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The return of Fame Lady Squad
The Fame Lady Squad (FLS), a nonfungible token (NFT) avatar project purporting to have been created by an all-female team, is set to re-launch today with a new team after it was uncovered that three Russian men were behind the project earlier this month.
SO EXCITING!! pic.twitter.com/V1LKgIU34c
— Cadboros (@cadboros) August 23, 2021
The project’s NFTs depict cartoon female avatars, with the tokens having generated $1.9 million worth of total sales since launching on OpenSea Marketplace in mid-July.
The FLS website previously listed three team members named Cindy, Kelda and Andrea who all had female avatars.
On Aug. 10, Fedor Linnik, the co-creator of NFT project Neural Pepe, tweeted that he had collected “enough proof” to connect three men to the project on Aug. 10, specifically outing the pseudonymous developer “D Mefi” as one of FLS’ creators.
I’m the person who started all the fuss @FameLadySquad and @queenship_ project. I have enough proof to state that FLS was created by 3 males who are also behind a whole bunch of abandoned NFT projects.
And their “signature” convinces me Queenship is also their product. Thread/
— Fedor Linnik (@FedorLinnik) August 10, 2021
Following the accusations, Russian developer Max Rand also confessed to working on the project via Twitter on the same day. The FLS Twitter account also confirmed the news but failed to name the third member of the team.
After facing public backlash, the FLS founders reportedly conducted a poll on Twitter asking the community if they should hand over the project’s smart contract to a new owner — to which more than three-quarters of respondents voted in favor.
FLS stated they have handed the smart contract over to the well-known NFT proponent, “digitalartchick.” Digitalartchick has since passed the project onto a team of women including NFT collector Ashley Smith and NFT advisor Daniel Davis.
— Fame Lady Squad (@fame_ladies) August 24, 2021
The FLS website is offline at the time of writing.
MLB to hit NFTs out of the park?
As part of its partnership with NFT sports collectible platform Candy Digital, Major League Baseball is issuing NFTs dedicated to 30 MLB stadiums.
The latest drop went live on Aug. 23 and depicts a digital illustration of the PNC Stadium which is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The collection includes an open edition up for sale until Aug 28, and a one-of-one up for auction that is set to close on the same day.
The one-of-one currently has a top bid of $3,050 and the highest bidder will receive two tickets to an MLB game at the stadium, a player meet and greet, the first pitch at a game, a framed print, and a stadium.
The MLB partnered with Galaxy Digital-backed Candy Digital in June, and this is the third drop of the MLB stadium series so far. The duo has also launched collections dedicated to baseball legend Lou Gehrig, and 2020 world champions the LA Dodgers.
Kobe Bryant NFTs
An NFT auction dedicated to the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant is set to go live on the marketplace Cryptograph tomorrow.
The collection spans eight one-of-one NFTs depicting pictures of Bryant captured by Hollywood photographer Davis Factor in the 1990s. According to Cryptograph, all the revenues from the sales will go towards The Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.
The foundation is a non-profit that is dedicated to helping “underserved athletes and young women in sports.” The organization was founded in honor of Byrant and his daughter Gigi after they passed away in January last year.
AI-generated avatars fetch big prices
The developers behind EtherRocks — tokenized pet rocks that have fetched as much as $610,000 each amid the recent NFT bubble — have launched a new nonfungible avatar project featuring synthetic human faces that have been generated using artificial intelligence.
Nftsprites comprises a series of 100 unique synthetic faces, with holders seeking prices of between 16.5 Ether ($55,100) and 100 Ether ($334,000) for secondary sales. The NFT feature uncanny animations in which the synthetic faces move and appear to mouth speech.
Twitter user “Larry0x,” a smart contract developer at Delphi Digital, dismissively described the Nftsprites as “the lowest-effort NFT project” he has encountered, asserting that the synthetic faces were freely taken from another website.
if true, then this is the lowest-effort NFT project I’ve seen. you literally just go to https://t.co/exiJbXvL6H and right click-save. a new NFT!
— THE_LARRY (@larry0x) August 24, 2021
Cointelegraph reported on Aug. 20 that in response to the current crisis in Afghanistan, consulting firm Visualize Value launched a series of NFT “care packages”, which are aimed at being sold at the estimated cost of covering a single family’s emergency needs for a month.
Credit card giant Visa also made headlines this week after it purchased a CryptoPunk for $150,000.Cointelegrapth • crypto news


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Denver Metro | Mid-Year 2020
The spring is typically one of the busiest seasons for buying and selling homes within the Denver Metro marketplace. However, this year’s spring market was interrupted by COVID-19, resulting in a sharp, but brief decline in real estate activity. While the restrictions placed on real estate in the spring made an impact on the market, buyers and sellers are making up for lost time by diving head-first back into the housing market.
For the month of June, pending sales have increased by 7.2% overall and 18.8% from June 2019, according to the Metro Denver Market Report compiled by Megan Aller of First American Title. What’s more, closed sales are up month-over-month by 78.4%, showing that Denver Metro’s market is recovering from the pandemic and continuing to pick up momentum.
LIV Sotheby’s International Realty reports on the Denver Metro real estate market, sectioning into 57 neighborhoods, collectively, comparing real estate performance for January through June of 2020 to that of 2019. The average sold price for both single family and attached homes through June of 2020 showed an upward trend, growing by 2.6% and 1.7% respectively. These increases bring the average sold price for single family homes in Denver to $542,311 and price for attached homes to $368,075.
Within the 57 neighborhoods that make up Denver Metro, many neighborhoods experienced positive activity through June of this year. There were 19 different neighborhoods that saw an increase in the number of properties sold in Q1 and Q2. One of the most impressive rises in buyer activity was seen in the Downtown condominium market. Through June of this year, an astonishing 211 condos were sold, a 245.9% difference from 2019 when 61 condos sold in the same time frame. Southmoor Park also experienced a boost of buying activity, increasing the number of sold homes from 21 properties through June of 2019 to 39 properties through June of 2020.
The average days on market in Denver Metro has decreased slightly by 3.4%, making the average days on market for all types of homes in the area 28 days. Other individual communities have also seen drops in the average amount of time properties are spending on the market, showing that buyers are hungry for available homes and moving more quickly to secure the listings they love. Both single family homes and condos in Denver’s Cherry Creek North neighborhood have been moving quickly in the real estate market. Homes in this community are staying on the market for 29.5% less time, bringing the average days on market down from 78 days through June of 2019 to 55 days during the same time frame in 2020.
Denver’s active lifestyle, access to the fresh air and outdoors, as well as urban entertainment and dining options make this city an attractive place to put down roots or invest in a second home. For these reasons, the real estate market will likely continue to thrive, allowing buyers and sellers the opportunity to reach their lifestyle goals.
This Colorado Micro Market Report includes real estate data statistics for the following neighborhoods (single family, unless otherwise indicated): Baker, Belmar, Bell Mountain Ranch, Berkeley, Bonnie Brae, Belcaro, Bow Mar, Capitol Hill, Castle Pines North, Castle Pines Village, Cheesman, Cherry Creek, Cherry Creek North, Cherry Hills Village, City Park, City Park, Cory-Merrill, Columbine Valley, Congress Park, Country Club, Crestmoor, Downtown (condos), Golden Triangle, Greenwood Village East, Greenwood Village West, Hale Mayfair, Heritage Greens, Highland, Highlands Ranch, Hilltop, Homestead, Jefferson Park, Ken-Caryl North Ranch, Keen Ranch, Ken-Caryl Valley, Lakewood, LoHi, Lonetree, Lowry, The Meadows, Montclair, Observatory Park, Park Hill, Platt Park, Polo Reserve, Pradera & Timbers, RiNo, Saddle Rock Golf Club, Sloan’s Lake, Southglenn, Southern Hills, Stapleton, Sunnyside, Tallyn’s Reach, Uptown, Washington Park East, Washington Park West, and West Highlands.

domain: geography


(Above source: YouTube video)
Arsenio Hall returns to the stage tomorrow, October 29, with a Netflix stand-up special, Smart & Classy.
The comedian, who has hosted several talk shows over the past several decades, reflects on the challenges of doing stand-up in today’s political climate. He also talks about winning Celebrity Apprentice and his upcoming sequel to Coming to America.
Eddie Murphy, during a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, said that he and co-star Hall are nearly finished filming that sequel. Murphy, who has also been long absent from the stage, said Barack Obama has encouraged him to pick up the mic again:
Murphy’s new movie, Dolemite is My Name, debuted on Netflix October 25.
For more on Smart & Classy, visit Netflix.
- Drug-Addled ET on Shudder - May 7, 2021
- Pluto TV En Español - May 5, 2021
- Siblings’ Bad Road Trip - May 3, 2021
- Time-bending Spycraft - April 30, 2021
- Troubled Siblings and Murder - April 28, 2021
- ‘Romeo & Juliet’ Film on PBS - April 23, 2021
- Chicken, Statue on Peacock - April 21, 2021
- ‘Midsomer Murders’ Season 22 - April 19, 2021
- ‘Beverly Hillbillies’ Binge - April 16, 2021
- AMC+’s Cold War Thriller - April 14, 2021


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Personally, I enjoy having an outfit in the mix that has all the colours in it. However, not everyone in the photo should wear patterns as it may distract the final image.
Select one outfit for your family photos that has a lot of colours or a fun pattern. Choose that outfit first. This gives you plenty of colours to choose from to pick your coordinating colours.
Look for clothing collections
Look at shop displays, as they can often provide much needed inspiration for a family shoot.
Plan ahead for your family photo outfits
Once you book your session, start thinking about what to wear for family photos. If you wait until the day of or the day before you may run into an issue of clothes not fitting, being dirty or need to be dry cleaned.
Textures and layers are your best friend
I am a huge fan of a cotton fitted shirt. However, in photographs, I like to add textures like knitts or hats or tulle skirts to add a little more to the image. Don’t shy away from different textures.
By adding different textures through the material of your family outfits or your accessories, you are adding depth and interest to your photos.
If you are taking photos in front of a backdrop, consider what you are wearing. I remember an image of my husband, myself and baby daughter which was taken in front of a black backdrop. We didn’t realize the background colour and showed up wearing black shirts. Once we received the photos, we looked alike floating heads were holding a baby. Not exactly the aesthetic we were going for.
Dress and Choose colours for the season:
Autumn – Consider choosing outfits with warm earth tones.
Spring – Consider spring, muted tones of the season
Winter – it’s all about the layers and the texture.
Summer – for beach shorts think about outfits with cooler tones like blues & greens and even adding in pops of coral.

domain: artistic


Jaguar MK VII M, 1956
Jaguar Mk VIIM, year 1956. Colour pale yellow with a dark red leather interior. This impressive Jaguar Mk VIIM saloon was sold new in New Zealand. In the year 1996 the automobile was imported to the Netherlands. The current owner purchased the car in 2011 and he had the car extensively and perfectly restored to concours (show) condition! This Jaguar is not a standard Mk 7 but a special Mk 7M. The ‘M’ features the 190 bhp XK engine (instead of 160 bhp) and the car can be identified by the fog lamps on the front bumper, flashing indicators on the front wings, headlamps with ‘J’ motif in the centre, reprofiled bumpers and bigger tail lights. The most remarkable feat of the MK VIIM was winning the 1965 Monte Carlo rally! The car proved relaxing to drive at very high speeds, so called ‘sports cars’ did not stand a chance because their crew wore out much more quickly.
This magnificent and absolutely perfect example is fitted with the 3-speed automatic gearbox which shifts gear perfectly. The automobile has matching numbers, a Heritage certificate is present to prove this. The original owners’ manual is also present. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a superbly restored Jaguar Mk VIIM!
ARCHIVES | SOLD
Six cylinder in-line engine (DOHC)
carburettors: 2x S.U. H6 1¾ inch
cylinder capacity: 3442 cc.
capacity: 190 bhp. at 5500 rpm.
torque: 282 Nm at 2500 rpm.
top-speed: 171 km/h.
gearbox: 3-speed, automatic / 4-speed, manual
weight: 1676 kg.
* Source: The Jaguar File, Eric Dymock
Though the Jaguar brand was first used in 1945, its factory had been founded long before. In 1922, William Lyons and William Walmsley laid the foundation of the firm in Blackpool, England, with the name of Swallow Coachbuilding Co. The factory constructed motorcycles and sidecars and later bodies based on the Austin Seven chassis. When in the 1930s their own SS cars were built, the company name was changed into SS cars Ltd.
The SS cars were conventional saloons and drophead coupes in the way many other British brands built them.
For obvious reasons, After World War II the company name SS Cars Ltd. was changed into Jaguar Cars Ltd. It was the birth of the now famous and popular make of Jaguar.
The pre-war SS models were sold under the name of Jaguar until 1948, and in this year the saloon, the MK-V, and a sports car, which was the much talked of XK 120, were brought onto the market.
The XK 120 was very successful, and established the fame of this name as one of the icons in the history of motorcars. The XK 120 could reach 120 miles an hour (almost 200 km/h), which made it the fastest production car of its time. Moreover, the XK 120 cost much less than the other comparable production models by Aston Martin and Ferrari.
In 1951 and 1953, Jaguar won the 24-hour of Le Mans with a racer based on the XK 120, the Jaguar C-type. It made the name outright immortal. Success was continued the next years with the Jaguar D-type, which surpassed its competitors with its disc brakes.
The XK sports car series was a success and the XK 120 was succeeded by the XK 140 and XK 150 over the years. The deluxe saloons were a spur to victory with the introduction of the MK I in 1957 and the MK II in 1959. This self-willed, streamlined sedan was a real ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’. The car was fitted with the powerful 3.4 litre XK six-cylinder engine, which was good for reaching a top-speed of about 200 km/h.
In 1960, Jaguar took over the British Daimler, and from that time onward it used the name of Daimler for its deluxe, comfort-oriented models, and the name of Jaguar for its sporty cars.
In 1961, the famous Jaguar E-Type was born. The E-Type was inspired by the D-Type racing car from the fifties. Like the XK, the E-Type was an icon in the history of car making, with an almost alien design and excellent technology. The E-Type appeared as a roadster, as an FHC (Fixed Head Coupe) and as a 2+2. They also built some special lightweight E-Types to prolong the racing successes of the past. However, they did not succeed as competitors had copied the technical achievements of the D-Type.
In the production of the deluxe saloons, a large MK X was added to the MK II, and the contiguous S-Type, the 240/340 series and the 420/420G series were brought onto the market.
In 1968, the Jaguar XJ was designed and though evolved in many ways, the XJ is available to this very day.…
In 1971, a V12 engine was added to the Jaguar E-Type, and later in the Daimler Double Six and the Jaguar XJ 12. At that time, it was the only twelve-cylinder engine in serial production in the world.
In the mid-seventies, the E-Type had to clear the field and besides the XJ, the special-lined 2+2 came onto the market. It was the XJS. This car was also available as a convertible.
So far the classic period. In the future the Jaguar history from 1980 will be filled in.
© Marc Vorgers


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Ahmed Sami Abdel-Fattah
European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Wednesday, January 15 made critical statements about the Turkish role in Libya during a meeting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, as he warned against Libya turning into another Syria.
Borrell also criticized Turkey’s transfer of fighters from Syria to Libya, which points to an increase in the conflict in the coming period, especially after the Moscow talks failed to reach an agreement to solve the crisis.
Reasons for rejection
The European Union’s rejection of Turkey sending forces to Libya stems from several considerations, the most important of which is the certainty that the increased frequency of war will lead to a new wave of refugees to Europe, which contributes to increasing the gap between EU countries, especially after several countries such as Poland and Hungary refused to receive refugees.
In this case, the concern is Libyan and African refugees, because the increased frequency of war will lead to chaos, which motivates smuggling networks to increase activity off the Libyan coast.
On the other hand, Europe believes that the mere refusal to accept refugees contradicts the human values that Europe tries to impose on its foreign policies.
Another reason for Europe’s rejection of Turkish military forces being sent to Libya revolves around the fear that the expected refugee crisis will contribute to increasing the popularity of the far-right parties. This is particularly an issue since nationalist parties have exploited the impact of illegal immigration and refugees in order to challenge the popularity of traditional liberal parties, given that receiving refugees is counterproductive to European nationalism, as well as reduces the opportunities for European citizens to find work in some sectors due to the ability of refugees to work long hours for less than what European citizens receive.
The European Union is expected to work to create a kind of understanding regarding the Libyan crisis at the Berlin summit set to be held on January 19, before discussing the approval of international supervision in order to contribute to stabilizing the ceasefire.
It is important to point out that Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), refused to accept the ceasefire agreement, as he demanded Turkish forces leave Libya, which was rejected by both Ankara and its ally in Tripoli, Fayez al-Sarraj’s Government of National Accord (GNA).
On January 2, the Turkish parliament approved, 325 to 184, a presidential memo authorizing the Turkish government to send military forces to Libya.
It is reported that Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) managed to pass the memorandum through the support of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which is fully supportive of any kind of Turkish military interventions abroad, as long as the intervention contributes to deepening Turkish influence in the region.

domain: sociology


ATC head-turret installed
With rotating CNC machine tool often used such Cnc machiningATC devices, with a few turret head spindle, each with a spindle on both knives, the first tower interim process can be automatic tool change-realization. The advantage is simple structure, tool change time is short, only about 2 s. However, due to spatial constraints, the number of spindle can not be too much, usually only apply to processes less, not to high precision machine tools, Cnc machining such as the NC drill, such as CNC milling machine. In recent years there has been a mechanical hand and the turret head with a knife for the automatic tool change ATC devices, as shown in Figure 2.3. It is in fact a turret head ATC, and the knife-ATC device combination. The principle is as follows:
5 turret on the first two tool spindle 3 and 4, when using the tool spindle 4 processing tool, the manipulator 2 will be the next step to the need for the tool does not work on the tool spindle 3 until after the completion of this process , the first rotary turret 180 º, ATC completed. ATC most of their time and processing time coincidence, the only real tool change time Cnc machiningturret transposition of the first time, this approach mainly used for ATC and NC NC drilling file bed.


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Monday Jul 21
Google says no to 'Free' tag on apps
Trawling through Apples's AppStore and Google's PlayStore you are greeted by thousands upon thousands of apps claiming to be free in order to get that download, and in a lot of cases they're free and we don't feel we have been conned in someway.
Monty Python's Ministry Of Silly Walks Smartphone Game
This is a video preview of Monty Python's Ministry Of Silly Walks, The Game . It's a $1 iPhone and Android app in which the player controls John Cleese as Mr. Teabag in an attempt to silly walk around London while avoiding obstacles and collecting coins.
OOMF! - World's First FPEG on the App Store
Koolhaus Games, developer and publisher of Top 10 electronic games, today is pleased to announce the launch of the very first "FPEG" to the Apple iTunes App Store.

domain: news


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Churchill Lows Closes Duet of Obtain Deals
The on line casino and racetrack operator offers expanded a presence within Illinois as well as Pennsylvania with the help of two buildings to her portfolio
Kentucky-based casino plus racetrack owner Churchill Lows Inc. done a coppia of pay for deals previous this week within the company’s technique to extend a footprint throughout key real estate markets across the Us and to bare cement itself like a leading proprietor of game playing properties along with horse racetracks.
In a statement from Week, March almost eight, Churchill Downs announced the exact purchase of Female Luck Casino Nemacolin on Farmington, California for entire cash aspect to consider of $465.21, 000. Reports about the transaction’s closure showed up on the pumps of the necessary regulatory acceptance the online casino and racetrack operator obtained by the Missouri Gaming Deal with Board sooner this week.
Churchill Downs provides thus presumed management of the property following acquiring a number of assets linked to its supervision from competing Eldorado Rental accommodations. Lady Good luck Casino Nemacolin opened entrance doors in 2013. The property benefits 600 slot machines and 27 table games.
Churchill Downs possessed the Lady Fortune property to be a condition to the closure to a previously announced deal to purchase Presque Tropical isle Downs & Casino inside Erie, Philadelphia from Eldorado Resorts pertaining to total money consideration regarding $178. being unfaithful million. Which transaction seemed to be finalized www.aussie-pokies.club/ with January. This last year, Presque Tropical isle was given the green light through the state’s betting regulator begin the process operating your sportsbook. The main casino is normally yet to develop and launch its sporting events betting option.
Churchill Lows Completes Canals Casino Kklk Plaines Acquire
Churchill Downs closed yet one more acquisition deal earlier now. That transfer secured the corporation with widened presence inside Illinois promote and the inclusion of the state’s top performing online casino to a portfolio of properties.
The Kentucky-based on line casino and racetrack operator finished the acquiring a majority position in Canals Casino Kklk Plaines. The home opened entry doors in 2011 on the greater Chicago, il area, simply two kilometer after kilometer from O’Hare International Airport. Them features approximately 1, 000 slot machines as well as 58 scratch cards.
Churchill Lows was able to tight the previously announced acquisition of the internet casino after the Il Gaming Deck voted 4-0 in favor of the offer on April 1 . The provider paid virtually $407 million for a 62% stake in the property’s mother or father company Midwest Gaming Loge.
Churchill Downs runs one more operation throughout Illinois Arlington International Racecourse , which too is found in suburban Los angeles. Regulatory blocks have affected the company’s makes an attempt to add slot machines and other game options in the racetrack for years now. With all the acquisition of Brooks Casino, Churchill Downs has now entered the very state’s online casino gaming markets.
The company also offers positioned again for a entry straight into Illinois’ sports betting industry , should the practice develop into legal on the state. Just about any proposals for 1 form of betting expansion or another have until just last year proved difficult to survive from the Illinois Legislature, but you will find somewhat beneficial prognoses the fact that things may turn up in another way this year.
Often the state’s recently sworn-in Governor J. B. Pritzker included the legalization of physical activities gambling into the state’s resources plan for another financial yr. The top legislator believes that legal playing could help Illinois narrow a tremendous gap in its budget.

domain: finance


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Positive results from Influenza Human Challenge Study conducted by hVIVO
Open Orphan plc (AIM: ORPH) a rapidly growing specialist pharmaceutical services clinical research organisation (CRO) and world leader in vaccine and antiviral testing using human challenge clinical trials, notes the announcement released from SAB Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: SABS) (“SAB”), reporting positive results from a human challenge study testing SAB-176, its investigational therapeutic for the treatment of seasonal influenza. hVIVO, a subsidiary of Open Orphan, conducted the Phase 2a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study using its Influenza Human Challenge Study Model.
The trial evaluated the safety and treatment efficacy of SAB-176 in 60 healthy adults challenged with a pandemic influenza strain (pH1N1). Participants were intranasally inoculated with the influenza challenge virus and then randomised to receive either SAB-176 or placebo.. SAB-176 achieved statistically significant (p = 0.026) reductions in viral load. Based on partial data, statistically significant reductions in clinical signs and symptoms compared to placebo were also observed. Additionally, no serious adverse events were reported and SAB-176 appeared to be safe and well tolerated. Based on the positive results from this study, SAB plans to further evaluate SAB-176 in a Phase 2 influenza clinical trial.
Flu is caused by the influenza virus and is one of the most common infectious respiratory diseases and can lead to severe illness, and death. There are four types of seasonal influenza viruses, types A, B, C and D. Influenza A and B viruses circulate and cause seasonal epidemics of disease. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), worldwide, these annual epidemics are estimated to result in about three to five million cases of severe illness, and about 290 000 to 650 000 respiratory deaths.
hVIVO has two decades of experience and expertise in safely conducting challenge studies across a range of respiratory and infectious disease viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Influenza, human Rhinovirus HRV (common cold virus), malaria, and asthma. In October 2020, this expanded to include the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Cathal Friel, Executive Chairman of Open Orphan, said: “I am pleased that SAB has received positive results for SAB-176 from its influenza human challenge trial, conducted by hVIVO. SAB-176 met its primary endpoint and based on partial data appears to have met a key secondary endpoint. These encouraging results support proceeding to a Phase 2 clinical trial.
“Influenza affects a significant proportion of the global population every year with symptoms ranging from mild to severe, with hospitalisations and deaths occurring among high-risk groups. hVIVO has successfully been delivering Influenza human challenge trials for over two decades, and we look forward to continuing to support Big Pharma and biotechs to provide early proof-of-concept for novel vaccines and antivirals.”
Mariya Kalinova, Medical Director, hVIVO, commented: “We are delighted to see these positive results from the Phase 2a Influenza Human Challenge Study for SAB Biotherapeutics’ novel anti-influenza human immunotherapy, SAB-176. The encouraging reductions in viral load and clinical symptoms, along with the promising safety and tolerability data observed in this challenge study suggest SAB-176 may have a positive impact on individuals with influenza.
“This successful study demonstrates the way that Phase 2a challenge studies can help advance drug development and provide a value inflection point for innovative products such as SAB-176 as they move towards a full Phase 2 study. Moving forward, we expect to see an increase in the number of human challenge studies taking place across multiple infectious diseases, as interest in these disease areas continues to grow.”
For further information please contact:
Open Orphan plc
+353 (0) 1 644 0007
Cathal Friel, Executive Chairman
Notes to Editors
Open Orphan plc
Open Orphan plc (London and Euronext: ORPH) is a rapidly growing contract research company that is a world leader in testing vaccines and antivirals using human challenge clinical trials. The Company provides services to Big Pharma, biotech, and government/public health organisations.
Open Orphan runs challenge studies in London from both its 19-bedroom Whitechapel quarantine clinic and its state-of-the-art 24-bedroom QMB clinic with its highly specialised on-site virology and immunology laboratory. The Company has a leading portfolio of human challenge study models for infectious and respiratory diseases and is developing a number of new models. There has been an explosion in the growth of the infectious disease market, which is estimated to grow to in excess of $250bn by 2025. The Group is focused on refreshing its existing challenge models and develop new models, such as Malaria, to address the dramatic growth potential of the global infectious disease market.
Building upon its many years of challenge studies and virology research, the Company is developing an in-depth database of infectious disease progression data. Based on the Company’s Disease in Motion® platform, this unique dataset includes clinical, immunological, virological, and digital (wearable) biomarkers. The Disease in Motion platform has many potential applications across a wide variety of end users including big technology, wearables, pharma, and biotech companies.
Open Orphan’s Paris office has been providing biometry, data management and statistics to its many European pharmaceutical clients for over 20 years. For over 15 years, the Company’s Netherlands office has been providing drug development consultancy and services, including CMC (chemistry, manufacturing, and controls), PK and medical writing, to a broad range of European clients. Both offices are now also fully integrated with the London office and working on challenge study contracts as well as supporting third party trial contracts.
About SAB Biotherapeutics
SAB Biotherapeutics, Inc. (SAB) is a clinical-stage, biopharmaceutical company advancing a new class of immunotherapies leveraging fully human polyclonal antibodies. SAB has applied advanced genetic engineering and antibody science to develop transchromosomic (Tc) Bovine™ that produce fully-human antibodies targeted at specific diseases, including infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza, immune system disorders including type 1 diabetes and organ transplantation, and cancer. SAB’s versatile DiversitAb™ platform is applicable to a wide range of serious unmet needs in human diseases. It produces natural, specifically targeted, high-potency, human polyclonal immunotherapies. SAB is currently advancing multiple clinical programs. For more information on SAB, visit: https://www.sabbiotherapeutics.com/ and follow @SABBantibody on Twitter.
SAB-176 is a multivalent, broadly neutralizing fully-human polyclonal antibody therapeutic candidate in development for the treatment or prevention of severe influenza. The novel, specifically-targeted therapeutic leverages the natural human biological immune response to specifically bind to Type A and Type B influenza viruses. Like vaccines, it can be modified to address annual strain changes, when needed, to maintain broader coverage as the flu virus mutates. Preclinical data suggests that SAB-176 offers broad protection against diverse influenza strains.
SAB’s novel DiversitAb™ immunotherapy platform enables the production of large amounts of targeted, highly potent human polyclonal antibodies. The platform leverages transchromosomic cattle (Tc Bovine™) that have been genetically designed to generate fully human antibodies (immunoglobulin G) rather than bovine antibodies, in response to inoculation with an immunogen.
To develop and produce SAB-176, Tc Bovine were hyperimmunized with a quadrivalent antigen, including a number of influenza strains. Within a brief period of time, the Tc Bovine generated significant amounts of fully-human antibodies to combat the virus, driving titers beyond the levels known to be protective. Plasma was collected (in a similar manner as from human plasma donors), then purified to isolate the antibodies that comprise the therapeutic treatment.
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domain: medical


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Plecos are among the most popular aquarium fish kept by fish owners, mainly because they are peaceful and clean the tank extremely well.
But what about the tank size? Which Plecos can actually be kept in a relatively small 10-gallon tank? How do you raise them properly in that tank size? Can other fish live with them?
In this article, I’ll dive into these questions and many more, so you leave with all the information you need. Let’s get started.
What Plecos Can Live In a 10-Gallon Tank?
Plecos that can fit in 10 gallons should be small on average and stay small. Here’s what you should know:
1. Clown Pleco (Panaqolus maccus)
The Clown Pleco is a captivating and compact species, ideal for smaller aquariums.
- Size Matters: Growing up to 3.5-4 inches, this pleco won’t overpopulate a 10-gallon tank. Ensure adequate hiding spaces to make them feel secure.
- Dietary Needs: They lean heavily on wood for nutrition. Incorporate driftwood into the tank setup, allowing them to graze and aiding digestion.
- Peaceful Nature: Being serene, they can share space with non-aggressive species. Monitor tank interactions, ensuring no territorial disputes.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Their intricate patterns are eye-catching. Use subtle lighting to accentuate their colors and patterns.
2. Bristlenose Pleco (Ancistrus sp.)
A favorite among aquarists, the Bristlenose’s modest size and interesting look make it a suitable choice.
- Size Management: With a potential length of 4-6 inches, regular tank maintenance is key. Weekly water changes of 20-30% are advisable.
- Balanced Diet: While they enjoy algae, supplement with veggies like zucchini and specialized pleco pellets to meet their dietary needs.
- Social Interaction: Generally peaceful, they can be paired with calm tankmates. However, provide caves for them to retreat and establish territory.
- Unique Features: Their namesake bristles (especially pronounced in males) are a standout. Position them in the tank where their features are easily observable.
3. Pitbull Pleco (Parotocinclus jumbo)
This small, active pleco species offers lively interactions and ease of care in limited spaces.
- Compact Size: At just about 2 inches when mature, they’re a great fit for 10 gallons. But, ensure good filtration due to their active nature.
- Diet Tips: Algae make up their main food source. Offer algae wafers and occasionally blanched veggies for nutrition.
- Active Swimmers: They love to dart around, making the tank lively. However, ensure no strong currents that might stress them out.
- Safety First: These Plecos can be skittish. Having soft substrates and dense plantations can offer them refuge and comfort.
4. Rubber Lip Pleco (Chaetostoma sp.)
The Rubber Lip, known for its adaptable nature, is a delightful addition to smaller aquariums.
- Growth Consideration: They can grow up to 4.5 inches, making tank cleanliness crucial. Invest in a reliable filter and ensure sufficient aeration.
- Varied Diet: Apart from algae, they appreciate a varied diet. Incorporate insect larvae, pleco pellets, and occasional fresh greens.
- Community Player: They generally get along with other peaceful species. Still, monitor for any aggressive tendencies, especially during feeding times.
- Adaptive Nature: They can adjust to various water conditions. However, maintaining a pH of 6.5-8.0 and temperature between 72-78°F ensures their well-being.
5. Peppermint Pleco (Parancistrus nudiventris)
Distinctive for its alluring coloration and pattern, the Peppermint Pleco is another fine choice for enthusiasts with limited tank space.
- Size to Watch: Typically growing up to 3 inches, this Pleco is apt for a 10-gallon setup. Nonetheless, its active demeanor demands a spacious layout within the tank.
- Carnivorous Diet: Primarily meat-eaters, they relish invertebrates like bloodworms. Ensure a diet rich in protein, but occasionally offer veggies for balance.
- Subdued Demeanor: Mostly nocturnal and quiet by day. Use dim lighting or moonlights to observe their fascinating nighttime behavior.
- Aesthetic Elegance: Their peppermint-like stripes are mesmerizing. A darker substrate can make their unique pattern pop, enhancing the tank’s visual appeal.
6. Spotted Bulldog Pleco (Chaetostoma punctatofasciatum)
Known for its tenacious nature, this Pleco boasts delightful spots that add charm to any small aquarium.
- Growth Observance: Growing to about 3.5 inches, tank hygiene is paramount. Incorporate natural elements like rocks for them to cling to and feel at home.
- Omnivore Alert: While they enjoy algae, a diversified diet with plant-based and protein-rich foods is beneficial. Regularly provide algae wafers mixed with occasional brine shrimp or daphnia.
- Sturdy Companions: Being robust, they handle varied water conditions. Ensure a stable temperature between 68-75°F and pH levels between 6.5-7.5.
- Decorative Spots: Their dotted appearance is a delight to behold. Complement their look with plain backdrops to make the spots the focal point.
7. Candy Striped Pleco (Peckoltia vittata)
An endearing name for an equally captivating Pleco, its stripes truly resemble a candy’s allure.
- Size Constraints: A mature Candy Striped Pleco reaches about 4 inches. With its size in mind, avoid overstocking and ensure ample hideouts like caves or driftwood.
- Balanced Feed: Primarily herbivores, they thrive on algae and plant-based foods. Augment their diet with spirulina wafers and fresh greens like spinach or lettuce.
- Peace Lover: Harmonious in nature, they gel well with most non-aggressive tank mates. Always observe the tank’s dynamics, especially when introducing new species.
- Stripe Showcase: Their captivating stripes are their highlight. Opt for lighter substrates or backgrounds to contrast and showcase their vibrant patterns.
Do These Plecos Stay Small?
When it comes to these specific Plecos, yes, they indeed tend to stay small, especially when compared to other members of the Pleco family.
Aquarists often prefer these species for their manageability and suitability for standard-sized tanks.
- Relative Size: Many of these Plecos, like the Clown and Candy Striped, grow to 2-4 inches, unlike the Common Pleco’s 24 inches.
- Tank Considerations: Their compact size makes them ideal for 10 to 30-gallon tanks, providing flexibility for aquarists with limited space.
- Selective Breeding: Aquarists’ preferences have driven breeding of smaller Plecos, ensuring species like Peppermint and Bristlenose remain petite.
How Much Space Do Plecos Need?
Plecos, as a general rule, require ample space to thrive and grow, with the specific amount of space largely depending on the species in question.
While some smaller Plecos can be comfortably housed in a 10-gallon tank, larger species demand tanks of 100 gallons or more.
- Species Variation: Plecos like the Bristlenose or Clown can flourish in 20-30 gallon tanks, while the massive Common Pleco requires at least a 100-gallon space.
- Activity Levels: Plecos are active bottom dwellers, often scouring the substrate. Regardless of their size, they appreciate spacious tanks for movement and exploration.
- Territorial Behavior: Especially during breeding, Plecos can become territorial. Sufficient space, with hiding spots like caves, reduces potential conflicts and stress.
Also Read: Pleco Fish Tank Size
For a better understanding, here’s a concise table of different Plecos species and their recommended tank size:
|Common Name||Recommended Tank Size (gallons)|
|Queen Arabesque Pleco||30|
|King Tiger Pleco||40|
|Gold Nugget Pleco||50|
|Leopard Cactus Pleco||70|
|Green Phantom Pleco||80|
|Red Fin Cactus Pleco||80|
|Orange Seam Pleco||90|
How to Calculate the Right Tank Size for a Pleco
Here’s a straightforward approach showing how to calculate the right tank size for a random Pleco:
- Determine the adult size of the specific Pleco species you’re interested in.
- Use the “1 Inch Per Gallon Rule”: For every inch of fish, allocate one gallon of water. For a Pleco expected to reach 5 inches, you’d need at least 5 gallons.
- Factor in the tank’s floor space. Plecos are bottom dwellers, so they need more horizontal space. A tank that’s longer is often better than a taller one.
- Adjust for the “1 Inch Per Gallon Rule” if the Pleco is broad or particularly active. For instance, a bulky 5-inch Pleco might be better in a 10-gallon tank rather than a 5-gallon one.
- Always round up. If calculations suggest a 27-gallon tank, it’s best to go with a 30-gallon tank to ensure comfort.
If you have a Pleco expected to reach 7 inches in length and it’s an active species:
- 7 inches x 1 gallon/inch = 7 gallons.
- Given its activity, double the space = 14 gallons.
- Round up for safety and comfort = Opt for a 20-gallon tank.
Which Plecostomus Is the Smallest?
Among the vast family of Plecos, the Otocinclus holds the title for being the smallest.
These petite Plecos, often called “Otos” or “Dwarf Suckermouths,” are favored for their diminutive size and diligent algae-eating habits.
- Size Comparison: While many Plecos range between 4-24 inches, the Otocinclus averages a mere 1-2 inches in adulthood, making them a perfect fit for smaller aquarium setups.
- Tank Companions: Due to their size, Otocinclus Plecos are less intimidating to other fish, allowing for peaceful coexistence in community tanks with other small species.
- Diet and Behavior: Despite their size, Otocinclus Plecos are voracious algae eaters, helping to keep tanks clean. However, their small stature demands careful feeding to ensure they get adequate nutrition amidst larger tank mates.
Also Read: Can You Keep Plecos In A 5-Gallon Tank?
Can a Common Pleco Live in a 10-Gallon Tank?
No, a Common Pleco cannot thrive in a 10-gallon tank.
While young Common Plecos might temporarily reside in smaller tanks, as they grow, such a confined space becomes unsuitable and even harmful.
- Growth Potential: Common Plecos can grow up to 24 inches in length. A 10-gallon tank is far too restrictive for a fish of this size, leading to stunted growth and stress.
- Space to Roam: Plecos are active bottom dwellers. The limited floor space of a 10-gallon tank doesn’t provide the necessary room for them to move, forage, and express natural behaviors.
- Waste Production: As large fish, Common Plecos produce significant waste. A small tank cannot efficiently dilute or handle the increased bioload, leading to water quality issues.
- Long-Term Health: Keeping such a large Pleco in a confined space can lead to health problems, decreased life expectancy, and behavioral issues.
Tips for Keeping Plecos in a 10-Gallon Tank?
Plecos, even small species, require specific care in a 10-gallon tank. Proper attention to their needs ensures a thriving environment:
- Research Species: Choose smaller Plecos like the Otocinclus, which stays around 1-2 inches, making it ideal for a 10-gallon setup.
- Monitor Water Quality: Use a test kit; aim for ammonia and nitrite at 0 ppm and nitrates below 20 ppm. Weekly 20% water changes are beneficial.
- Provide Hiding Spots: Incorporate caves or driftwood. Plecos enjoy shelter, especially during the day due to their nocturnal nature.
- Dietary Needs: Offer a varied diet. Algae wafers, blanched veggies, and occasional protein-rich foods keep them healthy.
- Tank Mates: Choose peaceful, small fish that won’t compete for food or territory. Avoid overcrowded conditions.
- Filter Consideration: Invest in a good-quality filter. Plecos produce significant waste, so efficient filtration is essential.
- Temperature and pH: Maintain a stable temperature between 72-78°F and a pH of 6.5-7.5. Stability is crucial for Plecos’ health.
Can I Grow a Pleco with Other Fish in a 10-Gallon Tank?
Yes, you can grow a Pleco with other fish in a 10-gallon tank, but it’s crucial to select the right Pleco species and compatible tank mates.
Ensuring a balanced environment will make the experience enjoyable for both the fish and the aquarist.
- Choose Compatible Tank Mates: Smaller, peaceful fish like neon tetras, ember tetras, or chili rasboras can coexist harmoniously with dwarf Plecos in a 10-gallon setup.
- Mind the Bioload: Plecos are notable waste producers. Pairing them with light bioload fish ensures the tank doesn’t get polluted too quickly.
- Feeding Considerations: Ensure all species get their dietary needs met. For instance, while Plecos feast on algae wafers, tetras might require small-sized pellets or flakes.
- Establish Territories: While Plecos stick to the bottom, other fish prefer mid to top levels. This vertical separation reduces potential conflicts in a limited space.
- Monitor Behavior: Keep an eye out for aggressive or territorial behaviors. If any fish, including the Pleco, starts bullying, it might be time for tank adjustments or rehoming.
Also Read: Which Plecos Can Live In 20 Gallons?
What Algae-Eating Fish Can Go in a 10-Gallon Tank?
A 10-gallon tank offers limited space, but there are several small algae-eating fish that can thrive in it besides Plecos.
These fish help in maintaining cleanliness and add an aesthetic touch to the aquarium.
- Otocinclus Catfish: Commonly referred to as “Otos,” these small fish are diligent at cleaning up algae. They thrive in small groups and live harmoniously with other non-aggressive fish.
- Siamese Algae Eater: They might start out small, but they can reach up to 6 inches in length. So, ensure you’ve got space for a bigger tank or plans to rehome them as they get bigger.
- Dwarf Otocinclus: These are tinier cousins of the Otocinclus and fit nicely in a 10-gallon tank. They’re excellent at tackling brown algae and make for peaceful tank mates.
- Nerite Snails: Although they aren’t fish, these snails are superb at algae control. They’re resilient and their distinct designs enhance the tank’s appearance.
- Amano Shrimp: Famous for their algae-clearing abilities, these shrimp are a wonderful choice. Plus, they play a part in cleaning the tank’s base as scavengers.
For the busy readers, here’s a brief rundown:
- Smaller Pleco species, like the Clown Pleco and Bristlenose Pleco, are well-suited for 10-gallon tanks, blending beauty with a manageable size.
- The Pitbull Pleco and Rubber Lip Pleco are great choices for smaller tanks, but it’s important to ensure their dietary and habitat needs are satisfied.
- Peppermint Pleco and Spotted Bulldog Pleco can provide a distinct look to small tanks, but taking care of their diet and environment is key.
- It’s best to steer clear of housing Common Plecos in 10-gallon tanks due to their large size and space needs, which could compromise their health.
- For a successful experience with Plecos in 10-gallon tanks, holistic care approaches like extensive research, consistent water quality checks, diverse diets, suitable companions, effective filtration, and steady environmental conditions are vital.

domain: pet


Aug 31: Labor Day Weekend Storm Detected
Here’s what you should know about this holiday weekend.
Tropical Storm Hermine is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico N of the Yucatan Peninsula. There is evidence that Hermine has made the turn from westward movement to northward movement. This is narrowing the projected landfall track to an area between Pensacola and the big bend area with the Apalachicola area splitting the uprights. The system would likely then head up the east coast and miss the upper-level trough connection. After a possible extratropical transition (loss of warm core), the system could then impact the region during Labor Day Weekend as early as Saturday afternoon. I’m still uncertain as to whether impacts will end as early as Sunday evening or as late as early next week given today’s trend towards a longer duration event. An extratropical transition would help spread out the higher winds within the diameter of the system.
Intensification is expected between now and landfall sometime Thursday night/Friday morning. Notice, how the landfall timing has gone from Wednesday to Thursday and now including Friday morning? This is because the system has remained weak and was allowed to drift further W before turning.
This should present very rough conditions for the NW gulf coast, especially the area that sees the right front quadrant of the system (highest winds). The impact breakdown is expected as follows…
Florida Impacts: W Florida is already taking a convective band of thunderstorms to the face. Hermine should at least reach a strong tropical storm intensity, possibly hurricane strength before making landfall between Pensacola and the big bend Thursday PM-Friday AM. Areas Tampa and N through the Apalachicola area should experience the highest winds and highest coastal flooding levels. In addition 5-10 inches of rainfall are possible and there is a new moon. It all adds up to flooding taking the headline, not the wind. The system should then clear the landfall area by Saturday morning. Florida Wildcard: Given the shear between the S flow at the surface and the SW flow at the mid-to-upper levels, Florida has a decent chance of tornadoes occurring during impact. There is no way to predict where in Florida this will be. Such will have to be identified in real-time.
SE US Impacts: Between Friday and Saturday, the system should move up the coast, anywhere between a slightly inland or slightly offshore track. It now appears that more of the interior SE US will see at least rain and some wind from this. Coastal conditions should be hazardous along coastal Georgia, S Carolina and N Carolina during these days. While winds could still be high (up to 60mph), I also think rain and flooding will be the headline for this area.
New Jersey and Mid-Atlantic US Impacts: Winds should begin picking up on Saturday afternoon. Tides should be noticeably up as well. We should at least expect a period of rain between Saturday night and Monday morning. That window could be longer if there is more of a stall with the system. I think coastal flooding and heavy rainfall will be the headline here as well. Winds could be anything from just moderate (35-40mph) to high (up to 60mph). The final track through the east coast will determine this.
In English: After some scattered light showers and storms move through overnight tonight, a pleasant air mass will fill the region for Thursday, Friday and some of Saturday. Winds should pick up by Saturday afternoon with rain and higher winds moving in from the S overnight into Sunday, associated with Hermine. This should create a prolonged period of onshore flow which could last through several high tides. At least moderate coastal flooding is likely for these high tides. Winds could be moderate to high but rainfall and flooding should be the biggest story with this system. I still don’t know if this is going to be more of an interior track through the EC or more of a coastal track with a westward retrograde. These details should be ironed out by tomorrow evening. I’ll make another video for that analysis. Have a great night and be safe! JC


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From New International, Vol. XII No. 2, February 1946, pp. 53–54.
Transcribed & marked up by Einde O’Callaghan for ETOL.
Big Business in a Democracy
by James Truslow Adams
Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1945. $2.75.
The direct subservience of American colleges and scholars to the needs and interests of the ruling class is amply demonstrated by the latest production of James Truslow Adams, Big Business in a Democracy. Adams is always boosted in the newspaper reviews as an eminent American historian. The only basis for this judgment is the quantity of Adams’ production and the large sales of his works, assured by the official support of college boards of trustees, school boards and the like. Adams acquired this status, not by scholarly attainments, but by hewing strictly to the line of complete and uncritical support of American capitalism.
Big Business in a Democracy is a defense of big business that surpasses in crudity and candor the pronouncements of the National Association of Manufacturers. The NAM defends monopoly capitalism by pretending to defend “little business,” competition and free enterprise. Adams makes no such pretense. He defends big business as such and even as against small competitive business, using General Motors, the largest aggregation of monopoly capital in the country, as a typical example.
Two features of the book, apart from the contents, have special
significance. One is the timing. It was published several months ago
at a time when both capital and the organized labor movement were
preparing for the inevitable post-war showdown. What could the book
be but part of the arsenal assembled by America’s Sixty Ruling
Families to beat back the present labor offensive? This is borne out
by a second consideration, the style in which it is written. In this
respect the book departs radically from the usual academic work
written for students and intellectuals and even from Adams’ manner
of writing other of his books. It is slangy, full of personal
anecdotes that are as often as not totally irrelevant and is written
generally in the manner of a ten-year-old trying to make things
simple to a youngster of five. Obviously the book was written, not as
an analysis of the history and significance of big business but as a
propaganda tract directed against the widest possible middle class
audience. Its aim is to mobilize the middle class behind the very
power that is grinding it into the dust.
Adams’ argument is developed on the basis of lies, half-truths, distortions. The chapters on General Motors, which deal with matters that are familiar to most workers, particularly today when the relation of GM to its workers and to the country as a whole has been brought under the floodlight glare of the GM strike, would provide endless amusement to a GM worker. A few samples are sufficient to damn the whole book. “GM has,” says our Mr. Adams, who never lets the facts stand in his way, “throughout the years, conscientiously observed a policy of ‘giving the facts ...’” (p. 179). And a GM executive says publicly: “Open the books? Hell, no! We don’t even open the books to our stockholders.”
Or this little gem:
“I do not hesitate to say that there is today infinitely more chance for the intelligent hard-working worker to become president of a mammoth corporation such as GM than there was, in the old days, for the ablest workman to become even a minor executive of a small family-owned and family-run mill in some obscure New England valley.” (p. 218)
A bit of the flavor of the book can be gleaned from the following, which follows a vicious attack on the “criminals,” “thugs” and “lawless elements” that led the great Michigan sit-down strikes for recognition of the union.
“Not trying to make out a case but just trying to see for myself, it does not appear to me that a large part of the labor troubles of the past few years, including the sit-down strikes in Michigan, have been the fault of Big Business. A bad labor policy, or none, on the part of the New Deal, and internecine feuds among labor unions, as well as bad leadership in labor, have been just as much, and I think more, responsible for the difficulties. I have read over the agreements made between GM and the CIO in 1940, 1941 and 1942, and although I am far from a specialist in labor relations, I cannot see that GM could do more than it is doing to satisfy both government and labor.” (pp. 232–233)
This paid hack gives GM credit for union contracts which had to be
fought for bitterly, at the cost of tremendous sacrifices, including
the sacrifice of life itself, in the very sit-downs that so horrify
our Mr. Adams! What the whole thing amounts to, and Adams says it
explicitly, is that anything good that ever happened – not just
under capitalism, but throughout human history – was done by big
business. He starts his book with the formation of the first living
cell from inert matter and it is with considerable restraint that he
refrains from crediting big business with even that development.
The whole book might be dismissed as trash which no one could possibly fall for. But there seems to be a special value in discussing it. The very crudity of the book states the arguments for capitalism in their simplest and final form. Tear aside the involved arguments and infinite rationalizations of the liberals and you have – Adams. In essence, every defense of capitalism boils down to Adams’ defense. And in Adams’ defense of monopoly capital there is a central thesis that is much more significant than the lies and distortions that clutter up his book, a thesis that, in the final analysis, is the only real defense that capitalism has – or rather, had. This is the proposition that the ruling classes today and in earlier, pre-capitalist societies, with all their faults and weaknessses, have nevertheless succeeded in continually raising the living standards of broader and broader masses of people.
Every social system finds its historical justification in the development of the productive forces and the increase in the physical goods and comforts of society as a whole and, flowing from this, the social and intellectual advance of mankind. All humanity has been fundamentally moved by the struggle to conquer nature, to make nature subservient to man. In this struggle man has moved ahead. That is, he has constantly developed his productive forces, built new tools, improved his instruments of production, ferreted out the laws of nature. These productive forces at any particular level require a social organization that corresponds to its needs. The social relations of men are determined in the final analysis by the level of development of the means of production. The totality of these social relations, economic, political, cultural, etc., form a social system. The social system, in tum, of course, spurs the further development of man’s productivity. But in doing this it raises the productive forces to a new and higher level and insures its own doom. The social organization becomes a fetter on the productive forces and must give way to a new system that corresponds to the new needs and possibilities of society.
What part does the ruling class of a society play in this? A part
that is determined for it by the total social relations. It can only
conform to the laws of the society which it rules. It is not the
ruling class that develops the forces of production, consciously and
planfully or even accidentally, but society as a whole. The ruling
class can play a progressive role in history when the social system
that it represents and is a part of plays a progressive role. When a
social system has outlived its usefulness it must be discarded. First
and foremost this means that its ruling class, whether feudal
nobility or capitalists, must be overthrown.
During most of its history a social system assures social stability precisely because it results in the development of the productive forces. In essence every defense of a system in which a minority class rules, ideological, military or otherwise, must be based on the satisfaction of the material wants of the people. When the organization of society interferes with the further satisfaction of these wants no defense can long remain effective. The brevity of this presentation permits of touching only the broadest and crudest outlines but, realizing the importance of a host of additional factors, the outline is essentially valid.
It is this which Adams does not see and cannot see, for he accepts the rule of capitalism as eternal. In the years of its growth and development, capitalism, despite all resentments, disturbances or revolts, did retain the allegiance of the masses of the people, in particular of the working class, because it did assure the development of the productive forces and with it, no matter. in how distorted and restricted a form, the raising of the living standards of the people. But this capitalism can no longer do. It has become a fetter on the productive forces and a brake on the future development of mankind. It is in a period of decay and decline, of permanent crisis, in which it can no longer assure to the people the satisfaction of their minimum needs – work, food, shelter, life. It is this historical fact that is the refutation of Adams’ book. Adams can point to the past as much as he likes. It will do him no good. The working class is concerned with the present and with the future. And the future is socialism.
Last updated on 11 March 2017

domain: library


Thursday, August 21, 2014
The last Cinema Biennale Check installment is about directors born in the East and Far East.
Born on May 1966 in Shanghai, China. A gifted painter that attended Beijing's Central Art Academy Middle School and upon graduation relinquish his painting career to enroll in the Beijing Film Academy in the Department of Directing. After graduation and 2 years as an assistant at Fujian Film Studios he returns penniless to Beijing only to make his first film in 1993, The Days, with the incredible budget of US$10,000.00.
He belongs to what is known as the Sixth Generation of Chinese filmmakers or the "Urban Generation" of directors. Perhaps he's better-known for his amazing 2001 Berlinale Jury Grand Prix Silver Bear winner Beijing Bicycle, his also amazing 2005 Cannes Jury Prize winner Shanghai Dreams and his 2010 Cannes in competition for the Palme d'Or Chongqing Blues; but his filmography extends beyond these three films with films like In Love We Trust, Drifters and many more. Occasionally has worked as an actor and most remarkable in Jia Zhangke's The World and Lou Ye's Weekend Lover.
His films usually open in major festivals and his latest, Red Amnesia, is no exception as is in competition at Venezia71.
Basic info about 闯入者 Chuangru Zhe (Red Amnesia)
Director: Xiaoshuai Wang
Scriptwriter: Wang Xiaoshuai, Fang Lei, Li Fei
Original Language: Mandarin
Lenght: 115 min
Production country: China
Production companies: Dongchun Films Production Co, Inlook Media Group, Herun Meida, Edko (Beijing) films, Chongqing Film Group
Deng is a stubborn retired widow who spends her days caring about her two grown up sons and her elderly mother, despite her family efforts to stop her. But her daily routine starts derailing when she keeps receiving anonymous calls. What’s happening to her? Who could have anything against her? Even her husband’s ghost doesn’t seem to know...
After my father’s death, my 70-year-old mother, who lives alone, still wants to take care of me and her grandchildren. Her life made me reflect on Chinese people’s way of life. Her generation has lost their self-consciousness. They don’t know who they are and how life can be. Born around 1949, after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, they have been educated and then have gone through all the different political movements our country went through. From then till now, they have been completely brainwashed and became insensible. That’s the reason of the emptiness of their existence. The old lady of Chuangru zhe is intruding in other people’s lives, while our generation and our future generations might continue this intrusion in other people’s life. We are all carrying a stamp, in a Chinese way. We can’t escape from this. Chuangru zhe is about us today, forgetting those damages we suffered along the way. If situation remains unchanged, we will continue to be intruded, or intruding the lives of others, because we’ve been intruded deeply in the thought and consciousness.
Rakhshan Bani E'temād
Born on April 1954 in Tehran, Iran. Graduated from The Faculty of Dramatic Arts and joined Iranian TV in 1973 working as continuity girl and assistant director. Not really familiar with her work but she has collected accolades in festivals like Locarno, Karlovy Vary, Moscow and also in the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
Not proud of being so unaware of this director work as she is known as one of Iran's premier female filmmakers that started doing TV documentaries and successfully moved in feature films. Perhaps with her latest work, Tales, which is in competition in Venezia71 I will start to learn about her filmmaking style. She is the other female director in competition for a Golden Lion at 2014 La Mostra.
Basic info about قصه ها Ghesseha (Tales)
Director: Rakhshan Bani E'temād
Scriptwriter: Rakhshan Bani-E'temad and Farid Mostafavi
Original Language: Persian
Lenght: 88 min
Production country: Iran
Production companies: Kanoon Iran Novin
Ghesseha features mostly female characters from Rakhshan Banietemad’s previous films, people who represent different layers of the society. The film also depicts a courageous and honest image of today’s Iranian society and its recent issues, covering subjects like students’ and workers’ movements as well as many others. The characters, which include filmmakers, workers, intellectuals, state employees, social workers, etc., have one thing in common. They are all passionate and in love. Ghesseha, in fact, is a love story of mothers and sons, husbands and wives, and men and women whose love and passion give them the hope to overcome their difficulties, whether these difficulties are the universal struggles of the society’s lower ranks, or any other social or emotional issue. So they find the power to continue their fights for a better life, ending in enjoying one that is brightened by love.
After three decades of filmmaking the characters of my documentary and feature films are still alive to me and I live with them. Ghesseha is returning to the characters of my previous films under today’s circumstances. Even though Ghesseha is a complete independent version, for me and the people who have seen my previous movies it is a review of the people’s fate and social conditions over the past three decades.
Watch clip with scenes at movie official site here.
Born on January 1960 in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. He's an actor and director that has a considerable large cult following both in Japan and abroad. No, I'm not one of the fans and have not seen any of the films he has directed or where he has performed; but I'm aware that he has accolades in many fantasy film festivals as well as in La Biennale where he won some collateral awards and was in competition for the 2009 Golden Lion with Tetsuo: The Bullet Man.
His latest film, Nobi, is another adaptation of the Shohei Ooka novel with the same name and a remake of Kon Ichikawa's 1959 Nobi, that I have seen. Imagine Tsukamoto version has to be different to Ichikawa's vision and perhaps not for the better, sigh; but I suspect that visuals will be outstanding, worth-watching.
Basic info about 野火 Nobi (Fires on the Plain)
Director: Shin'ya Tsukamoto
Original Language: Japanese and Filipino
Lenght: 87 min
Production country: Japan
It is towards the end of World War II. After invading an island in the Philippines, Japanese servicemen meet fierce counter-offensive from the locals and the allied forces. It’s just a matter of time before the few survivors are wiped out. Suffering from tuberculosis private Tamura is abandoned by both his platoon and the mobile hospital. A group of soldiers with untreatable sicknesses and injuries are outside the hospital, just waiting to die. Private Tamura joins them but that night, artillery fire destroys the hospital. Tamura escapes injury and roams into the jungle. He throws himself into the overwhelming force of nature expecting that his end is near. Unable to go on anymore he takes out his grenade ready to kill himself when he notices some yams growing in the wild. The only problem is that the yams are inedible unless they’re cooked. Tamura goes to a village in search of matches. But there’s nothing there as the villagers have fled. Tamura takes a nap in a church when a young couple turns up. The woman screams in horror when she sees Tamura so he pulls the trigger of his rifle to silence her. She’s the first person he’s ever murdered. Tamura roams the jungle which is now hell on earth, with piles of bodies everywhere. Extreme fatigue numbs his mind and hunger changes him. When he starts to view his companions as food, he crosses a threshold into a realm where there are no friends, enemies or God.
I’ve been making movies about humans trapped in the city. With this film I want to show modern city dwellers that the city is not the world. That it’s just a rudderless boat floating in the sea of nature. By showing people engaged in the foolishness of war, I wanted to ask why we opt to go to war. If fighting is our primal instinct, I wanted to investigate if intelligence had a role to play in it. I don’t believe in propaganda movies. So what you take away from my film is up to you. I can sense the seventy-year-old horror and screams of those who decayed in the jungle. I pick it up on a radar that’s directly connected to my spine and I injected those sensations into every frame. If you smelled any of that, I succeeded.


With Pakistan appointing its special envoy for back channel diplomacy with India, all is set for the resumption of Indo-Pak peace dialogue.
However, the Nawaz Sharif-led PML-N government has decided to discuss thorny issues like Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek through track-II diplomacy and work on soft matters such as people-to-people interaction and the economic ties via formal diplomatic channels.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had promised during his election campaign that he would move ahead with the peace process with nuclear neighbour, India.
He said that it was his desire to move ahead in ties by picking up the threads from the peace process in 1999, when former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee made a historic visit to Lahore.
However, the dialogue process launched for permanent peace and friendly ties between the South Asian nuclear states was scuttled as a result of Kargil war.
Former military dictator General (r) Pervez Musharraf, who was blamed by Nawaz and his other party leaders for being responsible for the Kargil war, however, later resumed peace talks with India and it was in his tenure that back channel diplomacy was at its full swing.
Musharraf government’s foreign minister Khurshid Kasuri even announced that both neighbouring states were close to the mutually agreed solution of Kashmir issue.
According to the officials of Musharraf government, progress on Kashmir was made through back channel diplomacy.
Pakistani Foreign Office on Friday formally announced the appointment of former senior diplomat Shehryar Khan as its point man for track-II diplomacy with India.
“The prime minister has given Ambassador Shehryar Khan the responsibility of conducting track-II diplomacy in order to improve our ties with India,” said Foreign Office Spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry at his weekly media briefing.
When the important announcement was made, Ambassador Khan was already in India and had met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Khan conveyed to him Pakistan’s “sincere desire” to move forward on improving relations with India.
Ambassador Khan is now back in Islamabad and he would brief the prime minister about his talks with the Indian prime minister and other Indian officials this week.
Diplomatic sources in Pakistani capital dubbed the appointment of Pakistan’s special envoy for track-II diplomacy a vital step on part of the PML-N government and said it would help find solution to difficult problems like Kashmir, Siachen and Sir Creek.
Senior Indian diplomat, Ambassador Satinder K Lambah, would be the counterpart of Ambassador Khan from New Delhi, they said.
“It is a well-thought strategy of Nawaz government to use the back channel diplomacy for the resolution of thorny issues like Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek and Wullar Barrage,” a source said, seeking anonymity.
He said, “The formal diplomatic channels would be used more to tackle the soft matters like people-to-people interaction and trade and economic relations between the two countries.”
He said both special envoys would work for the meeting of Prime Minister Nawaz with the Indian prime minister and try that the summit level discussions were held soon so that the ‘sluggish peace process’ could be given the thrust from the top leadership level.
The Indo-Pak peace process was stalled after the terrorist attacks in Mumbai back in 2008. The dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi resumed in February 2011 and as a result a liberalised visa policy for the people of two countries was announced but later the military skirmishes on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir once again slowed down the peace talks.
Now that the PML-N government is back in power, it is expected that the peace talks between arch rival nuclear states move ahead at a good pace and there would be meaningful and result-oriented negotiations between the two sides.
A Pakistani official when contacted said Pakistan was willing to resolve Kashmir and all other disputes with India through dialogue and appointment of Ambassador Khan was a clear indication of that.
“We are willing to engage with India in meaningful dialogue and also expect the same seriousness from the Indian side,” he said.


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Colm Clarke Kitchen, 2020-12-07 05:37:49. As you read this software in the nutshell above, you may find that this software is actually a great one that can give you the best tools for designing your home ideas. It is claimed to offer advanced smart building tools to create such detailed construction drawings. More importantly, you can enjoy this software for creating 3D home design that will amaze you. Then, what else’s that we can expect for this software?
Colm Clarke Kitchen, 2020-12-07 03:31:04. Ultra glossy kitchens tend to look a bit Euro-mod, but there’s no denying the reflective (read: light-bouncing) properties it offers. This inviting space brings shine thanks to a glossy subway tile backsplash. When you’re a renter, it’s not always feasible to add on-the-wall shelving, even if they are incredibly useful for expanding your surface area. One of our Design Editor’s go-to solutions to this? A cheap baker’s rack, like this one from Target.
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acerio bejo Kitchen, 2020-12-07 01:40:31. When you are looking for the best home design software, you may find yourself interested to try Home Designer Pro. This professional home design programs is especially designed for any one of you who becomes a serious DIY enthusiast. Here, you are offered with tools and features that are used by professionals when they are going home design, interior design, remodeling, cost estimation and outdoor living.
Orflaith Donnelly Kitchen, 2020-12-07 01:46:28. Weren’t blessed with tons and tons of cabinetry to stash away all your tools, pots and pans and the likes? Make your own fortune, instead! Take a cue from this vignette that uses a simple yet stunning copper bar to add hanging storage. This tiny space proves that even if your kitchen is no bigger than the average closet it can still pack in some big style as long as you restrain yourself. A strict monochrome approach to dinnerware keeps it visually uncluttered.
Domhnall O’Farrell Kitchen, 2020-12-07 01:49:46. Decks and landscaping. This software also makes it possible for you to make site plans, decks, patios and landscaping. You will find more than 3,600 plants that come with detailed information about the type. The decking tools provided here include estimating materials list and automatic deck framing.
Fionn Higgins Kitchen, 2020-12-07 01:42:23. Eat-in kitchen – large modern single-wall concrete floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, solid surface countertops, brown backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island Too modern. Like mix of grey, wood, gold/brass
Seán Moore Kitchen, 2020-12-07 01:43:48. Keep it sparse and simple. All you need to add some dimension to an all-white kitchen is wooden counter stools, and maybe a solitary plant leaf.
Eithne Casey Kitchen, 2020-12-07 01:48:26. Rather than committing to painting your cabinets or choosing a crazy-colored appliance, infuse color through your accessories, like in this kitchen space, which features light blue and red accents. Keep the kitchen cozy and full of style with a vibrant vintage-style rug, like this one from Canary Lane, photographed for Instagram in the kitchen of stylist Carlay Page Summers. For a narrow galley-style kitchen, go with a runner, or try a smaller 3′ x 5′ for something more square and compact.
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domain: design


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~I received DC Super Heroes Origami for the purpose of reviewing. Opinions and stories are my own.~
I wanted to share with you the amazing new book that just hit stores: DC Super Heroes Origami. The book includes 46 origami models of DC Comic characters all created by internationally renowned origami master John Montroll and 96 pages of specially designed paper for folding. Iconic DC characters featured in the book include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, characters from the Justice League and more!


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An ex-care home nurse who ill-treated two elderly patients has been sentenced to 50 hours' unpaid work.
Howard Griffiths, of Ebbw Vale, "shoved" and "pushed" a man, 85, and pulled a woman, 81, by her ankles, Newport Crown Court heard.
Griffiths, 53, who was a night manager at the Rozelle home, Abergavenny, was cleared of eight offences but convicted of two and told he had been "sloppy".
The judge accepted he meant no harm but called his actions "disturbing".
The court heard that Griffiths - a qualified psychiatric nurse for more than 30 years - frequently heaved the man, who suffered from senile dementia, out of his wheelchair while standing on his feet.
The jury was also told he pulled the woman, who also had dementia, out of her bed by her ankles until she was sitting on the edge of the mattress, rather than lowering the cot sides of the bed.
Care assistant Dawn Paull, had previously told the trial: "He would stand on Derek Gregory's toes and pull him up by his shirt and push him down on to the bed.
"When I was doing it there were two members of staff. We would never move him on our own, or we used a hoist."
She added she was "shocked" at the way the resident was being treated and said when Griffiths was transferring Mr Gregory from a chair to his wheelchair he would "shove" him into the seat.
Patrick Harrington QC, defending, said Griffiths' method of lifting Mr Gregory was "old-school nursing".
He said Griffiths hoped to return to nursing.
'Frustration and anxiety'
"It was a vocation in his life," said Mr Harrington.
"It was not just a job, it was not just a career, it was something he had thoroughly enjoyed doing."
Griffiths was sentenced to 50 hours' unpaid work for each offence of wilfully ill-treating or neglecting a person who lacked mental capacity, to run concurrently.
Judge David Morris said that while the offences were "disturbing", he was satisfied Griffiths meant no harm.
"The offences were borne out of frustration and anxiety to get on with the job," he said.
"I am also satisfied you knew you should not have acted in that manner with these patients.
"You allowed your standards to slip and indulged in sloppy nursing."


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Jazz singer-songwriter Juliet Pang brings her new quartet ‘Juliet Pang and The Good Seeds’ to Blu Jaz on Saturday November 22nd. Together with her regular partner Didi Mudigdo on bass guitar and seasoned musicians Alvin Wong (guitar) and Darryl Ervin (drums), Juliet will present the inaugural performance of her new guitar-based sound for the first time. They will perform Juliet’s original compositions and arrangements of jazz standards that seek to communicate the nuances of the light and the heavy in their lives.


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Swansea City have added another trophy to this season’s list of achievements after their groundsman was named Barclays Premier League Groundsman of the Year.
Dan Duffy picked up the title, run by The Sports Turf Research Institute (STRI), to recognise his work in producing a top quality surface for the Swans’ impressive passing game.
Dan beat off tough competition from five other Barclays Premier League clubs whose ground staff were highly commended for their work.
They were Paul Ashcroft (Arsenal), Jonathan Calderwood (Aston Villa), Dave McCulloch (Liverpool), Lee Jackson (Manchester City) and Andrew Gray (Southampton).
A spokesman for the STRI said: “Pitches of the Premier League clubs were all to a very high standard but the Liberty Stadium was singled out given both the Swans and the Ospreys rugby union side play there.
“The pitch at Swansea consistently received high marks from the referees and match delegates and, considering the heavy level of play through joint use with football and rugby and the logistical issues in producing playing surfaces for both sports, Dan Duffy is a worthy winner.”
Dan, who began working at the Liberty Stadium in 2005, started off as a groundsman in Sydney, Australia and has worked at the top level of cricket, rugby league and rugby union, before moving to the UK where he got his first taste of British football pitches with Haverfordwest in the Welsh Premier League.
He puts in a lot of work.
His usual hours for a Swans match-day are from 3am until 10pm.
Duffy said: “The award says my name on it, but really it’s an award for the whole team I have working with me.
“A lot of time and hard work goes into ensuring the surface is in great shape, so there is no way I could have accomplished this without Dan Kirton, Ben Arthure, James Williams and Evan Davies.
“It’s certainly a challenging job, particularly with the rugby team playing here too, but it’s one we all enjoy. We take a lot of pride from seeing the pitch in great condition.”


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So this image has been going around the internet for quite some time now, or variants of the same (the particular example here seems to be from a "new-atheist" group):
I live in Uruguay, so I thought perhaps I ought to educated people about this. "Pepe" Mujica is generally seen as a very admired
figure here these days, and technically speaking nothing in the picture
above is wrong. He does give back 90% of his money (however, he also
said he's very troubled by this internet meme that rose up about it,
because it makes him sound like he's somehow praising poverty, when in
fact he says he doesn't believe poverty is a good thing, he wants to get
rid of it!). He is leader of the party that legalized marijuana and
same-sex marriage in uruguay. He's a Maoist-oriented Communist and
former MLN "Tupamaro" rebel leader (that's still now the name of his
political party), so he probably is an atheist, yes (inasmuch as he
believes in Marx instead of God).
I have heard, however, some people engaging in some mistaken assumptions about the guy (and by association, about this country), aside from the aforementioned notion that Mujica seeks to glorify poverty or believes that poverty is a better state to be in than wealth. His general tone in reaction to that, by the way, has struck me as always inflected with quite a bit of scorn toward affluent first-world internet-liberals not understanding fuck-all about what they're talking about. Only someone who's never actually seen REAL poverty could ever try to imply that its in any way a desirable state for mankind, or that its somehow praiseworthy.
In any case, the other big confusion I've tended to see about the guy coming from the clueless gringos is that he was a "freedom fighter" in the 1960s (implying that he was fighting for democracy against a dictatorial regime), or that he is in fact now a Chavez-style petit-dictator whose election win was somehow dubious or who plans to dismantle Uruguayan democracy. Usually its the lefties who want to believe the former, and conservatives who make the latter claim. Neither is right.
In the 1960s, the Tupamaros in
Uruguay were a terrorist guerilla movement. They were NOT "fighting an
oppressive regime". The Tupamaros began in the early 1960s and most of
their violent terrorist/rebel actions took place in the late 1960s, when
Uruguay was a DEMOCRATIC republic with a legally-elected president.
There is some controversy because now that they're the government, they
have tried to revise how the history is taught in schools, making it sound like the Tupamaros "rose
up" to fight the dictatorship that happened in 1973-1983, but that's not
true. The guerillas happened FIRST, they attacked a democratic
government, and the dictatorship only
happened later in part BECAUSE of the guerilla movement having left
democracy so damaged in the country.
And of course, it was NOT the Tupamaros' goal to "fight for democracy". They were fighting AGAINST democracy with the clearly-stated goal of taking over the government by violent force and forcibly imposing a Soviet-style marxist-lenninst state in Uruguay.
Mujica, who was shot six times and imprisoned for 14 years for his terrorist insurgency, probably killed
people at that time (his wife, who is now a senator and was also a
rebel, admits that she killed people, I personally know someone whose
uncle she killed). However, since the restoration of democracy in
Uruguay in 1984, Mujica has also publicly stated that he rejects his
former ideas about armed uprising as a path to social change and that he
now believes in the democratic process. Many on the right here tried
to keep pointing to his guerilla fighter past as a criticism, and that's
definitely valid; but a lot of them tried to imply (when he was running
for president) that he still had a plan to instill a marxist-leninist
state, and he clearly does not. The larger "Frente Amplio" coalition his party is a part of has been governing the country now for some 8 years, Mujica for 3 of those, and there has been no "chavista"-style repression of the press or appropriation of private property. In fact, his government has come at a
time of unprecedented economic growth for the country, and generally
speaking Mujica has been good for business.
Just for the record,
today Uruguay has one of the most stable democracies in South America,
and is one of the most economically prosperous countries. And while (however unjustifiably they try to do so) President Mujica and the Frente Amplio cannot take credit for being the sole cause of that prosperity and stability, they certainly have played their part in allowing it to happen.
So anyways, while technically true, most of those Mujica caption-memes don't really tell the full story. Except for this one, this one is awesome:
Currently Smoking: Neerup Poker + Brebbia no. 8

domain: politics