around the move by asking to have control of the army himself so that military and civil matters would be united in the office of the Viceroy but the Emperor refused. Maximilian and Charlotte even went to Vienna to argue in person on behalf of their unwilling subjects but they gained not a single concession.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Consort Profile: Queen Elisabeth of Bavaria
As Queen mother, Elisabeth continued to encourage the arts and sciences (befriending Albert Einstein among other prominent thinkers). During World War II she used what connections she still had in Germany to help save the lives of numerous Jewish children. She never changed. However, after 1934 it was as if she was only counting the days until she could be reunited with her beloved husband. Still, she remained devoted to her causes, her family and her country, going her own way even when it caused controversy until she finally went to join her beloved husband on November 23, 1965 in Brussels. Queen Elizabeth was, at times, unorthodox but she was also the ideal consort by every measure. She adored her husband and was his strongest support in his most difficult days, she was a devoted mother, provided well for the succession and she was fearless in her care for her adopted country. She was, in every way, a great Queen.
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Senior care for those with Parkinson's disease can be a challenging endeavor and should not be taken lightly. Parkinson's is a condition that affects the body's ability to move in an efficient manner. Parkinson's disease causes the individual's dopamine-producing brain cells to die off. Some senior care providers such as Home Care Seattle, home care assistance of Seattle, offer specialized care for seniors suffering from Parkinsons. Because dopamine is the chemical that dictates when and how the body should move, when such cells die a person typically experiences slow movement, instability, and speech problems. Home care is an option for most individuals suffering from the condition, although in severe cases, long-term care may become necessary. One way to assist seniors suffering from Parkinsons is to hire a home care agency. Physical therapy for Parkinson's patients may include strengthening exercises and exercises to improve balance.
Strengthening Exercises
Many Senior Care Seattle providers believe that Part of proper elder care for Parkinson's patients is working with a professional therapist who can help the individual to build up his or her strength and prevent or limit future physical impairment. Since Parkinson's patients lack the chemical that stimulates muscle movement, strengthening exercises are a great way to ensure the person's muscles do not waste away. The set of exercises prescribed by the physical therapist will vary from patient to patient based on the severity of each patient's condition, as well as the quality of his or her overall health.
Improving Balance
Physical therapy is often designed to help one maintain his or her balance and coordination, as these are two functions that deteriorate when one has Parkinson's. The physical therapist will teach the patient and his or her care givers which exercises will help the patient maintain his or her flexibility and ability to walk independently. Find out more about elder care Seattle. Often, such exercises focus on maintaining good basic posture, which will help the patient to walk without stumbling or experiencing a loss of balance.
Additional Considerations
Although those providing in home care for a Parkinson's patient must be aware that regardless of the amount of time the patient spends in physical therapy, falling due to loss of coordination is always a risk. Need a professional and committed Caregiver Seattle ? Call Seattle Home Care Assistance today. For this reason, it is wise to maintain a safe environment in the home, and keep it free from clutter or objects over which one could easily fall, such as throw rugs or shoes that are kept on the floor rather than in a closet. Parkinson's patients should work with a physical therapist beginning when they are diagnosed, and continuing as the disease progresses, to ensure that the best quality of life possible is achieved.


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Under the creative direction of Sarah Burton, OBE, Alexander McQueen has been hailed as one of Britain's greatest avant-garde labels, its collections combining flawless tailoring with a darkly beautiful aesthetic. True to the legacy of Lee Alexander McQueen, the house continues to deliver exquisite ready-to-wear and couture, alongside a range of instantly recognisable accessories, including the coveted Alexander McQueen scarves, bags and jewellery.
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The ports and harbors situated on the Red River are shown on the map and port index by country table below. Click on the yellow port icons for more information on that port.
The Red River has 1 port or harbor. The number in parentheses after the port's location corresponds to the numbered icons on the map.
* indicates the port has a World Port Source review.
|United States
Shreveport, LA (1)
Port of Shreveport-Bossier *


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Just before an official state visit with the US, Ukraine's Interior ministry seized all of Demonoid's servers, rendering the torrent site non-functional. Serving the most popular torrent destination following the neutering of The Pirate Bay, TorrentFreak believes the site was a target because Ukraine wanted to prove to the US that they take copyright infringement seriously. Motivation!
This also follows a DDoS attack on the site, which already had people on edge as to what was going on with Demonoid. But this latest incident seems much less temporary than whatever occurred last week. TorrentFreak writes:
A source inside the Interior Ministry has informed Kommersant that the raid on Demonoid was timed to coincide with the very first trip of Deputy Prime Minister Valery Khoroshkovsky's trip to the United States. On the agenda: copyright infringement.
Ukraine had promised the United States that it would improve its attitude and efforts towards enforcing copyright and no doubt its Western partner will be very pleased indeed that Demonoid's head has been presented on a platter.
That's definitely a big victory for the U.S., who operates in the interest of copyright holders, but this very blatant grandstanding by Ukraine makes you question how serious it is about this. But either way, it's time for the pirates to look for a new home. [TorrentFreak]


text: DoA's rules state that bootleg dolls and recasts are forbidden on-site, but we feel the need to restate and explain why it is forum policy and what it means to you. We are not in a position to ban members for simply owning recast dolls; it is too difficult to identify a recast in a photo, and we don't have the time or interest to stalk members off-site to see if they're acquiring dolls illegally. Similarly, we do not want to promote a community of members who stalk one another. However, we do not condone recasting and will not tolerate having recast dolls promoted or pictured on-site. In particular, we have zero tolerance for bootlegs in the Marketplaces; if we find out that you are are buying, selling, or trading these dolls in our Marketplaces, you will lose access to the Marketplaces and possibly the forum as a whole. You may wonder why DoA does not condone bootlegging. Here are several of our major reasons: 1. First and foremost, bootlegging and recasting is illegal. In certain countries there are steep legal and financial penalties for buying or selling counterfeit goods. 2. Bootlegging hurts legitimate companies and deprives the original artists of their livelihoods. Many people who support recasting base their justifications on Volks' sales statistics, but it is important to keep in mind that Volks is not solely a BJD maker and much of their revenue is generated from other areas (and due to having many physical stores in the 6th most expensive country in the world, Volks' overhead is rather high). Should producing Super Dollfie cease to be profitable, Volks could easily terminate that line to focus entirely on other products. Volks is also extremely unique in the BJD world in terms of its business structure; aside from Volks, there are no "big companies." The largest companies have barely 100 employees, and quite a few are made up of fewer than 10 people. Most of these companies are extremely niche and have a limited line of products; if they are unable to sell to their target audience, they have no other products to fall back upon to remain open and keep their employees paid! If companies go out of business, then we all miss the opportunity to see what new sculpts they might have produced in the future. 3. The presence and acceptance of bootlegs creates stagnation and mistrust in the second-hand market. Shopping is a fun, exciting part of the BJD hobby. The introduction of bootlegs into the second-hand market makes hobbyists fear purchasing a fake doll, which makes sales in the second-hand market extremely slow. As most people try to keep their doll spending circular, if they can't sell their unwanted dolls, they can't buy new ones. It creates a slowdown in both the first and second-hand markets, and that is bad for our hobby. 4. Quality control is hit-or-miss. Some bootlegs are made with inferior materials which can pose a health hazard to their owners... or to customizers who may handle the doll during commissioned work. Many customizers refuse to work on recasts for both ethical and health reasons. If customizers become worried that potential commissions may be undisclosed bootlegs (which may carry additional risks or quality control frustrations that would complicate their work), they may stop taking commissions entirely. This leads to fewer talented artists available to the community. The bootlegging issue is not new, nor is the group of supporters large. However, recent activity on other sites has made it seems as though recasting is becoming more accepted by the BJD community. This is not the case and the outrage against bootlegging is stronger than ever. With regard to DoA, we are first and foremost a community of people who love dolls. This love of dolls should translate to respecting their creators by not supporting or promoting the theft of their work. It is worth mentioning as well that without the advertising support of dollmakers, DoA would not be able to pay its five-figure yearly hosting costs while remaining free for all members. We don't ask a lot of our members, but we do ask that you respect and abide by our rules by not promoting bootlegs or "sneaking" them into our galleries or discussion threads. This is a simple request and we have every expectation that our members have the integrity to honor it. Recasting is unethical, illegal, and hurts both our hobby and our community. DoA will never support or promote bootlegs. (Note: We normally ask that other forums and communities refrain from "borrowing" from our rules and announcements; however, in this instance we invite any community to reuse or rehash this announcement if they share our views on recasting and art theft.)


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Today's highlight:
On May 4, 1776, Rhode Island declared its freedom from England, two months before the Declaration of Independence was adopted.
On this date:
In 1886, at Haymarket Square in Chicago, a labor demonstration for an 8-hour work day turned into a deadly riot when a bomb exploded.
In 1904, the United States took over construction of the Panama Canal.
In 1916, responding to a demand from President Woodrow Wilson, Germany agreed to limit its submarine warfare. (However, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare the following year.)
In 1932, mobster Al Capone, convicted of income-tax evasion, entered the federal penitentiary in Atlanta. (Capone was later transferred to Alcatraz Island.)
In 1942, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first naval clash fought entirely with carrier aircraft, began in the Pacific during World War II. (The outcome was considered a tactical victory for Imperial Japan, but ultimately a strategic one for the Allies.)
In 1959, the first Grammy Awards ceremony was held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Domenico Modugno won Record of the Year and Song of the Year for "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)"; Henry Mancini won Album of the Year for "The Music from Peter Gunn."
In 1961, the first group of "Freedom Riders" left Washington, D.C., to challenge racial segregation on interstate buses and in bus terminals.
In 1970, Ohio National Guardsmen opened fire during an anti-war protest at Kent State University, killing four students and wounding nine others.
In 1980, Marshal Josip Broz Tito, president of Yugoslavia, died three days before his 88th birthday.
In 1998, Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski was given four life sentences plus 30 years by a federal judge in Sacramento, Calif., under a plea agreement that spared him the death penalty.
Ten years ago: Tornadoes swept across the Central Plains and Midwest, resulting in 38 deaths and causing a wide swath of destruction. Police in Iraq's capital returned to work in force. Pope John Paul II proclaimed five new saints before a crowd of 1 million people in Madrid. Two American astronauts and one Russian cosmonaut landed nearly 300 miles off course after returning from the international space station.
Five years ago: President George W. Bush visited Greensburg, Kan., where he hailed the resilience of the town and its tiny high school graduating class, one year after a tornado barreled through with astonishing fury. A river boat sank in a remote Amazon region in northern Brazil, killing at least 48 people. Iraq's first lady (Hiro Ibrahim Ahmed) escaped unharmed from a bomb attack in downtown Baghdad that struck her motorcade.
One year ago: The U.S. and China outlined a tentative deal to send Chen Guangcheng (chehn gwahng-chung), a blind legal activist, to America for study and potentially bring a face-saving end to a delicate diplomatic crisis. (Chen left China on May 19, 2012.) Adam Yauch, 47, the gravelly-voiced rapper who helped make The Beastie Boys one of the seminal groups in hip-hop, died in New York. Game show producer Bob Stewart, 91, died in Los Angeles.
Today's Birthdays: The former president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, is 85. Opera singer Roberta Peters is 83. Katherine Jackson, matriarch of the Jackson musical family, is 83. Jazz musician Ron Carter is 76. Rock musician Dick Dale is 76. Pop singer Peggy Santiglia (The Angels) is 69. Actor Richard Jenkins is 66. Country singer Stella Parton is 64. Actor-turned-clergyman Hilly Hicks is 63. Irish musician Darryl Hunt (The Pogues) is 63. Singer Jackie Jackson (The Jacksons) is 62. Singer-actress Pia Zadora is 61. Rhythm-and-blues singer Oleta Adams is 60. Rhythm-and-blues singer Sharon Jones is 57. Country singer Randy Travis is 54. Actress Mary McDonough is 52. Comedian Ana Gasteyer is 46. Actor Will Arnett is 43. Rock musician Mike Dirnt (Green Day) is 41. Contemporary Christian singer Chris Tomlin is 41. TV personality and fashion designer Kimora Lee Simmons is 38. Rock musician Jose Castellanos is 36. Singer Lance Bass ('N Sync) is 34. Actor Alexander Gould is 19. Actress Amara (uh-MAH'-ruh) Miller is 13.
Thought for Today: "When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt." — Henry J. Kaiser, American industrialist (1882-1967).
Associated Press
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From Academic Kids
A continent is a large continuous land mass. The world was first divided into continents by the geographers of Hellenistic Alexandria. Taking Alexandria as a prime meridian, they divided the oikoumene or habitable earth into three parts: Asia was east of Alexandria, Europe was west of Alexandria and north of the Mediterranean Sea, and Libya, known by the Romans as Africa, was west of Alexandria and south of the Mediterranean.
Geologically, the surface of Earth consists of many tectonic plates. Some of them are continental plates, largely covered by thick, relatively light metamorphic and sedimentary rock such as granite which floats on the Earth's mantle, and much of which is visible as dry land; and the rest are oceanic plates, consisting of a thin basaltic layer of solidified mantle, and covered by a sea punctuated with basaltic volcanos. There are six large continental plates, which give the following geologically recognized continents, from the largest to the smallest:
- Eurasia mostly on the Eurasian Plate
- Africa on the African Plate
- North America mostly on the North American Plate
- South America on the South American Plate
- Antarctica on the Antarctic Plate
- Australia on the Australian Plate
Geographers and historians find it useful to define larger land masses connected with a land bridge:
- Africa-Eurasia: the combined land mass of Africa and Eurasia
- The Americas (or America): the combined land mass of North America and South America
Africa-Eurasia is less commonly defined than the Americas. These land masses are usually considered supercontinents rather than continents, though.
Because of the perceived cultural differences by the inhabitants, it is conventional to subdivide Eurasia into Europe and Asia. They are more appropriately called regions, and neither is a geological or geographical continent. In the same manner, historians may subdivide Africa-Eurasia into Eurasia-North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.
These definitions give the following alternate models:
- 7 regions: Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, and Australia.
- 6 regions: Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Antarctica, and Australia.
- 5 continents: Eurasia, Africa, America, Antarctica, and Australia.
- 4 continents: Afrasia, America, Antarctica, and Australia.
The 7-region model is usually taught in the United States, Canada and Australia, while the geological 6-continent model is taught in East Asia. In Europe and Latin America including the United Kingdom and Mexico, they teach the 6-region model, which is shown in the Olympic Games flag as five rings, excluding Antarctica.
During the ice age, the supercontinent of Africa-Eurasia and the Americas was formed, connected with the Bering Land Bridge. Another land bridge connected Australia and New Guinea then, and they formed the continent of Sahul. This can give the following 3-continent model of the ice age: Africa-Eurasia-America, Sahul, and Antarctica.
Continents are sometimes subdivided to make subcontinents, which term is even less precisely defined than continent itself.
Islands are usually considered to belong geographically to the continent they are closest to, and hence the British Isles are considered to be a part of Europe. The Pacific islands may be associated with Australia to form the region of Oceania or may not be associated with any continent. You may also find the term Australasia and Sahul.
When the Continent is referred to without clarification by a speaker of British English, it is usually presumed to mean Continental Europe, i.e., Europe, explicitly excluding Great Britain and Ireland. The Continental United States excludes Hawaii and sometimes Alaska (in the latter case it is synonymous with Contiguous United States).
See also List of countries by continent, Satellite Images of Continents.
During the 20th century, it became accepted by geologists that continents move location on the face of the planet over the geologic timescale, a process known as continental drift, explained by the theory of plate tectonics. It is the tectonic plates that have drifted, broken apart and joined together over time to give rise to the continents we now recognize. Consequently, in the geological past and prior to the present continents, other continents existed.
Although from a human perspective shallow inland seas such as the Bering Sea appear to divide up land masses into continents, such ephemeral features do not define continents geologically. A geologic continent is a continuous piece of continental crust. As such, Laurasia (North America-Eurasia) and Africa-Arabia are one continent, which for the past three million years has been linked to South America as well. This world-spanning land mass has no name except for the Classical meaning of "The Continent". The other large geologic continents are Sahul (Australia-New Guinea) and Antarctica, but there are many microcontinents as well: Madagascar, the Seychelles (or, more accurately, the Mascarene Plateau), New Zealand, New Caledonia, etc., which are splinters off the ancient continent of Gondwanaland. Note that volcanic Iceland is an exposed bit of oceanic crust, and therefore not a microcontinent. Likewise, the British Isles, Sri Lanka, Borneo, and Newfoundland are integral parts of the Laurasian continent which are superficially separated by the inland seas flooding its margins.


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The R6000 is an ECL implementation of the MIPS architecture which was produced by Bipolar Integrated Technology. The R6000 miroprocessor did introduce the MIPS II instruction set. Its TLB and cache architecture are different from all other members of the MIPS family. The R6000 did not deliver the promised performance benefits, and although it saw some use in Control Data machines, it quickly disappeared from the mainstream market.
Linux Support
The R6000 is not supported by Linux/MIPS.
In the spinout from SGI in 1999 MIPS Technologies inheritied the rights to the R6000 and eventually gave permission to distribute the R6000 documentation under the license below.
Documentation license
Copyright (c) 2004 MIPS Technologies, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Unpublished rights (if any) reserved under the copyright laws of the United States of America and other countries. The contents of this document may not be copied or duplicated in any form, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of MIPS Technologies, Inc. ("MIPS Technologies").
MIPS Technologies does not assume any liability arising out of the application or use of this information, or of any error or omission in such information. Any warranties, whether express, statutory, implied or otherwise, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose, are excluded. Except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from MIPS Technologies, the furnishing of this document does not give recipient any license to any intellectual property rights, including any patent rights, that cover the information in this document.
The information contained in this document shall not be exported, reexported, transferred, or released, directly or indirectly, in violation of the law of any country or international law, regulation, treaty, Executive Order, statute, amendments or supplements thereto. Should a conflict arise regarding the export, reexport, transfer, or release of the information contained in this document, the laws of the United States of America shall be the governing law.
The information contained in this document constitutes one or more of the following: commercial computer software, commercial computer software documentation or other commercial items. If the user of this information, or any related documentation of any kind, including related technical data or manuals, is an agency, department, or other entity of the United States government ("Government"), the use, duplication, reproduction, release, modification, disclosure, or transfer of this information, or any related documentation of any kind, is restricted in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 12.212 for civilian agencies and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement 227.7202 for military agencies. The use of this information by the Government is further restricted in accordance with the terms of the license agreement(s) and/or applicable contract terms and conditions covering this information from MIPS Technologies.
Documentation files
There is nothing like an R6000 user's manual. Instead the available documentation is a bunch of papers, a few schematics and handwritten notes. Not all of it has been scanned yet; what has been scanned is available below
- r6000-cachesubsys-spec.tar.bz2
- r6000-cpu-chip-spec.tar.bz2
- r6000-tlb.tar.bz2
- r6010-floating-point-controller.tar.bz2
- r6300-cpu-board-spec.tar.bz2
- r6300-timing.tar.bz2
Mostly here in case a bold soul wants to try to ocr the documents and hardcore R6000 user and computer architecture archaelogists.


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The American Hosta Society (AHS) is a not-for-profit organization. The AHS is organized exclusively for educational and scientific purposes, and especially to promote,
encourage, and foster the development of the genus Hosta and public interest therein. These purposes are expressly limited so that the AHS qualifies
as an exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the corresponding provision of any future U.S Internal Revenue Law.
Join the American Hosta Society
Discover Hostas!
Join the American Hosta Society and receive The Hosta Journal mailed twice a year and have access to a third issue online in the Members Only section of the AHS website. This publication offers the latest information on care, feeding, and hybridizing; pictures of new cultivars; and news of upcoming meetings and conventions.
For more information or to join click click here.
See the recent changes to this site.


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Al Sharpton says report of FBI cooperation in a mafia spying case is not new
The Rev. Al Sharpton admitted on Tuesday that he helped the FBI investigate New York Mafia figures in the 1980s, but he called it old news and insisted he was more a victim than an informant.
Sharpton sought to downplay a report by The Smoking Gun website identifying him as a confidential informant — cited in court papers only as "CI-7" — who helped bring down a mob boss.
He told a news conference at his Harlem headquarters that he went to federal authorities after low-level mobsters warned he and others they would be harmed if they continued to compete with for a stake in the music business — a claim he recounted in his 1996 book, "Go and Tell Pharaoh."
"We were threatened, and that's not a new story," Sharpton said. "It's in my book."
The website posted its story Monday, and the timing became a distraction for Sharpton a day before he was to host President Barack Obama as the keynote speaker at the annual convention his civil rights group, the National Action Network. The MSNBC host complained that he was unfairly portrayed as a turncoat mob associate in front-page tabloid stories featuring headlines like "REV RAT" and 30-year-old photos of him when he was overweight and wore his hair in a bouffant.
Sharpton claimed that after the FBI targeted him in a failed sting, he "fought back and said, 'I'm being threatened. These are the kinds of guys you should be going after.'"
He added: "I made the right decision. … The only thing I'm embarrassed by are those old fat pictures."
For about two years, the FBI enlisted Sharpton to record conversations with mob figures using a bug hidden in a briefcase, he said. His role, he said, was to try to get them to repeat the threats and also talk about any other crimes.
"I was never told I was an informant with a number," he said. "In my own mind, I was not an informant. I was cooperating with an investigation."
The Smoking Gun report was based on court documents and FBI memos released in response to Freedom of Information requests. They included a draft affidavit by an FBI agent investigating allegations that the Genovese crime family had a lucrative "stranglehold" on music industry executive Morris Levy.
The FBI "has developed a relationship with a confidential informant, hereafter referred to as 'CI-7,'" who agreed to record conversations with a mobster with inside knowledge of the Levy shakedown, the affidavit says. In one conversation in 1984, it says the mobster told CI-7 that Levy "has tried to end his relationship with the Genovese family 10 to 15 times but that he has 'only has one way out,' at which point (he) gestured like someone pointing a gun and pulling the trigger."
The information from Sharpton helped investigators persuade judges to approve wiretaps on phones at the Manhattan home of Genovese boss Vincent "The Chin" Gigante and to bug a social club where the Gigante hung out, the report said.
Gigante, who known for faking mental illness by shuffling through his Greenwich Village neighborhood in bathrobe and slippers, was convicted in 1997 of racketeering and murder conspiracy. He died in prison at 77 in 2005.
Asked about the report after an unrelated City Hall press conference, Mayor Bill de Blasio said it wouldn't change his "positive view" of Sharpton.
"What's obvious from what he said this very morning is that he was asked by the FBI to support their efforts and he agreed to help, and that's exactly what a citizen should do," the mayor said.
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Nomination Summary for Carbon tetrachloride (N95010)
Nominated Substances: Carbon tetrachloride
Nomination Date: 12/30/1994
Nominator: California EPA
Rationale: There are data gaps that should be filled in order to set scientifically-based acute and chronic non-cancer reference exposure levels for use in human and environmental risk assessments; lack of quality acute inhalation data.
NTP Principles: not specified
Agents and Status
The following information relates to the specific agent and may include history from earlier or later nominations for this same agent.
Agent Name: Carbon tetrachloride


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Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA)
Founded in 1982, the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) is an NSF-funded visitors' institute that has grown to become among the most influential math institutes in the world. Located on the University of Minnesota campus, it is one of eight NSF Mathematical Sciences Research Institutes. The IMA has no permanent faculty, but rather is a flux of visitors and postdoctoral researchers.
The IMA aims to achieve synergy between mathematics and its applications, develop transformative mathematical research through interdisciplinary exploration, strengthen and broaden the workforce that confronts pressing challenges facing science and society, and effectively communicate the role of mathematics in our world. The IMA utilizes many strategies and mechanisms to realize these goals, from its annual thematic program to hot topics workshops to seminars and public lectures.
Each year, a field of research, "thematic program," is chosen and premier mathematicians and applied scientists work together to identify and address that field's most critical topics and challenges. The annual program has proven to have the greatest impact on accomplishing the IMA's mission.
The highly collaborative nature of the institute attracts more than 1,000 mathematicians and other scientists annually to visit the IMA. Collaborating at the IMA is not about just solving problems. It's about identifying opportunities and challenges where math is the answer and where one solution can carry over to many other disciplines, from biology and psychology to astronomy and medicine and everywhere in between.
More than 200 postdoctoral candidates from around the world compete each year for two-year fellowships to work with the distinguished researchers at the IMA. The IMA's postdoctoral program is among its greatest assets. A major goal of the IMA is to expand the talent base engaged in mathematical research applied or relevant to interdisciplinary investigations. At the IMA, postdocs receive high-level training and guidance.
The IMA is a vital component of the mathematical sciences infrastructure in the United States, and contributes to and advances the health, prosperity, and security of the nation. The IMA is located at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus, Lind Hall. It enjoys a close affiliation with the School of Mathematics, the College of Science and Engineering, and the Minnesota Center for Industrial Mathematics.


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The documentation set for this product strives to use bias-free language. For the purposes of this documentation set, bias-free is defined as language that does not imply discrimination based on age, disability, gender, racial identity, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and intersectionality. Exceptions may be present in the documentation due to language that is hardcoded in the user interfaces of the product software, language used based on RFP documentation, or language that is used by a referenced third-party product. Learn more about how Cisco is using Inclusive Language.
Information is a strategic asset that can make or break a company's fortunes in today's global economy. Computer internetworks are the electronic highways upon which that information travels and they unify the world to create new and better ways of doing business.
With so much at stake, an organization's internetwork must have the ability to increase the overall productivity of its people and resources. To do this, it can maximize the availability of applications while it minimizes the total cost of ownership. This means providing users with continual access to a flexible and reliable network. It also means keeping in check the expenses that an organization must absorb over time in order to develop and maintain its information systems and services.
No company in the world can match Cisco Systems when it comes to maximizing an internetwork's applications availability and minimizing its total cost of ownership. Over the last decade, our proven technology and wide range of scalable solutions have enabled us to set the pace in the internetworking industry. More than anything else, Cisco owes its leadership position to Cisco's unique and robust Internetwork Operating System® (IOS). Cisco IOS is value-added software that resides at the heart of all Cisco internetworking solutions.
The Cisco IOS is Cisco's key to help make information-intensive companies all over the world more productive. And ultimately, that is the greatest benefit that any internetwork can provide.
There are no specific requirements for this document.
This document is not restricted to specific software and hardware versions.
For more information on document conventions, refer to the Cisco Technical Tips Conventions.
Just as a personal computer improves individual productivity, an efficient internetwork improves the productivity of large groups of people. And in the same way that a local area network (LAN) relies on a software-driven network operating system (NOS) to function, an internetwork depends on a sophisticated operating system (also implemented in software) to effectively connect users all over the world.
An internetwork's intelligence lies in its operating system. Network hardware inevitably changes every few years with the introduction of new generations of processors, switching, and memory components. But the internetwork's software is the unifying thread that connects otherwise disparate networks and provides a scalable migration path as needs evolve.
Just as enterprises invest in LAN network operating systems that can evolve as new hardware and applications are introduced, the Cisco IOS is a strategic investment that enables organizations to safeguard the future of their internetworks. Cisco IOS supports inevitable change and migration through its ability to integrate all evolving classes of network platforms. This includes routers, ATM switches, LAN and WAN switches, file servers, intelligent hubs, personal computers and any other devices that have a strategic impact on an organization's internetwork. By powering Cisco platforms and those delivered by technology partners who incorporate Cisco IOS into their products, Cisco IOS enables companies to build and enhance a single, integrated, cost-effective information systems infrastructure.Multiplatform IOS: Cisco's IOS enables an enterprise to build an integrated, cost-effective infrastructure using platforms from both Cisco and its partners.
Today's multifaceted enterprise internetworks typically consist of four distinct sectors, each with its own specific mission:
The core of the internetwork provides broad, reliable wide-area connections among all worldwide locations. Its focus is on cost-effective and efficient use of expensive WAN resources.
The workgroup sector provides groups of end users with scalable bandwidth capable of meeting increasing application demands.
The remote access sector serves remote locations, telecommuters, and mobile users with cost-effective, easily managed connectivity solutions.
The IBM internetworking sector lowers costs and provides a safe and secure migration path for IBM SNA network applications.
The Cisco IOS spans the requirements of all these internetworking sectors to create a single, unified infrastructure that provides lower costs, higher applications availability, and improved internetwork management.Enterprise Networks Today: The enterprise of today and tomorrow has requirements that span all four internetworking sectors: workgroup, IBM internetworking, core, and remote access.
Cisco IOS is the key differentiator that separates Cisco's internetworking solutions from other alternatives in the industry. Its value-added intelligence supports users and applications throughout the entire enterprise and provides security and data integrity for the internetwork. The IOS cost-effectively manages resources by controlling and unifying complex, distributed network intelligence. Also, it functions as a flexible vehicle that can add new services, features, and applications to the internetwork.
In the applications support arena, the Cisco IOS provides interoperability with more standards-based physical and logical protocol interfaces than any other internetwork supplier in the industry. From twisted pair to optical fiber, LAN to campus to WAN media, UNIX to Novell NetWare to IBM SNA, no other internetwork architecture can match the wide-ranging protocol support of the IOS.IOS Interfaces: Cisco's IOS supports the industry's largest set of formal and de facto standard interfaces.
The value-added intelligence of the IOS is embodied in four types of internetwork services:
The Cisco IOS has continually set the pace in the industry for providing innovative, robust routing intelligence. Its reliable adaptive routing capabilities enhance productivity and applications availability by finding performance-optimal paths and quickly routing traffic around any network failures. Reliable adaptive routing also reduces costs by efficiently using network bandwidth and resources while eliminating needless management of static routes.
Policy-based IOS features, such as route filtering and routing information translatability, save network resources by preventing data from being unnecessarily broadcast to nodes that do not require it. Priority output queuing and custom queuing grant priority to important sessions when network bandwidth is saturated. Load balancing makes use of all available paths across the internetwork, preserving valuable bandwidth and improving performance. And the IOS provides the most effective and efficient scaling available for network applications that require transparent or source-route bridging algorithms.
Increasingly, internetworks are incorporating such new technologies as ATM and LAN switching, which operate at Layer 2 and below of the OSI networking model. While switching devices based on these technologies provide higher bandwidth than existing shared-media hubs, they fail to offer the scalability, stability, and security of their more intelligent shared-media counterparts.
Through CiscoFusion™, Cisco's scalable architecture for switched internetworks, the IOS provides the framework for a new technology called multilayer switching, which operates up to OSI Layer 3 or higher.
By distributing routing intelligence and switching functions to create "virtual LANs," CiscoFusion's multilayer switching increases bandwidth while simplifying moves, adds, and changes across the enterprise. This extends the power and flexibility of the IOS beyond internetwork routers to include the ATM and LAN switches that are increasingly being deployed throughout today's internetworks.
Because the large majority of network costs are expended on wide-area network (WAN) switching and utilization functions, an effective internetwork must optimize all WAN-related operations. Optimization promotes applications availability by increasing network throughput while reducing delay time. It also minimizes ownership costs by eliminating unnecessary traffic and intelligently selecting the most economical WAN links available.
The Cisco IOS provides the highest level of WAN support in the industry, seamlessly accommodating circuit-switched services such as ISDN, switched T1, and dial-up telephone lines. IOS innovations such as dial-on-demand access and dial backup capabilities provide cost-effective alternatives to expensive point-to-point switched leased lines. And support for advanced, packet-switched services such as X.25, Frame Relay, SMDS, and ATM extends the internetwork across the broad range of WAN interface alternatives now available.
The Cisco IOS provides an array of network management and security capabilities designed to meet the needs of today's large, complex internetworks. Integrated management simplifies administrative procedures and shortens the time required to diagnose and fix problems. Automated operations reduce hands-on tasks and make it possible to manage large, geographically dispersed internetworks with a small staff of experts located at a central site.
The IOS provides several important management features that are built into every Cisco router. These include configuration services that lower the cost of installing, upgrading, and reconfiguring routers, as well as comprehensive monitoring and diagnostic services. In addition, the IOS provides valuable information and services to router management applications developed by Cisco and its partners. The Cisco applications, known collectively as CiscoWorks™, offer administrators a wide-ranging suite of operational, design, and management capabilities that increase productivity and drive down costs.
The IOS's management services are matched by its security capabilities. No organization today can ignore the need to protect valuable information and applications supported on its internetwork. The Cisco IOS includes a diverse toolkit for partitioning resources and prohibiting access to sensitive or confidential information or processes. Multidimensional filters prevent users from knowing that other users or resources are even on the network. Encrypted passwords, dial-in authentication, multilevel configuration permissions, and accounting and logging features provide protection from, and information about unauthorized access attempts.
Scalability services provide the high degree of flexibility that is necessary to address all of the key issues facing today's internetworks as organizations change and their needs evolve. The IOS's scalable routing protocols help avoid needless congestion, overcome inherent protocol limitations, and bypass many of the obstacles that can arise because of the scope and geographical dispersion of an internetwork. These techniques, important in all networks, are especially essential in IBM SNA internetworking environments.
The IOS also helps to cut costs by reducing network bandwidth and processing overhead, offloading servers and conserving resources, and easing system configuration tasks. Advanced IOS features such as filtering, protocol termination and translation, smart broadcasts, and helper address services combine to create a flexible, scalable infrastructure that can keep pace with evolving network requirements.
Reliable adaptive routing capabilities. WAN optimization services. Management and security features. And scalability services. These are the four principal types of services that the IOS provides, the four cornerstones essential to building a strategic internetwork foundation.
The IOS supports the broadest range of applications by virtue of a full portfolio of standards-based interfaces. Thus, users with very diverse needs and applications (from finance, to sales, to engineering) can be served by a single, integrated network infrastructure. Wherever a user needs to be (in a workgroup, in the data center, in a remote office, or telecommuting across a distance) the IOS provides the network resources to increase that user's productivity.
In a world where hardware platforms are constantly evolving, software intelligence is the value-added differentiator that ultimately determines the efficiency and effectiveness of any internetwork. The software-driven Cisco IOS supports the evolution of all of today's strategic network platforms, whether provided by Cisco or one of our technology partners. Because of these attributes, the IOS is the key that has enabled Cisco to set the pace and establish leadership standards in today's internetworking industry.Cisco's IOS Mission: The IOS supports the evolution of all of today's strategic network platforms
For more information on the Cisco IOS, call us today toll-free at 800 553-NETS (6387) or contact your local Cisco sales office. Find out how we can maximize the applications availability of your internetwork while reducing your total cost of ownership. And we do it with the Cisco Internetwork Operating System -- your strategic investment for the Information Age.