text:
Dividend withholding tax exemption
Under current law (the provisions implementing the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive), dividends distributed by Dutch companies to an EU corporate shareholder with an interest of 5% or greater are generally exempt from dividend withholding tax. Furthermore, certain Dutch tax treaties provide an exemption from dividend withholding tax subject to specific conditions. The exemption included in the draft bill will supplement these existing exemptions, and will apply to a corporate shareholder who:
- is a resident for treaty purposes of a country that has concluded a double taxation treaty with the Netherlands (no other treaty-specific requirements, such as limitation on benefits provisions or holding periods, are taken into account),
- is the beneficial owner of the dividend received, and
- holds an interest of at least 5% in the Dutch company.
Anti-abuse provision
The dividend withholding tax exemption included in the draft bill, as well as the existing dividend withholding tax exemption implementing the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive, will become subject to an anti-abuse provision. Under that provision, an exemption from dividend withholding tax is not available if one of the direct shareholder's main objectives is to avoid dividend withholding tax, and there is an artificial structure. The explanatory text to the draft bill suggests that the anti-abuse provision is not intended to apply if the direct shareholder of the Dutch company carries on a business enterprise to which the interest in the Dutch company is attributable. Furthermore, if the direct shareholder of the Dutch company is a holding company established in an EU jurisdiction or in a non-EU treaty jurisdiction, the anti-abuse provision is not intended to apply in one of the following circumstances:
- the direct or indirect shareholder of the holding company would qualify for the dividend withholding tax exemption under the draft bill, under the EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive, or under a tax treaty, if it held the interest in the Dutch company directly (the substance of the holding company is irrelevant).
- the Dutch company or its direct or indirect subsidiaries carry out a business enterprise that is in line with the business of the direct or indirect shareholder of the holding company, and the holding company has sufficient substance. For sufficient substance, the holding company has to incur at least EUR 100,000 per year in wages for staff engaged in the holding activities, have an office from which the holding activities are performed, and have at least half of its directors reside in the holding company's country of residence.
It could be concluded from the explanation to the draft bill that a shareholder in a passive investment structure can only benefit from a dividend withholding tax exemption if the requirement under a) above is met. However, it is unclear whether this application of the exemption is intended.
The dividend withholding tax exemption proposed in the draft bill, together with the existing withholding tax exemption implementing the EU Parent Subsidiary Directive and exemptions under tax treaties, will effectively reduce the scope of the Dutch dividend withholding tax to retail investors in Dutch listed entities. In practically all other situations, it should be possible to structure an investment without incurring Dutch dividend withholding tax, subject to the anti-abuse rule.
Questions arising from anti-abuse provision
The application of the anti-abuse provision raises many questions. One question is how to apply the rule in the case of multiple indirect shareholders of a holding company, some of which would be entitled to an exemption while others would not. Apart from these questions, some more general observations can be made with respect to the anti-abuse rule.
First, the use of substance requirements to draw a line between abusive and non-abusive situations is an issue which is regularly questioned in terms of its compatibility with EU law; this issue may be tested in court at some point. Second, current Dutch law contains a lighter version of the anti-abuse rule than the one proposed in the draft bill. The lighter version, which must currently be met to avoid the imposition of non-resident corporate tax on dividends and capital gains, does not have the requirements regarding wages and the availability of an office. Non-residents taxpayers that are currently relying on this less stringent substance rule would have to satisfy the increased substance requirements in the future to continue to be exempt from Dutch tax, including dividend withholding tax. Third, the Dutch government takes the position that the interpretation of the anti-abuse rule will also govern the application of the principal purpose test that will be included in Dutch tax treaties as a result of the Multilateral Convention (see our In context of 13 February 2017). In the future, therefore, claiming any benefits under Dutch tax treaties that contain a principal purpose test will become subject to the principles governing the draft bill's anti-abuse rule. This is a major departure from decades of practice. Fourth, the difference in treatment envisaged by the distinction between business enterprise structures and passive investment structures, each defined according to Dutch domestic tax law, raises questions. Will this, in all cases, comply with EU law, and how will it interact with the principal purpose test in the Multilateral Convention and the related OECD commentary (still to be formalised) and reports? Finally, it is expected that the increased substance requirements will also be applied to companies looking to obtain an advance tax ruling or advance pricing agreement in the Netherlands. Currently, only the lighter substance rules apply.
Dividend withholding tax obligation: holding cooperatives
In addition to the amended dividend withholding tax exemption, the draft bill also introduces a withholding tax obligation for holding cooperatives in respect of distributions to members holding an interest of 5% or more in holding cooperatives. Holding cooperatives are cooperatives that for 70% or more, measured by balance sheet total, activities performed by employees and other similar factors, hold participations in or grant loans to related parties (holding cooperatives). Distributions to treaty-based members which hold an interest of 5% or more in a holding cooperative can benefit from the dividend withholding tax exemption described above, subject to the anti-abuse rule.
Cooperatives have been widely used to avoid Dutch dividend withholding tax for non-treaty based investors, in particular private equity funds. If the draft bill becomes law, many of these structures will need to be reorganised to avoid Dutch dividend withholding tax liability in the future. Any such reorganisation will need to take into account an already existing dividend stripping provision, which generally seeks to prevent dividends on shares transferred intercompany from receiving more favourable dividend withholding tax treatment.


text:
On May 7th, the New Yorker reported an explosive story that saw four women accusing New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman of sexual and physical abuse. Schneiderman resigned hours later.
A state AG being taken down by horrific deeds wouldn't ordinarily make much noise, but Schneiderman has been a constant thorn in President Trump's side, having filed civil and criminal cases against Trump, his administration, and a variety of his cronies.
Given how hard Schneiderman and his office have been gunning for Trump, it's not surprising that there would be some antagonism between the two.
But it IS surprising that that antagonism seems to date back years – and played out in public on Twitter.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The old townhouse dating back to the turn of the century was fully renovated from 2005 to 2007. During the renovation work only the best materials were used and old and new elements combined with the utmost attention to detail. The optic impresses with wooden beams, terracotta floors, field stone walls, large sand stone arches, glass and modern elements. Tall sliding doors and an open gallery are there to create an open and bright look and feel. The house for sale in Artà offers a living area of approximately 178 m² distributed on two floors and with a total of two bedrooms, one bathroom en-suite and a guest toilet. On the ground floor there is a very large living room with open fireplace, an open-style kitchen with dining area, various storage rooms and the guest toilet. On the first floor there is the master bedroom with a modern bathroom en-suite and private terrace. In addition there is an open gallery, which is currently being used as a second bedroom. The beautiful backyard with palm trees and many nice details offers a lot of space and is the perfect spot to enjoy the unique Mediterranean lifestyle all year round. Further features include: public electricity and water, oil central underfloor heating, air-conditioning in some rooms, double glazed windows, built-in cupboards, landline, internet, satellite television and outdoor lighting.
Send us your enquiry! We are here to help.


text:
France's data privacy agency CNIL has ordered WhatsApp to stop sharing data with its owner Facebook, saying users never consented to sharing data for business intelligence or targeted advertising functions when Facebook disclosed the collection last year.
In a blog post, CNIL explained that while it agreed it was reasonable for Facebook to collect WhatsApp user data for security reasons, the other purposes were not justified "on the legal basis required by the Data Protection Act for any processing." CNIL took particular issue with the way the data collection program was rolled out, arguing that Facebook did not accurately explain to users why their data was being collected and that users had no ability to opt out if they wanted to remain on WhatsApp. The agency gave Facebook 30 days to comply.
The agency wrote in its statement that it was disclosing the decision because of the "massive data transfer from WhatsApp to Facebook Inc. and thus to alert to the need for individuals concerned to keep their data under control." CNIL added that it had "repeatedly asked WhatsApp to provide a sample of the French users' data transferred to Facebook," but Facebook had refused under the dubious legal reasoning that as a US company it is not subject to French law.
If Facebook doesn't cease collecting WhatsApp data, CNIL said, it will pursue further action including appointing an investigator who could recommend fines.
As the Verge noted, the German and U.K. governments issued similar orders last year, while the European Union fined Facebook $US122 ($159) million in May 2017 for allegedly lying about whether it had the technical ability or plans to link WhatsApp accounts to its own data pools. According to Bloomberg, Facebook may soon face further trouble in Germany when a government antitrust probe into whether it has abused its market position concludes.
In the US, which has a far more laissez-faire approach to consumer data protection laws beyond a few areas like credit and medical histories, this kind of enforcement remains basically unthinkable.


text:
Country Score
Country Rankings - Egypt
Jun 19, 2014 Egypt: a military solutionNo-one yet knows what sort of economic steward new Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi will be of his country, although his attempt to throttle back on fuel subsidies by riding a bicycle around Cairo seems to have more to do with spin than substance. He has had one clever idea, though: faced with a drop in tourist arrivals from 14 million to 9 million, he has decided to impose an exit tax of USD25 on them. If we can't force them to arrive, at least we can stop them leaving!
Source: www.tax-news.com/news/Egypt_Confirms_USD25_Airport_Departure_Tax____64963.html
May 22, 2014 Egypt: clutching at strawsIt would be a brave girl who asserted that she understood the economic situation of Egypt, except to say that it is dire; but it seems a reasonable proposition that the IMF (from which the government is hoping to borrow USD15bn or some such number) was behind this week's five percent increase in the top rate of tax. Individual well-off Egyptians are round about 99 times cleverer than any government they have had in the past 50 years or are ever likely to have, so this has to be regarded as a piece of window-dressing. But other IMF prescriptions this week also follow the usual tax-increasing path: in Luxembourg it's VAT and property taxes; in Lithuania it's property taxes and vehicles; in Latvia it's the flat tax thresholds. And here is a particularly abysmal example of first world high-taxing double-speak applied to a troubled third-world country: "eliminating tax exemptions that have little benefit for production but undermine growth-enhancing spending and constrain vibrant private sector growth." If these weasel words are capable of any translation into understandable English at all, they seem to be saying that giving tax incentives takes away from government spending. Excuse me, but there is no such thing as "growth-enhancing spending." All spending is bad. What planet does this person live on? I am reminded of The Gipper's famous joking words: "I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." I have to admit however to being slightly conflicted over the IMF, given that, as part of the Troika, it is playing a useful role in controlling the spending of bankrupt EU countries that have proved unable to manage themselves. I suppose that, like the OECD, another sprawling, undirected organization, the IMF has good bits and bad bits. Trouble is, we only seem to hear from the bad bits: the horny-handed sons of toil working away at the coal-face persuading Finance Ministers to stop spending money get no recognition, while the Article IV tax-and-spend brigade get all the kudos. Which side is the management on, I'd like to know? Attacking the IMF may be a fairly futile exercise in the short term; but the OECD seems more vulnerable. Its recent "BEPS" propaganda onslaught against multi-national businesses has started to run into the buffers, with a growing chorus of negative responses to such idiocies as translated country-by-country reports and the proposed separation of digital business from non-digital business for tax purposes (at least we now know which century they're living in, and, hint, it isn't the 20th or the 21st). They are living in the century of nation states, which is of course an accurate reflection of their membership. With any luck, we will find that they have over-reached themselves, and they will implode. I continue not to understand why the business world has failed to create a countervailing organization to fight against the OECD's statist doctrines. But perhaps the ever-wise bosses of the world's MNEs have simply calculated that the OECD, in its overweening arrogance, will bring about its own downfall, leaving behind an international community of nations even less coherent than it was before the OECD's arrival on the world stage.
Source: www.tax-news.com/news/Egypt_Agrees_Five_Percent_Hike_In_Top_Tax_Rate____64644.html
Apr 04, 2013 Egypt: desperate measuresEgypt is another country with a leader who is making mistake after mistake, and I am not coming from any kind of anti-Islamist perspective. If a country, like several in the neighbourhood, votes in an Islamist government, then as long as they are tolerant of minorities that is their affair. It's unclear that such a vote has taken place in Egypt, because of the semi-dictatorial way that President Morsi has gone about things. The message coming out of Egypt is that it is suited to a pluralist regime, and attempts to deny this are tearing the country apart. Meanwhile the Government, desperate for money, is making mistakes: the imposition of a "capital gains tax" of 10% on the takeover of local bank NSGB by the Qataris can only do damage to the stock market. Local businesspeople were strongly against this tax, and indeed the local stock market index has fallen by more than 25% since the tax was announced; it was down more than 40% at one point. It's not really a "gains" tax, anyway; it's a tax on the proceeds of trading. Now, as the first step in a proposed program of tariff reductions (excuse me?) the tariffs on various types of luxury imports are rising to 40%. Boats is one category. Who in their right mind would import a boat into Egypt under these conditions? This is probably to be laid at the door of the IMF, which is forcing the Government to swallow nasty medicine as the price for lending it money. But the deal isn't done yet, and probably can't be done until elections take place: they have just been delayed until October. If you're transiting the Suez Canal, just keep going!
Source: www.lowtax.net/asp/story/front/Egypt_Eyes_10_CGT_On_NSGB_Takeover____60273.html
Feb 21, 2013 Egypt: has the other canalThe Suez Canal Authority isn't Egypt, but the difference might be more academic than real. At all events, one is inclined to blame Egypt for the SCA's pricing peccadilloes; and even without them the government's behaviour over the last few months doesn't engender much confidence in the future business environment in the country. There was to have been a reform package which owed a lot to the IMF's influence, but it was abandoned last December. There wasn't much in it for international businesses to be happy about, but at least it indicated that the government was trying to get a grip on the situation. Now, who knows? The government is in a kind of stasis; surely it's desperate for inward investment, but who would want to go there under current circumstances? If you can't restrain yourself, at least wait for the currency to stop falling, which may not happen before elections in April, and those may hold surprises in themselves. The IMF is waiting, too. What a mess!
Source: http://www.lowtax.net/asp/story/front/Egypt_Embarks_On_RevenueGrab_At_Suez_Canal____59709.html
Sep 06, 2012 Egypt: is free (for now)Egypt gets this week's last star, for what may seem rather perverse reasons. It's obvious that the government of a country in that much of a mess doesn't have a clue as to how much money it has or doesn't have, or what its deficit will be next year, so it may as well promise no tax rises, which is bound to go down well with the electorate and the IMF both.
Source: http://www.lowtax.net/asp/story/front/Egypt_Rules_Out_Tax_Hikes_But_Not_Tax_Reform____57060.html


text:
- Home+
- Places to Visit+
- Things to Do +
- What's On+
- Where to Stay +
- Food & Drink+
- Getting Here+
The Club organises an annual walking festival each year, and is held over the May Bank Holiday Weekend (the 1st Monday in May is an Irish Holiday). It is one of the oldest walking festivals in Ireland (2019 will the the 25th year) and offers a great range of walks of varying challenge over 4 days. Entertainment is also organised for the 3 nights of the Festival.
Download a copy of all Slieve Bloom Walks here


text:
U.S. retail sales fell in August, and industrial output recorded its biggest drop since 2009, due to the impact of Hurricane Harvey.
According to Reuters, the hurricane — which hit Texas in the last week of August — disrupted activity and could damage economic growth in the third quarter.
"The early returns from Harvey are trickling in, and the news is not good," said Joel Naroff, chief economist at Naroff Economic Advisors. "Economists are likely marking down third-quarter growth and marking up the fourth quarter."
Hurricane Irma, which struck Florida last weekend, will also likely have a negative effect on the economy. Fortunately, analysts expect a rebound in the fourth quarter.
According to the Commerce Department, retail sales dropped 0.2 percent last month, the biggest decline in six months. Motor vehicle sales tumbled 1.6 percent, and U.S. retail sales of building materials, electronics, appliances and clothing also fell.
While the Commerce Department said it could not isolate the impact of Hurricane Harvey on retail sales, it did receive indications from companies that the hurricane had "both positive and negative effects on their sales data, while others indicated they were not impacted at all."
While Harvey most likely played a part in lower sales last month, data for July and June were also revised down, suggesting consumer spending has slowed after steady growth in the second quarter.
The Federal Reserve said in a separate report that industrial production declined 0.9 percent in August — the biggest drop since May 2009, following six straight monthly gains. The Fed attributed about 0.75 percentage points of the decline to storm effects off the Texas coastline that "temporarily curtailed drilling, servicing and extraction activity for oil and natural gas."
Economists expect industrial output to decline further in September, due to Irma's impact on utilities.
"Food processing is also going to join the list of the walking wounded, because South Florida grows and processes a lot of food," said Michael Montgomery, a U.S. economist at IHS Markit.
Latest Insights:
Our data and analytics team has developed a number of creative methodologies and frameworks that measure and benchmark the innovation that's reshaping the payments and commerce ecosystem. In the December 2019 Mobile Card App Adoption Study, PYMNTS surveyed 2,000 U.S. consumers for a reveal of the four most compelling features apps must have to engage users and drive greater adoption.


text:
LONDON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. movie-theater operator Regal Entertainment Group RGC, +0.00% on Thursday announced second-quarter net income of $40.5 million, or 26 cents a share, compared to $24.3 million, or 16 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Analysts surveyed by FactSet Research had produced a consensus forecast of 30 cents a share. The company said total revenues rose to $789.2 million from $675.8 million in the second quarter of last year. Regal's board of directors on Thursday declared a cash dividend of 18 cents per Class A and Class B common share, payable Sept. 18 to stockholders of record on Sept. 10. The company said it intends to pay a regular quarterly dividend "for the foreseeable future."
Regal Entertainment profit up, declares dividend
Quote References
+0.00 +0.00%


text:
Calzada San Juan 7-20 z. 7 Tikal ll - Ciudad de Guatemala - Guatemala - Guatemala
We offer relaxing massages. therapeutic, chiropractic, reflexology and many more therapies. We also have courses in natural medicine, chiropractic, massage.
We have dental clinixa for adults and children, clinical psychology and educational. Early stimulation workshops. Quotes. Messages or queries at tel 42576901 whatsapp


text:
We function in partnership with TrialPay, , Adgate Media, Minutestaff, Offertoro, Adscend, PTC Wall, Peanutlabs, Payment Wall, Virool, Radium 1, Wannads & More… providing far more straightforward approaches to make money online. We have been creating money with this secret on the web surveys for eight months now in Nigeria… out of the 550 firms we have in the package,306 accepts foreigners and Nigerians with Liberty reserve, paypal and wire transfer as a way to pay you monthly, other 144 accepts U.S and are prepared to show you the secret of working with U.S and U.K surveys businesses.
They usually give some free of charge content material and show ads alongside the articles they have product and book critiques with affiliate hyperlinks they sell stuff through an on the web shop, such as ebooks, reports, DVDs and branded merchandise they sell subscriptions to premium, members-only parts of their site and they promote off-line events such as workshops, seminars, conferences, etc.
You can make income from youtube, even critical cash if your critical about it. When you sign up you have your own channel, when you make videos get views and get far more guests to your channel as effectively as subscribers youtube will at some point invite you to enable ads on your channel and have advertisements served when your video is played, you will make income from stated ads which are paid to your Google Adsense account.
Some men and women who do on-line surveys after creating money, are not capable to withdraw their cash since they do not have the proper information on how to open and confirm their paypal account safely or they do not have on the web surveys that accept Nigerians… That is different with my on-line survey work and my package due to the fact I have been capable to crack the paypal code and also found a lot of survey businesses that accept Nigerians.
Also (if you want), you can read my story to understand about how I got started in this organization, my resources web page to see all the most valuable resources I've come across to create my on the web enterprise, required reading to see my favored books and the ones that have inspired me the most (although this is not necessary reading" at all haha), and inspiration to appear at the prime earning blogs online right now.


text:
Forum rules
Any off topic discussions should go in this forum. Post count is not increased by posting here.
FTP Access status is required to post in this forum. Find out how to get it
Just installed PECL and... extension not found.
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
Copyright © 2006-2019


text:
Only Fools and Horses fans will get another glimpse of their favourite wheeler-dealer in a never-before-seen episode, entitled Licensed to Drill.
Del Boy may have parked his yellow Reliant Robin for good, but you can relive his scheming heyday in this 1984 gem which has been gathering dust for years.
This episode is particularly poignant as it is Lennard Pearce's very last outing as Grandad before his sudden death from a heart-attack.
You can watch Del Boy, Rodney and Grandad up to their old tricks in the following unearthed footage:
[ooyala code="Y0cGxtYzE6H8uxdg9XVgwVtigMcD0-HA" player_id="5df2ff5a35d24237905833bd032cd5d8″ auto="true" width="1920″ height="1080″ pcode="twa2oyOnjiGwU8-cvdRQbrVTiR2l"]
The episode was specially produced by the Maureen Oilfield Consortium to educate school children about crude oil extraction and mass production.
And who better to teach kids about the dog-eat-dog world of business than self-made market trader Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter?
The plot is pure Peckham perfection and, unsurprisingly, features the Trotters getting wrapped up in a dodgy get-rich-quick scheme. Del Boy thinks he has scored a real bargain when he purchases an oil rig for just £400, and plans to extract some oil himself.
Relating his plan to accomplices Grandad and Rodney, it's clear cocky Del has absolutely no clue about oil field security:
We just lay low in our boat for a while and we wait for one of the big oil companies to move off the oil field and then we whip in a bit lively and use their hole.
Well, after all, 'He who dares – wins!'
Sadly for the Trotters, they quickly realise they've been conned and they won't be becoming multi-billionaire oil barons any time soon.
Scenes from Licensed to Drill will be broadcast for the very first time during new UKTV's Gold Channel series The Story of Only Fools and Horses, which will include cast interviews, unaired scenes, bloopers and behind the scenes footage.
According to general manager for Gold, Steve North:
I am so excited to be working with the Sullivan family to help celebrate Gold's 25th birthday this year, and really delve into the archives one of the most loved shows on the channel. Gold viewers will get a real treat.
The Story of Only Fools and Horses is currently being aired on UKTV's Gold Channel, Tuesdays at 8pm until October 3, and will be a retrospective delight for any fans of the classic comedy. You know it makes sense!
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.


text:
Cafe Cappello
Cafe Capello is in the heart of Lismore offering you traditional Italian pasta and pizza with exceptional service and incredible coffee.
Tony Pilati, owner and co-manager says it's his Italian culture, and in particular, the cuisine of his ancestors' home in the Veneto region of Northern Italy that was the driving force behind the dream to open Café Cappello.
Come and try their range of Pizzas and Pastas, and finish it off with a Gelato or strong Italian Coffee.


text:
The extra virgin olive oil DOP Sorrento Peninsula presents, at first sight, a beautiful straw-yellow colour, more or less intense, with greenish reflections; Sometimes it's veiled. The olfactory examination reveals remarkable aromatic harmony, with a delicate hint of fruity olive and with fine and pleasant hints of aromatic herbs (especially rosemary and mint). The taste is definitely sweet with harmonious and mild notes of bitter and spicy. It is fluid, balanced and with pleasant spicy nuances. It has clean aftertaste, of green and fresh almond. Acidity never exceeds the value of 0.80%.
The bitterness and the spicy, in the right gradations, blend perfectly, guaranteeing the right balance to the oil; The Mediterranean smells of rosemary are exalted in the combination with the tomato and the dishes that are called to it. Great on grilled fish and vegetables. Original and particularly pleasant its combination with lemon salads, but especially with sorbet and lemon delight, sweets typical of Sorrento.
The oil "Sorrento Peninsula" DOP is obtained from the milling of the Olives Ogliarola or Minucciola (also known as "olive oil"), for not less than 65%; Rotondella, Frantoio or Leccino, either alone or jointly, to an extent not exceeding 35%. The presence of other varieties for a maximum of 20% of the total is also permitted.
The cultivation techniques of the olive groves are the traditional ones of the Sorrentine Peninsula that assure the oil that derives the high and well known qualitative quality. In olive groves, placed on daring terraces sloping towards the sea, the olives are collected rigorously by hand; Only the aid of mechanical means, such as shakers and vibrating combs, which facilitate the collection, which must be carried out by 31 December of each year, is authorised. It is forbidden to use the drains.
The collection shall be carried out no later than 31 December of each year. The olives must be pressed not later than the second day of the harvest. For the extraction of the oil are allowed only mechanical and physical processes that preserve the quality characteristics of the fruit most faithfully. The maximum production of olives per hectare is 90 q.li, with an oil yield of 20%.
The cultivation of olive trees in Sorrento Peninsula dates back to ancient times. The Punta Campanella, which is the extreme promontory of the Gulf of Naples and faces the island of Capri, was dominated by a temple, sacred to the goddess Athena (Minerva) Capo Minerva, erected by the porpoises, Greek settlers. The entire peninsula was consecrated to the goddess of wisdom and the site became a pilgrimage destination for centuries. Along the way the pilgrims bought on the spot the oil, which was produced in abundance, to be offered to the divinity, already held by the Greeks and then by the Romans inventor of the olives and the oil (Oleaeque Minerva Inventrix, as a poem by Virgil recites).
In the entire peninsula were found remnants of minor sanctuaries erected by the Romans and dedicated to Minerva, with the finding also of containers used for the supply of oil. Since then, the olive tree has no longer abandoned these places and, together with citrus and grapevine, dominates and characterizes the entire landscape of the Sorrentine Peninsula.
The particular orographic conditions, which impose expensive terraces, the typical Mediterranean climate, the volcanic nature of the land, make the environment of the peninsula decidedly original and typical, as is the typical oil that is produced there.
Production Area
The area of production and processing of olive oil DOP Peninsula includes the territories of 13 municipalities of the Sorrentine peninsula and of the Milking mountains, as well as the island of Capri. They are: Gragg, Pimonte, letters, Casola of Naples, Sorrento, Piano di Sorrento, Meta, Sant'Agnello, Massa Lubrense, Vico Equense, Capri, Anacapri and Castellammare di Stabia (the latter only in part).


text:
Analyzer House & System Integration
The demand for customized analyzer systems has increased rapidly with analyzer manufacturers building more sophisticated systems to cater for Oil & Gas industries, Chemical Processing Plants etc., where flammable gases or vapors, combustible dust, and easily-ignitable fibers are present.
Be it for gas or liquid sample analysis, Supermec is well-equipped to provide a total solution for all kinds of analyzer requirements with applications ranging from:
- Production & quality control of petrochemical end products
- Control of process units
- Monitoring of trace contaminants
- Measurement of heating value
The typical scope of work for analyzer house integration includes:
- Analyzer shelter layout
- Design consideration
- Steel structure
- HVAC System
- Shelter fire & gas detection system
- Utility
- Electrical
- Network communication system configuration
Supermec's system integration of analyzers and measurement technology continuously provide the relevant process parameters, ensuring optimum process control. In this way, the systems secure the quality of production results in accordance with applicable standards, product-related specifications, and your requirements.
We configure the devices and integrate various analyser makes to suit your specific process requirements, acting as a complete system integrator for your custom analyzer shelter needs. Supermec has in-depth know-how in applications for gas and liquid samples, and vast experience working with top notch analyzer house and sampling system builders worldwide who are experts in analyzer house and shelters, sample pre-conditioning systems (SPS), and sample recover systems (SRS).
Supermec is your preferred partner for all aspects of analytical application. From project management, design, procurement, construction, IFAT facilities management, supply, installation to commissioning of your system. We will gladly assist you in the search for the optimum solution to your measurement task. Should you require any specifically design in hazardous area measuring system, our ex-proof team will always be there to work in-line with you to optimize your design. Our main goals are attaining sturdiness, reliability and quality in the various application areas.
Analyzer House
- Customized Solutions to suit Clients' Needs
- Supply complete with piping, wiring and junction boxes
- Design with complete HVAC system, correctly planned electrical circuitry & to any installation and signage standards required
- Can be with shelters to protect equipment in cabinets
- Equipped with various type of analyzers, gas chromatographs, FGS equipment, loggers, and complete subsystems to serve multiple lines and sampling points etc.
- Pre-Fabricated
- Quality Assurance
- Easy site installation
- All-inclusive plug-and-play
- Complete analyzer shelter can comes with lifting hooks and anchor pads
We recommend and provide the following in all zone 1 and zone 2 hazardous areas:
- Weatherproof, explosion proof, or flame proof equipment
- HVAC System for Analyzer house
- Power Distribution Board
- Lighting Fixtures
- Local Control Station
- Junction boxes for EHT and Instruments
- ELV System


text:
Some unique and interesting home decoration ideas give a unique look to your home. But searching such interesting and wonderful ideas is definitely quite strenuous and it takes long time to apply. Expert says your home reflects your personality and I believe that it's true. You maintain your interiors according to your mood and nature. You can add several charming effects for enhancement of your home, but if you will add some unique and touchy products then I think you don't need too much concern about the other accessories as they are good enough to provide you enchanting effects.
Add Warmth with personalized photo murals:
Personalized photos in your room definitely create some charming effects on walls. Make sure your photos are decorated and beautified elegantly. Photo framing is quite old trend so mostly people shifted towards photo canvases. You can add warmth if you buy photo canvases from Image-printers.com for extra ordinary effects in room. Your room is your personal castle and it must look elegant enough for welcoming the guests.
Some luxurious finishing for your washrooms:
Mostly people don't neglect their washroom and don't pay much attention towards their beautification as they believe that this place must look simple. I agree that washrooms look best when are in simplistic touch but you can enhance this simplicity by adding favorable products which are good enough to double the charm. You can add elegant bamboo bath towels which are odor resistant and pure hypo allergenic. They are available in complete sets like bath towel, hand and wash towel.
Concord grape sprays for aromatic effects:
Concord grape spray have magnificent aroma which inspires your nerves and make you feel relaxed. It creates fruity type effects when you spray down and the entire room looks cheesy automatically.
Enjoy comfortable sleep with soothing pillows:
If you want to enjoy a relaxing and comfortable sleep then you must need silk filled pillows as they allow you to enjoy a long and undisturbed sleep.
Carton of safety matches:
A beautiful small apothecary jar for placing match sticks is definitely a good addition to some useful pieces of your home.
Slipcovers for perfect dining area:
If you want to turn over your dining area with spectacular items then add slipcovers on the table which turn the place into a unique traditional styling.
Exhibit your cheesy taste with abstract sculptures:
Adding sculptural items in your home give a new and peaceful touch to your place. You have loads of sculptural options like romantic sculptures, abstract sculptures, ceramic or cultural sculptures. These all items combine to give an artistic look. But if you want some decent touching then add abstract sculptures.
Illuminate your place with wall sconces:
Illumination is most attractive and appealing thing to adorn your place. Try some unique and attractive wall sconces which are designed beautifully to illuminate your home. They contain candles or lights which give a serene look to your entire place.


text:
Archives – ReverseVision and Industry News
January 6, 2015
Reverse Mortgage Volume Leaves 2014 on a High NoteFinishing 2014 with a bang, December's home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) endorsements grew 12.1% to 4,942 loans, marking the highest monthly volume since February. Read more.
January 7, 2015
Obama Announces FHA MIP Cuts, No Changes for Reverse Mortgages
Changes will not apply to the reverse mortgage program, a Department of Housing and Urban Development spokesman confirmed with RMD. Read more.
January 8, 2015
The Mortgage Professor: The fixed-rate, adjustable-rate decisionThe fixed rate HECM reverse mortgage is primarily for seniors who plan to use all or most of their borrowing power right away. Read more.
Jeffrey Birdsell, VP of Professional Services, elected to NRMLA Board of Directors
November 20, 2014 Jeffrey Birdsell, VP of Professional Services, was elected to the NRMLA 2014-2015 Board of Directors at the NRMLA event in Miami Beach November 10-12.View the NRMLA Board of Directors list.
ReverseVision President, John Button in the Hot SeatOctober 24, 2014 From his favorite vacation and his first job to his thoughts about the future of the reverse mortgage market, Reverse Review Magazine gets the personal and professional facts from John Button, president of ReverseVision, in this month's edition of The Hot Seat. Read the article.
ReverseVision Launches New Professional Services Division for Reverse LendersSeptember 18, 2014 ReverseVision Inc. has announced the launch of their Professional Services Division aimed at helping reverse mortgage lenders and brokers to be more successful. Read the Article.
ReverseVision named as a finalist for National Mortgage News Lenders' Choice Award
September 5, 2014Thanks to our amazing customers, ReverseVision is one of three finalists for the 15th Annual Mortgage Technology Awards - Lenders' Choice Award category. Winners will be announced at MBA National in Las Vegas October 19-22. Thanks again to everyone who voted for us and made this possible! View Finalists.
Jeffrey Taylor Featured as an Industry Icon
August 18, 2014
When the Department of Housing and Urban Development first announced the reverse mortgage program back in 1989, ReverseVision board of directors member, Jeffrey Taylor knew he had to jump at the opportunity.Turn to page 36 to Read the Article.
ReverseVision Bolsters RV Exchange With Over 700 New Brokers
August 15, 2014
This kind of data help us better understand where the industry needs to focus its resources, which for now clearly is in the areas of education and marketing.
Landmark Network Appraisal Service
June 25, 2014
ReverseVision's RV Exchange software makes ordering an appraisal a one-click process with the integration of Landmark Network. Find out how easy it is to get started!Read the Article or Watch the Video
Mortgagee Letter 2014-12
July 1, 2014
Our RV Exchange software has been updated to support the new Mortgagee Letter 2014-12 and ensure our customers are on track with the latest reverse mortgage loan changes.See Updates


text:
You haven't shortlisted any properties yet. Use the icons to add them here.
You've shortlisted
You're nearly there!As you want to go soon, please call us on 0333 2204 914 so we can quickly book it for you.
We're sorry, this accommodation can only be booked on request. Please call us on 0333 2204 914 so we can quickly book it for you.
A security deposit of £125 is required at this property. We will call you 7 days prior to arrival to take payment. This payment will be automatically refunded (unless a damage claim is received) 7 days after the end of your stay. Please note that your refunded security deposit will take 3-5 days to appear in your account.
The property is equipped with everything you will need, including utilities, bed linen and towels.
Guests are provided with a welcome pack on arrival and will have the use of robes.
A security deposit of £125 is required at this property. This will be collected automatically 7 days prior to arrival and refunded (unless a damage claim is received) 7 days after the end of your stay. Please note that your refunded security deposit will take 3-5 days to appear in your account. For your convenience, we'll take this payment from the last card used to make payment to us. If you would prefer to use a different method of payment, please let us know before the security deposit is due.
If you have any questions ahead of your forthcoming stay, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions, where you'll find answers to the most common customer queries: www.bluechipholidays.co.uk/frequently-asked-questions
The Cider Barn - There's an onsite cider and ale barn, tables are available to reserve in advance.
All prices are for the full duration of your stay.
Please select an available date from the calendar to proceed with your booking.
Highly recommend for family or quiet get away for one.
Published on: 2019-12-01
Amazing time away at Perry lodge. Very clean and good location. Plenty to do around the lodge within an hour away. Comfortable sleep and everything to use for self catering our food. Would recommend to anyone and would be happy to return.
Published on: 2019-11-09
We had a great stay here with our friends. So relaxing and lovely area. This is our second time here and we will be back again
Published on: 2019-09-17
My wife and I had a great break. Everything was first class with the accommodation. It's a very peaceful setting and the individual lodges are well spaced and not overlooked by others. We will definitely return.
Published on: 2019-07-06
Wonderful holiday. Access roads need some further work/infill
Published on: 2019-06-08
Fantastic. Cannot wait to return. Lovely lodges and wonderful staff.
Published on: 2019-05-11
Its our second stay here and yet again a perfect relaxing stay. Its close to a lot of places to visit and plenty of walks to go on. The site itself is clean and well looked after i would highly recommend staying here.
Published on: 2019-04-27
Had a fantastic stay at Perry Lodge! Was very impressed with the lodge and its very high standard. It's simply a gorgeous place to come and chill, spend time with family etc - will definitely come back :)
Published on: 2019-05-18
Loved it and it's our second time visiting.
Published on: 2019-03-13
Fantastic! We all had such a great time and will be back again soon! Everything was perfect.
Published on: 2019-02-23
absolutely lovely lodge set in an amazing back drop. Would highly recommend if your looking for a chilled weekend.
Published on: 2019-02-19
Can not fault the lodge at all! It was fabulous!
Published on: 2019-02-12
Second visit to Strawberryfield enjoyed everything the park and lodge has to offer .
Published on: 2019-01-14
Best Christmas break ever. Mike is fabulous.
Published on: 2019-01-02
Excellent lodge.
Published on: 2018-11-28
0/10 0 reviews
A stunning eco-lodge located in the beautiful Somerset countryside.
A modern, designer lodge with a private hot tub, just a short drive for Cheddar Gorge.
A stunning lodge offering beautiful furnishings and a private hot tub, located in picturesque countryside - the perfect base for exploring Somerset.
A beautifully furnished eco-lodge set in the stunning Somerset countryside, perfect for exploring the local area
This incredibly stylish lodge has proved exceptionally popular with couples and families alike.
A beautifully furnished Eco-lodge set in the stunning Somerset countryside.
A beautiful lodge on the Strawberryfield Park resort, complete with a super kingsize bed and a sunken hot tub.
An exceptional lodge, complete with a sunken hot tub and a super kingsize bed.
A luxurious lodge designed exclusively for couples, set in the stunning Somerset countryside.
A beautiful and modern lodge set within beautiful countryside, complete with private hot tub.


text:
35 Watergate Dr #1506
$2,100,000, 3 Beds 3 Baths 2,799 Sqft 2 Garages
About This Property
Incredible views are evident as you step off your private elevator into this 15th floor three bedroom, three bath Residence at The Tower Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. Imagine a lifestyle of luxury, privacy, and elegance with the grace and unrivaled service of world-renowned Ritz-Carlton. The split bedroom design features additional ceiling height, marble flooring along with two secured parking spaces and extra storage. Numerous exceptional amenities and services include heated resort-style pool with barbeque area, private theatre, fitness center, social rooms, 24-hour in-residence dining, dedicated concierge, and VIP status at all Ritz-Carlton Hotels around the world. The Ritz-Carlton Tower Residences overlooks the shimmering Sarasota Bayfront, Marina, barrier islands to the Gulf, and vibrant downtown. Sarasota, a cultural hub, boasts theatre, opera, galleries, boating, shopping and fine dining to please every palate. Nearby are acclaimed pristine beaches, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, and Ringling Museum. Membership to the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Spa, private Beach, and The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club are available. Luxury Knows No Limits.
Essential Information
Community Information
Cable Available, Electricity Available, Phone Available, Public, Sewer Available, Sewer Connected, Street Lights, Water Available
Fitness, Gated Community, Pool, Recreation Building, Sauna, Security, Community Hot Tub/Spa, Storage, Association Recreation - Owned, Buyer Approval Required, Fitness, Gated Community, Sidewalk
Covered, Garage Door Opener, Guest, Common, Under Building
Under Building Parking, , 2 Car Garage
Interior Features
Crown Molding, Eating Space In Kitchen, Elevator, High Ceiling(s), Living Room/Dining Room Combo, Open Floorplan, Solid Wood Cabinets, Split Bedroom, Stone Counters, Walk-In Closet(s), Window Treatments
Bar Fridge, Built-In Oven, Convection Oven, Cooktop, Dishwasher, Disposal, Dryer, Electric Water Heater, Exhaust Fan, Microwave, Range Hood, Refrigerator, Washer
One Story, Corner Unit, End Unit, High Rise
Exterior Features
Lighting, Sidewalk, Storage, Mature Landscaping, Trees/Landscaped, Patio/Porch Covered
School Information
Additional Information
Listing Details
All listing information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be independently verified through personal inspection by appropriate professionals. Listings displayed on this website may be subject to prior sale or removal from sale; availability of any listing should always be independently verified.
Listing information is provided for consumer personal, non-commercial use, solely to identify potential properties for potential purchase; all other use is strictly prohibited and may violate relevant federal and state law.
Listing data comes from My Florida Regional MLS DBA Stellar MLS.
Listing information last updated on December 8th, 2019 at 7:00am CST.


text:
Opening times for ALDI in Hinckley
ALDI Hinckley is a branch belonging to ALDI brand. It is open on: Mon - Sat: 8AM - 10PM, on Sunday 10AM - 4PM. This shop's address is: Watling Street, LE10 3ED, Hinckley.
Other places nearby
Bargain Booze in Hinckley, 134 Coventry Road (0.67 mile)
Iceland in Hinckley (0.63 mile)
Lidl in Hinckley (0.54 mile)
Post Office in Burbage, 98a Wolvey Road (0.43 mile)
Poundland in Hinckley (0.71 mile)
Sainsbury's in Hinckley, 20 Rugby Road (0.68 mile)
Tesco in Hinckley, 3 Station Yard (0.58 mile)
The Co Op Food in Hinckley, Boyslade Road (0.69 mile)
TK Maxx in Hinckley (0.71 mile)


text:
Don't miss the latest stories
Share this
Watch: 'GoT' Cast Hilariously Struggling To Spell 'Daenerys Targaryen'
By Izza Sofia, 11 Apr 2019
Subscribe to newsletter
Like us on Facebook
The final season of fan favorite Game of Thrones is set to air on 14 April on HBO. Viewers will soon find out the fate of 'Jon Snow', 'Daenerys Targaryen' and 'Westeros'.
The season's two-minute preview depicts the final showdown between the living and dead, an uninjured 'Arya Stark' holding a dragonglass dagger, as well as 'Daenerys' and 'Jon' visiting 'Drogon' and 'Rhaegal'. While fans wait patiently for the final season, an interview by LA Times' Meredith Blake starts things on a lighthearted, hilarious note.
The interview sees Blake testing the cast members of Game of Thrones to see if they truly know their trivia. More specifically, the stars are asked to spell 'Daenerys Targaryen'. Jacob Anderson immediately declares, "Nope!" while Kristofer Hivju admits his defeat by letting out a sigh.
The stars fumble to spell the name, with Anderson being the only person close to acing the quiz.
Check out the clip below. In related news, most fans—even the most loyal ones—have been mispronouncing 'Khaleesi' for the past seasons.
Can cast members of #GameOfThrones spell Daenerys Targaryen? We asked and... it's not pretty. https://t.co/T3sNG1q5GD pic.twitter.com/qA42iO65sx— LAT Entertainment (@latimesent) April 10, 2019
[via LA Times, opening image via HBO]
Receive interesting stories like this one in your inbox
Advertise here
More related news
Also check out these recent news


text:
Munchkins is an online slot with an interesting theme. The name of this game – "munchkins" – means monsters. The game presents you everyday objects with bite marks on theme. Munchkins is a 5-reels and 15 paylines video slot created by Microgaming software developer.
The lower value symbols are represented by the standard playing cards (10, J, Q, K and A), while the higher value ones are a wallet, letters, cookies, some car keys, and a book of homework. The wild symbol is a blue object and the scatter symbol is a chocolate biscuit.


text:
14 May 2009 Edition
FERMANAGH/SOUTH TYRONE: Jim Gibney back with the communities who elected Bobby Sands as 'The People's MP'
The Hunger Strikers' sacrifice will not be in vain
FERMANAGH/SOUTH TYRONE was the constituency that made all the world aware of the 1981 Hunger Strike and the struggle for the restoration of political prisoner status when it elected IRA Volunteer Bobby Sands as its Member of Parliament. It was also where Jim Gibney, a comrade of the Hunger Strikers, says he cut his political teeth. In fact, it was Jim who phoned Gerry Adams on learning of the death of Frank Maguire MP to say the Republican Movement should seriously consider standing Bobby Sands in the subsequent by-election.
Last week, Jim returned to Fermanagh/South Tyrone to address a crowd who gathered in Killesher Hall to pay tribute to the heroism of Bobby Sands, the Hunger Strikers and their families. And Jim paid tribute also to the hundreds of thousands of people who stood with the Hunger Strikers against Margaret Thatcher and the might of Britain.
This is what Jim Gibney said.
'THERE is not a day goes by that I don't think of Bobby Sands and the other Hunger Strikers. All of us here and beyond know the huge part they played in the history of the struggle for a united Ireland. Twenty-eight years later, their sacrifice is remembered by the republican people of Ireland and abroad and Bobby Sands in particular is an international icon for freedom and for oppressed people throughout the world. But for me there is a very deep personal connection between the Hunger Strikers and myself.
I visited Bobby several times before he went on hunger strike and when he was on hunger strike. I also visited Francis Hughes, Raymond McCreesh, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson and Tom McElwee while they were on hunger strike. I was interned in the same cage with Kieran Doherty in the early 1970s and we were on the same landing in Crumlin Road Jail in 1976.
It is just like yesterday, I vividly recall holding Bobby's hand as he lay in bed a few days before he died while he bid me farewell with the message for the republican leadership outside that he was seeing his hunger strike through to the end.
I can still see Francis Hughes lying on his bed, desperately ill, telling his brother, Oliver, and mother that Margaret Thatcher had better prepare for coffins coming out of the H-Blocks because he was not coming of hunger strike. On one visit with Raymond McCreesh he asked me had Francis died the night before because he had put in what Raymond described as an horrendous night the night before. Raymond knew that he too was facing that awful reality.
Patsy O'Hara was in the INLA. They had their own appointed people visiting them. I never visited Patsy but one day, coming down the corridor of the prison hospital, I saw him in a darkened cell. He was frail and in a wheelchair. He was wearing a multicoloured bathrobe and he waved at me and flashed a smile with the brightest of teeth I'd ever seen.
I regret to this day that I didn't go into his cell and shake his hand or hug him. I was worried a scene could be created and that the warders would refuse me permission to visit the other Hunger Strikers.
JOE McDonnell refused to give me details about his health on his 18th day of hunger strike. He was more interested in who I was dating at the time – in jail parlance, Joe was a 'raker' and a 'slagger'.
Martin Hurson sat across the table from me with the broadest smile on his face with his mouth covered in toothpaste. He had rushed out of his wing to see me and in the haste had forgotten to properly wash away the paste!
Tom McElwee was a first cousin of Francis Hughes. Their parents' farms were beside one another on the Scribe Road in Bellaghy. As schoolboys they played together in the nearby fields. They died beside each other in separate prison cells, a distance of some few yards. I recall Tom telling his mother and sister that he would not be going back to the H-Blocks without the five demands.
Kieran Doherty was a huge man; his nickname was 'Big Doc'. He was a quiet-spoken, gentle soul but he was as tough as steel, a good man to have when you were in a tight spot. There was no tighter spot than the H-Blocks prison hospital in the summer of 1981.
We also must remember two other Hunger Strikers: Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg. In prisons in England, far from their families and friends, Michael died in 1974 and Frank in 1976.
Bobby was 27, Francis 25, Raymond 24, Patsy 23, Joe 30, Martin 24, Kieran 25, Tom 23, Kevin 25 and Mickey 27 – their average age was 25. Michael Gaughan was 23 and Frank Stagg was 28. Ireland's youth, they gave so much so young.
THE Hunger Strike of 1981 lasted seven months. It began on 1 March and ended on 3 October.
It was a human and political drama on an epic scale. Never before in the annals of Irish history, in the long struggle by the people of this country for freedom and independence, had such heroism and self-sacrifice been seen.
It all took place inside a small building with a low ceiling and a narrow corridor, little more than 20 yards long by 3 yards wide with six or so cells on either side. A few strides would cover its length and if you stretched out your arms you could almost touch each wall.
There is no description, no words of mine, can convey what life was like inside that tiny piece of space for those long seven months.
From the day Bobby died in his prison cell in the hospital wing, the parents and the families of the other Hunger Strikers had to pass by his cell to visit their loved ones in the knowledge that Bobby never came out of that cell alive. As each Hunger Striker died and was replaced by another, the number of cells which had become tombs for the prisoners grew in numbers.
The agony for the parents and the families of the Hunger Strikers must have been unbearable yet they held to their sons' wishes and in the case of Joe McDonnell his wife, Gorretti, supported them to the end.
THE partition of Ireland and the centuries of history of the occupation of our country by the British Government bore down on the Hunger Strikers and their families in that tiny space a few miles from Belfast, a place which has been preserved and in time people can visit it and see where 10 heroes spent the last days of their lives.
The eyes of the world were locked onto this titanic struggle between a group of defenceless prisoners, their parents and families and Margaret Thatcher. It was an uneven contest. The prisoners and their families depended on their beliefs, their loyalty to each other, to a noble cause – Ireland's freedom.
The prisoners had only one weapon and that was their bodies and the personal sanction of hunger striking. Thatcher, on the other hand, had all the resources she needed at her disposal: armed forces, political support in the British House of Commons, and an unquestioning media and inveterate hatred of republicans.
While I have a special relationship with the Hunger Strikers I also know that the people of Fermanagh/South Tyrone have a special place in their hearts for Bobby Sands. After all, you did elect Bobby as your MP. I had the privilege to work in that election campaign. It was in that election campaign that I cut my teeth and many others – like Gerry Adams – picked up an invaluable experience from this constituency.
Tonight I would also like to pay tribute to some of the people I met during Bobby's election: the Gleeson Family, particularly Loretta and her husband, Jimmy; Bernadette McAliskey; Francie Molloy; Owen Carron; Joe McConnell, who slept overnight with the ballot boxes stuffed with ballot papers to protect the people's decision from being interfered with; Seamus Grimes from Coalisland; Pat Cox, who kept me and fed me for weeks; the late Tommy Murray, an SDLP councillor who signed Bobby's nomination papers and was hounded out of the SDLP for doing so; the late Noel Maguire, who most graciously stood aside and left Bobby Sands a free run in the hope that, if elected, his life and the lives of others would be saved. Finally, the late Frank Maguire MP, who in life did so much to help political prisoners and whose death marked a turning point in our history.
WE must never forget Thatcher's intransigence led to deaths outside the H-Blocks: over 60 people died during the seven months of the Hunger Strike.
We must remember the 30,497 people who voted for Bobby and elected him as MP. They were a credit to themselves, to the Hunger Strikers and to the struggle for Irish independence.
We did not know it at the time but the election of Bobby Sands fundamentally changed the republican struggle. The freedom struggle was given a tremendous boost at home and abroad. Bobby's election was followed by the election of Kieran Doherty and Paddy Agnew as TDs to the Dáil and, later that year, Owen Carron held on to Bobby's seat with an increased majority.
These were spectacular results for republicans. They opened up an entirely new arena of struggle for republicans. They gave the leadership of Sinn Féin the confidence to adopt an election strategy; on foot of this the Sinn Féin party of today began to be built. Sinn Féin looked again at how to build itself again in the 26 Counties and out of that the party changed its abstentionist policy and returned TDs to Leinster House.
The existence of Sinn Féin as a formidable political voice allied to the equally formidable armed struggle by the IRA eventually led to the IRA leadership calling its cessations followed by the Peace Process and the changes we have today.
There is a clear historical link between the Hunger Strikers' deaths in 1981, the election of Bobby Sands MP, the unprecedented times we are currently living in and the constituency of Fermanagh/South Tyrone – and the people here played a massive part in creating today's conditions.
Sinn Féin is now the leading nationalist party in the Six Counties. Michelle Gildernew is both your MP and MLA and a minister in the executive with other Sinn Féin ministers. Never in our wildest dreams as we toured this county seeking votes for Bobby Sands 28 years ago could we have imagined that Martin McGuinness would be joint First Minister of the North with the DUP's Peter Robinson.
We now are part of an all-Ireland ministerial council where the Executive and the Irish Government meet, planning the future for all the people of this island. We have four ministers in the executive, 27 MLAs, four TDs, two MEPs and scores of councillors across this island.
Republicanism is stronger than it has ever been since partition.
The British troops are off the streets, their huge military bases along the border and elsewhere are gone. The RUC are gone, as is the RIR. There is a new police service in the PSNI and let no one tell you that they are the RUC under a new name – they are not.
The political prisoners were released. Most of those on the run or in exile are now home. These changes are not and cannot be ignored by republicans. The Ireland of today is not the same place as it was in 1981 or when I was growing up as a boy.
The injustice and repression that we all experienced no longer exists. Of course, there are issues related to the legacy of the conflict yet to be resolved, such as the truth for many hundreds of families whose loved ones were killed through collusion between the crown forces and loyalists.
IRELAND'S parties are today developing their democratic all-Ireland political institutions. Republicans have real power and we are using it to improve the quality of people's lives.
We are also using it to peacefully advance the cause of a united Ireland. That is the way forward and the only way forward. Armed actions have no part to play. There is no political space for those who use or advocate such tactics. Such actions only confuse and demoralise people and what we are about is giving people leadership, giving them hope for the future and for that reason we need to re-elect our current MEPs, Bairbre De Brún and Mary Lou McDonald, with an impressive majority and elect as many councillors in the South as possible.
They are following in the proud tradition of Bobby Sands and others.
We are as loyal to the Hunger Strikers' memory 28 years later as we were at the time. The people of their day did not let them down in their hour of need. The people of this constituency did not let Bobby Sands down; they rallied to the prisoners' cause and stood with them. We will not let their sacrifice be in vain. The struggle for a united Ireland continues until it is achieved. As long as there is life in our bodies, that much we can guarantee.'
MOMENT TO MAKE HISTORY: The start of the Fermanagh/South Tyrone by-election campaign with Bobby Sands as the H-Blocks candidate – Owen Carron (election agent), Gerry Adams, Bernadette McAliskey, Art McCaughey, Francie Molloy, Jim Gibney, Marcella Sands (Bobby's sister), Maura Kearney (mother of Hunger Striker Tommy), Rosaleen sands (Bobby's mother) and Councillor Pat McCaffrey


text:
Nothing (2003) – His Review August 20, 2006Posted by Jinx in Comedy, Fantasy, Movies, Mystery, Sci-Fi.
Dir. Vincenzo Natali
Starring David Hewlett, Andrew Miller, Gordon Pinsent etc.,
This review contains no spoilers!
This is not the movie version of Seinfeld, but it is a movie about nothing.
Nothing is the story of two friends who both have the worst day of their lives. Dave is accused of embezzling from his work, he is fired, and his girlfriend dumps him. Andrew gets locked out of the house and ends up accused of molesting a girl scout. To top it off they receive notice that their house is being demolished.
Then nothing happens.
If you enjoy odd movies that deal with pure fantastic elements, you'll like this movie. It's not a joke-y comedy, it's got much more in common with arthouse cinema than National Lampoon, but it is very funny. It gets a bit dark and grim at times, but there's fun in that too.
I can't really go into anything more about this movie without ruining at least part of the actual point of it. I hadn't seen the trailer for it before seeing the movie, and they do give way too much away in it, so you may want to steer clear (link to the trailer in case you just don't care). I promise, it's a lot more fun to see this film without knowing what's gonna happen. And it's an everflowing source of puns – "What did you watch today?" "Oh, Nothing".
This is His review, you can read Her review here which doesn't have spoilers either.
Keywords: Canadian, Surreal, Altered Reality, Friendship
- 1. 4eyes - His and Her movie reviews » Nothing (2003) - Her Review - August 20, 2006
[…] This is Her review, you can read His review here […]


text:
Şirin Tekeli made a decisive contribution to the scholarly literature on women's history in Turkey. She did so as a prominent feminist scholar in the fields of political science and history and as a leading activist of the "second-wave" feminist movement in the 1980s, a historical epoch in terms of the revival of feminism in Turkey. Tekeli's contributions can be classifi ed under two main themes: her earlier works on women's political participation in Turkey were the first that incorporated a gender perspective in the scholarship; second, for the Kemalist modernization project and reforms of the early republican period, she proposed to use the term "state feminism."
Search Results
You are looking at 1 - 1 of 1 items for
- Author: Sercan Çınar x


text:
I haven't seen any book threads recently, and reading was my first true love. Come tell us what you're reading, what you've read recently, what you're reading next.
I'm currently reading Servants: A Downstairs History of Britain from the Nineteenth-Century to Modern Times by Lucy Lethbridge. It's fascinating. I've read a couple of similar books, but this one is really quite comprehensive, and includes a lot of quotes from former servants diaries and letters.
I'm also currently reading Kings, Queens, Bones & Bastards: Who's Who in the English Monarchy from Egbert to Elizabeth II by David Hilliam, which is... not, perhaps, as accurate as it should be, but has some interesting trivia, anyway. I like that he covers the kings and queens of the old Anglo-Saxon monarchies, which is something that a lot of books about English royalty leave out.
I just finished reading An Irish Country Wedding by Patrick Taylor. It's #7 in a series of 11. I like his writing style. It's similar to the James Herriot books, except it's a people-doctor, not an animal doctor. Set in Ireland in the 60's.
I have no idea what I'm reading next!


text:
Adder, sparrowhawk and royalty on Gower, Wales
October 8, 2018
by Leo Green
Since 2012 it's been possible to walk all of Wales's 870 mile/ 1400km dramatic and varied coastline. The route passes the edge of cities such as Cardiff, Newport and Swansea, but also some wild clifftop scenery where the only sign of humanity could be an ancient standing stone.
I live in Swansea, a former seaport on the Bristol Channel in the Southwest UK. Its geography makes it a rainy sort of place, but it is surrounded by glorious coastline, so on a sunny day – or even one when it isn't pouring with rain – an afternoon at the beach is an obvious choice. The only question is, which beach? Even for a non-driver, there are a dozen I could choose from, all within a short walk from a bus stop. There are tiny rocky coves with caves and blowholes which are swallowed by the sea at high tide, accessible only by scrambling down steep paths, but also vast sandy bays where you and your group can claim an area the size of a tennis court even on a 'busy' day. There are even some disabled -friendly beaches such as Caswell, with its adjacent car park and cafes which are great for watching hardcore surfers over a mug of hot chocolate in winter.
Most recently I spent a few hours at Pobbles Bay, a sandy, south facing beach backed with limestone cliffs which are great for a bit of rock scrambling. The limestone provides lots of caves and rockpools too. I first visited Gower as a 6-year-old, and decades later I still enjoy finding fossils in the rocks and starfish in the pools. The rock pools are refilled by the sea twice a day and contain fascinating tiny creatures, but the waters of the Bristol Channel contain much bigger sealife, including dolphins, basking sharks, and whales. A humpback whale washed up on nearby Aberafan beach in 2008, and as the Bristol channel is an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, there's no telling what really lives beneath the waves.
Gower coast
Pobbles is the easternmost of a chain of bays. At low tide you can walk several miles barefoot through the shallow sea through Threecliffs Bay, Tor Bay and Oxwich Bay, maybe disturbing flat fish as you go. It's thalassotherapy free of charge, but be aware that the Bristol Channel has the second highest tidal range in the world, which causes some dangerous conditions for swimmers. It also means you have to keep moving your towel when the tide is incoming, but the view changes from moment to moment as the tide ebbs and flows.
Encountering an adder and a sparrowhawk
I spent a couple of hours reading, taking photos, rescuing a starfish, and paddling in the sea, which was beginning to warm after a particularly cold winter then packed up and began the walk back to the bus stop. Having hiked to the top of the cliffs, I was walking across the grassy clifftop, scattered with a few spring flowers, and affording a fantastic view of the sparkling sea, beaches to left and right, and the low hills of southwest England across the water. As I approached a gap between two patches of brambles, a sparrowhawk glided silently through the gap, low to the ground, lifeless prey in its talons. Tilting its tail, it changed direction and dipped beyond the cliffs. Such a subtle bird, I think I was the only one who noticed it and that was just because it crossed my path. A few minutes later, as I joined the narrow lane which leads to Southgate, another predator crossed my path. An adder, the only venomous snake in the UK, but unlikely to attack unprovoked. I had much more time to observe this pretty gold and black serpent as it slipped across the tarmac, the grass verge before disappearing beneath the brambles, but decide to enjoy the 'real life' experience rather than reaching for my phone to take a photo. My life was more at risk from the small herd of bullocks blocking the lane just ahead, but they moved aside when I approached them assertively. Urban legend has it that several people a year are killed by cows, whereas the last fatality from an adder bite was 40 years ago. Maybe cows just have a bigger grudge against humans
Pennard village and its environs
Temperatures rarely rise over 25⁰C, and there are no resorts in South Wales, so you may need to adjust your expectations of a day at the beach. It's a stunning coastline but Wales's low population density means that many areas are unspoilt and undeveloped, and I like it that way. It does mean you have to plan your coffee and comfort breaks, so it's good to know that Pennard Village has a coffee shop near the bus stop about 25 minutes walk from Pobbles. As well as refreshments and local souvenirs it has clean toilets. It's also a Post Office, which sells stamps as well as postcards, which is great if you love this old school form of communication.
Photos of royal visitors
The Little Gem bead shop nearby sells jewellery findings and runs classes. It's a nice place to spend some time and money, and has photos of a visit by Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall a few years ago.
Wales as a tourist
Wales doesn't throw itself at the tourist market, but it is friendly, civilised and modern. Encounters with adders and sparrowhawks are rare, but if you search a few rock pools you'll find some interesting sealife.
Our ancient delights include stone age monuments, Roman remains and more castles per square kilometre than anywhere else in Europe. There are very few dangers in terms of violent crime, dangerous wildlife or extreme weather, and we have many 21st century adaptations for disabled travellers.
It's best to do some research to get the most out of a visit, but pack a raincoat and a positive attitude and you'll have a great time.
Top 12 Destinations for Backpackers
Looking for adventure in far away places? Get more bang for your buck with these backpacker favourite destinations you may not have thought of!


text:
If you don't follow the stock market closely, you might have missed it: a 30% gain in the S&P 500 in 2013—its best performance since 1997.
The "reaction was tempered," writes Jesse Eisinger, senior reporter at ProPublica. "People know not to be excited."
Having been burned by bubbles before—in tech (2000) and housing (2008)—investors know that the good times don't last and that strong capital markets don't necessarily reflect a strong economy, Eisinger tells The Daily Ticker.
Related: Stocks could plunge 50% in the next year or two: Blodget
The stock market "now indicates a very narrow world...and certainly has nothing to do with the overall economy," says Eisinger. "Employment and vitality of wages is really what the economy is about."
If that is the measure of the economy, it's no wonder many people aren't excited by the recent rally in stocks.
But there is a tight connection between the rally and public sentiment, according to Eisinger.
"Profit margins are coming at the expense of wages, which are under serious pressure," he says. "Stock prices are high because [companies] are producing high earnings, and the reason they're producing high earnings is that companies have the ability to squeeze wages. That's not good for the rest of us."
The Economic Policy Institute reports that wages for most American workers have stagnated in the last decade.
Related: The Great Wage Debate: Should Companies Pay Workers More?
Eisinger doesn't expect the tradeoff between wages and profits will change anytime soon.
"I don't see any dynamic in American society that will shift the power from capital to labor...[or] put the squeeze on profit markets," he notes."In other words, the stock market can stay irrationally high for a long time."
Follow The Daily Ticker on Twitter (@DailyTicker) and Facebook!
More from The Daily Ticker
Google acquires Nest: Is it one step closer to being 'Big Brother'?
Top three economic myths debunked
Latest Obamacare headache: Thousands may not be insured after all


text:
COLUMN -- Putting a human face on the Twin Cities' best 'villain'Posted by Craig Westover | 4:37 AM |
Wednesday, May 4, 2005
Most people know David Strom, president of the Minnesota Taxpayers League, as the "conservative liberals love to hate." Or the Twin Cities' "Best Villain." He's been compared to Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini. The State Troopers Association president linked him philosophically to the violent Posse Comitatus.
Few know he was once a shy, vaguely socialist lad, a total intellectual geek from a family barely right of communism. He was a McGovern Democrat. He attended that Wellstonian Mecca, Carleton College, yet he speaks fluent Aristotle, Locke, de Tocqueville and Rand.
Last week I sat down for a wide-ranging 90-minute conversation with Strom in his Plymouth office. Wedged amid piles of reports and studies, bags of microwavable Chinese meals and a couple of Rolodexes about the size of truck tires, I found a kindler, gentler David Strom.
We talked about the concept of "justice," about the conservative conundrum of moral values vs. political philosophy, the messiness and arbitrariness of governing, sledgehammers, blunt instruments and the mission and strategy of the Taxpayers League and the controversial "No New Taxes" pledge.
A thoughtful David Strom questioned the "prudence and morality" of budget cuts falling on low-income families. He waxed eloquently on the proper role of love and compassion in government and society and about the waning compassion of modern liberals.
The conversation was not without its political jabs.
Liberal politics is "willful ignorance married to moral superiority," Strom said. The Central Corridor proposal is "a terrible idea." Our public transit system in general is "horrible." But he gave his best shot to "new urbanists."
"I think new urbanists are just out-and-out con artists," he said. "They see the same numbers, and they go out and say things they know are false. At some point you just have to say [to them], 'Well, you're just a BS artist.'"
As Aristotle says, "A is A," and Strom is what he is. As much as he ticks off today's liberal elite, David Strom is a conservative "Happy Warrior" with a populist message.
He has Hubert Humphrey's biography on his bookshelf and the man's exuberance, love of pontification, political courage, sense of history and sincere concern for individuals burned into his character. The means may vary, but like the Happy Warrior, Strom is out to empower the people of Minnesota.
"Whether you define other people as ends in themselves or as means to an end is how you determine if something is moral or not," Strom reflected. "I think that is the legitimate, fundamental question about how we create government.
"Most people, when they look at government, don't see [the left's] grand collectivity, or 'common expression.' The common American understanding about government is still the Founding Fathers' understanding, which is that of a social compact. When people quit getting the sense that they are getting something out of it, they rebel."
Viewing "social compact" as a dynamic concept, not a piece of dogma, puts Strom at odds with some on both the left and the right.
"Government has to be there," he added, speaking of "vulnerable" individuals. "Not as the nurturer, that's where I think the left has gone astray, but it must recognize that the nurturing role has to exist.
"On the left, they believe that the proper role for government should be guided by love. That's a mistake. If you want to express love in community affairs, you have to do it yourself. You can't do it by simply writing a check to government and expect some vast bureaucracy to do it."
Nonetheless, Strom observes, "government tries to replace the family, the church, the neighborhood, the community with a benevolent bureaucracy. The benevolent bureaucracy cannot do what [civil society] can do, but it has pushed civil society aside. It's said, 'This is our problem. Just go away. By the way, go work some more so that we can do more of this.'
"People are actually quite willing to pay for a better Minnesota," he added. "But they are skeptical that they are paying for a better Minnesota when they pay higher taxes."
And therein lies the essence of the man, the message, and the mission of the Taxpayers League — empowering people, not government.
"Ultimately our success or failure is entirely driven by the public's willingness to buy into what we're saying," Strom said. "If people didn't give a crap what we said, then politicians would simply ignore us."
Read the entire interview here
Following are some key excerpts from the interview, located here. The concept of "justice" is clearly the dominant theme that underlies Strom's philosophical comments, but comes into play in his questioning of budget cuts affecting the most vulnerable as "prudentially and morally questionable" to his condemnation of "new urbanists." Below are highlights from the interview.
On Social Justice
Strom: The first political campaign that I remember vividly, because I participated in it, was McGovern-Nixon. I went around and handed out bumper stickers and collected little bits of money . . .
CW: For McGovern?
Strom: For McGovern. So the "vague socialism" was probably based upon a belief that the primary political virtue was justice, and that human decency toward each other was one of the highest political goals.
On Ayn Rand
I am by no means an Ayn Rand guy now, but at the time, you know it was kind of like a slap in the face, because you have all of the background having to do with social justice, racism and everything else, and now suddenly here's someone questioning the basic premise about of our obligations to each other -- who really provides the motive force behind society? -- all those things.
While like most people in the conservative circles, I have sort of left some of the more extreme aspects of Ayn Rand behind, I'd have to say she provided a kind of an intellectual slap in the face to a lot of the things I just thought were unassailable.
On wealth redistribution
What happens is when you take wealth away from these people who have lots of it and give it to these people who don't have a lots of it, you actually start destroying wealth. This was a tremendous revelation to me at the time -- that something I had assumed was a constant was actually a variable. When you talk about people's worth, you're not just talking about labor, you're talking about creativity, you're talking about a vastly dynamic system. There's justice associated with creating the division of wealth -- which had never occurred to me.
On the political spectrum
I like to argue that there is just a vast number of people who define the spectrum entirely incorrectly. They think that one end of the spectrum is communism and the other end of the spectrum is fascism, which I think is entirely incorrect. The spectrum is really from statism to individualism. That is the defining element of the spectrum, so I put communism and fascism in pretty much the same spot.
On libertarians
One of the arguments I always have with the libertarians, with whom I'm very sympathetic, is over the question of the helpless. And one of the arguments of the libertarians that seems to me to be weakest is that they presume something that I think is actually kind of a social creation, and that is the rationality of human beings, their ability to make good decisions.
CW: And this is also where you depart from Rand
Strom: Yes, very much so. This is why I think ultimately there is a serious weakness in her thinking. Government has to be there, not as the nurturer, that's where I think the left has gone astray, but it has to recognize that the nurturing role has to exist.
On same-sex marriage
I think ultimately on a principled basis, government should be out of the marriage business. I understand and have tremendous sympathy for people who are disturbed by government recognition of same-sex marriage and all of those issues, and in particular how tight government is tied into the education of our children.
You aren't talking about letting these two people do their thing. You're really talking about a whole infrastructure that trickles down to the education of our children. Ultimately to the extent that there is a solution to that, it's getting government out of the marriage business.
On the role of government
Actually one of the most difficult things for me, because of my own background has been that you have to recognize that government is not really in the justice business. That's where I started; justice was the highest principle. But, government isn't in the justice business. In my own life I've seen this where you deal with the (quote) "justice" system. Government is in the "conflict resolution" business.
That's what government is about. It is resolving conflicts. Trying to satisfy, trying to find the solution that everybody can live with. There is absolutely no way to dispense justice. And people don't want justice. They say they want justice -- What they want is mercy for themselves; they want "justice" for the other guy.
On distrust of government
I think a lot of it [distrust of government] is driven by mostly legitimate feelings. It has noting to do "community feeling." Most people, when they look at government, they don't see what people on the left see, which is sort of this grand collectivity, our "common expression." They see government as essentially another big organization. The big difference [between government and other organizations] is they don't have a choice. They have to participate in this one, because if they don't, they go to jail. And they're willing to participate because they see benefit for that.
On Minnesota's "most vulnerable"
You know, it's all well and good to say that parents should be out there working and earning their keep and they don't have a right to other people's money and all that stuff, but one of the things that does very much seem to be a part of both our social compact, and in some ways more importantly, a legitimate role of government is to ensure that those people who are vulnerable are protected, at least to a minimum extent.
Defining the "moral hazard" line
Have we gotten to a point where the protections we are providing people actually encourage behaviors that are bad for them?
On the current budgeting process
I will say that I have not been -- I have not gotten into this in any of my public pronouncements or anything -- but I have not been 100 percent sympathetic to the approach that has been taken in the reshaping of the budget. I think they [Pawlenty administration] are doing everything they can to minimize the political damage, which is rationale from their point of view. But to minimize the political damage, they are also grappling with the fact that the fastest growing part of the budget is health and human services. And they've got a huge political problem; the places they should be looking at are middle-class entitlements, but those are politically very risky places to go. So, the easiest place to go is to rejigger things for the most vulnerable. I think that is both prudentially and morally questionable.
On his political "enemies"
One of the things I've found is first, those are fascinating people to be around, and I have had the great opportunity over the past eight years meet a good chunk of them and become friends with them. So, for instance, David Lillehaug is a friend; Ember Reichgott Junge is a friend; I've had fascinating conversations with people like Steve Kelley, and Dick Cohen . They are fundamentally decent people, and I have found -- and I think they have found -- that we have a lot more in common than we don't.
On the success of the Taxpayers League
The defining characteristic of the League has been our ability to break into the mainstream media. A lot of that had to do with saying exactly what we think and say it in such a way that people in the media can use it and also have a level of comfort they are not handing the microphone to a Posse Comitatus. [Laughs]. That's the irony there, if I really were for the Posse Comitatus, I'd never wind up in the newspaper as much as I do, because reporters are actually pretty good at filtering those people out.
Ultimately our success or failure is entirely driven by the public's willingness to buy into what we're saying. If people didn't give a crap what we said, then politicians would simply ignore us. The key to our success ultimately is our ability to persuade people.
On government efficiency
I think this captures it almost perfectly -- the options that have been give to people before when you looked at government in some kind of financial restraints have been [ticks off on fingers 1] pay more and get the same -- just raise taxes so you get to pay more for exactly the same services that you had before; [2] pay more and get less, which is the preferred solution usually, which is raise taxes a little bit, cut spending a little bit; or [3] pay the same, and get less, which is, relatively speaking, the path by government in these last financial crunches -- pay the same, your taxes don't go down, but your services do.
Well those are three crappy choices. I mean, excuse me, but those are bad choices and the thing is, in other parts of your life, things aren't bad like that at all. People are used to paying less and getting more.
On the "No New Taxes" pledge
So what the "No New Taxes" pledge is all about is saying "This is the line in the sand. Now you guys have to figure out how to do what you're suppose to do." It's essentially a substitute for competition. The "No New Taxes" pledge is really about saying we don't have any competitors for them [government], but we do have financial restraints. That's my conception of it.
On love and compassion in human society
This may be too excessively philosophical, but I want to get this out. This goes back to the "kindler, gentler" Taxpayers League. If I had to find the one sort of defining difference between our point of view and the point of view of a lot people on the social justice left, or the economic justice left, it has to do with to do with the vastly different understandings of the proper role of love in human society.
On a very practical level, no matter how generous you are, if 30 to 40 percent of your income is going to the government, you're going have less. You're going to have to work more, you're going to have less interaction with your fellows. Government actually crowds out the proper realm where love can be expressed by displacing it.
For me that is an extraordinarily troubling thing that has happened because you've crowded out the actual place where things can happen.
On political strategy of the Taxpayers League
There is absolutely no question that, again looking at it prudentially, the instruments we have are only slightly less blunt than those the government has. So you look at the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, you look at Taxpayer's Satisfaction Survey, you look at most of the other issues we've dealt with -- several of which funnel down into sort of microcosms, the transit issues . . . I'd love to actually talk about the transit issues because I think it's the perfect microcosm of the problem government has . . . but all of them in one way or another are putting together those restraints I was talking about as a substitute for competition.
On the Hiawatha light rail line
It was a perfect example of bureaucratic imperative overriding everything else. Absolutely, everything else.
Anyone who has sat down and looked at the numbers, looked at the cost/benefit analysis, looked at alternatives can see, not after lots of research, but after very little research, this is a very bad idea. The one argument for it is, it's cool. That's it.
On Twin Cities' public transit
It is the perfect bureaucratic system. They designed it not actually for your need to get around; they designed the system for their need to have an easily definable system.
When you look at something like this -- the proper questions are "Why do we have a transit system?" To help people get around. "Well, why do we have this particular transit system?" Because it's the easiest for us to design and maintain.
Those are two very different goals and outcomes. I do not think anyone can consistently argue that this system serves the people it serves well. Particularly when you're looking at non-choice riders.
On the Central Corridor project
Horrible. A terrible idea. I know Par Ridder [publisher, Pioneer Press, which supports the plan] will be very disappoint for me to say that, but it will be probably an economic development tool in the sense that what you will do is displace -- that is a business incubator area specifically for minorities -- and you are going to displace those people somewhere else and you'll get local gentrification along the way.
First, that's simply displacing economic activity that would have taken place someplace else.
On "New Urbanism" and gentrification
But it goes with everything the "new urbanist" movement is all about, which is ironically in a lot of ways the abandonment of the project of dealing with the poor and disadvantaged and going for what they call the "choice rider" and a tool for gentrification. And not a very good tool for gentrification.
In a lot of ways what I think of the new urbanism as baby boomers wanting to move back to the city and those "really unpleasant, nasty to deal with minorities and foreigners and all these people are in our way -- they ride the bus, so we don't want to ride the bus, so we want a nice bright shiny train."
Essentially it's an attempt by all the white-flighters to take back something they thought they didn't want. But now that they're getting older -- they're empty nesters -- they want it back, so they either reproduce it in the suburbs, which some of them do, or they want to take the city back and sort of gentrify this area -- not through economic means, but by the government imposing it on people. "You go away. We take it. And we make it how we want it. And you pay for it, by the way."
On lust in his heart
Read the entire interview here.


text:
Challenges in Deep Learning [on Hacker Noon]
It ain't all sunshine and rainbows, we've got some shiznit to figure out. A lot of the challenges raised seem to fall on the planning/people end, basically these systems are only as good as the people that program them. The biases, aversions, and misunderstanding of humans can be transferred to the machines through the coding and training of the algorithms.
Takeaway: You can't take a terrible plan and great algorithm and make magic, at least not good magic