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|Volume 20, Number 1
|The CPSR Journal
|Summer 2002
Hollywood's Legislative Agenda:
MPAA Wants to Plug the "Analog Hole"
|by Cory Doctorow
The Big Picture
On April 25, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) filed its "Content Protection Status Report" (http://judiciary.senate.gov/special/content_protection.pdf) with the Senate Judiciary Committee, articulating a comprehensive plan for technology mandates whose purpose is to limit the unauthorized use and distribution of Hollywood movies. The report calls for regulation of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), generic computing components found in scientific, medical and entertainment devices. Under this proposal, every ADC will be controlled by a sort of cop-chip that will shut it down if it is asked to assist in converting copyrighted material, such as videotaping a movie with a camcorder -- even if that means that your cell phone will refuse to transmit your voice if you wander too close to the copyrighted music coming from your stereo.
The report shows that this ADC regulation is part of a larger strategy. The first piece of that strategy, a mandate that would give Hollywood a veto over digital television technology, is currently the subject of an FCC rulemaking regarding the "Broadcast Flag" proposal, a rulemaking that will come to fruition before year-end. Hollywood also proposes a redesign of the Internet to assist in controlling the distribution of copyrighted works, which will likely mean the installation of choke-points on U.S. Internet routers that will monitor traffic to ensure that no infringement is taking place.
This three-part strategy-- controlling digital media devices, controlling analog converters, and controlling the Internet -- is a frightening peek at Hollywood's vision of the future.
Hollywood Tips its Hand
The "Content Protection Status Report" calls for a future where innovation and fair use rights are sacrificed to serve copyright interests and where entertainment companies become de facto regulators of new technologies, deciding which mathematical instructions are mandatory and which are forbidden.
The first part of the document details the efforts of the Broadcast Protection Discussion Group (BPDG), which released its final standard for the regulation of digital media technology at the end of May, 2002. After reviewing it, Rep. Billy Tauzin (D-LA) seemed ready to shelve it, as the objections raised by industry and public-interest groups suggested that no consensus was likely on the Broadcast Flag. Nevertheless, Senator Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D-SC) sent a memo to FCC Chairman Michael Powell on July 19, 2002, a memo that originated on a copy of Microsoft Word registered to an MPAA staffer, in which he called for the FCC to begin a proceeding to mandate the Broadcast Flag, insisting that no act of Congress was required to give the FCC jurisdiction in this matter.
The BPDG's proposed standard will ban the production of digital television output and recording technologies that have not been approved by three Hollywood studios. Approved devices will interoperate only with other approved devices. The combination of legal restrictions on digital television devices and licensing restrictions on the computer technologies they can interface with, if passed, would give Hollywood an absolute veto over all new digital media technology without the need for controversial legislation such as Senator Hollings's Consumer Broadband and Digital Television Promotion Act (CBDTPA).
Plugging the Analog Hole
The second section, "Plugging the Analog Hole," reveals Hollywood's plan to turn a generic technology component, the humble analog-to-digital converter, into a device that is subject to a regulatory regimen that America traditionally reserves for dangerous drugs and weapons.
Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are one of the building blocks of modern digital technology. An ADC's job is to take samples of the strength (amplitude) of some analog signal (light, sound, motion, temperature) at some interval (frequency) and convert the results to a numerical value. ADCs are embedded in digital scanners, samplers, thermometers, seismographs, mice and other pointer devices, camcorders, cameras, microscopes, telescopes, modems, radios, televisions, cellular phones, walkie-talkies, light-meters and a multitude of other devices. In general, ADCs are generic and interchangeable -- that is, a high-frequency ADC from a sound card is potentially the same ADC that you'll find in a sensitive graphics tablet.
Hollywood describes ADCs as the lynchpin of unauthorized duplication. No matter how much copy-prevention technology is integrated into DVDs and satellite broadcasts, they cannot stop the Internet user who may aim a camcorder at the screen, the shadowy fan at the concert wielding a smuggled digital recorder, the audiophile jacking a low-impedance cable into a high-end stereo. Each of these people uses an ADC to accomplish the capture of copyrighted material.
Accordingly, the report calls for a plan where "watermark detectors would be required in all devices that perform analog to digital conversions." The plan is to embed a "watermark" (an invisible and inaudible mark that theoretically can be detected only by special equipment and that can't be removed without damaging the media in which it was embedded) in all copyrighted works. Thereafter, every ADC would be accompanied by a "cop chip" that would sense this watermark's presence and disable certain features depending on the conditions.
This is meant to work like so: You point your camcorder at a movie screen. The magical, theoretical watermark embedded in the film is picked up by the cop-chip, which disables the camcorder's ADC. Your camcorder records nothing but dead air. The microphone, sensing a watermark in the film's soundtrack, also shuts itself down.
Under this proposal, unauthorized use will be treated as illegal use. In the world of copyright, there are many uses that are legal, even -- especially -- if they are unauthorized, for example, the fair-use right to quote a work for critical purposes. Any critic -- a professor, a reporter, even an individual with a personal website -- may lawfully copy parts of copyrighted works in a critical discussion. Such a person may scan in part of a magazine article, record a snatch of music from a CD or a piece of a film or television show in the lawful course of making a critical work.
And you don't need to be a critic to make a lawful, unauthorized copy. You might be someone who wants to "format-shift" some personal property -- say, by scanning in a book or transferring an old LP to MP3 so that you might take it with you while traveling with your computer. This is absolutely lawful, but under the "analog hole" proposal, providing the tools to make such unauthorized uses would be illegal.
Unintended Consequences
The Content Protection Status Report shows Hollywood's intention for a legislative framework that rolls back existing, lawful rights in copyright enjoyed by the public today. But the framework's potential unintended consequences are every bit as grave as the loss of current rights.
Virtually everything in our world is copyrighted or trademarked by someone, from the façades of famous skyscrapers to the background music at your local mall. If ADCs are constrained from performing analog-to-digital conversion of all watermarked copyrighted works, you might end up with a cell phone that switches itself off when you get within range of the copyrighted music on your stereo; a camcorder that refuses to store your child's first steps because he is taking them within eyeshot of a television playing a copyrighted cartoon; a camera that won't snap your holiday moments if they take place against the copyrighted backdrop of a chain store such as Starbucks, which forbids photography on its premises because its fixtures are proprietary works.
As was mentioned, ADCs are fundamental, generic computing components, found in medical and scientific equipment, computers, and a variety of consumer electronics. The primary difference between most ADCs is the frequency at which they run. Two ADCs of like frequency and bit rate can be interchanged. If any "free" ADCs are allowed into the marketplace, they will surely find themselves repurposed in camcorders, samplers, and scanners.
The Scourge of P2P
Hollywood's report to Congress includes its third legislative goal: "Putting an end to the avalanche of movie theft on so-called 'file-sharing' services, such as Morpheus, Gnutella, and other peer-to-peer (p2p) networks."
Here, Hollywood is seeking to overturn the Betamax doctrine -- the principle that a technology is legal, provided that it can be used to accomplish legal ends. VCRs are legal, even though they can be used to make illegal copies of copyrighted works, because they can also be used to make legal copies of personal works and copyrighted works (in the case of time- and format-shifting).
P2P networks -- such as the Internet -- are not infringing in and of themselves. "P2P" describes a technology where the system's control is largely or entirely decentralized. P2P application networks are turned to all manner of ends, from sharing classroom materials and independently produced media to distributing large scientific problems associated with the search for a cure for AIDS. True, they can also be used to make unauthorized -- and even illegal -- copies of copyrighted works, but the Betamax doctrine does not establish as its standard that no illegal uses be possible with a technology; only that a technology be designed for some legal use.
What's more, thoroughly decentralized networks like Gnutella have no control-point. There is no central server, no standards-body, and no exploitable point where leverage can be applied to control what is and is not available on the network. The Internet is fundamentally constructed to permit any two points to communicate, and as long as this is true, Gnutella and its brethren will thrive.
Which begs the question: How will Hollywood put "an end to ... movie theft on ... p2p networks?" Short of dramatically re-architecting the Internet, it seems inconceivable that P2P will ever be controlled or eliminated.
But dramatic redesigns of the Internet may be what Hollywood has in mind. In 1995, Hollywood's representatives in government penned "The Report of the Working Group on Intellectual Property Rights," calling for an Internet in which functionality had been constrained to "permit [rights-holders] to enforce the terms and conditions under which their works are made public."
Take a Stand
Hollywood's legislative agenda is by no means wishful thinking. The FCC is currently considering a Broadcast Flag mandate. The Broadcast Protection Discussion Group contained only one IT dissenter -- Microsoft -- while all other IT participants in the process (virtually every major IT company was represented through industry associations) failed to register any complaint over the MPAA's call for a Hollywood veto on Digital Television technology.
The Broadcast Flag is the spider we swallow to catch the fly. Without a Broadcast Flag, there is no point in plugging the Analog Hole. Until the Analog Hole is plugged, redesigning the Internet will do no good.
IT companies must come forward to oppose technology mandates. Voluntary, objective standards give us the innovative market in which we operate today. Mandatory vetoes will undo it.
What's inside...
© Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
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Here are a few nibbles to whet your appetite for the forthcoming book "Shocked: My Mother, Schiaparelli, and Me" by Patricia Volk (due from Alfred A. Knopf in April).
It's a hybrid memoir/biography, combining elements of the author's own family story and anecdotes from the life of legendary designer Elsa Schiaparelli, who was known for her Salvador Dali-esque designs, and who is also credited with creating the color 'shocking pink.'
Page 7:
Stretching a smile, my mother paints her lips back on. She mashes them together then blots them on a folded tissue: FRRRIIIIP!
She reapplies the "Sky Blue Pink," blotting one last time.
"If you blot twice," she instructs, "you can eat a frankfurter and your lipstick still won't come off."
Page 31
I remember, when I was so small I could hardly read, seeing a drawing … of two men bathing on a solitary beach. They started to talk, got along splendidly, and after sunning themselves for a long time went behind different rocks to dress. One came out all smartness with a dangling lorgnette and a silver stick; the other in rags. Stupefied, they looked at each other, and with a cold nod each turned and went his separate way. They had nothing more to say to each other. – Elsa Schiaparelli

subset: commoncrawl


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If you'd like to work for yourself and you have a knack for shutterbugging, sports photography may be just the job you're looking for.
Now I don't mean you should run out and try to sell free-lance work to national athletic publications. (Oh, you may land an occasional sale with a magazine or paper, but such chancy earnings aren't likely to keep the larder filled with ham and eggs.) Nope, I'm talking about snapping—and developing—pictures to be sold at sports events, to the photographed competitors themselves!
Peddling such contest "portraits" can bring in from $100 to $200 for a pleasant day's work. And (since most sports happenings occur on Saturdays and Sundays) you can use photography as a part time business, or—if you like to travel—actually build up a circuit of events to memorialize and spend your weekdays leisurely exploring the country-side as you travel to the next activity.
There's no end to the sports you can photograph, but I've found that the best "markets" feature individual—rather than team—competition. Have a look at the numbers: One Little League baseball game may require 20 or so photogenic young players, while a midsized rodeo will attract over 200 "camera eligible" entrants! So the real money's in those "solo" sports that attract lots of participants: motorcycle contests, horse shows, marathon races, winter ski carnivals, tractor pulls, skeet shoots, hang gliding events, whitewater races, frisbee meets, or anything else you can find!
And—believe me—"there's gold in them thar sportin' hills"! Take my previously mentioned 200-competitor sample rodeo, for instance. If you sell each of just 30 broncobusters a single $4.00 action print, you'll gross a respectable $120. What's more, with good camera work, you'll often market a lot more shots. (At some small rodeos I've sold at least one picture to each competitor!)
The point is that you can make decent money in sports photography if you have good sales volume. And there are two main ingredients necessary for inspiring a large number of purchasers: quality and time. You'll need to do good photographic work and do it quickly.
A Good Carpenter Credits His Tools
In order to turn out a consistent, professional photo product, you'll have to have a suitable camera and quality developing equipment. The "snapper" itself should be that old standard of the field: the 35mm single lens reflex camera. Such a film shooter (which can be had for $100 used—or $160 new—and up) will be fully capable of handling fast action sports shots as long as it has an interchangeable lens option and can be set at a fast 1/1000 of a second shutter speed.
Single lens reflex cameras normally come equipped with either a 50mm or 35mm lens. One of these stock picture "eyes" will serve you well when you can get close enough to your subject for the athlete's image to fill your frame. However, standing right next to the action is often downright unhealthful. I know, because I started out that way. Take my word for it—shooting pictures of bucking bulls or skidding dragsters from only 15 feet away can be extremely hard on your heart!
So buy a 105mm or 135mm lens (it will cost around $100 used or up to $200 new) to attach to your trusty SLR. Then you'll be able to take fine, full-frame pictures from safe distances. (Of course, if you can afford to grab hold of an 80-200mm zoom lens, you'll be even better able to get salable shots!)
Along with your fancy camera gear, you'll need a fast black-and-white film. (If you have the necessary developing equipment, you can boost your income with color shots ... but though many sporting-event photographers have succeeded with color photos, I've stuck to black-and-white with great success.) I use Kodak Tri-X film, which has an ASA rating of 400. You can use some other brand, but once you find a film you like be sure to stick with it. If you do, you'll soon learn its quirks and responses and be able to consistently record the image you want even if your light meter's on the blink. For example, I know that with Tri-X, I can shoot almost any sunny-day action at an F stop of 11 (at 1/1000 second) and get clear, sharp shots.
In the Dark
A decent camera and film will enable you to shoot quality negatives. The rest of the photo paraphernalia necessary to go into business—good developing equipment—will help you make fine prints with a minimum of work and bother.
Buy a compact enlarger (for around $75 used or $126 new) that can be set up in a trailer or a hotel bathroom when you're on the road. Don't skimp on quality with this purchase, though, because "bargain basement" equipment may take so long to operate or suffer so many breakdowns that you'll lose a considerable amount of time (which, as the old saw goes, is money!).
After you round out your darkroom equipment with a developing tank, print trays, easel, etc., choose the type of printing paper that's best for you. Here again, find one product—as you did with your film—and stick with it. You'll soon learn the paper's properties and be able to produce consistently professional prints.
I buy 250-sheet packages of resincoated ("RC"), "F" surface, 8" X 10" photo paper. I print and sell only 8" X 10" shots, which ensures that I don't have to waste time resetting the enlarger for various picture sizes or fooling around with a paper cutter in the dark. In addition, the plastic-like resin coating on this paper requires only four short minutes of washing instead of the more usual, time-wasting half hour. And the glossy look is a sure-fire customer-catcher.
Also, other than fuss with different grades of finish paper (to balance negatives that are above or below normal contrast), I buy polycontrast paper and compensate for film lighting conditions by using a filter kit with my enlarger.
Group Processing
The payoff of my "simplify-and-standardize" approach to darkroom gear is minimum development time. Since I always use the same film and paper, take shots when the subject image fills the camera, and try to shoot on days when the lighting conditions are stable, I can print a whole series of photos at once. In fact, I can actually process 100 shots at one time (although—for lack of drying space—I generally develop my prints in groups of only 25).
And, when you save time in the darkroom, you can shoot (and print) a lot more pictures at the event. Such productivity is crucial to the sports photo business. When you're out filming a race or contest, you'll want to "capture" every single contestant not just once but several times to get the best (and most marketable) action shots possible. I've often snapped off six to eight frames during one eight-second bronco ride. (These were all picked action shots too, not just a machine-gun spray of motor-driven pix that would have kept me in the darkroom the whole blamed night.)
My regular, considered shooting usually results in at least one dynamic, exciting print for every contestant because I always aim to "immortalize" the competitor when he or she is displaying good athletic form. (One important make-'em-look-good tip: Always shoot a racer ahead of somebody else rather than behind ... even if the slowpoke you are "clicking" is actually a lap down!)
At the Action
It's not hard to locate contests to photograph. Talk to local folks who participate in (or watch) the activities you want to record. Find out if your preferred sports have their own publications so you can check out the upcoming events in those mags. In addition, read the athletic listings in your regional newspaper or call the sports editor of that daily gazette to find out about the gatherings he or she didn't have room to print. (As a bonus from this sort of inquiry, the journalist may express an interest in purchasing some of your shots!)
Once you choose and arrive at an event, introduce yourself to the meet officials and explain that you're a sports photographer. Act courteous and competent, and be sure to dress cleanly (you'll be highly visible to the paying customers, so the contest organizers won't want you to look shoddy). You'll probably be granted free admission to most small and medium-sized sports "jousts."
The Old Sell Game
I've tried three main approaches for selling my athletic action shots. You can use whichever strategy best suits your situation or combine some of the elements of each.
[1] Develop prints of every participant on the first day of an event, and then sell these finished works from some prominent location on the succeeding days of competition. This is a good way to get folks to buy prints, but I don't find the potential extra payoff to be worth the additional expense and work of printing up at least one shot of every single competitor.
[2] After the first day of competition, make a contact sheet of each roll of exposed film and post these small pictures where the contestants can view them. You can then take orders to develop specific individuals' sports portraits.
[3] Make two sets of contact sheets (one for your own files, one to cut up and mail out) and send the proofs to each customer to invite mail orders. This approach involves additional paper work and postage costs (and your fees should be set high enough to absorb the extra expense), but it's the best way to draw business from one-day sports events. Proof mailing also reaches those potential picture buyers who didn't buy a shot on the spot or never even got around to visiting your booth. Remember, though, to always get your order forms out as soon after the event as possible (i.e., strike while the memory is hot).
No matter what sales technique you use, be sure to set up a filing system for your proofs. I've worked out a simple grouping of three sets of numbers for mine. The first digits record which roll of film—on an annual cycle—the picture is on. The second number identifies which year the roll was shot. And the third denotes the manufacturer's number—marked on the film—for the specific shot on the roll. (Thus the third picture on the fiftieth roll of film used during 1980 would be labeled 50-80-3. )
You'll also want to get a contestant list from the secretary of each event you cover so you'll know who you're shooting pictures of! With that knowledge, you'll be sure to mail the right contact shots to the right people (put your file number on the photo backs so your customers can order by number). Or—if you're selling "on location"—you'll be able to label each entrant's pictures on your display board. (This "name tag" tactic boosts sales: Folks that spot a friend's moniker tend to go fetch the lucky photographed contestant, who will then often buy a picture.)
What to Charge
The prices you ask will, of course, affect the amount of business you get ... but I can't dictate what you should charge. Your billing rate may depend on such factors as the need for recurring business—if, say, you are following a multi-event cycle race circuit—or upon just where in the country you happen to be (one horse-show photographer I know can get $4.50 for his work out west, and $8.50 for the exact same services back east).
My own practice is to charge a low enough price to encourage lots of buying. I figure the additional expense incurred by printing more pictures is less than the costs of travel, time, and equipment preparations that got me to the event in the first place. So rather than charge $8.00 a picture and sell five or six photos (to end up in the hole), I'll ask $4.00 a shot and sell 40 or more pictures (and come out on top). My profit-by-volume method, though, means that I can only afford to cover outdoor events. The lighting hassles with indoor and night activities severely reduce the number of pictures I can take.
But regardless of what price you ask, never mail—or even print, if you can possibly help it—any pictures that haven't been paid for in advance. Too many folks have a tendency to "forget" about their orders if they haven't already put out money on them.
And That's the Biz
That about wraps up my approach to the sports photography business. Competition camera work takes effort—and you won't make $200 every day—but the job is fun and you can, indeed, make a decent living doing it. So if you like taking pictures and want to travel and work for yourself, sports photography may just give you your shot at the good life!
EDITOR'S NOTE: Mr. Messineo's observations come from, the "eye" of experience. The camera ace has worked for several national magazines (including Newsweek), is a member of the American Society of Magazine Photographers, and has been in charge of Photographic Services at Colorado State University. And John wanted MOTHER EARTH NEWS' readers to know that—since producing good black-and-white prints is one of the hardest photo skills to pick up—he's willing to offer a critiquing service for budding sports shooters. John will gladly tell you what's wrong with your prints and how to improve them.


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CLEBURNE (AP) – An off-duty Texas Department of Public Safety trooper has been charged with possessing methamphetamine.
The Johnson County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday announced the arrest of Jimmy Jay Gillman of Cleburne on a charge of possession of a controlled substance. DPS has suspended Gillman pending the outcome of an internal investigation.
Sheriff's Lt. Tim Jones says Gillman was arrested Tuesday night after being under surveillance and observed taking possession of meth. The 47-year-old Gillman was arrested while in the front yard of his residence. Gillman's girlfriend was in the home but released after the property was searched.
Sheriff's officials had no details on an attorney for Gillman, whose bond was set at $100,000.
Cleburne is 25 miles south of Fort Worth.
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Sunday, October 30, 2005
Spacing: Tricks of the Trade
Here is a very simple trick that can really help you on your slow in's and slow out's in a shot. Looking at the pic above you'll see that all the inbetweens are halfs EXCEPT number 3. It is on a 3rd favoring 1. The reason for not putting it on an even is because the space between 1, 3, and 5 is even. Even spacing will KILL weight and give you a watery look. What's funny is that not many guys use this method. Even skilled experienced guys! but you, now you can have to upper hand on your spacing!
Now, this IS NOT a 100 percent "always use this chart" kind of a thing. Sometimes you want a watery look, in which case this would not be useful. Or, if your slow in is about 36 frms long you may not need to put your last inbetween on a 3rd because the spacing would be so tight that you wouldn't feel it.There are lotsa different scenarios about why it could not work but if you want something to be progressing or degressing in speed, this is the way to go!
anyhow, Matt Williames signing off for now. Next post will cover some more tricks of the trade on spacing! later!
12 comments:
- SMacLeod said...
Me and some guys were talking about this at school. Many don't use charts until they start working in the studio system, in the which they have to struggle to keep up figuring out charts of their superiors or those who work below them. I envy those guys who can start working and BLEND right in to the system...for their chart wisdom!
- Matt Williames said...
It is still so odd to me that they don't teach this at CalArts. It's one of those very simple yet VERY important things to know. Grim Natwick used to say that it's all in the Spacing and the Timing. He couldn't be more right when it comes to mechanics of animation. The fun part with spacing is when you start to learn it well enough to sorta get creative with it. Most of the time it's a functional thing, but on occasion there is some opportunaties for really creative spacing. I think Kuzco has some really iteresting timing and spacing on him. Nik's the king at that stuff.
- Jimmy Trujillo said...
Don't feel bad, they don't teach this at AAC either. Thank god for my animator survival kit. Thanks for the tutorials Matt, if your an animator starting out save this stuff, It's next to impossible to find this type of info in writing. Thanks again Matt.
- Chetan Trivedi said...
awesome awesome awesome..
i wass told today that i hav spacing issues in my animation so i landed here lookin for somethin..i was goin through the pages..
we were taught at our school to go for the halfway mark (except when u want favouring).. but going by the halfway mark sometimes lands me in weight issues (or being dumb i m doing that wrong too) but anyways i always did wonder abt this coz i hav gone frame by frame of other good animators work n wud always wonder y they spaced certain things in the manner they did..
this post just answers one of the questions i hav had for sometime..
- matthiusmonkey said...
they dont teach this stuff in uk animation schools we havent even looked at timeing charts yet and im in second year now, ive asked about it and never got a straight answer,
thanks for posting. although im struggleing a bit, im not sure what 3rd faveouring 1 meens could you explain it sorry :( i may be misreading it and not understanding it right. sorry :(
- Tom said...
they dont teach this stuff in uk animation schools we havent even looked at timeing charts yet and im in second year now, ive asked about it and never got a straight answer, thanks for posting. although im struggleing a bit, im not sure what 3rd faveouring 1 meens could you explain it sorry :( i may be misreading it and not understanding it right. sorry :(
simply dropping by to say hello
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Tina Fey Sneaks in a Taylor Swift Dig at 2014 Golden Globes
Taylor Swift has been the butt of several jokes over the last few years, with many highlighting her dating life. The 2013 Golden Globes were no exception. Hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler made Swift the center of a few jabs -- a theme which continued at the 2014 awards show.
Last year, funny ladies and 'SNL' veterans Fey and Poehler warned the blonde superstar that she should probably stay away from Michael J. Fox's son, due to her serial dating history. This led to Fox speaking out and saying he agreed with the women, and that he doesn't want his son to be the subject of a Swift song.
Of course, Swift didn't sit idly by after being insulted. In a Vanity Fair issue that followed, the songstress took her own jab at Fey and Poehler, making it clear that Katie Couric was on her side in the mini-feud.
"You know, Katie Couric is one of my favorite people. Because she said to me she had heard a quote that she loved, that said, 'There's a special place in hell for women who don't help other women,'" Swift told the magazine.
On Sunday night (Jan. 12) during the 2014 Golden Globes, Fey snuck in what seemed to be yet another jab at the pop-country songstress. Poehler was the recipient of an award, and when Fey went to congratulate her, she said, "There's a special place in hell for you."
Subtle, but point made.
Swift has been known to write songs about her grudges and feuds. Will there be a tribute to Fey and Poehler soon? They realize what they're setting themselves up for, say they're ready. Poehler admits she has accepted her fate. Fey, on the other hand, actually has her fingers crossed that her name may soon be on radio waves everywhere!


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Alternative News
20 Amazing Uses & Benefits For Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) is the only germicidal agent composed only of water and oxygen. Like ozone, it kills disease organisms by oxidation! Hydrogen peroxide is considered the worlds safest all natural effective sanitizer. It kills microorganisms by oxidizing them, which can be best described as a controlled burning process. When Hydrogen peroxide reacts with organic material it breaks down into oxygen and water. Here are 25 amazing benefits and uses of hydrogen peroxide:
Note: always be sure to use proper doses and be careful not to over dose on hydrogen peroxide. Use 3% solution hydrogen peroxide that can be purchased at any drugstore.
Whiten Clothes – An Alternative to Beach
Add a cup of peroxide to white clothes in your laundry to whiten them. Peroxide is great to get rid of blood stains on clothes and carpets. If there is blood on clothing, just pour it directly on the spot, let it sit for about a minute, then rub and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
Your body makes hydrogen peroxide to fight infection which must be present for our immune system to function correctly. White blood cells are known as Leukocytes. A sub-class of Leukocytes called Neutrophils produce hydrogen peroxide as the first line of defense against toxins, parasites, bacteria, viruses and yeast.
Rejuvenating Detoxifying Bath
Use about 2 quarts 3% hydrogen peroxide to a tub of warm water. Soak for at least a 1/2 hour, adding hot water as needed to maintain a comfortable water temperature.
Foot Fungus
While studies have yet to have been done to show this works for everyone, it is a quick home remedy that is worth a try. To help treat foot fungus, spray a 50/50 mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.
Add 2 capfuls of 3% hydrogen peroxide into warm distilled water one to two times a week to remove even chronic yeast infections.
Colonic or Enema
For a colonic, add 1 cup (8 oz.) of 3% H202 to 5 gallons warm water. (Do not exceed this amount) For an enema, add 1 tablespoon of 3% H202 to a quart of warm distilled water. UPDATE! Some research indicated that using this solution can result in damage of colonic mucosa and therefore this solution is not recommended although some still prescribe it. Please do your research before trying this one in particular.
Soak any infections or cuts in 3% for five to ten minutes several times a day. Even gangrene that would not heal with any medicine has been healed by soaking in hydrogen peroxide. Put half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus or other skin infections.
Bird Mites Infections
Patients infected by tiny mites report that hydrogen peroxide effectively kills the mites on their skins. They spray it on their skin a couple of times (with a few minutes between the applications) with amazing results.
Sinus Infections
A tablespoon of 3% Hydrogen peroxide added to 1 cup of non-chlorinated water can be used as a nasal spray. Depending on the degree of sinus involvement, one will have to adjust the amount of peroxide used.
Wound Care
3% H2O2 is used medically for cleaning wounds, removing dead tissue, and as an oral debriding agent. Peroxide stops slow (small vessel) wound bleeding/oozing, as well.
Some sources recommend soaking infections or cuts for five to ten minutes several times a day. However, washing and rinsing action is sufficient. You shouldn't leave the solution on open tissue for extended periods of time as, like many oxidative antiseptics, hydrogen peroxide causes mild damage to tissue in open wounds. Therefore it is important to use with caution.
Mouthwash / Tooth Care
Healing Properties: Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. You will not have canker sores and your teeth will be whiter. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% Hydrogen peroxide into your mouth and hold it for 10 minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.
Many people don't realize that hydrogen peroxide makes a very effective and inexpensive mouthwash. Use 3% H202 – add a dash of liquid chlorophyll for flavouring if desired.
Use baking soda and add enough 3% H202 to make a paste.
Toothbrush Cleaning
Or, just dip your brush in 3% H202 and brush. Soak your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide to keep them free of germs.
Tooth Ache
Hydrogen peroxide is not a pain-killer; however, as an anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal agent, it is effective at treating the pathogen that is causing the infection. The following is from my own personal experience: My dentist wanted to give me a root canal some time ago as one tooth was inflamed and, in her opinion, would die. I felt some discomfort but told her that I would give it a chance to heal. I rinsed with hydrogen peroxide (several times a day) as well as coconut oil (once a day). The discomfort went away and I have had no further problems with the tooth.
Tooth Whitening
Having used 3% Hydrogen peroxide as a mouth wash for sometime, I am thrilled to note that my teeth have been beautifully and effortlessly whitened. I used to pay so much for professional whitening, those silly strips and uncomfortable trays. Live and learn.
NOTE: Do not swallow any peroxide. When the peroxide rinse is done, be sure to rinse out your mouth with water.
Hair Lightening
Peroxide is a bleaching agent and is used for lightened hair. Dilute 3% Hydrogen peroxide with water (50 / 50) and spray the solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it's not a drastic change.
Contact Lenses
Hydrogen peroxide is used as a disinfectant in CIBA Vision's Clear Care no rub contact lens cleaning solution, due to its ability to break down the proteins that build up on the lens from the eye's immune response, resulting in increased comfort for those with sensitive eyes.
Straight or Diluted Hydrogen Peroxide (cleaning)
Clean your counters and table tops with hydrogen peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean glass and mirrors with no smearing.
Keep a spray bottle of 3% (straight) to disinfect the interior of the refrigerator and kids' school lunch boxes.
In the Dishwasher
Add 2 oz. of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your regular washing formula.
Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour or spray hydrogen peroxide (and then vinegar) on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
I use peroxide to clean my mirrors, there is no smearing.
Combination of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide make a cheap, effective and non-toxic disinfectant agent and is said to be more effective at killing pathogens than bleach. As it is non-toxic, you can use it to disinfect fruits and vegetables, as well as pet toys, equipment and cages. In tests run at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, pairing Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide mists, kills virtually all Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli bacteria on heavily contaminated food and surfaces.
You need TWO spray bottles. DO NOT MIX the solutions together. Put straight vinegar in one and straight Hydrogen peroxide in the other spray bottle.
NOTE: Light destroys peroxide rather quickly. It's best to leave it in its original bottle and screw in a spray head. DO NOT DILUTE THEM.
Remember for any sanitizer to work properly, the surface has to be clean before you use it.
When you want to sanitize a surface (vegetables, cutting board, counters, sink, cages, toys. toilets, floors, etc.), spray one (it doesn't matter which one you use first) on the surface, then you spray on the other. When they mix, for a brief time the chemical action of the two make a very powerful sanitizer. You can rinse off the surface afterwards, if you want, but the result is non-toxic. Fortunately it is cheap. Added note: We use it in the bathroom to sanitize the counters, toilets, floors, etc.
Clean with hydrogen peroxide when your house becomes a biohazard after its invaded by toxic mold, such as those with water damage.
——By Andrea Harper – Wakeup-world.com
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The demand for Collective Evolution's content is bigger than ever, except ad agencies and social media keep cutting our revenues. This is making it hard for us to continue.
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Alternative News
Why Fantasy-Based Claims Always Crash & Burn: The Big Picture About UFOs & Extraterrestrials
In Brief
- The Facts:
One of the world's leading researchers on the topic of UFOs shares why it's important to stick to evidence, as well as evidence that is credible when examining the topic of UFOs and extraterrestrials.
- Reflect On:
It's OK to believe something, or have a specific viewpoint, but to share that viewpoint as truth when there is no evidence or corroborating information within this field is irresponsible. Has this field been infiltrated by misinformation campaigns?
There are many great quotes about UFOs and extraterrestrials. One of the most revealing quotes comes from the very first director of the CIA, Roscoe H. Hillenkoetter, who informed people that although UFOs are very real and the Air Force is very concerned with them, there has been an "official campaign of secrecy and ridicule." (source)
In my opinion, this campaign has permeated the field of UFO research to this day, and it thrives by disseminating information that can't really be verified or corroborated in any way, and really does nothing but harm when it comes to the credibility and understanding of the topic. There are some ridiculous claims out there, including those made by "whistleblowers" who have no proof to verify who they claim to be.
Meanwhile, in regards to legitimate evidence and credibility, there is a plethora of information one can use in order to see that the topic of UFOs and the potential for extraterrestrial intelligence is a very real and serious issue.
"There is a serious possibility that we are being visited and have been visited for many years by people from outer space, by other civilizations. Who they are, where they are from, and what they want should be the subject of rigorous scientific investigation and not be the subject of 'rubishing' by tabloid newspapers." –Lord Admiral Hill-Norton, Former Chief of Defence Staff, 5 Star Admiral of the Royal Navy, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee
Apart from statements given by hundreds of people with very credible and interesting backgrounds, we also have pictures, video footage, radar trackings, declassified documents, and much more in support of the UFO/extraterrestrial phenomenon. This type of evidence has existed for decades. For example, here's a CIA document from decades ago that also cites another incident.
The document states as follows:
"ANTARCTIC FLYING SAUCERS" – A group of red, green, and yellow flying saucers has been seen flying over Deception Island for two hours by Argentine, Chilean and British bases (military) in Antarctica. The flying saucers were also seen flying in formation over the South Orkney islands in quick circles."
It's one of thousands of examples. When it comes to military encounters with UFOs, a good example comes from Iran in 1976 (need correct year!). Two F-4 interceptor pilots reported seeing the object visually, and it was tracked on their airborne radar. Both planes experienced critical instrumentation and electronics went offline at a distance of twenty-five miles from the object. Here is an excerpt from the declassified report:
"As the F-4 approached a range of 25 nautical miles it lost all instrumentation and communications. When the F-4 turned away from the object and apparently was no longer a threat to it, the aircraft regained all instrumentation and communications. Another brightly lighted object came out of the original object. The second object headed straight toward the F4." (source)
These are just a few examples showing us that something strange is going on. When it comes to the extraterrestrial hypothesis, it's vital that we take information from only verified credible sources.
"It is my thesis that flying saucers are real and that they are space ships from another solar system. I think that they possibly are manned by intelligent observers who are members of a race that may have been investigating our Earth for centuries." – Herman Oberth, one of the founding fathers of rocketry and aeronautics (source)
Take, for example, Dr. Norman Bergrun, a mechanical engineer who has worked for Ames Research Laboratory, NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics), and Lockheed Missiles and Space Company (now known as Lockheed Martin). He then went on to found Bergrun Engineering and Research. When he talked about extraterrestrials, I listened. However, when someone with no proof of who they are makes claims that don't corroborate with any other information, it's very hard to listen and take them seriously. That's not the case with Dr. Norman Bergrun.
Below is a video by Richard Dolan, an academic and scholar who happens to be one of the world's leading researchers on the topic of UFOs. He has many great and informative videos on his youtube channel, which contain some very interesting discussions. One of his latest is titled "Why Fantasy-Based Claims Always Crash & Burn. The Big Picture."
"The UFO subject is inherently difficult. Assessing the evidence is often a challenge, but one that is necessary. An all-too-common pitfall of the subject is its vulnerability to claims based on fantasy. We can do better. Claims like ascension, or of alleged secret space wars on Mars or time travel and the like, all of these claims without evidence eventually inevitably come crashing down. We watch them rise, we watch them fall. We see them enter our community like a virus, spreading a kind of mental sickness, but then eventually dying out. They have to, because without genuine evidence, any claim is eventually going to be discarded. How can it not be, but in the meantime they enter our lives, confuse our thought processes and cause disruption, they leave us worse off and not better off. And the reason for that is simple, lies and deceptions never make us better. They don't make us better people, even if some believers in them are well meaning. They don't make us better because they're illusions. And also, to continually believe in things without asking for evidence ultimately weakens your mind. Engaging in that kind of mental process over and over corrodes your ability to understand and evaluate actual evidence. It corrodes your analytical and reasoning abilities, you simply give up control of your mind." (Quote taken from video below)
The Takeaway
I don't want anybody to be insulted by what Dolan said. When it comes to this topic, it has huge implications and leaves no area of humanity untouched. It's okay to entertain claims and dive deep into researching people who have claimed to have contact experiences, for example. Dolan does plenty of that in the multiple books he's written on the topic. Exploration and examination are important, but it's best to only claim something is a 'fact' if it can be verified using evidence, especially when exploring a topic as vast as this one.
When it comes to the implications of this topic, of course there are spiritual implications, technological implications, and broader implications that could change our collective perception of reality. When it comes to 'good' and 'bad,' of course there could be 'good' and 'bad' entities, but all we can do for now is explore the evidence. This is not to say that we can't explore other topics and discuss certain theories and possibilities, but we must make it clear when we are doing so so that others know we are simply speculating. We must ultimately never spread speculation as truth or put a stamp on our claims saying that "this is correct."
I do believe that all of the answers we seek lie within us, although that may be "spiritual mumbo jumbo" to some. The point is, I will never share my thoughts, feelings and intuitive beliefs as 'facts' about the UFO/extraterrestrial phenomenon, and if I do share my beliefs, I will always make it clear that I am sharing something I cannot provide evidence for. However, I don't like to do that with regards to UFOs because I prefer to share factual, evidence-based information. I am on a mission to reach as many people on the planet as I can to let them know that this is something that demands our attention. The only way to do that is to provide evidence, and there is more than enough of that. I also believe very few people have access to the "answers within," simply because we've never been taught how to listen to that voice and we are overloaded with sensory experiences from the day we are born. But that's another topic!
Thanks for reading.
Help Support Collective Evolution
The demand for Collective Evolution's content is bigger than ever, except ad agencies and social media keep cutting our revenues. This is making it hard for us to continue.
In order to stay truly independent, we need your help. We are not going to put up paywalls on this website, as we want to get our info out far and wide. For as little as $3 a month, you can help keep CE alive!
Alternative News
US Hits Julian Assange With 17 More Charges Under Espionage Act
In Brief
- The Facts:
The US Department of Justice just announced 17 more charges against Julian Assange for publishing leaks exposing government wrongdoing.
- Reflect On:
Should we be punishing journalists who help the world see who is running the countries they live in? Should we be seeing the amount of censorship we are seeing today?
Julian Assange was hit with another 17 criminal charges under the espionage act today as a federal grand jury in Virginia returned a brand new indictment that adds 17 more charges to the original charge Assange was handed in March 2018. These are in connection with the alleged leaks publicly released in conspiracy with Chelsea Manning.
These new charges could land him in prison for the 170 years, all for doing what many are arguing are responsible and important acts of journalism. Need I remind that WikiLeaks has never had to make a retraction on their journalistic work.
The new charges against Assange include allegations that he published what John Demers, the head of the Justice Department's National Security Division, describes a "narrow subset" of documents that identified the names of individuals who were working with the US government, including sources in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Of course, Assange's arrest has been controversial since it happened. Garnering opinions from many directions including that he is a hero and that he is a villain that must be prosecuted for revealing government secrets. Demers responded to supporters of Assange who feel the WikiLeaks founder was being targeted for work as a journalist. Demers stated this information put the sources at risk, and that no "responsible" journalist would publish it.
"The department takes seriously the role of journalists in our democracy and we thank you for it. It has not and never has been the department's policy to target them for reporting. But Julian Assange is no journalist," John Demers
The US Department of Justice has just announced SEVENTEEN more charges against Julian Assange for publishing the most substantial piece of journalism in my lifetime.
— Cassandra Fairbanks (@CassandraRules) May 23, 2019
Assange is currently still serving a 50-week sentence in London after a judge found that he has violated his bail conditions.
This story is breaking and will be updated as we learn more.
In the meantime, for those still thinking 'this is all part of the Q plan,' check out a bit of a discussion on that below. I did a segment on The Collective Evolution Show on CETV. You can become a member of CETV and support Collective Evolution here.
Help Support Collective Evolution
The demand for Collective Evolution's content is bigger than ever, except ad agencies and social media keep cutting our revenues. This is making it hard for us to continue.
In order to stay truly independent, we need your help. We are not going to put up paywalls on this website, as we want to get our info out far and wide. For as little as $3 a month, you can help keep CE alive!
Alternative News
New York Times Denies Health Consequences of 5G & Then Blames Russia
In Brief
- The Facts:
A number of scientists, doctors and published peer reviewed research have clearly shown the health effects of EMF radiation. So why is it being ridicule by the mainstream? Why does it continued to go ignored?
- Reflect On:
How are these technologies able to be approved without any safety . testing, what's going on here?
Is this another story that will be heavily censored, and possibly even branded as fake news? It's not unlikely, and it's quite reminiscent of George Orwell's 1984, a classic book depicting a populace ruled by a political regime that persecutes individualism and independent critical thinking as "thoughtcrimes" that must be enforced by the "thought police." Today, the thought police are the global elite, who are using social media platforms like Facebook to censor information, no matter how well presented, sourced and truthful the information is. This is because information, in several different areas, is threatening multiple corporate, political and elitist interests.
So, who are these fact checkers? Well, NewsGuard is one of them, which is funded by Clinton donors as well as big pharma and the Council on Foreign Relations. These organizations are also heavily tied to mainstream media outlets like The New York Times. Mainstream media outlets are owned by a small group of powerful people. These groups also have very close ties to multiple corporations and intelligence agencies like the CIA. Although these days it doesn't seem very hard to recognize this, mainstream media is still used to sway the minds of the masses on certain topics by ridiculing them and failing to address and counter the points made by others. The latest example of this is with regards to 5G.
The 5G wireless technology rollout has been happening for a long time. We've seen a lot of marketing and information detailing how this type of technology will make our lives better and speed up the process of anything wireless. President Donald Trump recently described the 5G rollout as a "race" that "America must win." The Canadian Prime Minister has also been quite outspoken about 5G, but has completely ignored anything regarding the health consequences, like most politicians have done so far.
A recent article in The New York Times, a major mouthpiece for the establishment, is a fiction piece on the topic of 5G masquerading as news. The piece was written by William Broad titled, "Your 5G Phone Won't Hurt You But Russia Wants You To Think Otherwise." The paper claims that the health risks associated with 5G technology are a crazy "conspiracy theory" without even acknowledging all of the concerns being brought up by hundreds of scientists and doctors, not to mention all the peer-reviewed research and the considerable number of papers that have been published on the subject over the years. If 5G technology is so safe, why don't we simply put it through appropriate safety testing to ease everyone's minds? The answer is simple: It's an obvious threat to human health, and if the corporations who control this technology, which unfortunately seem to control our government health regulatory agencies, actually did put it through transparent safety testing, there is no way these technologies would be allowed to come out. It's truly a crime against humanity.
Furthermore, it's quite comical how the essay blames Russia. Too long has Russia been used as a tool to simply cast blame on, the latest example would be hacking the 2016 US presidential election. There was no evidence for that, and it seems to be a narrative that was made up out of thin air by the elite, using mainstream media as their tool.
"As a patriotic loyalist of Russo-paranoia, Broad has dreamed up a hallucination that Russia is preparing to outpace the US's strategy to dominate the global "internet of everything" in the race to launch 5G technology globally. Aside from Broad's otherwise corporate friendly stances supporting hydrofracking, genetically modified foods, and the myth that vaccines do not contribute to neurological disorders, he has produced some excellent work about Yoga culture and North Korea. Yet these are hardly topics that would enable a person to speak intelligently about electromagnetic frequency's (EMFs) biomolecular effects on living organisms." – Richard Gate, Executive Producer of the Progressive Radio Network and a former Senior Research Analyst in the biotechnology and genomic industries, & Dr. Gary Null, the host of the nation's longest running public radio program on alternative and nutritional health and a multi-award-winning documentary film director including Poverty Inc and Deadly Deception (source)
A Belgian government minister recently announced that Brussels is halting its 5G plans due to health concerns.
The statement was made by Céline Fremault, the Minister of the Government of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Housing, Quality of Life, Environment and Energy. From an interview last Friday, with L'Echo:
"I cannot welcome such technology if the radiation standards, which must protect the citizen, are not respected, 5G or not. The people of Brussels are not guinea pigs whose health I can sell at a profit. We cannot leave anything to doubt."
– Céline Fremault, Minister of the Government (Brussels-Captial Region)
There are more than 10,000 peer-reviewed studies that confirm 5G's measurable adverse effects on human biology. Again, the Times completely ignored this and simply implied that these health concerns are a conspiracy theory. Meanwhile, as far back as 2011, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified EMFs as possibly carcinogenic to humans. This was based on research showing a direct correlation between glioma tumors — a malignant brain cancer — and wireless mobile phone use. The Agency falls under the umbrella of the WHO, a cesspool compromised of corporate conflicts of interests and biased influence. It's important to mention that the former chair of the IARC group, Anders Ahlbom, who's also the co-founder of Gunnar Ahlbom AB, a Belgian lobbying firm providing public relations services to the telecom industry, was responsible for evaluating the epidemiology and carcinogenicity of mobile phone radiation. The IARC is completely biased, yet it still admits that 5G is "possibly" carcinogenic, even though the science shows that it clearly is carcinogenic.
Between August 2016 and September 2018, over 400 new studies on electromagnetic radiation risks were compiled by public health professor Joel Moskowitz at the University of California at Berkeley. These studies cover earlier generation technologies, whereas 5G will be everywhere and far less safe. Compared to 4G technology, which is commonly used today, every 5G base station will contain hundreds of thousands of antennas, each aiming lasers like microwave beams to all devices. In an urban area, base stations could be installed as little as 100 meters (328 feet) apart.
Those studies show a myriad of risks, including damage to DNA, damage to sperm, neuropsychiatric damage, and much more. For example, a study titled "Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression" published in the Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy outlines this quite clearly, and it's only one of thousands of peer-reviewed studies raising multiple concerns in regards to this type of technology.
Dr. Martin L. Pall, PhD and Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences at Washington State University, is another academic who has gathered a number of studies and compiled them together. Taken from his report titled "5G: Great risk for EU, U.S. and International Health! Compelling Evidence for Eight Distinct Types of Great Harm Caused by Electromagnetic Field(EMF) Exposures and the Mechanism that Causes Them," he states that:
"Putting in tens of millions of 5G antennae without a single biological test of safety has got to be about the stupidest idea anyone has had in the history of the world."
According to Dr. Marin Blank from Columbia University's Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, with regards to wireless radiation in general:
"We have created something that is harming us, and it is getting out of control. Before Edison's light bulb there was very little electromagnetic radiation in our environment. The levels today are very many times higher than natural background levels, and are growing rapidly because of all the new devices that emit this radiation. Putting it bluntly they are damaging the living cells in our bodies and killing many of us prematurely."
If you want to dive deeper into the science of this stuff and see just how obvious it is, you can find a lot of research that's been published over the years linked at the Environmental Health Trust. It's a great resource.
Furthermore, we've covered this topic in depth, and you can read some of our other related articles if you're interested. They're listed below:
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Completely Ignores Serious 5G Health Hazards
5G: "The Most Censored Story of 2018" – Journalist Masterfully Educates Houston City Council
Veteran MD Drops Bombshell At Michigan's 5G Small Cell Tower Legislation Hearing
UN Staff Member & Whistleblower: "5G Is A Global Health Catastrophe"
Multiple Countries Ban Wifi & Cell Phones Around Schools, Young Children & Fetuses
Watch: Firefighters Report Neurological Damage After Cell Tower Installation Near Their Station
The Takeaway
Do we really need to use these technologies? Why do politicians and mainstream media continue to talk about 5G without ever addressing the health concerns, and why do mainstream media outlets simply ridicule all of the health concerns that are being brought up by the public? What is going on here? Can mainstream media really convince people that 5G technology is completely safe, and that those who claim it's not have no idea what they are talking about?
At the end of the day, all we can do is lower our exposure to EMF radiation. We can choose a faster wired connection. There are products available on the market, like paint for your home as well as clothing, that can block this radiation. Most importantly, you can utilize a healthy lifestyle as well as the mind-body connection to mitigate the effects. Awareness without fear/worry is our best tool, but at the end of the day we must continue to raise our voice in an age of massive censorship.
Help Support Collective Evolution
The demand for Collective Evolution's content is bigger than ever, except ad agencies and social media keep cutting our revenues. This is making it hard for us to continue.
In order to stay truly independent, we need your help. We are not going to put up paywalls on this website, as we want to get our info out far and wide. For as little as $3 a month, you can help keep CE alive!
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Lady Antebellum Set First-Ever Ping Pong and Songs Fundraiser
While Lady Antebellum are well-known for their music dynasty -- with loads of hit songs and millions of records sold -- they are also masters in something in the non-music world: ping pong.
In fact, Lady A's Dave Haywood says he and bandmate Charles Kelley are known as the 'the Dynasty'... at least when it relates to ping pong. Apparently, the trio's favorite backstage hobby involves a little table tennis, and they've found a way to combine the ping pong table with music and philanthropy.
According to a press release, the band has set the date for their first-ever Ping Pong & Songs event, which will include a ping pong tournament and an in-the-round-style songwriter's night. At this charitable event, Lady A will play music and raise money for their initiative, LadyAID, which generates support for children in need on a local, national and global level. Haywood explains, "This is really a dream day for us ... getting friends and fans together to play ping pong, play music, and raise money for LadyAID."
Tickets for this event, which will be held in the one and only Music City, will go on sale on Friday, February 15 at 10AM CT through Lady AID's website. Players will receive a commemorative player kit, as well as two tickets to the finals and concert portion of the event.
In the meantime, fans better brush up on their ping pong, because as Haywood remarks, "'The Dynasty' ... will challenge anyone who wants to try and take us at the table. It's going to be a total blast." While you may have a difficult time beating the dream team, you can be sure that wherever Lady A is, fun will follow.
Perhaps we can challenge 'the Dynasty' to a little pinging and ponging this summer at the Taste of Country Music Festival? The trio, with a very pregnant Hillary Scott, will be doing good there, too -- for country music fans' ears, at least. That event runs June 13-15 in Hunter Mountain, N.Y. Buy tickets here.


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RIM reiterated to us that your BlackBerry smartphone offers numerous ways to have a conversation without uttering a word. With your busy, on-the-go lifestyle you may not have time for a lengthy conversation. No matter how busy you are, here are some ways you can use your BlackBerry to keep conversations alive!
- Instant Messaging: With 60 million BBM subscribers out there, use this popular BlackBerry messaging app to stay connected with friends, family members and significant others. Communicate in real time with the ability to see when your message is delivered and read. You can also create group chats through the BlackBerry Groups feature. Plus you can take advantage of Google Talk, Yahoo! Messenger, IM+ and WhatsApp as well for real time communication. With so many options at your disposal, it's no wonder BlackBerry users use Instant Messaging services more on a daily basis than Apple or Android users (GFK Group, North American In-Market Tracker Data).
- Social Networks: Your BlackBerry comes equipped with the most popular social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. Stay in touch by sending out a tweet or posting on someone's wall. Have a more personal message? Send a direct message that others can't see. For an added bonus, Facebook and Twitter are both BBM connected apps! Automatically share your Facebook status or latest tweet with your BBM friends right from within the app. LinkedIn will also be a BBM connected app on the upcoming BlackBerry 10 platform launching early next year.
- Email: If you don't want to limit yourself to a certain number of characters, try email, an option synonymous with BlackBerry. Receive alerts when messages are sent to any of your personal and/or business emails. You can also receive Facebook and Twitter notifications to your email. RIM will take this another level with BlackBerry 10 where users will be able to view every message, including BBMs, texts, emails and social media updates from a shared interface called BlackBerry Hub.
- Photo: They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Through various photo apps on BlackBerry, use images and captions to get your message across. Foto Cards,Photo Notes and MOLOME each simplify communications by letting you add captions and other information to a photo for distribution.
When you need to get your message across quickly, BlackBerry is renowned for its QWERTY keyboard. Type fast and accurately so you can truly get your message across! If you are a touchscreen fan, BlackBerry 10 will feature a touchscreen keyboard that will adapt to your typing style. A new predictive text function will detect commonly used words and display them above, needing just a quick upwards swipe onto the text box for blazingly fast one handed typing.


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A Sussex charity has been left disappointed after a Dragon boat race was cancelled amid concerns over water quality.
Sussex children's charity Rockinghorse said Sunday's event would have to be rescheduled after Brighton harbour landlords, Premier Marinas, alerted the charity that water in the inner harbour did not meet bathing standards
Further tests are being carried out on the water quality at Brighton Marina and it is not known if the problem is confined to the harbour or affects more of the neighbouring coastline.
Rockinghorse have rescheduled the Dragon Boat Race for April 24 2016.
Set up in 1967 by Dr Trevor Mann, the charity helps children across Sussex who suffer from severe illnesses.
© Copyright Simon Carey and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
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Sitarist and ethnomusicologist Peter Row performed as a solo recitalist throughout North America and India, making numerous concert, radio, and television appearances. A former president of the Northeast Chapter of the Society for Ethnomusicology, he was widely published and lectured about Indian music across the U.S. and abroad. Row served as dean of New England Conservatory from 1983 to 1990 and provost from 1990 to 1996 and again from 2000 to 2004. He remained a vital part of the NEC faculty until his death in 2018. Row was posthumously awarded an honorary doctorate from NEC in May 2018 for his long-standing and significant contributions to the music world and the NEC community.
B.M., M.M., D.M., Prayag Sangit Samiti, Allahabad, India, where he received the Gold Medal in the B.M. Merit List exams and the Silver Medal in the M.M. Merit List exams. Studies at Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta. Graduate of Harvard University's Management Development Program. Recipient of JDR Third Fund Fellowship for Doctoral Studies (1971–1973) and Smithsonian travel grant to India (1982). Former research associate at Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Photo by Andrew Hurlbut


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Atlanta was the latest spot for an advanced screening of Universal Pictures' highly anticipated new sequel, RIDE ALONG 2 this past Wednesday (January 13, 2016).
The event was held at Regal Atlantic Station and included a special introduction by cast members Tika Sumpter, Sherri Shepherd and producer Will Packer.
The screening was well attended by several Atlanta area celebs, VIPs and top influencers including: Mayor Kasim Reed, Councilman Kwanza Hall, Porsha Williams (RHOA/DISH Nation), Shamea Morton (RHOA), Mama Joyce & Aunt Bertha (RHOA), Demetria McKinney (RHOA), Roger Bobb(Producer), Stevie J (Love & Hip Hop Atlanta), Egypt Sherrod (HGTV's Flipping Virgins), Monyetta Shaw (Atlanta Exes), Polow Da Don (Music Producer), Rodney Perry (Comedian), Rickey Smiley (Radio/TV personality) and many more.
Photos from the event below… Continue Reading…


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Kimbly Arnold, by contract with Mutual of Omaha, sold Mutual products as a nonexclusive agent and also sold insurance products for other insurers. She was unhappy with the relationship with Mutual, terminated the contract, and then sued for benefits. In Kimbly Arnold v. Mutual of Omaha Insurance Co., No. A131440 (Cal.App. Dist.1 12/30/2011), Arnold claimed unpaid employee entitlements under the California Labor Code. Summary judgment was granted in favor of Mutual because the facts established she was not an employee, but rather an independent contractor. Seeking serious profits from the suit, Arnold also filed as the representative plaintiff of a class.
The complaint listed three causes of action. Mutual allegedly failed to fully reimburse Arnold and class members for "necessary business-related expenses and costs," to which they were entitled under the California Labor Code. The second cause of action alleged Mutual had willfully failed to pay Arnold and class members for wages earned but unpaid prior to being discharged from employment or prior to quitting employment, for which they were entitled to recover under multiple labor codes. A third cause of action alleged Mutual's conduct constituted an unlawful business practice in violation of the unfair competition law, for which Arnold and class members sought compensation, an injunction requiring Mutual to pay all outstanding wages and costs.
Related: Read the previous Zalma column "Just the Facts."
Mutual filed a motion for summary judgment contending Arnold was an independent contractor rather than a former employee under the common law test, and hence, not entitled to any relief under her first or second causes of action. Because Arnold's third cause of action under the UCL was derivative of her first cause of action, it similarly afforded her no relief as a matter of law.
In California, the principal test of an employment relationship under common law considers whether the person to whom service is rendered:
- Has the right to control the manner and means of accomplishing the result desired
- Has the kind of occupation, with reference to the locality, if the work is usually done under the direction of the principal or by a specialist without supervision
- Has the right to discharge at will, without cause
- Has the skill required in the particular occupation.
It also considers:
- Whether the one performing services is engaged in a distinct occupation or business
- Whether the principal or the worker supplies instrumentalities, tools and a place of work
- Whether the work is a part of the regular business of the principal
- Whether the parties believe they are creating the relationship of employer-employee
- The length of time for which the services are to be performed
- The method of payment, whether by the time or by the job.
The individual factors must not be applied as separate tests but are intertwined and often given weight depending on the particular combination of factors.
The evidence presented in the motion for summary judgment showed that Arnold was licensed by the Dept. of Insurance as an independent agent or broker and was authorized to offer products to prospective clients from different companies. When she first contracted with Mutual in November 2006, she was under appointment with another insurance company to offer its products, and while under that appointment she acted on behalf of a third insurance company. At both of these insurance companies she performed as an independent contractor, receiving commissions and 1099 tax forms for that income.
Related: Read another Zalma column "Valued Advice."
Under Arnold's contract with Mutual, the latter appointed her as a nonexclusive "agent" to solicit and procure applications for Mutual's products. Arnold had the responsibility to maintain the proper licenses required to perform this service. Her chief duties were to procure and submit applications for Mutual's products, collect monies and service clients. Compensation was by commission for products sold, with a chargeback on any commission paid when monies for sale of a product were uncollected or refunded. Either party could terminate the contract with or without cause through written notice to the other, with termination if Arnold failed to submit an application for one of Mutual's products for a period of 180 days.
One clause of the contract stated that Arnold was "an independent contractor and not an employee," that no terms of the contract "shall be construed as creating an employer-employee relationship," and that Arnold was "free to exercise [her] own judgment as to the persons from whom [she] will solicit and the time, place and manner, and amount of such solicitation."
Arnold testified that she had read the contract and understood when she signed it that her appointment with Mutual was as an independent contractor. She agreed she used her own judgment in tending to her business, and in determining whom she solicited for Mutual applications, when and where she would do so and the amount of time she spent engaging in such solicitations.
Arnold exercised her contractual right to terminate her appointment with Mutual by a letter dated Mar. 24, 2008, which advised Mutual that she had entered into a contract to represent another insurance company exclusively and was prohibited from maintaining her appointment with Mutual.
In California, a statute is construed in light of the common law unless the legislature clearly and unequivocally indicates otherwise. Thus, when a statute refers to an employee without defining the term, courts have generally applied the common law test of employment to that statute.
Mutual's training was voluntary for agents, except as required for compliance with state law. Under the principal test for employment under common law principles, Mutual had no significant right to control the manner and means by which Arnold accomplished the results of the tasks she performed as one of Mutual's soliciting agents.
Related: Read the article "Sell What You Know" by Barry Zalma.
Arnold was engaged in a distinct occupation requiring a license from the Dept. of Insurance. She was responsible for her own instrumentalities or tools with the exception of limited resources offered by Mutual to enhance their agents' successful solicitation of Mutual's products. Arnold was required to pay a fee for the use of Mutual's office space and telephone service. Although Mutual paid its agents in a systematic way every 2 weeks, Arnold's payment itself—chiefly commissions—was based on her results and not on the amount of time she spent working on Mutual's behalf. Arnold and Mutual believed, at the time of her appointment, they were creating an independent contractor relationship and not an employee relationship.
The existence and degree of each factor of the common law test for employment is a question of fact, while the legal conclusion to be drawn from those facts is a question of law. Even if one or two of the individual factors might suggest an employment relationship, summary judgment is nevertheless proper when, as here, all the factors weighed and considered as a whole establish that Arnold was an independent contractor and not an employee for purposes of labor code sections 202 and 2802.
Insurance agents and brokers who enter into contracts with insurers to sell insurance products to the public can be classified as independent contractors or as employees. It is imperative that the agent or broker entering into a contract with an insurer is certain of the relationship. Before signing an agreement such as that signed by Arnold, it is best to seek the advice of counsel. Employees, by statute in California and most states, have rights that are not available to independent contractors.
Arnold entered into an agreement with Mutual that clearly stated she was not an employee but an independent contractor. She attempted to gain benefits to which she, and the class she claimed to represent, were not entitled to receive because they were not employees.
Based on her own testimony it is difficult to understand why she brought the action and why, after losing at trial, she decided to take the case up on appeal.


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Views: 52
YAY! You added this to TA!! I couldn't agree more with you.
Thanks, Meghan! I try to add my blogs here and I totally forgot with ensuing mass of crap on the American Atheists, Inc. page. I opened my email and saw your comment to me, reminding me that I needed to get this on here, so thank YOU! Glad you liked it!
Well, then let's form a PAC... ooh, better yet a Super PAC and let's fund some folks to support our interests.
This isn't really any of my business at all and I have difficulties to always understand the American politico-cultural sensitivities, but from the distance I look at it, I don't understand why this really is an issue at all.
As I understand it, it's about some steel girders in the shape of a cross, that is about to be put on display in the 911 Museum. The cross shaped steel remnants of a building are part of the history of the 911 attacks however which way you go about it and that fact alone would make it an appropriate artifact to be put on display in a museum. It's inappropriate that the cross-shaped piece of rubble in itself it should be treated like an idol and venerated as such, cheapen and falsify the history to an extent in the process, but I fear alas that's unavoidable.
That lawsuit seems to me wrongheaded and demands of removal or "equal representation" seem to me - again, not my business - just outright ridiculous. How when this artifact isn't put on display, this would save freedom in the US and the American Constitution defies my imagination. (Is it me or is it that if you just invoke those words you're always safe with Americans whatever you're arguing for or against?)
Albert: I read the post to go well beyond this 911 "cross" controversy. Frankly, that's the only way I'm able to agree with it. The cross is indeed just an arbitrary hunk of metal that is perfectly suited to serve as a piece of history for the museum. The Christians want to jump on it and give it some religious meaning that it doesn't have and the atheists only help to reinforce this notion by also recognizing it as a religious symbol they want removed. In this instance, the atheists are no better than the Christians. To me, this is no different than the people who made the pilgrimage to see a piece of toast thought to have jesus' face on it. If stupid people want to worship stupid shit, I say let them. In the end it's just a piece of toast and just a failed support structure.
And, yes… Americans like to arbitrarily invoke the constitution. I always find it amazing that outsiders perceptions of America and its politics are usually spot-on and often better informed than American's.


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Technical support that involves chatting with a real person on the affected computer is not new. Companies have been offering chat support for years, and it's often superior to dealing with a technician over the phone, particularly if you allow the tech to take control of your system to check out what's wrong.
But with the release of its new Kindle Fire HDX 7- and 8.9-inch tablets, Amazon.com is taking this a step further. The tablets, which are available for pre-order today, have a feature called the Mayday button, and it summons a person who appears on your Kindle's screen in live video. Yes, you actually get to see who's helping you.
This is actually a brilliant move on the part of Amazon. The company clearly understands who its customers are, and places a high value on treating them well. But the feature also raises some privacy and security concerns. More about that in a moment.
First, a quick look at the new tablets. Some specs:
• Amazon's using HDX in its name to designate an improved display, with very high pixel densities. The 7-inch model has 323 pixels per inch, while the 8.9-inch version has 339 ppi.
• Both have 2.2-GHz, quad-core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors and improved graphics processors. Amazon claims these are the only tablets you can buy with processors that run faster than 2 GHz.
• The cases are lighter and control buttons have been moved to the back of the case, so they're easier to access while you're holding the tablets.
• In addition to Wi-Fi, both models are available with an optional connection to AT&T's LTE network.
• The 7-inch model starts at $229 and ships Oct. 18. Adding LTE ups it to $329, and that one ships Nov. 14. The 8.9-inch model starts at $379 and ships Nov. 7. With LTE, the larger tablet is $479 and it ships Dec. 10.
The tablets are powered by version 3.0 of Amazon's Fire OS, which is a variant of Android. However, as with past Kindle Fire tablets, don't expect to find access to the Google Play store. Amazon's pushing its own app store, the Marketplace, and, of course, it wants to sell you e-books, movies, TV shows and more. Kindle Fire tablets are basically marketing devices for Amazon goods.
But for me, the most innovative feature here is the Mayday button. Here's how Amazon describes the experience in its press release:
"With the Mayday button, our goal is to revolutionize tech support," said Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com Founder and CEO. "With a single tap, an Amazon expert will appear on your Fire HDX and can co-pilot you through any feature by drawing on your screen, walking you through how to do something yourself, or doing it for you — whatever works best. Mayday is available 24×7, 365 days a year, and it's free. See it for yourself — preview our upcoming TV commercials: www.amazon.com/maydaytv."
Amazon's goal is to get the technician on your screen in 15 seconds or less. That's much quicker than most chat-based services respond to help requests, and certainly faster than you get from phone-based support.
The technician will be able to take control of the tablet to perform tasks with permission, which should give most folks pause. Granted, you should be able to trust the tech, but still – this is going to make some folks uncomfortable and thus less likely to use it.
To assuage fears, Amazon has made it so that, while you can see the tech, the front-facing camera isn't enabled, so the helper cannot see you. You also can pause the helper's view while you type in passwords. And, according to this story from the Verge, Amazon is only allowing vetted technicians to work for the Mayday service.
Of course, as the Verge points out, Mayday constitutes an open pipeline directly into your tablet, which could contain personal and sensitive information. Anything can be hacked, and it's possible a bad actor could get through Amazon's screening and vetting processes. As always, convenience has a price, and that's usually at the cost of some security.
Still, I can see this being a very valuable service, particularly for older people who want handholding, even with a device as simple to use as a tablet. Yes, this feature is really aimed at Your Mom, and she'll probably love it.
For now, the Mayday button and the current version of the Fire OS are available only on these new tablets. But Engadget said an Amazon rep "implied" it might be coming to previous models in the future.
If you're an Amazon Kindle Fire owner, would you be interested in the Mayday feature? Or, does the feature make you more interested in buying a Fire HDX? Let us know in the comments.


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Food swap is Saturday in Palm Beach Gardens
Those who enjoy making food or sharing home grown fruits and vegetables will meet to swap their edibles Saturday morning at the Burns Road Recreation Center in Palm Beach Gardens.
The food swap is not open to the general public.
Only participants who rent booth space at $10 per space are eligible to swap with other registered food producers.
Food swappers typically bring jams, jellies, baked goods, homegrown vegetables, dried herbs and homemade tea blends, according to city officials.
The …


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