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Adi Dassler is my homeboy, Jeremy Scott my wingman and I worship at the altar of the goddess Nike. It's a whole other world... I'm not a collector -my kicks are strictly to be worn and appreciated - but for anyone who's thinking of getting involved, these sites are a great start: Hypebeast, Sneaker Freaker, Kicks On Fire, High Snobiety, and oki-ni.
Whilst big fashion labels' sportswear has been incredibly successful, their own trainer lines have often been the stuff of sockless eurotrash nightmares (Prada's much copied mens hybrid trainer-shoes being a notable exception) but no more. Now everyone's at it, they're putting the effort in and they're even making it luxe.
Collaborating with one of the sportswear titans is a surefire way to grab yourself some market share and create buzz shoes that sell out almost before they drop but some of the international fashion houses are bypassing these well established megacorps and going DIY.
Check out Christian Louboutin (who's rumoured to be dropping a shoe collaboration with hip hop producer Swizz Beats later this year) for gorgeous 'Louis' studded hi tops in white and black (pictured right) which come with the signature red sole; Dior Homme, Raf Simons and Givenchy indulge in some light bondage for S/S 2010 while Viktor & Rolf and Maison Martin Margiela keep it clean with almost clinical minimalism.
Louis Vuitton has also put together its' own more wearable range of kicks for s/s 20010 inspired by the Kanye West x Louis Vuitton 2009 designs, some of which looked a lot like a spendy, luxury version of his Nike Air Yeezys.
Louis Vuitton has also put together its' own more wearable range of kicks for s/s 20010 inspired by the Kanye West x Louis Vuitton 2009 designs, some of which looked a lot like a spendy, luxury version of his Nike Air Yeezys.
For the ladies, Jimmy Choo has announced its first ever trainer range which launches in spring 2010. View the collection here and join the wait list by emailing: email@example.com. They're pretty sexy and the star eyelet detailing is a nice touch but at £325-£395 although these will be better for your feet - and your back - than their trademark 10cm stillies, clearly your bank balance may not escape so lightly.
Elsewhere, fashion giants like Gucci and Lanvin have been teaming up with smaller, more street smart brands before putting trainers out eponymously. The Lanvin x Acne ranges are simple and fresh, while the Mark Ronson x Gucci sneaker range, which scored a success in 2009 with its' colourful, preppy shoes, continues with more muted 'English' designs (which aren't immediately obviously trainers) for 2010 (these are London exclusives scheduled to arrive instore in April).
The sports big boys are still fighting their fashion corner despite of this 'influxe' of competition; Nike's recent collaboration with Beatrix Ong (pictured right) made the Harvey Nichols' 4th floor Hub sneaker wall. adidas' 2010 fashion offerings come from animal lover Stella McCartney whose relaxed, easy to wear sports shoes are all vegan [insert your own Heather Mills quip here]
, there's the quirky, limited releases for the german label's Originals line from Rihanna's favourite, Jeremy Scott , and the Y-3 range by avant garde Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto. Puma's Creative Director, the influential fashion designer Hussein Chalayan has another 'urban mobility' range out for 2010 in addition to Puma's premium Black Label and further collaborations with other cutting edge designers inc. Alexander McQueen and Yasuhiro Mihara. Reebok also warrants a mention having recently secured a deal with Emporio Armani to produce their EA7 athletic line.
While the sports brand collaborations carry much more reasonable price tags than their high fashion counterparts, they are also, generally, more widely available - you're paying for the exclusivity as well as the premium quality and the name. So, whether you decide to kick it old school with the sports brands or nu skool with the fashion pretenders, whatever you do, remember to scotchguard.
Pics - top to bottom - part of my adidas collection (S/S 10 Jeremy Scott x adidas JS Wings shown), part of boyf's Nike collection, Louboutin 'Louis's, Jimmy Choo Tokyo's, Beatrix Ong custom Blazers for Nike.


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Blue skies or blue chip - which way should research go? Claire Sanders reports
Cranfield University finds itself at the heart of an uncomfortable contradiction in government policy. It works with business, which is exactly what Gordon Brown, the chancellor, wants, yet it faces dwindling government funds.
When Richard Lambert produced his review of business-university collaboration in December, he was fulsome in his praise of the university.
"Cranfield is exactly the kind of institution that is a model of what I am proposing," he said. The quote is now proudly displayed in Cranfield's 2004 annual report.
Just a few months later, the university's grant from the Higher Education Funding Council for England was cut by 9.3 per cent. It was the largest cut for any English university, and it was down to the university's poor research assessment exercise ratings.
In the 2001 RAE, none of Cranfield's departments scored above a 4. Last year the university, which is soon to become an entirely postgraduate institution, had an emergency handout of more than £3 million. This year, that financial moderation was cut to £990,000.
Frank Hartley, Cranfield's vice-chancellor, last month assembled five of his senior staff to explain why Cranfield was in this awkward position.
What researchers are keen to communicate, and what they feel they have not been doing well enough, is the sort of research they do.
Clifford Friend, deputy vice-chancellor, said: "We have had a number of post-Lambert discussions with bodies ranging from Hefce to the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to the regional development agency.
What has become clear to us is that the field of business-related 'strategic' research is poorly understood but of key importance to the UK economy."
Neil McDougall, who joined Cranfield from industry as an academic technical director, said: "Such research is not long-term fundamental research as supported by government in universities through the dual-funding process.
Nor is it applied, with a zero to five years' time horizon, as supported in universities by government through its third-stream initiatives.
"Instead, it is a fourth stream, one that is currently significantly underfunded."
Professor Hartley said: "Strategic research has a timescale of three to ten years. It is directed towards a clear goal, taking ideas stemming from basic research to the point where they can be employed in specific applications.
"It is from such strategic research that most innovative products and services emerge. The UK is weak in this area."
Lambert recommends that between £100 million and £200 million be put into universities to prime such research. Cranfield is busy working to ensure that it will get its share.
"The RAE relies heavily on citations to measure research excellence. It has ignored measurements relating to a department's links to industry," Professor Hartley said.
He argues that a number of key factors should be taken into account when deciding who gets what. These should include the absolute scale of industrial income, the number and quality of industrial partners and the repeat business a university gets from these partners.
In 2002-03, Cranfield had a total income of £130 million, of which the £21.4 million Hefce grant made up 16.5 per cent.
It received £23.2 million from industry and commerce for research, with £4.6 million of this coming from outside the UK and the European Union. Research monies from Hefce, the research councils and charities and UK government departments came in at about £7 million each.
Professor Hartley said: "The reduction of Hefce money has to be seen in context of our overall income. We did not lose 9 per cent of our total budget, but the cut was nevertheless a serious blow because it makes it harder for us to draw in monies from business.
"Over and again, multinationals tell us that they invest with us only because we are the best. The minute we lose our competitive edge, they will be off."

subset: commoncrawl


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Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Caught in My Net!
Check out these cute crabs! I have a weakness for all things beachy! Last week, my husband and I made our reservations for this summer's beach trip and this card explains how I feel about the whole thing--crabby about having to wear a swimsuit, but thrilled about making a splash at the South Carolina coast! Don't you just love the beach?!
For some reason, I decided to mask the two crab stamps together. I like the way it turned out, even though I had so much cutting to do. I may do it again sometime, although I think these crab stamps are each cute enough to stand on their own.
Stamps: Gina K. Designs, Just Be-Claws; Lizzie Anne Designs, By the Sea
Ink: Staz-On Jet Black
Paper: Watercolor paper; SU Creamy Carmel, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White; Hit the Beach Collection DP (Splash of Color and Beachy Keen designs)
Accessories: SU markers, Aquaflow pen, misc. mesh, misc. seashell brads, nestabilities, Fiskars paper trimmer
Posted by Hope Spencer at 9:09 PM
Labels: Gina K. Designs
1 comment:
- Giffysk8s said...
What a great idea to mask two stamps! I need to stalk your site just to see your great ideas!
- June 3, 2008 at 10:15 PM
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Anything But Ordinary
Chapter 19
Chapter 19
Davis stormed out of the facility and headed for the nearest car. He promptly knocked both Tess's waiting attendant and driver, tossing them aside as though they were weightless, and slid into the seat. He knew where Chloe was. How he knew didn't matter. The sexual urge for her was overwhelming. No one and nothing would stand in his way. He would have her. Even now as he drove toward the place where she was, he could feel the beast overtaking him. Flashes of it appeared as he grew nearer to Chloe's location. In this heightened state of awareness he sensed her arousal. He knew Queen was with her. It didn't matter that Queen was the one responsible for her reactions. She was ready. The time was now for planting his seed, and from that seed would grow the vessel of Zod. Instinct. In the way that male creatures in the animal kingdom of earth knew when a mate was ready to reproduce. His mate was ready and he'd find her.
Tess spoke into her cell phone as she trotted through the facility, her heeled footsteps echoing from the corridor walls. "I don't care what it takes! Stop him!" She found her way to the nearest exit, shoving the heavy door open, squinting as bright sunlight engulfed her. Shading her eyes, she watched anxiously, as her men scrambled toward vehicles in pursuit of Davis Bloom. She paused momentarily, listening. "What do you mean, you've lost him! Find him now! I want a team to head over to Queen Towers. Don't ask questions, just get over there." Tess snapped her cell phone shut and headed toward her own car, gravel crunching angrily under her feet. When she'd reached her parking space she'd found only her driver and her assistant lying unconscious. So infuriated over Davis's leaving, and intent on finding him, she didn't notice one of her men drive off in the opposite direction.
* * * * * * *
"Is everything ready?" Oliver spoke into his cell phone as he drove along the highway. He cast a glance at Chloe in the passenger seat. She was biting her bottom lip as she gazed anxiously out the window, not really seeing the rural countryside pass by before her. "And the samples?" Oliver listened patiently, his eyes returning to the road ahead. "Good. Remain on standby until we get there, we're a few minutes away." Oliver closed his phone, slipped it back into his jacket pocket, and blindly reached for Chloe's hand over the console that separated them. Her hand was cold, and he squeezed it reassuringly, entwining his fingers with hers, pulling her closer.
"It'll be all right, Ollie," she said with more conviction than she felt. "If everything Jor El has told Clark at the Fortress is true, this is our only hope."
Oliver gripped the steering wheel. "I can't lose you." The phrase had become a mantra in his head since the whole plan had been realized. He couldn't lose her, he simply could not.
"Hey," she whispered, leaning against him over the console, and resting her cheek on his arm. "As long as your team knows what we're dealing with, and the transfer can take place, we should be able to stop Davis. And if not, there might be one more trick up our sleeves."
"And if we can't stop him?"
Chloe stretched up pressing her lips to his smooth cheek in answer. The truth was, she had no other answer for him. If Bloom was unstoppable, they both knew what the outcome would be. Oliver turned onto the gravel road leading to the Granville site. It had been hastily set up in an empty warehouse in anticipation of Bloom's arrival. Chloe was using herself as bait, and then, it would take all she had, all her meteor powered and Brainiac induced strength to keep him there long enough for the transfer to take place. Oliver pulled into a spot near the entrance, turning off the car. They sat together for long moments, huddled close. He wished he could postpone the inevitable, and simply sit here with her forever.
"It's called lateral or horizontal gene transfer. Recombinant DNA technology." Chloe went over it with him again softly in his ear in an effort to sooth his anxiety. Her hand rose to his chest, sliding over his shirt, under his leather jacket, and up over his collar. "It's common among bacteria, fungi and viruses, even unrelated ones. It's recognized as part of the evolutionary process. Clark's DNA should be of a similar structure to Davis's. They're both from Krypton. We infuse that with Davis's using a carrier molecule called a vector to deliver Clark's therapeutic gene, and when we genetically alter Davis; he evolves."
Oliver turned slightly in his seat, taking her face in his hands, the pads of his thumbs brushing over her cheeks; her eyes so earnest, so hopeful. He couldn't help but grin just a little, in spite of it all. "God, I love it when you talk dirty to me, Mistress Watchtower," Oliver murmured huskily, in what he thought was a poor attempt at humor in an effort to hide his fears.
Chloe understood him, offering him a sweet, comforting smile. "Don't worry Ollie. When this is over, I'll whisper all the dirty things you'd like." Her lashes fluttered downward, eyes lowering to the tempting fullness of his lips.
"I'm holding you to that." His parted lips then found hers in a kiss that was both soft yet demanding. Mouths met, sealing all the promises made and those yet to be fulfilled. The kiss deepened, tongues seeking and finding reassurance in one another. A vague thought entered his mind. This could be the last kiss he'd ever share with her. He dismissed the thought, yet it had already fueled the intensity of his kisses. He had to kiss her like there was no tomorrow. Chloe felt the same urgency, threading her fingers into the blonde strands of his hair, tugging on them, pulling him closer.
"Whoa! This is no time for making out!" A voice sounded from outside the car. Bart had been informed of the change in relationship status for Oliver and Chloe, but he'd yet to see them go at it the way they were right now. He rolled his eyes, they were worse than two horny teen-agers at some make-out point.
Oliver pressed soft kisses to her lips, before lifting his mouth from hers slightly, taking a moment to gaze down at her. They had to go. Oliver threaded fingers into her hair, whispering words he had to say one more time before they exited the car. "I love you."
"I love you too."
"Hey, lovebirds. Car driving up the road. We need to get inside," Bart called to them again, and reluctantly, they let each other go and scrambled out of the vehicle.
"Check it out, while we go inside. I need to gear up," Oliver said, stepping toward the trunk of the car, removing his Green Arrow gear.
Bart was gone and back in seconds. "It's that Luthorcorp dude. Belton."
Belton had contacted Chloe days ago, saying he had valuable information about Davis. Oliver was wary of the man, knowing he'd worked for Tess. Belton claimed he was concerned about Tess's methods and said he felt she'd gone too far. He knew the creature was more dangerous than anyone had originally thought, and so he decided to help anyone wanting to destroy it. Tess didn't know what she was dealing with, he'd said. Oliver didn't buy the man's story at first. Belton came through, however, providing data on the tests being conducted in the facility, names of doctors, scientists, and a list of other meteor infected still housed there. He'd also informed Oliver of the creature's growing strength, and ability to adapt and grow stronger from whatever injured it. He'd been there the night they'd escaped, he'd said, and witnessed Tess murdering her own guard over their departure. Oliver still didn't trust the man completely, not knowing exactly why Belton would switch sides, but thus far, everything he'd said seemed to check out upon further investigation. Oliver waited until the black Luthorcorp sedan came to a halt in front of them.
Belton exited the car, his brow furrowed, his expression panicked. "Mr. Queen. He's on his way. Not ten minutes behind me."
Chloe and Oliver exchanged glances. "Get inside Chloe," he urged quietly. She nodded, knowing where she had to go, and what she had to do. She turned toward the building entrance, glancing back only once to find Oliver's gaze following her. He watched her enter, and the door closed behind her. Oliver turned to Bart. "Is everyone ready?"
"Clark and Vic are inside. A.C.'s running comm.."
Oliver hoisted his gear more securely on his shoulder. He nodded to Belton before turning toward the entrance. "Thanks."
"Is there anything I can do?"
Oliver cast a backward glance at the man, indicating with his head that Belton should follow him. "Yeah. Don't get yourself killed."
* * * * * * *
"You okay, Sidekick?"
Chloe stood nervously waiting in the dim laboratory. Oliver's distorted voice sounding in her ear. "Yeah."
"It's going to be okay, Tower, we're all here," Victor added.
A scream. Unearthly, ear piercing screeches and growls caused Chloe to jump out of her skin. Moments later she heard the sounds of thunderous footfalls as the creature tore down doors, and burst through walls. Chloe's heart beat rapidly in her chest, her breathing stuttered, grew heavier. She glanced at the doctors waiting nearby. They too were frightened, but determined as well. Then silence. Long moments of silence.
"Arrow?" she whispered.
"Target approaching. I've got him."
Oliver fired off a Kryptonite tipped arrow, piercing the beast. Chloe could hear the screams and harsh growls emanating from it, just outside the door.
Wounded thusly, the Kryptonite weakening him, the beast transformed, and Davis returned. His clothes were torn and tattered, revealing much of his body. Chloe. She was here. Davis pulled the arrow from his chest, and rose from the floor. He stood for a few moments as his body healed from the invasion.
"Looking for someone?"
Davis turned to find the Green Arrow blocking his path; the path to Chloe. Arrow's crossbow was poised, more Kryptonite tipped arrows nocked and ready to fire. A slow, mocking smile spread on Davis's lips. "You can't keep her from me. You know that, right?" His voice was low and smooth, casual, too confident.
"You'll have to get through me first."
"Oh, I plan on it." Davis nearly laughed, his eyes raking over Oliver, taking in his costume. "She doesn't love you. You're nothing, Queen. Look at you, dressed up like some comic book character. You're pathetic. You're no hero. You're just a man…"
"And you're not." Oliver finished for him.
"Chloe's mine."
"Says the intergalactic beast."
Davis ignored the comment. "In the grand scheme of things, you're simply a minor obstacle in my way."
"Get past me then," Oliver dared, unflinchingly.
Davis charged forward, eyes flashing red. Oliver fired his crossbow, three arrows piercing Davis's chest at once. The impact slowed Davis, but not enough. With a feral, unearthly growl, Davis plowed through Oliver, taking him with the force of his body, crashing through the door, chunks of the walls and debris crashing down on top of them both. Chloe screamed, attempting to run toward them, as they fell into the lab, but Clark, Victor and Bart. appeared, blocking her path. Davis rose up from the rubble, transforming into the monster before their eyes. It was then that Chloe saw Oliver lying sprawled on his back on the ground beneath the chunks of wall, motionless, his face bloodied, his body broken.
The creature sent Victor through the concrete wall with one powerful swipe of a hand, causing the supporting joists to creak ominously, and leaving a jagged, gaping hole in the side of the building, a flood of light casting it's glow on all. Chloe wanted desperately to run to Oliver, but before she could move, the creature had swatted Bart away as though he were a pesky fly buzzing around, and had begun to wrestle with Clark.
Chloe watched in horror as the two fought one another. The beast was tossing Clark around like a rag doll. Clark with all his strength was no match for Davis as the creature incarnate. He tossed Clark aside, making his way toward Chloe. Clark recovered, leaping onto his back, breaking one of the bony protrusions from the creature's body, causing it to scream out in pain. The beast thrashed about, throwing Clark from his back, causing him to land heavily against another wall creating a huge dent in the concrete, pieces to fall and crumble atop him. The beast then thundered toward a prone Clark before he could recover, grabbing him by the throat with one monstrous hand, picking him up and tossing him toward the fallen debris where Oliver still lay unmoving. The entire building shook. Clark was astounded by the creature's strength. He couldn't recall ever encountering an adversary with such power. He felt himself weakening, but wouldn't give up. They had to stop this creature before he destroyed or killed again. Clark rolled, blood flowing freely from his nose and mouth, leaning against the broken wall not far from Oliver's body. Though weakened, he reached inside of himself, finding what strength he had left, two glowing beams streamed from his eyes as his heat vision activated, severely burning and incapacitating Davis. Clark felt himself falling into oblivion, as he used the last bit of himself, hoping it would be enough.
The screams were coming from everywhere at once it seemed. Chloe, the doctors hunched behind damaged equipment, and the creature emitting ear piercing screeches as flames engulfed it. Soon the flames died down, the creature's body lying in a heap, turning ashen, smoldering. Chloe had to act before he recovered. She cast a glance at Oliver who had not moved at all. Her heart wrenched, fearing the worst. She turned her terrified gaze toward Clark who lay not far from him.
"Go," he gasped, his strength ebbing away, his eyes glazed over, closing. "Do it."
Chloe stepped cautiously toward the creature, standing over it and extending a tentative hand to hover over him. She closed her eyes and summoned all her meteor induced healing powers, her Braniac induced powers, concentrating every ounce of energy she could. After some moments, her nose began to bleed, and when she opened her eyes, they were stark white. Slowly the creature transformed, and Davis Bloom began to reappear.
"Chloe," he gasped, writhing on the floor under her hand. "Please…"
The doctors moved in and began their work.
Chloe, now severely weakened, lowered her hand. Her knees nearly gave out, and when she recovered she knew she was changed somehow. A.C. was suddenly there holding her up, telling her everything was going to be all right, but she didn't hear him. Lifting her eyes, she sought both Oliver and Clark; both of them still collapsed and unmoving. She moved away from A.C. slowing in her steps as she approached the two men who meant more to her than anything, not wanting to believe, too shocked to even think it… no. No. They couldn't be, but they looked… they looked… cold and lifeless, and … dead.
End Chapter 19


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1 Corinthians 13:8-13 (ESV) - Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
What does it mean to love to the point of knowing and being known? We've already discussed this week about how discipleship is best lived out in relationship together and how discipleship is dependent on living on mission for God. They are one and the same. Today we are going to go a little deeper.
In North America, many times as Christians we struggle living for the sake of those around us. We are driven by so much more we make more important in our lives. We are driven by professional success, meeting and eliminating the needs and wants of ourselves and our families, and all together living the "American Dream." However, is that the life God has called us to? Is that what living on mission for God looks like?
If we ever decided to love our neighbors to the point of knowing and being known, it would not be easy and it would come at a cost. We would have to ask ourselves the question Would the price we have to pay be worth the souls of the people we see every day who are dying and going to hell without understanding the true gospel of Jesus Christ and without ever really seeing it lived out in front of them? If we say that we love God and want to live ultimately for His glory but do not live devoted for the spiritual sake of those we come into contact with each day, then we are we living and speaking like the scripture reference above, spiritual children.
If we want to grow to know God and to be known by God, we must live for what brings Him the most glory. Christ did not come to live to accomplish great and mighty things in the eyes of the world or to live for the safety, provision, and protection of the ones He loved the most. By most earthly standards, He came to do the opposite. One thing He most assuredly did however, He came to know and be known. His entire life was predicated on giving the opportunity for people to know Him and in doing so, to know the Father. He also lived to know them, to share life with them. How would our lives look different if we did the same?
God has plenty of grace to meet us where we are. There is no limit to His forgiveness for us or to what His grace can still teach us and do in us. Now is the time to act, now is the time to love, to know, and to be known.
Reflection Questions:
- Where does God and making His name great fit into the priorities of your life?
- What are some things you could do to practically begin sharing the love of God with the people you come into contact with on a daily basis?
- What would it cost you to make a point to live more to know and be known?
Prayer Focus:
- Pray that we become a people who want to know and be known as we seek Christ-centered relationships in our lives more than the "American Dream."
- Pray that we explore ways to share God's love with people in our lives through actions, and things like sharing our testimony, Bible stories, and more.
- Pray for the missionaries around North America who have given up so incredibly much to live their lives for God's name to be made great!


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Wargamer Weekly: Ogre's Have Layers06 Oct 2017 0
Earlier in the year Strategy & Tactics Press sent us a copy of Issue #52 of their World at War magazine. It came with a hex & counter game based on Operation Sealion, complete with rule-book, and a map covering the southern half of England.
Unfortunately, we weren't really in a position to cover it at the time, but the game itself has been staring at me all year. So far, I've managed to punch all the counters out but I've yet to actually play the thing. Lacking solitaire rules (although I've "gone through the motions" as it were while testing games before), I'm not sure how I'm going to get a game going, but perhaps I can rope in an unwitting friend.
In other news, I've been dabbling in Holdfast: Nations at War, which is tactical multiplayer shooter in the style of Mount & Blade's Napoleonic mod/spin-off. Everything about it is shinier, obviously, as it was built from the ground-up instead of being a community project, and it's currently marching its way through Early Access. I'll bring you a dedicated report sometime within the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away…
Matrix Games/Slitherine
These guys are gearing up for the Field of Glory II release next week, but they've still managed to put out a couple of smaller updates for us.
Gary Grigsby's Eagle Day to Bombing the Reich, despite having one of the oddest names in wargaming, has also received a new beta patch. This new update carries a range of changes and a few bug fixes, as well as a warning that it's probably now best to play the game in Windowed Mode, or use a third-party full screen emulator like DXWind if you want to tab in & out of the game while using full screen.
Gary Grigsby's been busy with some of his other titles as well – fresh from its recent deployment to Steam, War in the West & Operation Torch has received a new patch that targets historical balance, bug fixes and several scenario changes.
We've got another wave of Mare Nostrvm screenshots emerging from the depths of Matrix's development team. This ancient gallery warfare sim is still in beta, but the development continues at a steady pace.
Finally, Warhammer: 40,000 Armageddon is having an exciting week. First off, the base game & Collector's Edition is 63% off in the Matrix store, while every expansion is running at half-price. These discounts will last until October 8th. Further to that, they've released an optional "community update" for the game. This is patch was worked on by a member of a community, which you can read about here.
New Releases
The first digital adaptation of Steve Jackson's Ogre released yesterday. Developed by Auroch Digital, it brings the futuristic tanktastic tactical wargame to PC screens everywhere. You can purchase the game here, although our review won't be dropping until Monday, if you want to hold out for that.
After a brief lull, HexWar have returned with another one of their iOS titles - Civil War 1864. We've previously reviewed Civil War 1863, and given the boilerplate nature of HexWar design there are probably few differences of note, but we'll try and get a full review up and running anyway as soon as we can.
Finally, you may remember that we covered WW2 squad-based RTS Divided We Fall last year? That game has now officially released out of Early Access and into the wild.
That's all for this week's round-up. Let us know if you spotted anything we missed, otherwise enjoy your weekends! This article features games developed and published by members or the Slitherine Group. For more information, please see the About Us page.
Log in to join the discussion.


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HAAAAAABS WIIIIIIIN! FINALLY!!!!!!! Habbies 5 Flyers 1 1/2!
There was talk about if the Habs lost tonight then it would be the first time in two years that that they dropped four in a row. There wasn't too much confidence in the media about how the Habs would do either tonight. I mean, three consecutive losses to bad teams was not very acceptable from a team that clearly has a lot of talent and just can't seem to get it together. And then there was the little fact that the Flyers were coming into this one having only lost one in regulation time in the last 17 games. Yeah, funny what can happen in the stretch of 60 mins.
Habs won and they won playing good hockey. D'Agostini opened up the scoring on a mini breakaway (can he stay here, Bob? Please? Please?). That obviously proved to be a huge moral booster for the Habs who haven't scored first since.... the game against the Flames. Anyway, D'Agostini's goal was followed by one from Sergei Kostitsyn on the powerplay, which I missed initially because I was looking for something to eat, but I saw the replay and it was nice. I was just moaning over not having any food to eat when Begin got a goal in past Niittymaki as well. Yay! This was immediately followed by a not so nice goal by somethingrather Asham for the Flyers off the faceoff. He caught Halak half out of the net and got a goal in. Yuck. To make things worse, I still didn't find anything to eat. Blegh. Anyway, so the first period ended 3-1 for the Habbies which was good news. Finally. More good news was to come as Kovalev scored in the second period off another half breakaway. Dare I hope that he's finally woken up now? The Habs sort of went to sleep a bit in the third period and sloppy playing almost lead to a pile of goals by the Flyers. The Habs kind of got an own goal as... Boullion.... or someone tried to catch a shot with his hand but failed horribly as the puck pounced off his hand and past Halak. The Flyers then decided that they would like to try harder and they did but through a series of luck and skill from the Habs nothing happened except for this: Niittymaki gets pulled at the end. Flyers have the advantage. Flyers put Niitymaki back in for faceoff. Flyers get penalty. Latendresse scores on Niitymaki. Game officially over for the Flyers. Well, okay, so the Flyers made one last ditched effort and nearly scored but they didn't.
On a whole, I liked the game that the Habs played tonight. The powerplay worked. Though of course if you don't get a goal when the goalie is sprawled across the ice and can't do anything then you stink big time. But still. The effort was there tonight. There was some potential bad turnovers but they didn't amount to anything. Halak still seems to be having issues with rebounds and controlling the puck but I still think he did a good job tonight. The Flyers had exceptionally bad luck last night, hitting the post on numerous occaisions and they clearly weren't happy. I'd be more upset with the defensive end of their game if I was their coach. D'Agostini and Kovalev both scored after getting the puck past the defensemen and practically going in alone on Niittymaki. Anyway, that's their problem, not mine. Both teams had 31 shots on goal and while the Habs shot 5 goals past Niitymaki, the Flyers only got past Halak and the Habs gave the Flyers a Christmas present in the form of the other goal. Merry Christmas Flyers!
The good - Well, winning, right?
The bad - the own goal thing but we'll pretend that they were being generous to the Flyers tonight. If you saw Richards face after his team was offside for the who-knows-what-time, you would know that the Flyers needed a little help.
The ugly - cant think of anything yet..... the Flyers maybe?
The potentially not good - Considering that 1) the Habs obviously didn't want to lose four straight 2) it's the Flyers are normally the Habbies are pretty motivated to beat them (erm, minus that little fiasco the last time they played) oh and 3) the Habs almost always seem to be motivated when they play top teams (I suppose they realize now that Boston is a top contender), I'm still worried about how the weekend will go. The Habs completely die against loser teams and that is the huge problem for them right now. WAKE THE HECK UP AND GET SCORING! There's nothing wrong with beating your loser opponent 9-2. Just ask the Penguins ^___^
No more bi-polar behavior!
I think I spelled Niittymaki's name wrong throughout the whole thing... oh well...There's too many double letters!!!!
In other irrelevant news:
- Pittsburgh flattened Atlana 6-3 with Fleury back in nets again. Yay for Fleury!
- Boston won 8-5 against the Maple Losers... I can't believe Tim Thomas let that many... And Boston was up 5-1 or something. Oh well. Lucky Bruins that it was Toskala in nets on the other end.....
- Oh and Detroit won 6-0 against San Jose...!!!!!!! Umm, oops? That's incredibly embarrassing for San Jose. This is their first regulation loss since.... when? A long time. Not a nice way to break that streak. Also, this is the first time in... a while... that the Sharks have dropped two in a row. Oh well...
I know I said that I would never talk about Sundin but I'm going to say something now because this truly will be the last time. The indecisive Swede has finally decided that he wants to continue to play hockey and what's more he actually picked a team to play for. Thank the hockey gods! This whole saga thing began after the playoffs - if not earlier considering the Leafs didn't make the playoffs- and has been dragging on and on and on and on since then. And it's over now! Sundin will be a Canuck for a year now and hopefully when he's contract is up he will be a little quicker about making a decision. But anyway... Celebrate people because this whole overlong epic is over! YEEEEEEES! And thank goodness he's playing on the other side of the country so we don't have to put up with him a lot. YES! HUZZAH! No more talking about Sundin now! Yaaaaaaaay......Okay, I'm shutting up...


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It was Halloween on August 8, 9 and 10 at Camping Atlantide. The indoor games module was haunted for the occasion. Little monsters invaded the streets for trick or treating. A tribute show for Greenday delighted the crowd gathered in the play area in a charged atmosphere. Campers decorated their lot, competing for a $ 400 prize for the best decorated site
Dimanche matin à la grande salle, un atelier de décorations de cup cake de l'halloween était organisé pour le plaisir des petits becs sucrés.


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Also consider our list of Best Laptop Under 40000
List of Best Laptops with i5 Processor Under 50000 in India 2018
A TV commercial ad or just the look of the laptop model distracts us from purchasing the one which we actually require. We often to get obsessed with a single specification of a brand or a model and ignore all other aspects. Here is a list of best laptops with i5 processor under 50000 Rs. that are not only the best performers in but also budgetary under this price bracket:
The Acer Aspire 5 shines with its fast, extensive drives, the crisp and clear display and above all an elegant design. This is the perfect laptop that can serve you at office for your formal needs as well as get back home entertain you with its spectacular capability. The quad-core, 1.8-GHz Intel i7-8550U processor and 12GB of RAM ensures that the Acer 5 would certainly deliver powerful performance and our pick for the best performing laptops under 50000.
Acer Aspire 5
Acer Aspire A515-51G (Core i5 (8th Gen)/8GB RAM/1TB HDD/15.6'' FHD/Dos/2GB mx130 DDR5 Graphics) (Black) (NX.GWJSI.001)Laptops OffersRs42,299Rs47,999(12% OFF)Additional offers
- +4700 cashback (use coupon: laptop10)
Acer A515-51G 15.6-inch LaptopRs42,999Rs46,999(9% OFF)
Acer Aspire 5 Core i5 8th Gen - (8 GB/1 TB HDD/Windows 10 Home/2 GB Graphics) A515-51G Laptop(15.6 inch, Steel Grey, 2.2 kg)Laptops OffersRs42,990Rs43,990(2% OFF)Additional offers
- No cost emi on bajaj finserv emi card
- No cost emi on credit cards
- Extra ₹1000 off on this laptop
- 10% instant discount on sbi credit cards
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Lenovo Ideapad is yet another great pick for a laptop under 50000. The Lenovo Ideapad sports a 15.6 inches screen and is powered by Intel Core i5 processor. The laptop runs smoothly and enable multitasking, supporting you in the office as well as at home too.
Lenovo Ideapad 330
Lenovo Ideapad 330-15IKB 81DE008JIN 15.6-inch Laptop (8th Gen I5-8250U/4GB/1TB/Windows 10/Integrated Graphics), Platinum GreyLaptops OffersRs37,999Rs40,999(7% OFF)
Lenovo Ideapad 330S (Core i3 (8th Gen)/4 GB/1 TB/35.5 cm (14")/Windows 10) Platinum GreyLaptops OffersRs30,662Rs43,690(30% OFF)Additional offers
- +3407 cashback (use coupon: laptop10)
Lenovo Ideapad 330 Core i5 8th Gen - (4 GB/1 TB HDD/Windows 10 Home/512 MB Graphics) 81DE0047IN Thin and Light Laptop(15.6 inch, Platinum Grey)Laptops OffersRs37,999Additional offers
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Asus is a well renowned brand today in the laptop industry. The Asus laptops are great companion for college and office works. These works quite smoothly without getting heated up even after long hours of use. The battery also lasts longer as compared to its predecessors.
Asus K510UQ-BQ667T
ASUS VivoBook K510UQ-BQ667T (Core i5 (8th Gen)/8GB DDR4/1TB HDD/15.6" FHD/ NVIDIA GeForce 940MX 2GB/WIN 10/2 Year Warranty) - GreyLaptops OffersRs43,020Rs59,999(28% OFF)Additional offers
- +4780 cashback (use coupon: laptop10)
ASUS K510UQ-BQ667T 2017 15.6-inch Laptop (8th Gen i5-8250U/8GB/1TB/Windows 10 (64bit)/2GB Graphics), GreyLaptops OffersRs48,490Rs50,000(3% OFF)
Asus Core i5 8th Gen - (8 GB/1 TB HDD/Windows 10 Home/2 GB Graphics) K510UQ-BQ667T Laptop(15.6 inch, Grey, 1.7 kg)Laptops OffersRs52,398Additional offers
- 10% instant discount on sbi credit cards
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The Asus R542UR-DM257T is yet another perfect pick for a laptop under 50000, the laptop sports anti glare display which does not strain the eyes of the user and this is what sets this laptop a class apart from all the other competitors.
ASUS R542UR-DM257T (i5-8250U/ DRAM DDR4 4G/ 1 TB HDD/ 15.6Full HD anti Glare/ Windows 10/ NVIDIA GeForce 930MX (N16S-GMR)/ 1 Yr Warranty)- Matt GoldenLaptops OffersRs45,900Rs49,999(8% OFF)
Dell Inspiron Core i5 7th Gen - (4 GB/1 TB HDD/DOS) 3567 Laptop:The Inspiron series from the house of Dell is one of the most powerful and pocket friendly laptops. With i5 processor and 4GB RAM this is the ultimate choice for people who wish to acquire more in less budget. The powerful processor makes it quite useful for everyday use. Well versed with most of the operating systems like windows 8, windows 10 and others this should definitely be considered as one of the best performing laptops under 50,000 Rs.
Dell Inspiron Core i5 7th Gen - (4 GB/1 TB HDD/Windows 10 Home/2 GB Graphics) 3567 Notebook(15.6 inch, Black, 2.24 kg)Laptops OffersRs38,990Rs40,990(5% OFF)Additional offers
- No cost emi on bajaj finserv emi card
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- Extra ₹2000 off on this laptop
- 10% instant discount on sbi credit cards
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- Get extended warranty worth ₹4999 at ₹999
Acer Aspire E15 E5-575 (7th Gen Core i5-7200/8GB/1TB/Linux/2GB Graphics)The Acer Aspire E15 E5-575 laptop is powered by Intel Core i5 processor, coupled with 8GB of RAM and has 1 TB HDD storage at this price point. As far as the graphics card is concerned this laptop has graphics card to manage all your graphical functions. To keep it alive, it has a long battery life. It is certainly one of the best contenders for best performing laptops under 50,000 Rs.
Acer Aspire E15 E5-575 15.6-inch Laptop (7th Gen Core i5-7200/8GB/1TB/Linux/2GB Graphics)Laptops OffersRs39,990Rs42,990(7% OFF)
ACER Aspire E5-575G (NX.GDWSI.017) (Core i5 - 7th Gen/4 GB RAM DDR4/1 TB HDD/39.63 cm (15.6")/Dos/2GB Graphics) (Black)Laptops OffersRs47,895Rs56,000(14% OFF)Additional offers
- +3605 cashback (use coupon: laphdd7)
HP Core i5 (4 GB/1 TB HDD /2 GB Graphics) 15-be015TX LaptopThe HP 15-be015TX laptop is the best choice for those who wish to buy a budget laptop with a good battery life, HD Webcam and a dedicated graphic processor. The HP 15-be015TX flaunts an 11.6-inch LED backlit ultra slim HD anti-glare display and runs on Google Chrome operating system. This one of the best performing laptops under 50000 Rs. also features an integrated monaural microphone.
HP 15 Core i5 8th Gen - (8 GB/2 TB HDD/DOS/2 GB Graphics) BS180TX Laptop(15.6 inch, SParkling Black)Laptops OffersRs45,280Additional offers
- 5% off on visa cards for cod, new users
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Lenovo Ideapad 320E 80XL0378IN (7th Gen Core i5/4GB/1TB/Windows 10 Home)
With a powerful processor, ample storage space and excellent battery backup this Lenovo Ideapad is the perfect laptop for gaming freaks. This Ideapad offers 3.1 GHz Intel Corei5 processor. This laptop can well suit the needs of everyone who wishes to own a perfect gaming laptop in the mid budget range. The onyx black colour of the laptop makes it look quite unique. Thus this is ultimately one of the best laptop under 50,000 Rs.
Lenovo Notebook IP 330-15IKB (81DE012BIN) (Intel Core i5 (8th Gen)/8GB/ 1TB HDD/15.6" HD (39.62cm)/DOS) (Onyx Black)Laptops OffersRs34,636Rs47,290(27% OFF)Additional offers
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Lenovo Ideapad 320E 80XL0378IN 15.6-inch Laptop (7th Gen Core i5-7200U/4GB/1TB/Windows 10 Home/2GB Graphics), Onyx BlackLaptops OffersRs43,990Rs55,490(21% OFF)
Bigger is better is a saying of old days. Now smaller the gadget the better it is. People now prefer using thin and light weight ultrabooks or laptops instead of the traditional heavy laptops. This laptop is meant for the regular business user who wants a bit of everything. Considered to be one of the best performing laptops under 50000 Rs. this Asus R558UQ features a Core i5 processor with 7th Gen technology.
Asus R558UQ Core i5 7th Gen
ASUS R558UQ-DM539D (Core i5 7th Gen /Ram 4GB/1 TB/39.6 cm (15.6)/DOS/2GB) (Dark Brown)Laptops OffersRs39,890Rs48,990(19% OFF)
Asus R-SERIES Core i5 7th Gen - (4 GB/1 TB HDD/DOS/2 GB Graphics) R558UQ-DM542D Laptop(15.6 inch, Red)Laptops OffersRs40,990Additional offers
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- Extra 5% off* with axis bank buzz credit card


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July 2018
News Headlines
The Union Govt's move against the Missionaries of Charity is a well-planned attempt to defame Christianity? Opinion
Shigella strikes Kozhikode; Toddler dies
The Union Govt's move against the Missionaries of Charity is a well-planned attempt to defame Christianity? Opinion
Congress to set up group on alliances: Rahul
Prepare To Fight 2019 Alone, Amit Shah Tells BJP On Rift With Shiv Sena
Money laundering scam: Zardari declared absconder by FIA
Afghan vice president Dostum escapes blast on return from exile
Sri Lanka close in on whitewash of S. Africa
Hamilton regains title lead after stunning German win
Fakhar Zaman becomes first Pakistani to hit ODI double ton
Govt slashes GST rate on several products
Third party insurance for two, four-wheeler be made mandatory: Supreme Court
Supreme Court stays Madras HC order awarding extra marks to NEET Tamil candidates
Trump invites Putin to White House in the fall
Zimbabwe vs Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman scores double century in record partnership with Imam-ul-Haq to breeze past hosts
Modi Govt Gets AIADMK Boost as No-Trust Vote Turns Into Show of Strength for 2019
IOC adds 7 medal events to 2022 Beijing Winter Games program
Indian outplay New Zealand 4-2 in hockey series opener
Samsung, Xiaomi corner 60 pc share of India's smartphone mkt in Q2: Canalys
Indo-Pacific must be free, open and and inclusive region: Swaraj
Main News
About Deepika
National News
India is a stakeholder in Korean peace process: PM Modi
New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said India is a stakeholder in the peace process in the Korean peninsula after he held wide-ranging deliberations with South Korean President Moon Jae-in that focused on deepening strategic cooperation between the two countries.
In the talks, the two sides agreed to significantly enhance cooperation in a range of areas including defence and security, artificial intelligence, trade besides resolving to work together for regional peace and prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The two countries inked a total of 10 agreements covering a broad spectrum of areas for cooperation and signed a document to facilitate negotiations to upgrade the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
At a joint media event with Moon, Modi indirectly referred to North Korea's proliferation linkages with Pakistan and that it was a reason why India is a stakeholder in the peace process.
"During our talks, I told President Moon that proliferation linkages between North-East Asia and South Asia is a matter of concern to India. Therefore, India is also a stakeholder in the peace process. We will do our bit to ensure peace," Modi said in his press statement.
India has been pressing for a probe into North Korea's nuclear proliferation linkages with Pakistan and demanded that those responsible for it should be held accountable.
The two sides also released a vision document articulating ways to boost their strategic cooperation and reaffirming convergence of their views in dealing with maritime conflicts, in a clear reference to China's expansionist behaviour in critical sea lanes.
The vision document said the two leaders also reaffirmed that terrorism cannot be justified on any grounds and sought coordinated regional and global efforts.
It said both sides agreed to explore further possibilities to coordinate efforts in defence and strategic spheres and will enhance military exchanges, training and experience-sharing.
The two sides also resolved to work together to prevent proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and delivery systems, particularly to terrorists and non-state actors.
Referring to the recent summit between North Korea and South Korea and talks between US President Donald Trump and North Korea's Kim Jong-un, the two leaders hoped that these developments will contribute to complete denuclearisation as well as lasting peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula.
The Korean side also supported India's bid to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
The two countries also agreed to explore tripartite partnership for development in third countries, beginning with capacity building programmes in Afghanistan.
Referring to disputes in the maritime sphere, the vision document said both Modi and Moon recognised the link between prosperity and security and reaffirmed the importance of freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce.
"We supported initiatives for peaceful resolution of conflict through dialogue, underlying the centrality of sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with the universally-recognised principles of international law," it said, seen as a clear reference to China.
Prepare To Fight 2019 Alone, Amit Shah Tells BJP On Rift With Shiv Sena
Supreme Court stays Madras HC order awarding extra marks to NEET Tamil candidates
Mob-lynching cases: Govt asks WhatsApp for solutions beyond labelling forwards
Unidentified 'intruder' killed at Indo-Pak border: official
Oppn, Govt brace for no-trust vote today; BJP confident of win, Cong says issue not just of numbers
Woman alleges rape by Delhi-based singer
Opposition parties commit to fight against any amendment in RTI Act
Tharoor blames right-wing activists for attacks, demands PM intervention
Two dead, 3,500 relocated as rains lash parts of Gujarat
LJP raises Dalit issues in all-party, NDA meetings
SC asks Parliament to consider new law to deal with mob lynching
From April next year, national database for gun licence holders
SC refuses to stay new rules on health warning for tobacco products
CBI chargesheets Farooq Abdullah, three others in JKCA scam
Rajinikanth Supports 'One India, One Election' Proposal
Former A.P. Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy returns to Congress
If Delhi tries to break PDP, outcome will be dangerous: Mehbooba Mufti
Bombay HC pulls up Pune cops over probe into Rajneesh's 'will'
87 minor boys rescued from train, trafficking suspected
Ex-CM Kiran Reddy set to return to Congress, to meet Rahul
I am a big flop actor: Karan Johar
(Mumbai, May 5, 2018):
Filmmaker Karan Johar is in mood to take up full-fledged acting jobs.
Bittersweet moment for us: Akshaye on Vinod Khanna's Dadasaheb Phalke honour
Happy Sonam is getting married, Anand a great guy: Harshvardhan Kapoor
Auctioning 'Rustom' costume for good cause: Akshay Kumar
Money laundering scam: Zardari declared absconder by FIA
(Karachi, July 22, 2018):
Former Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and his sister Faryal Tal
Afghan vice president Dostum escapes blast on return from exile
Trump invites Putin to White House in the fall
Indian man shot dead in Canada, two suspects arrested
Kerala among 13 states on thunderstorm alert
(New Delhi, May 7, 2018):
Thunderstorms accompanied by squall, hail and heavy rains are likel
Kerala Karshaka Jadha Opens to a Great Beginning / Video
Malappuram press club attack: RSS workers nabbed
Workers injured in mudslide at construction site
Untitled Page
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Arizona's Gov. Jan Brewer (R) signed a bill allowing police to stop people whom they have reasonable suspicion of being in the country illegally, demand proof of citizenship on the spot, and arrest them for a criminal act... at the state level. Here's Huffpo's Paul Davenport and Jonathan J. Cooper with this summary:
...Well, that's interesting. Gov. Brewer, how recently are your people "off the boat"? A long time ago? Can you prove it? Do you carry papers with you everywhere to prove it? Oh, I forgot, you're white; no one will stop you on suspicion of being an alien...
The legislation, sent to the Republican governor by the GOP-led Legislature, makes it a crime under state law to be in the country illegally. It also requires local police officers to question people about their immigration status if there is reason to suspect they are illegal immigrants, allows lawsuits against government agencies that hinder enforcement of immigration laws, and make it illegal to hire illegal immigrants for day labor or knowingly transport them.
I don't know the consequences of this law... perhaps none, because it is surely unconstitutional, and even if not, the ridicule thrown at the Governor will soon become unbearable to her... but I do know that if truly implemented, this law will cause civil unrest. And justly so.


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Cheap Glamping Break just £75 per Pod !!
Wowzers guys, these have got to be one of my favourites so far, just take a look at these gorgeous and cosy little pods complete with everything that you need for an enjoyable little break.
There are various options available for you to choose from which you can check out HERE.
Foxfield Glamping offers 2 glamorous pods, 'Honeysuckle' and 'Clover', around 20 minutes' drive from the city of Bath. These luxurious pods in Bradford-on-Avon sleep 2 and have a variety of facilities, including free Wi-Fi.
Each pod has underfloor heating, a TV, DVD player and iPod dock. There is a kitchen area with a fridge, microwave and toaster, as well as tea and coffee facilities.
Breakfast can be arranged with the owners if required. A walk into the centre of Bradford-on-Avon, which has a range of shops and restaurants to visit, will take around 20 minutes, or by car it's 5 minutes.
The pods are surrounded by a well-kept garden with patio furniture for outdoor dining. There is even a tent which you can put up outside if you need to accommodate extra visitors.


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Some roads in North Carolina are simply accidents waiting to happen. These include long stretches of tight curves on very narrow road mountain roads or faulty roads with numerous potholes or other problems. Still most accidents are due to human error. If you have been injured in such an accident you have the right to file a personal injury claim.
If the claim is ruled in your favor, you will be awarded compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, property damage and possibly other losses. If the injury you suffered is so severe that you will need physical therapy to regain your physical function and mobility, the compensation you are to receive can also cover those expenses.
However, you need to understand that North Carolina follows modified comparative negligence laws. This means that if your actions during the incident contributed to the accident, the compensation amount you are to receive may be affected also. There is also the risk that may might not receiving any compensation at all.
Fortunately, there is a way for you to increase your chances to be awarded compensation for the injuries you've sustained. Enlist the services of a tough injury lawyer to take on your case and guide you through the process.
The law firm of Kurtz & Blum vigorously defends their client's rights. To contact an experienced injury attorney in Raleigh, please call 919-832-7700.


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Monday, August 22, 2005
The Principles of Communism
This one single piece of literature encapsulates the worldwide theory of communism. This paper is strongly recommended for a beginner. A set of 25 questions articulate the basics of communism in the simplest manner in layman terms. Enjoy reading this classical communist master piece.
1. What is Communism?
Communism is a theoretical statement of the conditions for the emancipation of the proletariat.
2. What is the proletariat?
The proletariat is that class in society which obtains its livelihood wholly and solely from the sale of its labour, and not from the profit of any capital; whose weal and woe, whose life and death, whose whole existence depends upon the demand for labour, and therefore upon the variations of anarchical competition, with its alternations of good and bad periods of trade. The proletariat, in a word, is the working class of the 19th century. [And also of the present time].
3. Has there not, then, been a proletariat always?
No. There have always been poor and working classes - and the working classes have usually been poor. But never before have there been poor men or workers living under such condition as those just mentioned; and there has not, therefore, been a proletariat always, any more than there has been free and unchecked competition.
4. How did the proletariat originate?
The proletariat originated with the Industrial Revolution, which began in England in the later half of the 18th century, and which has since been repeated in every civilised country in the world. The Industrial Revolution was caused by the invention of the steam engine, the various spinning machines, the mechanical loom, and a whole host of other mechanical contrivances. These machines, which being very expensive could only be purchased by men with considerable capital, changed the whole method of production; and supplanted the workers of that day, because they could produce commodities much more cheaply and efficiently than the workers, with their imperfect spinning wheels and looms. The machines, therefore, placed industry entirely in the hands of the capitalists, making the former property of the workers - tools, hand-looms, etc., - useless, and thus leaving them propertyless. The factory system had first been introduced in the textile industry. Work was more and more divided among individual workers, so that he who formerly had completed a whole piece of work, now worked at only one part of it. This division of labour made it possible for products to be turned out more rapidly, and therefore more cheaply. It reduced the activity of each worker to a very simple operation, constantly repeated, which could therefore be performed as well, or even better, by a machine.
Once the impulse was given to the factory system by the installation of machinery, this system quickly assumed the mastery of other branches of industry, e.g. printing, pottery, metal ware. In this way, various branches of industry, one after the other, were dominated by steam power, machinery, and the factory system, as had already happened in the textile industries. But at the same time these industries necessarily passed into the control of capitalists. In addition to actual manufactures, handicrafts also gradually came under the domination of the factory system; since here as well capitalists supplanted the small producers by the establishment of the greater workshop, which saved time and expense, and permitted an increasing division of labour. Thus, in civilised countries, all branches of work and manufacture were replaced by the great industry.
The former status of the workers was entirely revolutionised, and the middle class of the period - particularly the master-craftsmen - ruined; and thus arose two new classes, gradually absorbing all the rest, namely: (i) the capitalist class, which everywhere is in possession of the means of subsistence - the raw materials and tools, machines, factories, etc., necessary for the production of the means of life. This is the class of the bourgeois, or the bourgeoisie; (ii) the working class who, being propertyless, are compelled to sell their labour to the bourgeoisie, in order to obtain the means of subsistence. This class is called the proletariat.
5. Under what conditions does the proletariat sell its labour to the bourgeoisie?
Labour is a commodity, and its price is therefore determined by the same laws as other commodities. Under the system of large-scale industry or of free competition - which, as we shall see, amount to the same thing - the price of a commodity is, on the average, determined by its labour-cost of production. The cost of production of labour, however, is in reality just as much of the means of subsistence as is necessary to keep the worker physically fit, and to enable him to reproduce his kind. The worker will thus receive for this work no more than is necessary for this purpose. The price of labour, or wage, will therefore be the lowest, the minimum, necessary for subsistence.
But trade being at one time good, at another bad, the wage of the worker will vary accordingly, just as the manufacturer receives more or less for his commodities. Just as the manufacturer, however, receives on the average neither more nor less for his commodities than the equivalent of their cost of production, so the worker will, on the average, receive neither more nor less than this minimum of wages. And the more large-scale industry conquers all branches of industry, the more definitely will this economic law of wages assert itself.
6. What was the position of the working classes before the Industrial Revolution?
At different stages of the evolution of society, the working class has occupied different positions in relation to the owning and ruling classes. In ancient times the workers were the slaves of the landowner, as they still are in many backward countries, and even in the Southern part of the United States. In the Middle Ages they were the serfs of the landowning noble, as they are yet in Hungary, Poland and Russia. In the Middle Ages also, and until the Industrial Revolution, there were handicraft guilds in the towns under the control of small masters, out of which developed manufacture, the factory system, and the wage-worker employed by a capitalist.
7. What distinguishes the proletarian from the slave?
The slave was sold outright. The proletarian must sell himself daily and hourly. It is to the interest of the slave-owner that his property, the slave, should have an assured existence, however wretched that may be. The individual proletarian, the property, so to speak, of the whole capitalist class, has no assured existence; since his labour will only be purchased for just the period when someone has need of it. Existence is only assured to the workers as a class. The slave stands outside competition; the proletarian stands within it and suffers all its variations. The slave is regarded as a thing, and not as a member of society; the proletarian is regarded as a human being, and is acknowledged as a member of bourgeois society. The slave may enjoy a more assured existence, but the proletarian belongs to a higher stage of the development of society - stands indeed on a higher level than the slave. The slave can free himself because, of all the private property relations, he need only abolish the single relation of slavery - in this way, indeed, becoming a proletarian; the proletarian, on the other hand, can only free himself on condition that he abolishes private property in general.
8. What distinguishes the proletarian from the serf?
The serf has the possession and use of a means of production - a piece of land - in exchange for a tribute of a part of the produce, or for the performance of work for his lord. The proletarian works with another's implements of production, for the benefit of this other, in exchange for a part of his produce. The serf, therefore, pays; whereas payment is made to the proletarian. The serf has an assured existence; the proletarian has not. The serf stands outside competition; the proletarian within it. The serf frees himself either by running away to the town, and there becoming a handicraftsman; or by making payments in money to his lord instead of labour or payments in kind, thereby becoming a free farmer; or by forcibly ridding himself of his feudal lord, and becoming himself a private owner; in short, by one or other of these means, entering either the ranks of the owners or of the competing workers. The proletarian can only free himself by abolishing competition, private property, and all class distinction.
9. What distinguishes the proletarian from the handicraftsman?
In the old handicraft industries, the workman, after his apprenticeship was served, became a wage worker for a time, but only in order that he might become an employer later. The proletarian is almost always a wage-worker all his life. The handicraftsman who had not yet become an employer was the companion of his master, lived in his house, and ate at his table. The proletarian stands solely in a money relation to his employer. The handicraftsman was a member of the same class of society as his master, and shared the same mode of life. The proletarian is separated from his master, the capitalist, by a whole world of class distinctions; he lives in a totally different environment, and his outlook is totally different. The tools used by the handicraftsman were usually his own property, and he could carry them with him. The machine worked by the proletarian is neither his own property, nor is it ever likely to become such. The handicraftsman usually made a complete object, and his skill in the use of his tools was always an important factor in the making of the product. The proletarian as a rule makes only one part of an article, or even contributes only to one process in the making of a single part, and his personal skill is in inverse ratio to the work done by the machine. The handicraftsman, like his master, was secured throughout his life against hurtful competition by means of guild regulations and trade customs. The proletarian must combine with his fellows, or seek the aid of legislation, in order to avoid being crushed by competition; if he is outbid by other sellers of labour-power, he - and never his employer - is crushed. The handicraftsman, like his master, had a narrow outlook, was thrifty, and disliked new inventions or ideas. The proletarian becomes daily more convinced that the interests of his class are fundamentally opposed to those of his employer; thrift gives place to class-consciousness and the conviction that an improvement in his position can come only by general social progress. The handicraftsman was a conservative even when he rebelled - it was indeed his desire for reaction that usually made him a rebel. The proletarian must inevitably be a revolutionary. The first step in social progress to which the reactionary handicraft spirit opposed itself was manufacture - the subjection of handicraft, master as well as worker, to mercantile capital, which developed later into commercial and industrial capital.
10. What distinguishes the proletarian from the early factory worker?
The factory worker of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries had usually some implement of production as his own property - his loom or spinning wheels, or a piece of land which he cultivated in his leisure time. The proletarian has none of these things. The factory worker usually lived on the land, in more or less patriarchal[f] relations with his landlord or employer. The proletarian lives mostly in large towns, and stands to his employer solely in a money relation. The factory worker's more personal relations with his master were destroyed by the coming of large-scale industries; he lost what little he still had, and became the first proletarian.
11. What were the immediate consequences of the Industrial Revolution and the resulting division of society into bourgeoisie and proletariat?
Firstly, in consequence of the universal cheapening of all the products of industry following on the use of machinery, the old system of manufacture, depending on hand labour, was completely destroyed. Semi-barbaric countries which had previously remained more or less outside the influence of historical development were now forced out of their seclusion. They purchased the cheaper commodities from England, and allowed their own hand workers to be ruined. So countries which for centuries had made no progress, e.g., India, were completely revolutionised; and even China now advances towards revolution. It has thus come to pass that a new machine, invented today in England, results in less than a year in millions of workers in China being without bread. In this way have large-scale industries brought all the peoples of the earth into close touch with one another; small local markets have been lumped together into a great world market. The path has been prepared for civilisation and progress, since whatever takes place in civilised countries nowadays must react on all other countries; and if today the workers of France or England were to free themselves, revolutions must inevitably follow in other lands.
Secondly, the Industrial Revolution has developed the wealth and power of the bourgeoisie to the greatest possible extent, making it the most powerful class everywhere. It proceeded to get political power into its own hands, superseding the classes which had been predominant previously - the aristocracy, the townsmen of the guilds, and the absolute monarchy representing both. It destroyed the power of the aristocracy by abolishing the right of primogeniture, or the unsaleable character of real property, as well as the various privileges of the nobility. It destroyed the power of the townsmen of the guilds by abolishing all the guild and handicraft privileges. In place of these it established free competition - i.e., a state of society, in which any individual is free to carry on any branch of industry agreeable to him, and in which there is no hindrance to his so doing but the need of the required capital. With the introduction of free competition, therefore, the individual members of society are only unequal in so far as their capitals are unequal; capital is the determining factor, and the capitalists, the bourgeoisie, have become the real ruling class.
Free competition is necessary for the establishment of large-scale industry, since it is the only state of society in which large-scale industry can develop. The bourgeoisie, after it had thus abolished the social privileges of the aristocracy, and the guildsmen, next abolished their political power. Since it had raised itself to the position of the chief class in society, it proceeded to proclaim itself, in political form, as the chief class. It accomplished this by the introduction of the representative system, which depends on civic equality and the legal recognition of free competition. This was bound up in European countries with a constitutional monarchy. In these countries, electors had to possess a certain amount of capital - and were therefore confined to the bourgeoisie. These bourgeois voters elect bourgeois representatives; and these in turn ensure a bourgeois regime. Thirdly, the Industrial Revolution has developed the proletariat to the same extent that it has developed the bourgeoisie. Just in the same ratio as the bourgeoisie has become richer, the proletariat has grown more numerous. The proletariat could only come into being through the power of capital, and capital only increases when it is increasing the number of workers. An increase of the proletariat has therefore gone hand in hand with the increase of capital. At the same time, bourgeoisie and proletariat have both been concentrated in large towns, and this massing of the workers in large numbers has given them a consciousness of their power.
Further, the more this process develops, the more labour-saving machines are invented and utilised, and in this way, as has already been pointed out, wages are reduced to a minimum, and the position of the proletariat becomes more and more unendurable. Thus, by means on the one hand of the growing discontent, and on the other of the increasing consciousness of the proletariat, the way is made ready for a revolution of society.
12. What were the wider consequences of the Industrial Revolution?
By means of the steam engine and other machines, large-scale industry created the means of indefinitely increasing the industrial output, at a diminishing cost both of time and money. The free competition which followed this accelerated production soon produced definite results; a crowd of capitalists seized upon industry, and in a short time far more was produced than was actually needed. The commodities manufactured could not be sold, and a so-called trade crisis occurred. Factories had to be closed, employers became bankrupt, and the workers starved. After a time the surplus products were sold, the factories opened again, wages rose, and trade gradually became more prosperous than before.
But this could not last long. Again, too many commodities were produced, and another crisis occurred, with all the effects of the first. Thus, since the beginning of the 19th century the condition of industry has constantly fluctuated between periods of prosperity and periods of crisis. Such crises have recurred almost regularly every five or seven years; each time resulting in the greatest misery for the workers, and each time stimulating revolutionary tendencies and threatening shipwreck of the whole existing state of society.
13. What is apparent from these regularly recurring business crises?
In the first place, that large-scale industry - although in its earlier stages it had itself given birth to free competition - has now reached a stage at which free competition, so far from being useful to it, is actually a hindrance - a fetter from which it must break free. So long as it is organised on this basis of free competition, large-scale industry can only exist at the cost of a general upheaval every few years, an upheaval which each time threatens the whole fabric of civilisation, thrusting not only the proletariat into misery, but also ruining some section of the bourgeoisie itself. It is plain, therefore, either that large-scale industry must be abolished - which is an absolute impossibility - or that it must develop into a new organisation of society, in which industrial production shall no longer be in the hands of individual owners all competing one against the other, but shall be owned and controlled by society as a whole and shall satisfy the needs of all.
In the second place, it is apparent that large-scale industry, and the tremendous increase in the production made possible thereby, now makes practicable a new order of society in which such a sufficiency of the necessaries of life will be assured, that every member of that society will have leisure and opportunity to develop his natural powers and abilities in comparative freedom: in fact, that those same qualities or aspects of large-scale industry which under our existing social organisation result in misery and instability, could, under another social system, have exactly opposite consequences. It is obvious, therefore:
That from now onwards all our social problems and evils are simply the result of a social system which is no longer adapted to social needs; and
That the only means by which these evils can be abolished, viz., a new order of society, is now close at hand.
14. Of what nature must this new order of society be?
First and foremost, it will take all industry and all branches of production out of the hands of individual competitive owners; carrying on industry by the active participation of all the members of society. It will abolish competition, and put association in its place. Further, since production for individual profit is based upon private property, this latter must also be abolished, and its place taken by the use of all instruments of production, and the division of all products - by communism, in short. The abolition of private property in itself sums up the new order of society, which in itself is the inevitable result of industrial development.
15. Was not the abolition of private property possible at an earlier date?
No. Every change in the social order, every revolution as regards property relations, has been the necessary consequence of new productive powers, which could no longer be adapted to the existing property relations.
Private property itself arose in this way. For private property has not always existed; towards the end of the Middle Ages a new means of production - manufacture - was evolved, which could not be adapted to feudal or guild relations, and which accordingly outgrew and overwhelmed them, producing a new form of property - private property. But for the first stages of development of large-scale industry, no other form of property but private property was possible - no other order of society than one based upon private property. So long as the productive powers only produce enough to satisfy the needs of a given time, without a surplus being available for the augmentation of social capital and the further development of the forces of production, so long must there inevitably be a ruling class controlling and an oppressed class subject to the social productive powers. The creation of these classes depends upon the development of these productive powers. The Middle Ages - the period of agriculture - gave us the baron and the serf; the towns of the later Middle Ages, the guild master, the journeyman, and the day-labourer; the 17th century evolves the manufacturer and the mechanic; the 19th century, the great manufacturer and the proletarian. Up to that time the productive powers were not so widely developed that private property in them were a fetter or restraint upon them. But now, when, owing to the development of large-scale industry, the powers of production are constantly increasing by leaps and bounds; when, moreover, these powers are in the hands of a constantly decreasing number of bourgeois owners, while the great mass of the people become ever more firmly fixed as proletarians, and their condition becomes ever more unbearable; when, finally, these colossal productive powers have grown so far beyond the control of the bourgeois private property owners that they threaten to over-balance the whole social order, now surely, the abolition of private property has become not only possible, but absolutely necessary.
16. Will the abolition of private property be achieved by peaceful means?
That it may be is much to be wished, and the Communists are certainly the last people likely to wish otherwise. But they know that revolutions are not planned arbitrarily and deliberately, having always been the inevitable results of circumstances, and to that extent independent of the will and guidance of individuals or even of whole classes. They see the growing oppression of the proletariat in all civilised countries, and they foresee that sooner or later the proletariat will be forced into active revolution. And in that day Communists will be prepared to defend the interests of the proletariat with deeds as well as with words.
17. Will it be possible to abolish private property at one stroke?
No. Since the existing mode of production must be allowed to develop to a degree at which it can meet the demands of the whole community, it is more probable that even after the revolution has begun the proletariat will only be able to transform society gradually. It can only abolish private property entirely when the mode of production is sufficiently developed to make this possible.
18. What course of development will the revolution have?
First and foremost, it will set up a democratic political constitution, thereby ensuring, directly or indirectly, the political sovereignty of the proletariat.
Directly in England, where the proletariat already form the majority of the people. Indirectly in France and Germany, where the majority consists not wholly of the proletariat proper, but also of peasants and small bourgeois, whose political interests, however, must depend more and more upon those of the proletariat, and who must therefore inevitably submit themselves to the proletarian will. This may indeed involve a second struggle, but the ultimate victory of the proletariat would not be long delayed. A democratic constitution, of course, would be entirely useless to the proletariat if it did not immediately take further measures aimed directly at private property and thereby making the existence of the proletariat more secure. The most important of these measures, as suggested by existing relations, are as follows:
The gradual limitation of private property by means of progressive taxation, heavy estate duties, the abolition of inheritance by collaterals (brothers, nephews, etc.), forced loans, and so forth.
The gradual expropriation of ground landlords, manufacturers, railroad and ship owners, partly through the competition of State industry, partly directly in exchange for assignats (state paper money).
The confiscation of the property of all emigrants and rebels against the majority of the people.
The organisation of work for all the proletariat upon national estates or in factories and workshops, in order that the competition of the workers amongst themselves may be abolished. Private owners, so long as they are allowed to remain so, will be compelled to pay the State rate of wages.
The compulsion of every member of society to work, and the organisation of industrial armies, especially for agriculture.
The centralisation of the credit system and the money market under the control of the State, by means of a national bank with State capital; and the suppression of all private banks and bankers.
The extension of State factories, railroads, and shipping; the bringing into cultivation of all waste land; and the improvement of all land already cultivated in proportion to the increased capital and greater number of workers at the disposal of the nation.
The education of every child in national institutions at the national expense.
The erection of large buildings on national estates as communal dwellings for groups of citizens following industrial as well as agricultural pursuits.
The destruction of all insanitary and badly built slums and dwellings.
Equal opportunities for all children.
The concentration of all means of transport in the hands of the State.
Obviously, all these measures cannot be carried through at once. But one will necessitate another. Once the first attack on private property has taken place, the proletariat will find itself compelled to go ever further, until finally all capital, all agriculture, all industry, all transport, and all exchange are in the hands of the State. All the above measures inevitably lead in that direction, and will be practicable enough as they are proceeded with. Then, if all capital production, and exchange are in the hands of the State, private property has not so much been abolished as been enabled to disappear of itself, money has become superfluous, production so far changed, and mankind so far altered that all remaining forms of the old society can also be permitted to perish.
19. Will this revolution be confined to a single country?
No. Large-scale industry, by creating the world market, has already brought the people of every country (and particularly of civilised countries), into such close touch with each other, that each separate nation is affected by events in any other one. It has further so far levelled social development, that in every country the struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat has become the most important matter of the day. The communist revolution will not merely be national: it will take place simultaneously in every civilised country, that is, in England, France, America, and Germany, at least. It will develop in each country more quickly or more slowly according as that country possesses a more highly developed industry, greater wealth, or more perfected productive forces. It will, therefore, probably come about most slowly in Germany, most quickly and easily in England. It will at once have an important reaction on other countries, altering or accelerating their development. It is a universal revolution, and must have, therefore, a universal sphere of action.
20. What will be the consequences of the abolition of private property?
First, that as society will have taken out of the hands of the capitalists the entire forces of production and means of transport, administering them according to the actual needs of the whole community, all the evils which are at present inseparably bound up with large-scale industries will be done away with. Crises will end; an increased production, which under the existing order would mean overproduction - a very fruitful source of misery - will then not even be adequate, and would need to be increased yet more, since production over and above the immediate necessities of society would assure the satisfaction of the needs of all, and also beget new necessities and the means of satisfying them. It will be the condition and occasion of further stages of progress, and it will bring about their accomplishment without, as hitherto, society having to go through a period of disorder and disorganisation at every new stage. Large-scale industry, freed from the shackles of private ownership, will develop to an extent compared to which its present development will appear as feeble as does the stage of manufacture compared to large-scale industry of today. Agriculture, too, which is hampered by private ownership and the accompanying parceling-out of land, will be improved and developed by the scientific methods already discovered.
Society will be able to regulate production so that the needs of all its members will be satisfied. The division of society into classes with antagonistic interests ceases automatically. The existence of classes has resulted from the division of labour, and the division of labour to which we are accustomed today will come to an end. For in order to raise industrial and agricultural production to the standards already suggested, mechanical and chemical forces will not of themselves be sufficient. The capacities of the men setting those forces in motion will have to be developed in corresponding measure. Just as the peasants and artisans of the past century altered their whole mode of life, and became quite other men, when they were forced into large-scale industry, so will the common pursuit of production throughout the whole of society, and the new developments of production following thereon, necessitate - and produce - a new type of man. Today men are confined to a single branch of production; they are forced to develop one talent at the expense of all the rest, and know only one process, or even one part of a process. But an industrial commonwealth presupposes men whose talents have been developed on all sides, men who will have an intelligent knowledge of the whole business of production. That division of labour which now makes one man a peasant, another a shoemaker a third a mechanic, and a fourth a stock-market speculator, will entirely vanish. Education will aim at enabling young people to go through the whole system of production, so that they can be transferred from one branch to another according as the necessities of the community demand. A communist society will in this way give far more scope for individual development than does the capitalist society of today.
And along with antagonistic classes, the opposition between town and country will disappear. The pursuit of agriculture and industry by the same men, instead of by two different classes, is already a necessary condition of communistic association. The dispersion of the agricultural population, side by side with the growth of the industrial population in the great towns, is the result of an incompletely developed stage both of agriculture and industry, and is, moreover, an obstacle in the way of further development.
The association of all the members of society in a regulated system of production; the increase of production to an extent at which the needs of all will be satisfied; the cessation of a state of things in which the needs of one are satisfied at the cost of another; the abolition of classes; and the full development of the abilities of all the members of society by the abolition of the present division of labour, by industrial education, and by the blending together of town and country - these will be the results of the abolition of private property.
21. How will Communism affect the family?
It will make the relation of the two sexes a purely private relation, which concerns the interested parties and them alone. It can do this because it puts an end to private property and cares for all children alike, thereby doing away with two fundamental characteristics of present-day marriage - the dependence of the wife on the husband, and of the children on their parents. This is the answer to the shrieks of those highly moral philistines who rave about "community of wives." Community of wives is a relation pertaining to bourgeois society, and exists today, in prostitution. Prostitution, however, is based on private property, and falls with it. Communism, therefore, so far from introducing community of wives, abolishes it.
22. How will Communism affect existing nationalities?
"National differences and antagonisms between peoples," says the Communist Manifesto, "already tend to disappear owing to the development of the bourgeoisie, the freedom of commerce, the world market, and uniformity in the mode of production and in the conditions of life corresponding thereto. The supremacy of the proletariat will cause them to disappear still more quickly. United action, on the part of the leading civilised countries at least, is one of the primary conditions for the emancipation of the proletariat. In proportion as the exploitation of one individual by another is put an end to, the exploitation of one nation by another will also be put an end to. In proportion as the antagonism between classes within the nation vanishes, the hostility of one nation to another will come to an end."
23. How will Communism affect existing religions?
"Does it require deep intuition," asks the Communist Manifesto, "to comprehend the fact that man's ideas, views, conceptions, in a word, man's consciousness, changes with every change in the conditions of his material existence, in his social relations and in his social life?.. When the ancient world was in its last throes, the ancient religions were overcome by Christianity. When Christian ideas succumbed in the 18th century to rationalist ideas, feudal society fought its death battle with the then revolutionary bourgeoisie. The ideas of religious liberty and freedom of conscience merely proclaimed the sway of free competition in the realm of knowledge. The Communist revolution is the most radical rupture with traditional property relations; no wonder, then, that its development involves the most radical rupture with traditional ideas."
24. How do Communists differ from Socialists?
The so-called Socialists are divided into three classes.
The first class consists of hangers-on of that feudal and patriarchal society which has already been largely abolished by the development of large-scale industry, and the consequent creation of bourgeois society.
This class, pointing to the evils of existing society, declared that the feudal, patriarchal form of society must be re-established, since it was free from these particular evils. All their proposals are aimed, directly or indirectly, at this object. And these reactionary "Socialists," in spite of the hot tears they shed over the misery of the proletariat, will always be energetically opposed by the Communists, because (1) they strive for something absolutely impossible; (2) they seek to establish the sovereignty of the aristocracy and the guildmasters, with all their retinue of absolute or feudal kings, officials, soldiers and priests - a form of society which was certainly free from the evils of present-day society, but had just as many evils of its own, and held out, moreover, much less hope for the proletariat; and (3) because they reveal themselves in their true colours every time the proletariat revolts, by immediately uniting themselves with the bourgeoisie against the forces of revolution.
The second class of so-called Socialists consists of hangers-on of present-day society, who, being fully alive to the evils of that society, are full of fears for its stability. Accordingly they try to strengthen and maintain the existing form of society by getting rid of its more obvious evils. Their watchword is Reform. And these bourgeois Socialists will also be constantly opposed by the Communists, since they seek to defend the society which the Communists aim at overthrowing.
The third class consists of "democratic" Socialists, who, along with the Communists, are in favour of certain of the reforms outlined in the answer to Question 18; but regard these, not as means of transition to Communism, but as measures adequate in themselves to abolish poverty and misery, and all the other evils of present-day society. These democratic Socialists are either proletarians who have not yet realised the conditions necessary to the emancipation of their class, or they are members of the petty bourgeoisie, a class which, up to a certain point, has the same interests as the proletariat. The Communists will therefore avail themselves of the assistance of this class for the moment, but will not lose sight of the difference of interests which will prevent that assistance being depended upon when the time for action comes.
25. Where do the Communists stand in relation to the other political parties of our times?
The relationship varies in different countries. In England, France and Belgium, where the bourgeoisie is in power, the Communists have many interests in common with the various democratic parties - with the Chartists [n] in England, for instance, who stand much nearer to the Communists than do the democratic petty bourgeoisie, the so-called Radicals. In America, where democratic conditions already exist, the Communists will work with the party which applies these conditions against the bourgeoisie - i.e.., with the Land Reformers.
In Switzerland there are various Radical parties, some of which have progressed further than others, and with which, although they are still somewhat confused in their aims and interests, the Communists can temporarily ally themselves.
Finally, in Germany, a determined struggle between the bourgeoisie and the absolute monarchies is imminent; and since the Communists cannot make their reckoning with the bourgeoisie until the latter has attained power, it is thus to their interest to assist the bourgeoisie in the struggle in order to attack them again as soon as possible on their own account. The Communists will therefore side with the Liberals in opposition to the Government, remembering, however, that the only advantages which the victory of the bourgeoisie would win for the proletariat are (1) greater freedom of discussion and propaganda, thus facilitating the organisation of the proletariat, and (2) the fact that on the day when absolutism fails, the struggle between bourgeoisie and proletariat takes front place. From that day onwards the policy of the Communists will be the same as in the countries where the bourgeoisie already rules.
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Thursday, October 4, 2007
The Factors are at it again
Today brought another missive of joy from the factors. They are to install a new gate opening system on the gate for the backyard to my block. we share it with 3 other blocks and 3 businesses. the businesses have the right to park there, whereas we can only use it for the bins and deliveries. Recently it has been left open, resulting in people breaking into the flats and getting at the post (see here) and breaking into one flat. thus the factors have decided that our block must pay for the new system, a sum of £400 (my share being about £10) For this we get the right to open the gate from the inside only, and not to park in the yard etc.
Sometimes i wonder why it never rains, but it pours in terms of money leaving my account!
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text: So it's my birthday tomorrow and I've been feeling shitty so badly no sleep and my relationship currently on the bumpy road. I'm 24 tomorrow and wish it would just go away I don't have energy for it. However I have just had a phone call to say I have Jeremy Kyle show tickets and it's made my day lol I don't even know why I'm so happy but I'm chuffed lol. Now to deal with work hmm xx


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Emerald Forest Properties Presents :
Gardeners Delight in Heredia Mountains
Year round great climate on the slopes above San Rafael
- Property: 2837 m2 (0.70 acre)
- Construction: 350 m2 (3766 SQ FT)
- 5 Bedrooms
- 4 Bathrooms
- Open plan living / dining room
- Family Room
- Kitchen
- Laundry
- Double carport
This spacious family residence is tucked away in the tranquil area of Concepcion de San Rafael. With five bedroom suites, including one Jacuzzi there is plenty of room for the growing family. Boasting views of Turrialba volcano this house comes with a large garden including its very own vivero.
Priced at: USD $395,000.00
Listing Reference Number MM1903 Click to Contact Agent