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Thursday, May 31, 2012
"Words Become Road:" Edouard Levé's "Autoportrait"
While the two works couldn't be more different in their themes, structures, and tones, my recent reading of Edouard Levé's Autoportrait reminded me, at least subconsciously, of Padgett Powell's The Interrogative Mood. However, the biggest difference lies in their presentations. Powell's work is a series of questions that cover a wealth of ideas, hypotheses, and philosophical discourses. Its subtitle is "A Novel?," a play on the interrogative formats, as well as its classification. Is it a novel, or more of a psychological exercise? Autoportrait, however, offers no such "disclaimer," and is a series of declarations and moments from Levé's life, past and present. I decided to read it after a friend of mine made a passing mention of his final book, Suicide. I did some online research on Levé's art, and was immediately curious, and having finished Autoportrait, I find myself even more curious, not just about his life and works, but about how to approach the written words. On the surface, I highly enjoyed the book, but it's the kind of piece that seems to resist a need to provide satisfaction or dissatisfaction, and also opens up thought-provoking, conflicting views.
Whenever I read a book, I tend to do a lot of underlining and notes for citations and compelling passages, but my copy of Autoportrait has maybe one or two underlines, and no notes; it's simply impossible to judge whether one sentence or sentence cluster is "more important" than the next. The work is meant to be taken as a whole, and while I will offer some select passages, the examples I choose are taken at random, and work as part of the aforementioned "conflicting views:" any assemblage of sentences work quite well for example's sake, but are no more or less indicative of the rest of the work. Levé is presenting virtually every aspect of his life, and only he would have been able to know what was more important to him, and what was more mundane. The main source of curiosity, at least for me, is the juxtaposition of the serious and the banal, with some ideas begging for further explanation which then lead into vastly different territories.
"I attended a school that employed several pedophiles, but I was not among their victims. One of my schoolmates, at age twelve, was followed by an old man into a stairwell, where he dragged him into a basement and had his way with him. The dog belonging to a friend of mine disfigured his best friend when my friend was fourteen. I have never missed a flight that then exploded in mid-air. I almost killed three passengers in my car by looking for a cassette in the glove compartment while I was going one-eighty on the highway from Paris to Reims (Levé 15)."
Again, with this review, much like the mixture of Levé's thoughts, forces me to be repetitive and contradictory. In addition to resisting a singular emotion, Autoportrait resists genre, but clearly has a hand in two designations. The bookstore I work in has the title classified as fiction, even though one wouldn't be faulted for placing it in the biography section. As much as I hate to sound like a tenth grader forcing a summary from the book's jacket, the synopsis mentions the work as "perfect fiction...made entirely of facts." But what this really boils down to is the occasional pointlessness of needing literary classifications. To put this even more vaguely, Autoportrait is a work of art in words, not immediately poetic, but a canvas of pages mirroring its subject (the author) and at times reflecting the reader. While we don't have the exact lives or memories that Levé possesses, there's a universality in the bulk of what he writes. I'm writing this in the evening after visiting Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art--perhaps this is a stretch or a subconscious influence, but could Autoportrait be a work of literary performance art? Why not? It manages to be so much already.
"My memory embellishes. I often apologize, always thinking I shouldn't, and that I shouldn't have to. Over one summer I got six tick bites, only four years later did I become convinced that I had contracted Lyme disease, after I read a list of the symptoms on a Web site. I have cheated on schoolwork, but not at games. I dine alone in a restaurant if I have no choice, which happens only on trips. To dine alone in a restaurant seems paradoxical to me: going out to a restaurant is festive, festivities are collective. To find out whether I was homosexual, I tried to masturbate while thinking of men, it didn't work. When I watch the hunting show Trés Chasse, I have the impression that the hunters feel no guilt after the orgasm of the shot. I thank people easily (Levé 90)."
Edouard Levé was a painter (according to Autoportrait, he burned the majority of his early works), and a photographer in addition to being a writer. This work came before Suicide, which was turned into the publisher ten days before he killed himself. His various art mediums could very well support my hypothesis of the work being a form of performance art, but I'm treading carefully, especially since I mentioned his final work. As much as I champion creative expression and integrity, I feel it would be too harsh to link Suicide in this category, since I haven't read it, and even though it was clearly his way of expressing what was going through his mind, I wouldn't want to call it a piece of performance art, since we don't know what drove him to that final act. Has this essay illuminated anything about the reading? If not, that's understandable, since I'm holding Autoportrait in such high regard, and because it's the kind of work that has no true happy medium. It's a form of expression that will appeal to a reader or turn him/her off. There are so many ideas and facts to process, and in the end, you'll likely feel that you know Levé more or feel even more distanced from his persona. And really, these dueling ideas strongly hint to this work being a success, since Autoportrait evokes such a diverse range of emotions in its diverse range of revelations. The reader is free to choose the classifications that he or she feel are appropriate. I'm glad I chose this as my introduction to his writings, since I knew so little going in, and now I have a cache of information about Levé that explores more than any biography could hope to do. Like any review I post, I hope my opinions, whether one agrees or disagrees, will make a given work more illuminated. With Autoportrait, there's simply no way for that to happen without reading it.
"I do not read Faulkner, because of the translation. I made a series of pictures based on things that came out of my body or grew on it: whiskers, hair, nails, semen, urine, shit, saliva, mucus, tears, sweat, pus, blood. TV interests me more without the sound. Among friends I can laugh hard at certain unfunny TV programs that depress me when I'm alone. I never quite hear what people say who bore me. To me a simple 'No' is pleasantly brief and upsettingly harsh. The noise level when it's turned up too high in a restaurant ruins my meal. If I had to emigrate I would choose Italy or America, but I don't. When I'm in a foreign country, I dream of having a house in Provence, a project I forget when I get back. I rarely regret a decision and always regret not having made one (Levé 22)."
Work Cited:
Levé, Edouard. Autoportrait. Copyright 2005 by P.O.L. éditeur. Translation copyright 2012 by Lorin Stein.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The Stories of Matt Bell: The Lost and the Found
My association with writer Matt Bell is based on a few interactions via social media, as well as a brief meeting and hello at this year's AWP festival. Last year, Jeremy selected His Last Great Gift (published in Conjunctions) as one of the first featured stories for Instafiction. I had never heard of Bell before this, and I was stunned by the depth of the story, a tale of a religious sect leader and the creation of a mysterious electronic messiah. After we linked to this piece, Bell immediately reached out to share his enthusiasm for our project, and I took to discovering more of his work. While Twitter interactions do not constitute a representation of someone's personality, I was doubly fascinated with his work (he's an editor for Dzanc Books as well as the literary magazine The Collagist) and his devotion to promoting literary excellence. He has published dozens of stories in a variety of journals, and has made quite a name for himself in the world of small presses and independent literature. As I mentioned before, I had the chance to meet him at AWP 2012, and I picked up a copy of How They Were Found, his debut story collection. Why am I putting so much emphasis on these small personal details? I'm doing so because his stories, while amazing on their own, take on even more significance when Bell's work to make great stories more widely read and appreciated is understood.
How They Were Found contains stories that glide between various genres while adhering to standard narratives and deliberately deconstructed forms, and sometimes manage to combine all of these ideas at the same time. For example, the book opens with "The Cartographer's Girl," a story that focuses on normally standard themes (relationships, loss, and death), but told from a decidedly non-standard point of view. The cartographer's relationship is highlighted with map legends that indicate where various landmarks of his relationship happened, and his attempt to pinpoint where the relationship has gone becomes a journey that needs to be mapped and documented. That might sound impersonal, but by using his own skills to come to terms with what happened, the cartographer's story is touching and heartbreaking.
"The cartographer compulsively maps everywhere he visits, draws on any surface he can find. At the bar down the street from his house, he draws topological renditions of the layout of the tables, of the path from his stool to the bathroom, of the distribution of waitresses or couples or smoke. There are many kinds of maps, but none of these get him any closer to where he needs to be. He keeps drawing anyway, keeps drinking too, until he feels his head begin to nod. He pays his tab, gets up to leave. If he walks home fast enough, he might be able to fall asleep without dreaming of her.
It is never enough to assume that the reader of the map will approach it with the same mindset the cartographer does. Even omitting something as simple as a north arrow can render a map useless, can cast doubts on all it's trying to communicate. Other markings are just as necessary. There must be a measurement of scale, and there must be a key so that annotations and markings can be deciphered, made useful (Bell 16-17)."
In "Wolf Parts," the idea of the "deliberately deconstructed" takes on new, graphic meanings. The tale of Little Red Riding Hood is not only told from various points of view, but is constantly stripped and manipulated. This is done so that by the end, the standard fairy tale is not just re-imagined, but infused with new levels of violence, philosophical meanings, and psychological implications. Passages of intense violence are written alongside passages of hilarity, so the reader also has to take in a mixture of new emotions as well as the new documentation of the classic fairy tale.
"An axe is a knife is a pair of sewing scissors: Tools as weapons, weapons as tools. Ways to cut yourself out from inside a wolf, or, in other circumstances, to cut your way back in.
Red and her grandmother had seen this trick before, and so could not be taken by surprise. Red refused to leave the path, the grandmother declined to open the door, and when they each questioned the wolf through the bolted wood, they already knew the cheap answers he would offer. The only one surprised was the wolf, who knew not where these women had gotten their knives, nor where they had learned the sharp skill with which they wielded them (Bell 151)."
Bell is also skilled at creating his own modern fables. There is a wonderful metaphor in "The Leftover," in which a couple breaks up and the woman finds herself living with a small version of her ex, a version that engages in the very actions she made him quit. Hundreds of stories have been written about breakups and their aftermaths, and this version shows how a simple idea can change the obvious into something unique. It's sweet and detailed, and after awhile the strange scenario feels normal as the woman mentally explores the changes in her life and the qualities of her ex.
"During this same time period, she comes to understand that it's not only the bad habits Jeff quit that make up Little Jeff. There are also qualities that Allison forgot she even missed, because they've been gone so long or because they disappeared from her and Jeff's relationship without announcing their departure. She notices the long absence of these traits only when they reemerge: Little Jeff writes poems on the backs of take out receipts and on yellow sticky notes, just like Jeff used to do. She finds them in odd places, as if Little Jeff doesn't understand that it might be more romantic to put them on her side of the bed or on her nightstand (Bell 172-173)."
The above citations are examples of Bell's gift of careful humor in odd places, but his work is also capable of serious, gripping accounts. One of my favorites in the collection is "Dredge," a mystery about a troubled man's attempt to find out who killed a young woman. His desire to do good is complicated by horrible memories from his childhood, and the fact that he embarks on his mission entirely alone, even going so far as to keep the woman's body in his freezer. For every step he takes in the right direction, circumstances and his own clouded personality force him to take steps back. There's no doubt that he's sincere, but his mental state makes him dangerous to himself and others. The story leads to a definite climax, but along the way, the reader is torn between sympathy and nervousness for what could conceivably happen.
"In the garage, he tries to lift the girl's tank top to get to the skin hidden underneath, but the fabric is frozen to her flesh. He can't tell if the sound of his efforts is the ripping of ice or of skin. He tries touching her through her clothes, but she's too far gone, distant with cold. He shuts the freezer door and leaves her again in the dark, but not before he explains what he's doing for her. Not before he promises to find the person who hurt her, to hurt this person himself (Bell 122)."
Another exploration of genre comes in "The Receiving Tower," a nightmarish story told in a small, claustrophobic setting. A group of soldiers are losing their memories while stationed at a desolate outpost under the command of an abusive, murderous captain. The original war is vague and possibly not even a threat anymore, but the icy surroundings and lack of communication makes situation even worse than any potential battle. There are elements of sci-fi and future dystopia, but the emotions and tensions come from the everyday activities of the lost soldiers.
"As I remember it--which is not well--young Kerr was the first to grow dim. We'd find him high in the tower's listening room, cursing at the computers, locking up console after console by failing to enter his password correctly. At night, he wandered the barracks, holding a framed portrait of his son and daughter, asking us if we knew their names, if we remembered how old they were. This is when one of us would remove the photograph from its frame so that he could read the fading scrawl on the back, the inked lines he eventually wore off by tracing them over and over with his fingers, after which there was no proof to quiet his queries (Bell 27)."
These are just general synopses of a few of How They Were Found's stories, but I feel they give an excellent representation of the work as a whole. The genre-bending and originality are beautiful, but having followed Bell for this last year, I feel this work represents something more. Bell is one of many writers who create amazing literary art that is often overlooked by mainstream readers of fiction. These particular stories have links to various genres, and prove that independent publishers and journals aren't in the market solely for exclusive purposes. How They Were Found was a stunning experience, but there's more to this than a simple review: The collection was published by an imprint of Dzanc Books, which offers this as part of their mission statement:
"Dzanc Books not only publishes amazing books, but works to champion literature and writing in the schools, and is fully committed to developing educational programs. Dzanc funds and runs workshops and Writer-in-Residence programs in several cities, including Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and New York. Dzanc has also set up a low-cost writing instruction program for beginning and emerging writers by connecting them with accomplished authors through the innovative Dzanc Creative Writing Sessions. Dzanc also sponsors the Dzanc Prize for community service, and works in partnership with literary journals to advance their readership at every level."
Simply put, I'm hoping that this review, along with the curative work of Instafiction, not only shows that literary writing can appeal to the mainstream, but that there are often a lot of overlooked benefits to supporting small presses. Works and writers like Bell are deserving of more attention, representing a world of literature that has its dedicated readers, but could appeal to so many more audiences.
Work Cited:
Bell, Matt. How They Were Found. Copyright 2010 by Matt Bell.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Foundations: Roberto Bolaño's "The Skating Rink"
This doesn't happen with too many writers, but whenever I read a book by Roberto Bolaño, I feel a keen sense of excitement and anticipation, feelings that take me back to what I experienced when I first discovered The Savage Detectives. Since his death in 2003 and the rise in his international acclaim, the English translations of his works have been welcome, but I've long given up on trying to stay abreast with them, chronologically speaking. In the last few years, I've purchased more than a few of the original English hardcovers, some of which are still on my shelf waiting to be read, while I've realized I need to devote time to other writers, as much as I'd enjoy a Bolaño marathon. My last reading of his work (not including magazine/journal publications) was nearly two years ago, so I figured it was time to dust off one of the books I've had in my possession. In that time, a few issues have been raised regarding the sheer number of posthumous publications, which seem to appear at least once per year, but sometimes with two or three popping up every six months or so. He was stunning prolific, but does the weight of his output diminish his talent, since the publications include some of his "lesser" works? And, as I've touched upon before, did the rapid, near-universal praise that his work received lead to a sort of diminished appreciation? These thoughts can be valid as well as pointless. Even with his less-acclaimed work, there's at least a small literary value; he didn't write fluff or throwaway works, and the only "problem" I've personally encountered is trying to keep in mind the biographies of the characters who appear in various forms throughout his books. The idea of "smallness" works quite well in the Bolaño canon, especially when his themes are equally displayed in more compact works, just as they are in his longer ones. This holds true with The Skating Rink.
The novel is told by three male narrators in the seaside town of Z, outside Barcelona: Remo Morán, a business owner; Enric Rosquelles, an overweight civil servant; and Gaspar Heredia, a nightwatchman at a local campground. All three men are connected, both intimately and socially, with Nuria, a beautiful figure skater who has been dropped from the Olympic team. Other small but essential characters appear within the narrations: Carmen, an aging, eccentric opera singer; Caridad, a younger woman who constantly carries a knife, which is mentioned so often as to render obvious the clue in the ensuing mystery; and the Rookie, a seemingly dangerous man who hangs out in a small bar. Two major plot points are revealed right away, and the reader has to make sense of the ensuing "detective" story: Rosquelles, infatuated with Nuria, builds her a skating rink in an abandoned mansion, a scandal because the rink is believed to have been built with laundered public funds. This rink becomes a murder scene, and the three interlocking narrations become explorations of potential evidence. The three men have strong opinions of each other, and the challenge lies in determining who is telling the honest side of the story. The details alternate between blatant and subtle. For example, Moran makes two early mentions of Heredia, nearly identical save for one major detail:
"We were adolescents, all of us, but seasoned already, and poets, so we laughed. The stranger's name was Gaspar Heredia, Gasparin to his casual friends and enemies (Bolaño 1)."
"It's true: in May I found a job for Gaspar Heredia, Gasparin to his friends, a Mexican, a poet, and flat broke at the time (Bolaño 7)."
While the murder mystery is the focal point, the surrounding details are as fascinating in their own right. Originally published in 1993, The Skating Rink was one of Bolaño's first published novels, and for an early effort, it still manages to preview the styles and themes for which he'd become renowned: the eerie, sometimes detached account of murders, sociological and civic corruption and disorder, and creative characters devoted to living their lives as they personally see fit. In various stretches of the narrative, the reader can sometimes forget about the mystery aspect and get lost in the beautiful details, some of which become essential to the resolution.
"The music was the 'Fire Dance,' by Manuel de Falla, and I could see the skater's torso moving in time with it as she lifted her arms, doing a clumsy yet somehow affecting imitation of a devotee offering a gift to a tiny invisible deity. The rest--the ice, the girl's legs, her silver skates--were mainly hidden by piles of packing cases left there to block the way and make the place look like an amphitheater when viewed from the rink, although as I made my way around them, they seemed to form something more like a miniature labyrinth. For a start all I could see was the girl's back, her arms curved in an ethereal embrace and the spotlights shining onto the ice, which reminded me of the lights around a boxing ring in Tijuana (Bolaño 61)."
Some of the passages exploring the down on their luck characters are striking, insofar as they create an aura of small-town life that reveals the universality of the downtrodden. I don't know how much of this is from Bolaño's original writing or Chris Andrew's translation, but it adds an atmosphere that would be right at home in an American mystery novel or film:
"I'm a rookie in this hell-hole of a town, said the Rookie when I asked him how he got his name. A rookie, a newbie at the age of forty-eight, a hick who doesn't know his way around the traps, and has no friends to help him out. He earned a bit of money salvaging stuff from dumpsters, and spent the rest of the day hanging around bars away from the beach, on the edges of Z, where the tourists don't go, or clinging like a limpet to the ever-unpredictable Carmen (Bolaño 89)."
The political scandal also has distinct airs that would be right at home in film noir:
"And if they ignore you, what will you do? If who ignores me, cutie? The people at City Hall, the mayor's man, everyone...Carmen burst out laughing, her teeth were chipped and uneven, and most of her molars were gone, but her jaw, by contrast, was strong and well-formed, the sort that holds firm when things are falling apart. You don't know what I have on them, she said, you don't know what a fuss I'm prepared to kick up. You and Caridad? Me and Caridad, said the singer, two heads are better than one...(Bolaño 94)."
Given my previous mention of the similarities that surround Bolaño's works, it's too easy to make connections between this early work and his later ones. However, for anyone even partly familiar with his writing, it's impossible not to think ahead to his later, more detailed works. For example, one of the chapter openings feels as if it was directly lifted from 2666:
"The days that preceded the discovery of the body were undeniably strange: freshly painted inside and out, and silent, as if we could somehow all sense the imminence of a calamity. I remember during my second year in Z, the body of a teenage girl, almost a child, was found in a vacant lot; she'd been killed and raped. The killer was never found. Around that time there was a series of murders, all fitting the same pattern: they began in Tarragona and moved up the coast, leaving a trail of bodies (girls killed and raped, in that order) all the way to Port Bou, as if the killer was a tourist on the way home, but a very leisurely tourist, because a whole summer season elapsed between the first and the last of the crimes (Bolaño 99)."
Again, these details are more or less related to the plot, and the revelation of the killer almost becomes an afterthought toward the novel's end; it's the attention to those details, both big and small, that makes The Skating Rink such a satisfying work. Sympathy for the characters come and go, along with the realization that, as a reader, you're trying to determine the motives and potential lies of the narrators. Therefore, the book is a murder mystery in name only. There's so much more beneath the surface, and getting lost in the asides is not a distraction. Returning to my introductory note about reading the works of Roberto Bolaño in chronological order: it would have been fascinating to read this work before The Savage Detectives and 2666. The hallmarks--poets, murders, and conflicting narrations--are there, and while The Skating Rink is not at all an introduction, it's a fascinating look at the ways Bolaño handled encompassing themes in a tidy format before moving on to more complex works. Yes, this is a murder mystery, but the build-up offers more satisfaction than the resolution. I've read and enjoyed his shorter works before, but since I finished it, this novel has stayed with me more.
Work Cited:
Bolaño, Roberto. The Skating Rink. Copyright 1993 by The Heirs Of Roberto Bolaño. Translation copyright 2009 by Chris Andrews.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Perplexing Visits: Jennifer Egan's "A Visit From the Goon Squad"
This month, I'm in the rare position of having a backlog of books to review for this site. I recently went through a more-voracious-than-normal reading binge, therefore having a handful of completed works awaiting essay reviews. While this is a good thing, I've been struggling with and partly avoiding this particular write-up. This struggle is personal, since, as I'm sure I've mentioned more than once, I'm a champion of constructive criticism, and I want to elevate discourse. In other words, the world of Internet writing and criticism is so fraught with ridicule, that the need to offer such disclaimers becomes necessary. My best friend writes the website Anthropogamer, and I recently tweeted this sample from one of his essays, since it sums up my thoughts quite well: "It has become so easy for a person to become publicly vocal that what is often said is completely and utterly pointless." At this point, I'm obviously circling around the issue. In the past, I've read shorter excerpts of Jennifer Egan's novels, and found a sample from The Keep to be extremely well-written and compelling, working as its own short fiction as well as an intriguing hint to what her novels could contain. I ended up reading A Visit From the Goon Squad, published in 2010, and had the opposite reaction, which was only magnified by the lavish praise given to the work. I know I'm in the minority here, but I feel it's one of the more overrated novels to appear in quite some time.
A Visit From the Goon Squad is a layered, ambitious work, spanning multiple characters, places, and time periods, going from one to the other from chapter to chapter. The characters include Bennie, a record executive and former punk rocker; his assistant Sasha, a woman with a troubled childhood and an addiction to kleptomania; Lou, a pedophile music producer; Jules, Bennie's brother-in-law, a journalist "famous" for his attempted rape of a movie star; La Doll, a publicist attempting to soften the image of a tyrannical, genocidal dictator; a washed-up musician named Bosco, a man with a crazy, unique idea for a final comeback tour; and various minor and major family members and friends of Bennie and Sasha, some who make key appearances, and some who emerge and end up fading into the background. The narrative structure alternates between standard chapters and inventive ones, including one of the final chapters told in a series of PowerPoint slides from the points of view of Sasha's daughter and autistic son, and the closing of the book set in a future New York City, a technological world that doesn't seem so terribly far away. Looking at this recap of the characters, it's all the more shocking to see that, with such a promising foundation, I found the book to be as perplexing as I did. Part of the problem is that the themes are sometimes too blatant, and while one could fill a big shelf with contemporary novels that attempt to make sense of our digital, sometimes too socially connected world, Egan makes sure this idea is rendered literally. For example, here's a passage narrated by Scotty, one of Bennie's former bandmates:
"Here was the bottom line: if we human beings are information processing machines, reading X's and O's and translating that information into what people oh so breathlessly call 'experience,' and if I had access to all that same information via cable TV and any number of magazines that I browsed through at Hudson News for four- and five-hour stretches on my free days (my record was eight hours, including the half hour I spent manning the register during the lunch break of one of the younger employees, who thought I worked there)--if I had not only the information but the artistry to shape that information using the computer inside my brain (real computers scared me; if you can find Them, then They can find you, and I didn't want to be found), then, technically speaking, was I not having all the same experiences those other people were having (Egan 73)?"
A lot was made about the David Foster Wallace-inspired character in Jeffrey Eugenides's The Marriage Plot (I've only read parts of that work), and Egan goes further with Jules, writing his journalistic account of the interview and attempted rape of movie star Kitty Jackson. I couldn't tell if it was meant to be a satire or a homage, but again, what had the potential to be a successful attempt turned out to be too literal, constantly reminding the reader of the late Wallace not subconsciously, but so obviously that it becomes tired after just a few pages. Of course, this could be a way to highlight critiques of Wallace's style, but it becomes monotonous very quickly. At the very least, it shows how Wallace would have written had he been pompous and contemptuous of his audience, rather than just so supremely intelligent that his writing sometimes couldn't contain his inner monologues:
"But my Pavlovian efforts to suppress the PR component of our lunch have succeeded, and Kitty falls silent. No sooner have I congratulated myself on this triumph, however, than I catch Kitty glancing, sidelong, at her watch (Hermès). How does this gesture affect me? Well, I feel slopping within me a volatile stew of anger, fear, and lust: anger because this naif has, for reasons that are patently unjustifiable, far more power in the world than I will ever have, and once my forty minutes are up, nothing short of criminal stalking could force the intersection of my subterranean path with her lofty one; fear because, having glanced at my own watch (Timex), I've discovered that thirty of those forty minutes have elapse (Egan 132)."
Egan writes very good dialogue, making everyday conversations feel realistic, even in the most everyday situations, but there's the occasional piece of dialogue that feels so contrived and out of place as to be distracting, especially coming from someone as established as herself:
"Sasha turned and stared at him. She looked angry. 'Who am I talking to?' she asked. 'You're Bennie Salazar! This is the music business. 'Five years is five hundred years'--your words (Egan 26).'"
I've jumped around with these examples without really getting into the plot, but the recap I presented above gives a generally concise overview. Returning to the narrative structure, most reviews of the book at least casually mention how it can be viewed as a novel or a collection of short stories, connected by the characters. Examples and arguments can be made for both, as well as arguments as to who could be the main character. Sasha and Bennie are linked, not romantically, but by their association and the web of interconnected family and friends. However, I found myself not caring about any of them. This isn't to say that a character in a novel has to be sympathetic or achieve some sort of redemption. However, A Visit From the Goon Squad is full of people who are only casually constructed, or created in a fashion that gives him or her a lot of characteristics, but not any real reason to care. For such a character-heavy work, the emphasis is really on the social and cultural themes, but overall, I find it hard to pinpoint what Egan is ultimately trying to say. There are a lot of personal struggles and the occasional excellent chapter (my favorite being an account of Lou's trip to Africa with his children and girlfriend), and ideas on how personal problems are aided and magnified by a frenetic world, but overall, it feels like a stumbling attempt to fictionalize themes that are continually explored in other, better fashions.
And that's part of my struggle to write such a critique. Egan is a talented writer, but I feel that A Visit From the Goon Squad would have been immensely better with stylistic changes. The novel tries to balance between classic, straightforward storytelling and experimental flourishes, and while this isn't structurally distracting, I have a nagging feeling that Egan was trying to do too much. A writer should never be faulted for being too ambitious or attempting to do too much, as long as the message is clear. However, this work would have benefited from more focus on select characters, or an adherence to a standard narrative or even an adherence to a fully experimental form. I went into this reading with such high hopes and left it confused and wanting much more. With so much fluff in the world of fiction today, Egan should be commended for attempting to explore some very intangible ideas, and I'm still looking forward to catching up on her previous works. However, I just don't see how the praise for A Visit From the Goon Squad was warranted. Again, I know I'm in the minority, but it didn't connect with me the way it has for the majority.
Work Cited:
Egan, Jennifer. A Visit From the Goon Squad. Copyright 2010 by Jennifer Egan.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Thomas Frank's "Pity the Billionaire:" Our World Then and Now
It's been awhile since I've read and reviewed an explicitly political work, and not one that has politics as a mere fictional theme or as part of a more encompassing message. My last major political book review was of Michael Wolraich's Blowing Smoke, a humorous look at conservative paranoia. I made my points, generally enjoyed the reading experience, and Mr. Wolraich was kind enough to link and cite my review on his own site. At the time, I made a passing note about the reading being slightly odd, since I knew going in that it would speak to the liberal views that I already held. The way the current political climate has evolved (or regressed, depending on the angle), it seems even more strange that I would expect Thomas Frank's Pity the Billionaire to teach me anything I don't already know. This is my first reading of one of his works, after having seen him interviewed many times on television and in documentaries. My hope was to find a logical and contemporary historical narrative, since the focus of the book is on the rise of the Tea Party and the conservative reaction to the economic crisis. Also, just based on the aforementioned interviews, he struck me as an intelligent commentator on politics, and not just for entertainment's sake. People on the left and the right seem to be far too drawn to memes and soundbites, and I wanted to consume something more detailed, going beyond scrolling through humorous photograph captions and clicking "share."
Pity the Billionaire: The Hard Times Swindle and the Unlikely Comeback of the Right manages to be both entertaining and informative, and presents its critiques in a manner that presents genuine constructive criticism alongside the recent developments that led to the Tea Party coming into being in the first place. In his critiques, he acknowledges the Tea Party as a legitimate (albeit flawed) movement.
"So let us give the rebels their due. Let us acknowledge that the conservative comeback of the last few years is indeed something unique in the history of American social movements: a mass conversion to free-market theory as a response to hard times. Before the present economic slump, I had never heard of a recession's victims developing a wholesale taste for neoclassical economics or a spontaneous hostility to the works of Franklin Roosevelt. Before this recession, people who had been cheated by bankers almost never took that occasion to demand that bankers be freed from 'red tape' and the scrutiny of the law. Before 2009, the man in the bread line did not ordinarily weep for the man lounging on his yacht (Frank 3)."
Frank's main argument is that yes, people should have been outraged and incensed after the government bank bailouts, but this anger morphed into an inexplicable wrath against the government. This reminds me of one of my favorite hypocrisies of conservative opposition to liberalism, in that a group that claims to be anti-government is quick to call people who even question our current state to be anti-American. In another twist, Frank argues, the conservative base quickly adopted the traits that they love to scoff at in liberal terms, namely portraying themselves as victims. Again, while Frank is critical, he doesn't stoop to name-calling, but rather highlights certain forms of hypocrisy. In a recent conversation, a friend of mine explained why she believed that, in a perfect world, people who support the Occupy movements and people who support the Tea Party would join together for a joint cause. Given the intense divergence in ideologies, I didn't know how this would work or make sense, but a key passage by Frank gives a great example as to how that would potentially work. The Occupy movement began as a critique of the bailouts and as a movement against money in politics. No matter what political ideology one subscribes to, the passage below should cause outrage:
"To believe in the fairness of the system was just as naive. The awful but unmistakable message of the bailouts was that the lords of Wall Street owned the government. Once they had got themselves in trouble, they simply whistled up the resources of the public treasury: our tax money. Federal agencies, we now learned, were honeycombed with alumni and future employees of the banks; Washington's officials all bowed before Wall Street's self-serving economic ideology; both parties were in on it (Frank 33-34)."
This is where it all went wrong for the Tea Party, blaming the government instead of the corporate greed that started this mess to begin with, and, despite its supposed abhorrence of social issues, becoming merely an extreme form of regular conservatism. Frank occasionally presents humorous asides to these developments. For example, a section of the book explores the ways in which a "grassroots, people-centered" movement was quick to be exploited for monetary benefits.
"The most famous example was the National Tea Party Convention, held in Nashville in February of 2010, which featured an appearance by Sarah Palin and charged attendees $549 each. What's more, the sponsoring organization turned out to be a for-profit outfit headed by a man who was reportedly trying to set up a kind of Facebook-style web empire for wingers. 'What was celebrated here in Nashville,' wrote the journalist Will Bunch, after cataloging the trinkets for sale there, 'wasn't so much the coming out of the conservative movement as the commoditization of it (Frank 77).'"
A notable aspect of Thomas Frank's writing is that he never hesitates to critique the liberal movement, too. With all of the problems still facing this country, a majority of politicians seem (to use the 'phrase du jour') out of touch. While the bailouts and the recession have hurt everyone, Republicans and Tea Partiers tend to misplace blame and priorities, while Democrats tend to be like most politicians and acknowledge problems without any concrete solutions. As I've mentioned before, both political parties have their share of problems, but in the documentation of crises and new social movements, I have never read a conservative opinion that critiques itself or offers any sort of acknowledgement of the left's concerns. Frank's critiques of Democrats is part of the bigger picture, that the party systems almost never solve anything, and as a people, we're reduced to name calling.
"The effects of a wrenching recession, on the other hand, aren't likely to touch the new, well-to-do Democrats directly. They know bad things are happening, yes; they express concern and promise to help the suffering, of course; but the urgency of the recession is not something they feel personally (Frank 182)."
I did have some critiques of the book. Given its publication date (January of this year), there's only a faint mention of the Occupy movements, a subject I would love for Frank to explore in book form. Also, many pages are devoted to Glenn Beck, and critiques of his former show and bluster have been documented enough to be familiar, not adding any real, new insights into his conservative scaremongering. But the overall message is concise, even with the many asides that pop up from chapter to chapter (for example, there's one of the best critiques and explanations of Ayn Rand's writings and philosophy and how her ideas have become beacons for the right wing). And while it serves to point out the hypocrisies and faults of the Tea Party, its historical examples would be best served to remind Occupiers of the reasons why the Occupy movement started: money in politics and the criminal activities of Wall Street and big banks. As my aforementioned friend also mentioned, the newest incarnations of the Occupy movements have been trying to encompass too many objectives and ideologies, and would be best served returning to its roots. This is another argument and should be the basis of other essays. Frank closes the book with a downright scary hypothesis of conservative ideals going further and further, being just satirical enough to be plausible:
"Before long they will have discovered that certain once-uncontroversial arms of the state must be amputated immediately. One fine day in the near future, it will dawn on them that the FDIC, for example, just delivers bailouts under another name; that the lazy man down the street should no more get his money back when his bank fails than when the housing market fell apart. What are interstate highways and national parks, they will ask, but wasteful subsidies for leeches who ought to be paying their way? What is disaster relief but a power grab by the losers who can't get themselves out of the path of a hurricane? And though public schools have been under assault for decades on charges of rampant secularism, the time is not far off when the freeloading by poor kids will be the factor that galls our leaders the most (Frank 187)."
Some who agree with the examples in this book may argue that Frank, like any political commentator, doesn't offer his own solutions to the problems. While this is true in theory, sometimes exposing said problems is a way to offer solutions, the old adage of "those doomed to repeat history." Where will we be in five or ten years? If the conservative movement has its way, it might not be a pretty picture. Overall, this is a fascinating, informative look at the movement, but again, it's a virtual guarantee that any conservative who reads it will be unmoved. Perhaps I'm adding to the problem myself by reading and promoting works that fit into my worldviews, but again, let's acknowledge that the system is still very flawed. How can this be changed? Conversation starters are great, but they have to grow into something more.
UPDATE 5/8/12: The fine people at Macmillan Books reached out to me to offer an accompanying sample of an audio version of Pity the Billionaire, read by Mr. Frank himself. Click here for a listen.
Work Cited:
Frank, Thomas. Pity the Billionaire: The Hard-Times Swindle and the Unlikely Comeback Of the Right. Copyright 2012 by Thomas Frank.
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"You Against You" in Hobart; "I Don't Want to Pry" in Pidgeonholes
Hey y'all. I'm a little late posting these, but I was fortunate to have two new publications this week, working in new genres, a...
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Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug has brought online two new TV spots for the second chapter of the big screen trilogy.
Continuing the adventure started in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation of Smaug is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy novel and follows Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he journeys with the Wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and thirteen Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor.
The film opens in 3D, 2D and IMAX theaters on December 13.
Let us know your thoughts below, @NerdFollowing on Twitter or on Facebook

subset: commoncrawl


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I have a PHP mysqli prepared statement that looks like this:
$editSQL = "UPDATE tblClientReminders
SET Header = ?, Notes = ?, DepartmentID = ?,
TierID = ?, RemindType = ?, RemindDate = ?, DateAdded = ?
WHERE ReminderID = ?";
$stmt = $conn->prepare($editSQL);
$stmt->bind_param('sbiiissi', $input[1], $input[2], $input[3],
$input[4], $input[5], $input[6],
$DateAdded, $_SESSION[$thisTracker]);
$DateAdded = date("Y-m-d h:i:s");
When I run this, it executes without throwing any errors and runs everything else as expected; however, the "Notes" field is cleared even though $input[2] has content. But when I do this using concatenation:
$editSQL = "UPDATE tblClientReminders
SET Header = '".$input[1]."', Notes = '".$input[2]."',
DepartmentID = '".$input[3]."', TierID = '".$input[4]."',
RemindType = '".$input[5]."', RemindDate = '".$input[6]."',
DateAdded = '".date("Y-m-d h:i:s")."'
WHERE ReminderID = '".$_SESSION[$thisTracker]."'";
$stmt = $conn->prepare($editSQL);
$input[2] is properly saved along with everything else. I have verified that the column "Notes" is a blob in the mySQL database, and that $input[2] actually contains the intended data when I try the prepared statement. So, why is $input[2] not saving in the first example, and how would I fix that.
The only other factor here I can think of is that $input[2] is passing an AES string, but I can't think of why that would be a problem since other queries elsewhere in my code are saving AES strings just fine, but I think this is the only one that does it to a blob.
An example of inputs:
$input[1] = 'test';
$input[2] = '8L2G1urlEQEjZdyMrSQeow==::88f32b3584167b1d7286a57f861d4fd6';
$input[3] = 1;
$input[4] = 3;
$input[5] = 0;
$input[6] = '2018-11-20';
$_SESSION[$thisTracker] = 15;


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As we feared [see News Item 03.05.09] a proposal has emerged from an intersessional meeting of the Small Working Group (SWG) on the Future of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) that would allow Japan and its whaling accomplices to trade-in its self-issued scientific whaling quotas for 'legitimate' IWC quotas. The deal would likely extend to nations such as Norway that lodged objections to the commercial whaling moratorium under relevant items in the Schedule.
The plan was made public this week by Chilean Ambassador Cristian Maquieira, who replaces Dr William Hogarth as IWC Chair this year.
The Maquieira Proposal, as it has been referred to, is one of a number of options developed by the SWG and it has not yet been put to any sort of IWC vote. Australia is a member of the 12-nation group which has met on a number of occasions since it was formed in 2008 [see News Item 01.02.09].
Basically, Japan would voluntarily suspend its Antarctic scientific permit whaling program (JARPA II) in return for a guarantee of IWC whaling quotas for the next decade.
In other words, Japan's punishment for decades of abusing a loophole in the IWC rules and killing thousands of whales for its domestic whale market - during an international moratorium on commercial whaling, and with most of the whales killed within an internationally agreed whale sanctuary - will be renewed IWC whaling quotas. The two other whaling nations, Iceland and Norway, would enjoy similar benefits.
The announcement comes within a week of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's public commitment to finally take international legal action over Japan's continued 'scientific' whaling in the Southern Ocean. The AWCS has written to Prime Minister Rudd urging him to use every diplomatic effort to oppose the Maquieira Proposal, and to hold fast to November 2010 deadline for action in the International Court of Justice.


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Sherpao for end to stalemate in Afghan peace process
PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party has asked for an end to the prevailing stalemate in the peace process in Afghanistan and stressed the need for making strenuous efforts to restore peace in the warn-torn country.
According to a statement issued here on Monday, QWP chairman Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao told party workers that all the stakeholders should join hands sincerely to restore stability in the war-torn country.
On the occasion, a group of Awami National Party workers from Shangla district including Anwar Ali Khan Ghorbandi, Mohammad Saleem, Mohammad Afzal, Farzand Ali, Fateh Hassan and Akbar Ali announced joining QWP.
They expressed confidence in the QWP leadership and vowed to work for strengthening the party in the remote district. QWP Shangla chapter organiser Advocate Shah Saud was also present on the occasion.
ANP workers from Shangla announce to join QWP
Mr Sherpao said that all the stakeholders should exercise tolerance at that critical juncture to bring Afghanistan out of the quagmire and restore normalcy in the country on sustainable basis.
He said that any step taken in haste would have regional and global consequences. He added that any such step would increase violence and insecurity for the Afghans, who suffered for decades and were still living in different countries as refugees.
Mr Sherpao also called for stability of democratic process in Afghanistan so that Afghans could continue to elect their representatives in a free, fair and impartial manner. He said that peace was a prerequisite for development and the region could not prosper unless stability was restored in Afghanistan.
The QWP chief also criticised the PTI government and said that it badly failed to fulfil its commitments with the voters. He said that the ruling clique failed to serve the people by honouring the election pledges. He said that rulers were unable to strengthen the country's economy and that's why poverty was increasing rapidly in the country.
Mr Sherpao said that national debt was soaring with each passing day and government was clueless to revive the failing economy. He said that QWP supported the stance of the joint opposition in the best national interests and would continue to raise voice for the rights of Pakhtuns.
Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2019


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Depends on the heel pain you have. Indeed, many runners continue to run with their symptoms..nnnn
If you are going to run, then you need to take extra care of your feet.nnnn
Stretching should already be a fundamental part of your exercise regimen, but even more so with PF. Ensure that you stretch both feet; this can help to prevent PF from developing or from worsening.n


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Adobe FrameMaker 2017 v14.0.1 Multilingual
Adobe FrameMaker 2017 v14.0.1 Multilingual | 2.16 Gb
Easily author and publish multilingual technical content across mobile, web, desktop, and print. The 2017 release of Adobe FrameMaker is the industry-standard tool for authoring and publishing multilingual technical content across mobile, web, desktop, and print. Easily work with unstructured and structured content in the same documentation. Work faster and smarter with advanced XML/DITA capabilities. Publish content as Responsive HTML5, Mobile App, PDF, EPUB, and more.
Whats New in Adobe FrameMaker (2017) Release:
The 2017 release of Adobe FrameMaker is the complete solution for authoring and publishing multilingual technical content across mobile, web, desktop, and print. Work more productively with support for HD displays and a new welcome screen. Do more with advanced XML/DITA capabilities. Deliver next-generation HTML5 layouts with best-in-class search and navigation.
Support for high resolution displays
Now work with the full clarity of high definition displays (up to 4K – 3840 x 2160), as FrameMaker automatically scales to fit the system resolution. Enjoy the new interface with crisp icons and a richer contrast ratio.
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Search for menu commands
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New Project Manager
Manage your work better with the new Project Manager that lets you drag and drop assets to a document and organize files with ease.
Next-generation Responsive HTML5 layouts
Deliver personalized content experiences with new frameless Responsive HTML5 layouts that have best-in-class search and navigation. Enjoy a richer viewing experience as layout icons have been optimized for HD displays. Show or hide widgets, such as glossary and TOC.
Search faster with autocomplete
Deliver a best-in-class search experience to end users with first-of-its-kind search autocomplete and more contextual search results. Provide users with automatic suggestions as they type, displaying the frequency of occurrence for each alongside.
Customizable Basic HTML5 output
Generate lightweight, easily sharable Basic HTML5 code with no layouts and JavaScript, which can then be customized via CSS for a unique look and feel.
Effortlessly publish to Adobe Experience Manager
Easily publish DITA content to Adobe Experience Manager Sites from FrameMaker by using XML Documentation Add-on for Adobe Experience Manager.
Text search within SVG images
Give end users a more comprehensive search experience with the added ability to search text within SVG images, that also shows up in search results.
Content personalization for DITA content
Now directly use DITA attributes for content as criteria in Dynamic Content Filters, making it even easier to create personalized content experiences for your end users.
Add favorites within new Responsive HTML5 layouts
Provide users the option to mark topics as favorites within the new Responsive HTML5 layouts, saving them time and effort when accessing content again.
Greater content accessibility with 508 compliance
Now accommodate your users special needs by generating HTML5 layouts that meet 508 compliance, making content compatible with assistive technologies.
New status bar with element path
Use the brand-new status bar to keep track of the exact path of your current element while authoring DITA content in your structured document. Easily navigate using your cursor keys, eliminating the need to go back and forth to the structured view.
For other news, visit my profile every day!
To Unzip the files use 7zip or WinRar.
I recommend to download as fast as you can or you will lose file you need ( Links dead because of Copyright Infringement )


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A special exhibition that explores the role of women in art and art history at the Cincinnati Art Museum through artworks from the museum's permanent collection created by female artists from the seventeenth century to today. The cross-departmental selection of 38 artworks from Europe, North America and Asia are in a range of mediums, including oil on canvas, metalwork, ceramic, and prints to photography and fashion. Prominent artists include Georgia O'Keeffe, Lorna Simpson, Kara Walker, Mary Cassatt, Julia Margaret Cameron, Elizabeth Catlett, and Chiyo Mitsuhisa. The exhibition will encourage visitors to think critically about gender, inclusion, and diversity and how that translates to the museum's gallery walls.
Cincinnati Art Museum
953 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Visual Arts
ArtsinOhio.com is your one-stop resource for arts, festivals and cultural events throughout the Buckeye State. And, even better, it's free!


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On Dec. 18, cartoonist and student Joshua Jackson tweeted a picture of an email conversation he had in which an NYU employee dismissed his request for a $65 graduate school application fee waiver by telling him that he was likely too poor to attend the school if he was asking for the waiver in the first place.
In the email, Director of Graduate Admissions Dan Sandford gave advice on how students who can't afford the fee should fund their education, writing:
Please do not take this the wrong way but if $65 is a hardship for you how will you be able to pay the tuition of $60,000? Of course we do provide scholarships but the most we usually offer is $15,000-$20,000. This still leaves a considerable gap. Maybe you should give yourself a year off looking at ways to fund your graduate education.
Sandford then wrote that the application fee is "quite low" compared to other schools and that the school can't easily budget for fee waivers. He added the department would have to absorb the loss.
Dean of the Tisch School of the Arts Allyson Green responded with a statement in which she explained that Tisch "does and will waive application fees for students in need" and announced they waived Jackson's fee.
Jackson has retweeted hundreds of supportive messages from people identifying with this issue of college tuition, but according to Inside Higher Ed, he decided to turn down NYU's offer to waive his application fee.
The NYU Office of the President has released a statement to Cosmopolitan.com via email saying, "Frankly, Joshua Jackson was right to call us out. We deserved it, and we owe an apology, which we have conveyed. We'd be pleased to have Joshua apply; if not, we understand —it's our fault."
Follow Isabel on Twitter.


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"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide." – Albert Camus
Who is this man?
Continue reading 'Why?'
"The historian has before him a jigsaw puzzle from which many pieces have disappeared. These gaps can be filled only by his imagination." – Gaetano Salvemini
97 kms north of Bhuj; close to the Indo-Pak border; rising 462 m above sea level, is Kalo Dungar (Black Hill), the highest hill in Kachchh. This is probably the only place in Kachchh from where a panoramic view of the Great Rann is possible.
Continue reading 'The Jackals and Legend of Kalo Dungar'
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Be careful: Hurt people hurt people. It's true.
Be careful: Hurt people hurt people. It's true.
The New England Patriots have won Super Bowl LIII for their sixth NFL Championship. They beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
I got a lot of the greatest values in life from playing sports, from playing football – teamwork, sportsmanship, my work ethic, resiliency, dedication – I got it all by being on a team…Jon Gruden
The five-time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots take on the one-time champion Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This game is a big deal for folks in the United States. Tom Brady, quarterback for New England has won five championships and is arguably the greatest quarterback of all time. Los Angeles has a young team and will have a big task to beat the Patriots. It should be a interesting game.
Bloggers create, writers create, artists create, musicians create, chefs create. When you create something you put a part of your point of view out there for the world to see, experience and consume. It takes courage to create things in the hope that others will like and enjoy it. The key is to do it for yourself first and don't let others get you down when they don't connect with your work. Being a people pleaser that is hard to do. One thing you can say is that you are brave enough to offer something different and from your heart. Go and create today!


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...or, links to make you feel like you win at life in comparison to my failure to win at life.
Picking my favorite posts from my own blog was hard. So I asked for suggestions on the Maybe If You Just Relax Facebook Page.
Here are the favorites of the people who were kind enough to humor me:
Did You Seriously Just Say That? A handy list of stupid shit you should immediately stop saying to someone who is trying to get pregnant:
The Big Shoe Shuffle Crocs are never a good idea for grown-ups.
The Day I Struck My Mother Blind With My Lady Business You should always inform your mother of your current child bath routine.
The Picture of Perfect Parenting I win at sleep training.
The Most Obnoxious Facebook Offenders Let's face it, your friends can be annoying.
Ed Fardy Known at our house as "The Post That Ruined a Friendship." Hey, I thought it was funny.
In Which I Become A Cautionary Tale You'll never look at rolls the same way again.
Dear Tylenol Sometimes you just want some dirty sexy Aleeve.
Conceive Magazine/Infertile Whore Infertility...(sigh).
List of the Mistakes I Made Today Has a church lady seen your cooter?
Play Doh and Birth That's right - people love to hear about my bowel movements.
I'm Afraid This Might Be All My Fault The bears can smell the menstruation!
Crazy Crayon Kamikaze Kids totally know how to color but just want to ruin your picture. And your LIFE!


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Puerto Rico has taken a step towards launching legal sports betting over a year after legalizing the vertical, beginning a 30-day consultation on sports betting regulations developed in partnership with Gaming Laboratories International (GLI).
SportsHub Games Network has become the first online fantasy sports business to be hit with a civil penalty for operating in New Jersey without a licence.
A memo from the US Deputy Attorney General has informed law enforcement staff working under the Department of Justice (DoJ) that there will be no attempt to enforce the revised interpretation of the Wire Act until 2020.
This week's State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, sees a bill to legalise sports betting in Indiana head to Governor Eric Holcomb for ratification, while a Colorado bill is racing through the state legislature. Elsewhere, Nevada and Mississippi's legal sports betting markets enjoyed strong months, driven by activity around basketball, and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has suggested he will allow a bill to pass into law without his signature.
This week's State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, sees Pennsylvania set a launch date for igaming, while Delaware North has taken legal action in the wake of its sports betting struggles in West Virginia. Elsewhere, Iowa is one step away from legal igaming and a bid to regulate sports betting is underway in Colorado.
This week's State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, looks at the performance of the regulated Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania markets, as well as the progress of bills in Indiana and North Carolina.
Digital Fuel is looking to expand into the US market, with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement clearing the Australian online marketing specialist to apply for an Ancillary Casino Service Industry Enterprise Licence in the state.
Representative Brandt Iden was just a signature away from legalising online gaming in Michigan last year. Having shrugged off his bills' eventual veto by former Governor Rick Snyder, a new legislative effort is now underway. He tells iGamingBusiness.com why the climate is right for the new bills to pass into law - and why the DoJ's new Wire Act interpretation does not worry him in the slightest.
In this week's State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, we find Rhode Island poised to legalise online wagering and West Virginia set to legalise online gaming, with bills in both states awaiting approval from their respective Governors. Elsewhere, Michigan Representative Brandt Iden has resumed efforts to legalise online betting and gaming in the state, new bills have been filed in Connecticut and Kansas, and the AGA is urging states to innovate when they regulate.
Lawmakers in the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives have launched new bids to legalise online gaming in the state, following the eleventh-hour veto of legislation by former Governor Rick Snyder in late 2018.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) is set to extend the window in which it will not enforce its revised interpretation of the Wire Act, according to sources close to the matter.
This week's State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, looks at the latest legal challenge launched against the DoJ's revised Wire Act opinion, plus developments in Virginia, Arkansas, Indiana and more.
The State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, covers the latest regulatory developments across the US. This week pressure has been ramped up on the Department of Justice in the wake of its revised Wire Act opinion, South Dakota and Minnesota are considering sports betting bills and Arkansas is thrashing out sports betting regulations, while Illinois' new Democrat Governor has factored sports betting into his 2020 budget.
Iowa lawmakers are to consider a new bill that would legalise online and mobile sports betting, as well as fantasy sports contests, in the US state.
This week's State of the Union covers developments across the US, with bills progressing in a number of states, the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Attorneys General taking on the Wire Act, and Rhode Island edging closer to approving mobile wagering.
Kentucky lawmakers are to run the rule over a new bill that would legalise sports betting, fantasy sports games and online poker in the US state.
In the second part of iGaming Business' deep dive into the revised Wire Act opinion, ICE Sports Betting USA speakers stress the need for clarity from the Department of Justice as they look to work out the best way to interpret the ruling.
The Department of Justice's decision to revise its interpretation of the Wire Act could have a major impact on the nascent US iGaming industry. Or, as some suggest, its impact could be felt in gaming verticals that are well-established and generating money for operators and states alike. A selection of speakers from ICE Sports Betting USA discuss the DoJ's about-turn.
This week's State of the Union, in partnership with Segev LLP, looks at developments in Connecticut, Kansas, New York, North Dakota and Virginia. Meanwhile, additional efforts to regulate sports betting are underway in Massachusetts, while Washington DC's mayor has signed sports betting legislation into law and Maryland is looking to the past to move forward.
Pennsylvania has taken another step closer to becoming the fourth state in the US to legalise online gaming after its House passed a major gambling expansion bill


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March 9, 2008
This week's political cartoonsPosted by Cassie Frequelz under Blogroll, current events, democrats, Election 2008, George W. Bush, Liberal, McCain, Political, political cartoons, Politics, presidential election, primaries, Progressive, republicans
[5] Comments
5 Responses to "This week's political cartoons"
March 11, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Brilliant…you've become my one-stop shop for political cartoons. Hope all is well with you.
September 9, 2008 at 9:50 am
i relly liked the first cartoon at the top, it really made me laugh:)
September 29, 2008 at 1:15 pm
you suck at life
October 14, 2008 at 9:33 am
this kindda reminds me of the Ben Dover cartoon.
August 18, 2011 at 7:37 pm
me of the Ben Dover cartoon.


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Hello all!
A lot of crazy stuff has happened since we last talked. Let's go through them, shall we?
- My website/blog crashed. And I lost everything. All of the posts, pictures and videos from the last year are gone. Vanished. Donezo.
- I went on an AMAZING road trip with my sister, Abigail. Life changing and insane. (Have you seen our vlogs yet?!)
- I started my last semester at community college.Very exciting and scary.
But with all of that said, I'm excited and ready for this fresh – although unfortunate – new start.
Thanks for sticking by me, and get ready for some cool stuff.
Love you guys,


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Student Ministry
Our Student Ministry consists of 7th through 12th graders learning about God, being Jesus to others, and going through life together. And we are obviously going to have fun while doing it! On Sunday mornings middle and high school students are given opportunities to serve. They are a vital part of our Sunday morning Children's Ministry, worship teams, and hospitality teams.
On Sunday evenings, 5:00-7:00 pm, students meet on campus for Youth Group. A typical Sunday evening includes games, snack, devotional, and small groups with adult leaders. Plus, there are usually cute (and hypoallergenic) puppies to cuddle. Jesus was probably a dog person.
Please email Lex Moore, our Student Ministry Pastor, if you have questions about Student Ministry.
Here are some of the great events that we plan each year:
Occasionally Youth Group goes into overtime! We extend the evening together by another two hours and go hangout over food and/ or fun.
Game nights are a fun and casual way to get together. Students are welcome to bring their favorite board games or video games.
We have a fun-loving church family who isn't afraid to prank each other. So, each April, our church hires our students to prank other people within our church to raise funds for our annual summer mission trip and camp to Philadelphia.
MFuge is a summer camp in which the students jump into ministry and serve the local community. In addition to service in which students are challenged and stretched as individuals, there's Bible study, worship and fellowship. It's designed to give students a mission experience that opens their eyes to similar opportunities they may have to serve in their own communities, learning to live life each day on mission! More info about MFuge here.
We are blessed to have a home on Lake Gaston donated for an annual time of water sports, games, friends and devotions. Whether your student prefers to contemplate the clouds in the hammock or go tubing at top speed, it will be a great and memorable weekend!
A choose-your-own-adventure evening with the guys or girls. Students spend the evening either going to a really nice dinner and then hanging out, or going to a cheap dinner and doing a fun activity out.
Our tradition is to travel from house to house with delicious food at each. Our fun evening ends with a White Elephant gift exchange and lots of great memories!
Winter Meltdown is your time to challenge yourself, go crazy and have fun, or just relax around a fire and make new friends. Our goal is to provide a place free from the distractions of everyday life— a winter youth retreat where students and leaders can focus on God and build meaningful relationships with each other.
You can visit their website for more info.
What to expect
In our Student Ministry we have created a safe place for middle and high schoolers to grow in their relationship with Jesus and each other (AKA the church). None of us are perfect; being a teenager is hard. Don't go through life alone. We don't claim to have all the answers, but we do have a lot of understanding and grace. Come be yourself, ask questions, and make friends. All are welcome.
Learning by Serving
We are an outwardly focused church. We want our students to learn to serve others like Jesus did. We provide opportunities for them to serve those in our church, community, and beyond. Throughout the year you will find our students serving on Sunday mornings in our church, during our annual kids Sports Camp, or during our serving events and trips. These are also great times for our students to earn volunteer hours for school; email Lex Moore to sign for these.


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After items have been added to the shelf / favorites it does not seem to be possible to re-order them. It should be possible to change their order
1 reply to this topic
Posted 10 December 2011 - 08:55 AM
Posted 10 December 2011 - 04:30 PM
We will add this to our to do list. Thank you for the suggestion.
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Pete Menke, 82
Pete Menke, age 82, of Jordan, MN, entered eternal peace on Thursday, January 9, 2020, at St. Francis Regional Medical Center, Shakopee, MN. The family was present at his bedside.
A visitation will be held on Monday, January 13, 2020 from 3-7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation, 104 West First Street, Jordan and on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 from 10-10:45 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 am, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 313 Second Street East, Jordan. Father Neil Bakker will preside. Pete's grandchildren will be the pall bearers. He will be laid to rest at St. John Calvary Cemetery, Jordan.
On the family farm in Sand Creek Township of rural Jordan, Peter Henry was born to Andrew Urban and Alvira Josephine (Breeggemann) Menke. He was the older brother to Marlin, Mary Lou, Jeanette, Ronald, John, Kathleen, Robert and Diane. Living on the farm meant long hours and hard work. However, if you ask his siblings, Pete was never around when the work needed to be done!!!. All kidding aside, he attended St. John Catholic School through the Eighth Grade. Pete furthered his education for two years at Jordan High School, before returning home to assist on the dairy farm.
At the age of 19, Pete went to work for REA (now called Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative.) He spent the next 42 years dedicating his career as a lineman. Pete put in long hours and was always there to help customers, especially after storms and on trouble calls. Even after a long day at work, he remained true to his roots and still helped out on the farm. Upon retiring, Pete remained active cutting lawn at Ridges on Sand Creek Golf Course and driving vehicles for Wolf Motors, both in Jordan.
Pete met the love of his life, Judy Helen Zelenka, at an area dance hall. On June 3, 1961, at St. Wencelsaus Catholic Church, in New Prague, MN, they wedded. Pete and Judy spent their honeymoon fishing, one of his favorite past times. From this union, they were blessed with five children, Jeff, Sharon, Steve, Kevin and Larry. With Pete always working, he enjoyed coming home and staying there. Occasionally, the Menke family was fortunate to enjoy packing into the station wagon, for a one-day trip. In the later years, he became a grandpa. Pete adored his grandchildren and had a special relationship with each of them. As a couple, Pete and Judy enjoyed traveling to Branson, MO and Las Vegas, with friends.
Pete lived a simple life. He enjoyed playing cards, watching the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, and socializing with everyone at Clancy's Bar and Pizza Parlor, in Jordan. Over the years, Pete liked ice fishing on Mille Lacs Lake and summer fishing on the area lakes. He enjoyed deer hunting and fishing with his longtime friendS, Cliff Kersting and Larry Peters. Pete was an active member of St. John's Catholic Church and the Jordan Knights of Columbus. And to this day, he still had a close relationship with his siblings.
Pete Henry Menke had a positive attitude and a great sense of humor. He was very approachable and could carry on a conversation with a total stranger. Family was always important to Pete. The last several years, he devoted his time in caring for his bride, Judy.
Forever loved, Pete will be greatly missed by wife of 58 ½ years, Judy; children, Jeff (Dina) Menke, Sharon (Terry) Kraling, Steve (Nancy) Menke, Kevin (Jane) Menke; grandchildren, Derek Menke, Lindsay (Jeff) Sweazey, Mackensie Menke, Ali Berens, Abby Berens, Miranda (Johnny) Darling, Olivia Menke, Jack Menke, Audrey Menke, Brian Menke, Grace Menke; great-granddaughter, Lola Sweazey; siblings, Marlin (Jean) Menke, Mary Lou Geis, Ronald (Pat) Menke, John (Colleen) Menke, Kate (Al) Busch, Bob (Lori) Menke, Diane (Scott) Ferry; brother-in-law, Duane Krautkremer; other relatives and friends.
There greeting Pete home is his son, Larry Menke (1994); parents, Andrew and Alvira Menke: sister, Jeanette Krautkremer; sister-in-law, Betty Menke and brother-in-law, Marvin Geis.
Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation proudly served and cared for the Menke family.


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We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
My buddy got two this year. Here's one of them. Then I wonder, if he's a buddy, how come he never invites me along? (Woops, my dumb error - that was a pic of his spring Turkey)


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While it can be discouraging to see people reject the gospel, it should not surprise us. Jesus himself had many who heard him teach, yet walked away unchanged and unresponsive to following him. The apostle Paul testified of men he had poured his life into, who abandoned him later in life to return to the things of this world. Many faithful Christians have shared the gospel, only to see people ultimately reject a new life with Christ.
The Bible tells us that this kind of conviction and response is not genuine. II Cor. 7:10 says that some experience sorrow or grief about their sin, but it isn't motivated out of a genuine desire to turn from it so that they can please God. Instead, many people will initially respond to the gospel for fear of hell and punishment. Not that hell and punishment are bad motivations for salvation. But for many, the thought of hell is quickly gone, and after a few days, they become unconcerned once again with the punishment and wrath that awaits them. They initially say "yes" to Jesus out of fear, but once the fear goes away, it is back to loving the things of this world, which will one day lead to death.
Pharaoh, unfortunately, serves as a good example of this type of sorrow. In Exodus 9, God is continuing to pour out plagues on Egypt because of Pharaoh's rebellion and stubbornness. As the hail storm rains down wrath upon Egypt, Pharaoh begins to cry out and acknowledge his sin. He says, "This time I have sinned; the LORD is in the right, and I am my people are in the wrong. Plead with the LORD, for there has been enough of God's thunder and hail. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer."
This would seem to be the response that Moses and God had been waiting on all along. But this repentance isn't real. This type of repentance only comes because there is regret due to the punishment. Once the punishment is removed, the sin and rebellion comes right back. Moses even says, "I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God."
Don't be discouraged as you share the gospel and see people ultimately reject it. You can expect this to happen, as we see it happen throughout Scripture, but in the Old and New Testaments. But you can also expect the opposite. Lest we forget, the book of Revelation proclaims a scene where people from the entire earth, a number that no one can count, standing before the throne of God in worship. People will be saved. And we can expect it. As we spread the seed of the gospel, remember much of it will fall on good soil that will spring up and last. As Paul says in I Thessalonians 1:1-5, when the gospel comes in the power of the Holy Spirit, true conviction will happen and we will be able to rejoice over real salvations.


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TROUBLEMAKER: He habitually causes difficulties or problems. He even incites others to defy those in authority. He has a mind of his own and doesn't abide to any rules or regulations. Let's look at what the Bible says about them in Proverbs 6:16-19: "Here are six things God hates, and one more that he loathes (abhor, detest, hate) with a passion: eyes that are arrogant, a tongue that lies, hands that murder the innocent, a heart that hatches evil plots, feet that race down a wicked track, a mouth that lies under oath, a troublemaker in the family."
This kind of behaviour is abominable, detestable to God. He fells repugnance toward this type of attitude because that was the spirit the devil manifested before being cast out of heaven.
Are you a peacemaker or troublemaker?
Next week we'll uncover the 3rd trait of an ungodly youth.
God bless you.


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I have a dream.
No, it's not quite as inspiring as the dream you're thinking of. It's to do with Halloween, more specifically, Halloween costumes. Yes, since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of dressing up as Mary Poppins…and since our little son came along two weeks ago (a separate blog post to follow on that) I now have the components to make up an entire family costume of Mary, Bert, and the two kids. The G Man is not too thrilled about this fact.
I know what you're thinking, the chance to dress up in a pretty white dress and hat is NOT the reason I had children; I'm not THAT loopy. (I think…)
But anyway, the point is, I LOVE Halloween. I love dressing up and acting ridiculous, and having kids makes that SO much more acceptable these days! I blogged about making a costume for Amelia's first Halloween, which was a lot of fun, but this year of course, with a new baby in the house and recovery from a c-section, there really hasn't been the opportunity or time to be able to make costumes.
So where does a gal go when she needs a Halloween costume for her child, but doesn't have the time to make it? Where does a gal go when she needs something affordable that won't break the bank? Well, we looked online and checked out George at Asda's range. Instantly, Amelia's eyes lit up when she saw the Holy Grail of costumes in the toddler world….Tinkerbell!
And that was that. It arrived last week and she pretty much wants to wear it all the time, so I keep having to explain to her about Halloween night, and that we will be having a party in the house and she will get to be Tinkerbell all evening. Excitement isn't the word.
I guess I will have to wait a few more years before I get to be Mary Poppins…..*sigh*


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|Condo Pet Rules:
|Pet Restrictions
|Elementary School:
|Sea Gate Elementary
|Middle School:
|Pine Ridge Middle School
|High School:
|Barron Collier High School
|Condo Property Views:
|City Lights View
|Waterfront Description:
|Waterfront Property
|Condo Rear Exposure:
|Western Exposure
|Ceiling Fan(s), Wetbar, Tub And Separate Shower, Pantry, Secondary Bedrooms Split From Master Bedroom, Fire Sprinkler System, Walk-in Closet(s)
|Microwave Oven, Disposal, Dishwasher, Clothes Dryer, Built-in Oven
|Tv Cable Available
|Carpet, Tile Flooring
|Exterior Features:
|Enclosed Porch
|Condo Parking:
|2 Car Garage, Underground Parking, Attached Parking, Assigned Parking
|Central Air Conditioning
|Public Sewer Service
|Water Utility:
|Public Water Supply
|Central Heat
|Eat In Kitchen
|Construction Materials:
|Stucco Exterior
|Condo Amenities:
|Community Exercise Area(s), Community Spa(s), Community Tennis Court(s), Biking/fitness Trail, Gated Community, Extra Storage Available
|Maintenance Fee:
|$ 6,106
|Maintenance Fee Frequency:
|HOA Fee:
|$ 5,787
|HOA Fee Frequency:
|Legal Description:
|Carlysle At Bay Colony The A Condominium 2003
|Property Appraiser Info:
The Real Estate Listing information for MLS 219024221 comes from the cooperative Broker Reciprocity Program in Florida. The Broker Reciprocity Program Icon is shown for all Broker Reciprocity Program Listings and the Detail Page includes the name of the participating Listing Broker. The real estate at 8171 Bay Colony Dr #2003 Naples FL 34108 may not be the only available Broker Reciprocity Program Listing in the community and Premiere Plus Realty may not be the Listing Brokerage. Information herein deemed reliable but not guaranteed or warranted and should be checked for accuracy prior to engaging in any transaction. This website indicates one source of 'Market Value' and we suggest that you look at several other sources to get the best idea of the Real Estate Market Value before entering into any real estate transaction. If you have questions about the value shown please contact Collier County Property Appraiser.Courtesy: John R Wood Properties


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Study Spaces of Your (Kenyon) Dreams
While Kenyon students spend an insane amount of time studying, I we love to procrastinate. It's too easy to do here. The number of times I've stared onto South Quad and checked Reddit while writing this piece in my Old Kenyon dorm room would probably disgust any sensible self-disciplined person. That's why I've put together a list of my favorite places on campus where I can hunker down and study or write that essay that's definitely not due tomorrow.
Let's do this:
Ganter-Price Hall
As a brother of the Alpha Delta Phi, I'm fortunate to have the option of using this space as study spot. In addition to the rooms most Kenyon students who have been to a party here are probably familiar with (main room and dance floor), there's an area off to the side called the Squiers Room, and it may look slightly familiar. That's because this room is an exact replica of the AD Bullseye and fourth floor before the Old Kenyon fire of 1949, with plenty of tables and comfortable couches for all brothers. There's one subtle difference between the Squiers room and the original, though, but I'll let you discover that one on your own…
Pro tip: Sometimes Peirce is just too far away for us, so we like to light up the grill and make something delicious. Also, that fireplace comes in handy in the winter.
Peirce Pub
You might know the pub as the place where Two Drink Minimum hosts their shows (also, Nite Bites is here), but it's also where I studied for a chemistry exam for six hours straight last semester. There are foosball and pool tables, and the pub is located right next to the computer lab, so you're set if you need to quickly print something (for free!).
Pro tip: The pub can be super dark and depressing sometimes, but if you know where the light board is (near the back), you can turn this dope performance space into the study space of my your dreams.
Peirce Extendo
Peirce is amazing — well, the building is. It's no Starbucks or dim sum restaurant in Hong Kong, but I've spent hours working on New Side in the afternoon while nursing sandwiches, cookies, and chocolate milk/tea. And a huge perk of having a no-swipes meal plan is going back to the servery for more whenever you're hungry.
Pro tip: Panini press. Use it. Use it for everything. You think I'm joking. I'm not (chocolate chip cookies ftw).
Gund Commons
The only things that come to mind when hearing the name of that building are the all-nighters I spent there freshman year. It's also the place to go if you need job advice or if your CA writes you up for having candles in your room, among other things. But if you need a place to remind you to start your assignments early the next time, the whole night, I highly recommend spending quality time in this piece of architectural beauty, designed by the one and only Graham Gund®. Free printing is also a huge plus.
Pro tip: Don't get to the point where you'll only be productive if you work in Gund Commons. Seriously. You've been warned.
Real talk: you should probably do your work here. Like Peirce and Gund Commons, there are free printing and computers, but the library also features the writing center, where awesome people will help you out with that paper you totally started on early. You can also take out books, laptops, chargers, headphones, and pretty much anything else using your K-card.
Pro tip: Stay until the nerd bell rings (2 a.m., closing time) at least once during your Kenyon career ... for fun of course!


text: Trump participates in a roundtable on empowering families with education choice at the White House [File: Brendan Smialowski/AFP] US House Democratic leaders on Tuesday unveiled two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, charging the president with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, flanked by the chairmen of the impeachment inquiry committees, stood at the Capitol in what she called a "solemn act". House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler told reporters that Democrats had to take action because Trump had endangered the US Constitution, undermined the integrity of the 2020 election and jeopardised national security. Trump, a Republican, "sees himself as above the law", said Nadler. "We must be clear, no one, not even the president, is above the law." More: What are US articles of impeachment, and what happens next? House Judiciary hearing sets stage for Trump impeachment charges White House says it won't take part in Trump impeachment hearing The House Judiciary Committee is expected to vote this week on whether to send the formal charges to the full House of Representatives. It said it would meet Wednesday evening and Thursday morning to consider the articles of impeachment. If the House approves the charges, as expected, the Republican-controlled Senate would hold a trial to decide whether to remove the president from office. A conviction is considered unlikely. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks next to House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler as they announce articles of impeachment for President Donald Trump during a news conference at the US Capitol in Washington, DC [Saul Loeb/AFP] The charges unveiled on Tuesday stem from Trump's pressure on Ukraine to announce investigations of his political rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden, as he withheld aid to the country. Responding to the announcement, Trump posted a series of tweets, again calling the process a "WITCH HUNT!" "Nadler just said that I 'pressured Ukraine to interfere in our 2020 Election.' Ridiculous and he knows that is not true. Both the President & Foreign Minister of Ukraine said, many times, that there 'WAS NO PRESSURE.' Nadler and the Dems know this, but refuse to acknowledge it," Trump tweeted. The White House in a statement called the formal charges "baseless" and said Trump will address them during the trial phase. 191205144236811 "The president will address these false charges in the Senate and expects to be fully exonerated, because he did nothing wrong," White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said. Democrats have moved rapidly in their impeachment inquiry since launching an investigation on September 24. In drafting the articles of impeachment, Pelosi faced a legal and political challenge of balancing the views of her majority while hitting the Constitution's bar of "treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors". Some liberal members of Congress wanted more expansive charges encompassing the findings from former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian interference in the 2016 elections. Centrist Democrats preferred to keep the impeachment articles more focused on Trump's actions towards Ukraine. Pressure on Ukraine The Democrats' impeachment inquiry was centred on a July phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to launch an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden, a 2020 presidential frontrunner, and his son Hunter, who served on a board of a Ukrainian gas company. Trump also wanted an investigation into a debunked conspiracy theory that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 elections. At the time of the call, the Trump administration was withholding nearly $400m in military aid from Ukraine. Trump has denied any wrongdoing. LIVE: Adam Schiff and other House committee chairs announce the next steps in the #ImpeachmentInquiry into US President Trump. https://t.co/ptGOTYHe5e — Al Jazeera News (@AJENews) December 10, 2019 Democrats first pursued a two-month inquiry, led by the House Intelligence Committee, which submitted a 300-page report about its findings earlier this month. The House Judiciary Committee hearing then took over the investigation to consider articles of impeachment. The president and his White House have refused to participate in the inquiry, instructing members of his administration to do the same. Republicans argue Trump did nothing improper in his call with Zelenskyy and say there is no direct evidence he withheld aid or a White House meeting in exchange for a favour. When asked if she has enough votes to impeach the Republican president, Pelosi leader said she would let House politicians vote their conscience. "On an issue like this, we don't count the votes. People will just make their voices known on it," Pelosi said at The Wall Street Journal CEO Council. "I haven't counted votes, nor will I." The Judiciary Committee would need to give 24 hours' notice before meeting to vote on whether to forward the articles to the full House for a final impeachment vote by the chamber. SOURCE: Al Jazeera and news agencies Trump Impeachment Inquiry United States Donald Trump US & Canada