I used to hear that expression 'the world is getting smaller'.......... People used to say it when I was a kid........... I thought it was madness......... just a crazy thing that adults said ............... But now I have much more of a concept of what it might mean .......... the world gets smaller, so much so, sometimes I even feel claustrophobic ........... stuff happens that presses on me even from a distance............... The Pakistani Taliban attempt to assassinate a 14 year old girl on her way home from school .............. they boarded her school bus ask for her by name then shoot her in the head ......... it happened in a remote part of Pakistan............ and yet in a smaller world I know this child ....... I have heard her voice on the radio speaking passionately about wanting to go to school and have an education even in defiance of a Taliban edict to end all education for girls ................. now she is fighting for her life in hospital having a bullet removed from her head just because of her spirit, intelligence, decency and bravery .............. and primarily because of the ignorance and self righteousness of disgusting people who claim their own violent acts are somehow the work of God........... disgusting zealots and fanatics have probably done things like this without our knowledge over the years ........ now in a smaller world we absolutely cannot pretend we did not know.......... in a world this small we owe it to our neighbors....... some of whom are amazing 14 year old girls like Malala Yousufzai living in Pakistan ....... to try and help them be protected in their stand against ignorance, violence, fear and oppression and all its motivating superstition. The world could never be large enough for us to just turn away from crimes like this. In a shrinking planet there should never be space for crimes against children like this , crimes against women like this , crimes against humanity like this ......... there should never be a space where these crimes can just pass as ordinary.

Cheers Jez XXXXXXXXX

www.jezblog.com

This is one of the photos from a Power Point presentation explaining a study in Augusta, Georgia about a street named for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The “Claiming A Street Named King” Project is the brainchild of Rev. Terence A. Dicks of Augusta, Georgia.

These photos depict homes, building and abandoned structures along Martin Lutheran King, Jr. Boulevard in Augusta, Georgia.

It began with research in Athens and Augusta (Georgia) through the University Of Georgia School Of Environmental Design.

Research was led by Dr. Mary Anne Akers in collaboration with Georgia Legal Services Program, Georgia State Trade Association of Non-profit Developers (G-STAND) and Neighborhood Works America, INC.

“Claiming A Street Named King” Project study in Augusta, Georgia – conducted along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard - shows areas that need economic assistance – and that’s the same issue in many American cities that have streets named for civil rights leaders

For more information:

claimingastreetnamedking.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/Claimin...

United States' Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signing the Rovaniemi Joint Ministerial Statement at the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Rovaniemi.

Finland hosts the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on 7 May in Rovaniemi. Minister-level representatives from the eight Arctic States will convene to review and approve work completed under the two-year Finnish Chairmanship to improve sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

Photo: Jouni Porsanger / Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Federal Judge Strips State of Right to Shut Nuke: Legislators Diddle but Vermonters Take Matters into Own Hands Newfane--Entergy Nuclear of Louisiana, which operates the Vermont Yankee (VY) nuclear reactor in Vernon Vermont has launched an attack on the state of Vermont with the help of the federal courts.

Vermont state law gives the state the power to decide whether to allow further operation of the reactor past March 21, 2012 (the expiration date for VY). When Entergy bought VY, they agreed to this law and swore that they would not try to abrogate it. This was an outright lie on Entergy's part, and they sued the state as soon as it was decided that further operation of this crumbling, leaking and led-by-liars reactor would NOT be in the interests of the state and they were not given permission to continue operation past March 21.

Federal Judge J. Garvan Murtha, a Bill Clinton appointee to the federal bench in 1995, gave Entergy all that they wanted and denied Vermont the right to legislate on this matter. The judge misconstrued testimony and completely ignored the case presented by the state to show that the Vermont legislature acted within the purview allowed by federal law. In his decision he cites quotes referring to safety that are either unattributed or taken out of context, having been expressed outside of the actual process of crafting the legislation. Some quotes cited even fail to distinguish between legislators and advocates who were speaking in committee hearings.

This ruling goes hand in glove with current Federal policies that enrich the 1% and keep power firmly in the hands of America's largest corporations. It affirms that corporate profits trump the interests of the citizenry. And it's based on the laughable notion that only the Federal government can be trusted to keep us safe from radiological accidents caused by corporate malfeasance and profit-driven lax practices.

The executives of Entergy have lied under oath repeatedly to the Vermont legislature. Reactor officials testified that there were no pipes in the ground underneath the plant, but that falsehood was exposed when the source of tritium leaks at the reactor in 2011 were found to be coming from a network of underground pipes located precisely where they claimed there were none. Entergy repeatedly warned that VT would lose a reliable energy provider if VY went off line, but VT utilities have chosen to buy future power elsewhere and not one watt of VY power will be purchased by any Vermonter. Entergy tried to bribe the legislature (in Louisiana talk, they called it a gift offer) and have run roughshod over every aspect of the state's self governance, relying on their tight association with the NRC, which abets rather than regulates the industry, to ensure that their reprehensible actions are allowed to occur unchecked.

The state of Vermont is fighting back, considering all possible moves that can be made to rein in this corporate behemoth, but Federal law and the courts are limiting the State's possible responses. It is an outrage that a federal judge would ignore a lengthy and well documented trail of lies and deception on the part of a powerful corporation, and choose instead to basically accuse the Vermont legislature of lying about its intent when passing the legislation. He chose to accept Entergy's lawyers' claim that the legislature was trying to address radiological safety issues, which are exclusively under federal jurisdiction, and he rejected the legislature's defense that they were responsibly considering issues of environmental safety and economic benefit to the state.

In the past, when the federal government passed heinous legislation that flew in the face of decency and common sense, such as the fugitive slave act, Vermont took appropriate and defiant action. The legislature responded to that abomination with the swift passage of a habeas corpus bill that effectively prevented a fugitive slave from being returned. President Millard Fillmore threatened to call out the U.S, army to enforce the law, but Vermont didn't flinch, and his threat came to naught.

Direct defiance (or nullification) of the federal government edicts by states was somewhat common in the pre-civil war days. Today, the legislature feels more timid about direct defiance, thinking that the legal appeals process is the only avenue that they can realistically utilize.

But Vermont citizens are seeing it otherwise. Thoroughly fed up by the brutish greed and callous disregard shown to them by Entergy, they are organizing to take direct action against the corporation, both in Vermont and elsewhere in the country. Citizens in VT, NH, MA and NY will be targeting Entergy corporate headquarters and other installations from March 22 onward.

Luckily for them, Entergy is further alienating the citizenry by attempting to leverage their district court victory into a scorched earth devastation of the state, demanding no further accountability to the state's Public Service Board, denying the state's request to access radiated water wells on the reactor site for further testing, demanding that Connecticut River water quality and temperature permits be nullified and that the state pay over four million dollars to the corporation to pay for their high priced lawyers during the trial.

This brazen, relentless and vicious assault is irritating Vermonters of all stripes and it seems that Entergy will soon feel their wrath. While the corporation may feel secure with the federal court (so far) protecting them from the civilly obedient legislature and governor, it remains to be seen if they will be able to withstand the storm of protest that is brewing over the horizon

When I was young, the Second World War was fresh in people's minds and schools had prints of the Gallipoli landing on the wall at the front of the classroom along with the British flag. I was a flag bearer at the head of the ANZAC Day march along our main street, formed up in the honour guard at the cenotaph, learned how to gather and dip the flag; to wiggle my toes to keep them from freezing in the early morning air or worse, stealing all of my blood from my brain so that I fainted. My reward was to meet Sir Roden Cutler, a Victoria Cross recipient; a man held in high esteem as the State's Governor, but mostly as a war hero.

This is apropos of nothing except that the girl whose Mobilization Attestation Form, yes spelled with a z before our Government style guide went queer, a shop assistant from the middle of nowhere was bunked with a girl named Helen Morris, a Sydney Grammar School girl who would later become Lady Cutler. Tell me that encounter would have happened if not for war!

You've met my Uncle, the reluctant soldier

There's no indication that he ever attended high school. His thing in life was cutting up trees and farming a long way south of Sydney. How improbable is it that he would encounter a woman with the credentials of Dux of Maitland Girls High School, graduating with B.A.(Hons) Dip. Ed. from the Sydney University College at Armidale from only its second intake of students, let alone marry her? She said they rushed into it to maintain an air of decency. Read into that what you will!

His brother, the laconic one did make his way to high school. It was such a big deal. You didn't just progress from primary to high school. You had to qualify, then your name would be printed in the newspaper and there'd be a letter of acceptance. His military posting to Sydney put him in the proximity of his wife, a cosmopolitan girl bumping into a sawyer from the bush. That's how it went when your world was turned upside down and decisions were taken from your hands.

My own Father was conscripted, passed the medical and was then rejected because he was in an essential industry. Had he been accepted he wouldn't have been stationed where a great many US servicemen were moving about, needing the services of the Railway Refreshment Rooms. Indeed if the pull of the RRR hadn't generated work would my Mother have found herself there instead of working as a shop assistant in the Central West of the State? Most probably not and then I wouldn't be writing this.

War thrusts people together. COVID-19 appears to be opposite; keeping people apart. We won't know how it will change history, influence relationships, change the trajectory of futures. Being shot at brought people together with an urgency that might not have happened. This could be another reset moment the likes of which hasn't been seen for 75 years.

Everything at the stadium was either the largest or the best, or the largest and the best, in the world. Undoubtedly, this is the largest and fastest opening stadium roof in the world.

Not strictly a Finsec event, but here's a few photos of the Service and Food Workers' Union Nga Ringa Tota rally in Wellington on International Cleaners Day.

The 'Fair Deal for Cleaners' campaign that this rally is part of aims to provide a voice to the low-waged largely immigrant female workforce, in cities across Australia and New Zealand, who are calling on big property owners to support decency in their workplaces.

Suomen ulkomaanedustustojen päälliköt kokoontuvat vuosittaiseen tapaamiseensa Helsinkiin 19.–22. elokuuta. Kokous järjestetään Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamolla Töölössä. #slsk19

Kuvat: Petri Krook/ Ulkoministeriö

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

Whilst rebuilding the doors, I thought I would take the opportunity to repaint the decency partition to the correct colour.

I voted for the next President of the United States yesterday.

I got even more emotional than I usually do when I vote. My great-nieces started high school this year and my thoughts were with them as I marked my ballot. They are not yet old enough to vote, but this election is so important to their futures. Will they have autonomy over their own bodies and the freedom to live the lives they choose? Will they have a healthy planet and clean water and air? Will they have affordable health care? Will they be safer from gun violence and school shootings? Will they have the opportunity to earn a living wage? Will they be able to further their education without incurring a burdensome debt? Will they enjoy free and fair elections?

Or will they inherit this country as it is, full of hate, discrimination, and violence? Will they die because they can't get the healthcare they need because politicians rule with their perverted religious ideologies? Will the planet be sacrificed at the altar of billionaire big business?

I have a hard time comprehending why this is a close election. What could possibly override the good hearts of so many Americans to vote for a divisive crazy old misogynistic, xenophobic felon who spews hate? My heart breaks.

May decency prevail.

Rowing the gears on the Ramcharger Plymouth is my crazy, insane, annoying, awesome buddy Patrick, who brought me to Chryslers at Carlisle for the first time 5 years ago after having known me for all of 20 minutes.

Going on a nearly 1000 mile road trip (one way) with an almost complete stranger? The most damn fool thing I ever did, considering I was on crutches, with a broken left foot and a cast up to my knee. But being away from Chicago, surrounded by over 2,000 muscle cars, and talking to hundreds of Mopar faithful, was the best medicine a car guy could ask for. As for him, I saw his courage and his sense of decency and right and wrong first hand on that trip. And since that time, we've become brothers. The youngest of his 3 children, who I've watched grow up from a baby and start eating solid food and walking and talking, calls me "Uncle Puffy".

Patrick's a wildman. And so am I. We can talk about anything with each other; no judgements. And we can joke with each other about anything, with no PC What-was-THAT-supposed-to-mean? B.S. getting in the way. Waiters and fast food employees on the way to Carlisle and back, listening to our banter, must have thought we hosted a morning drive-time radio show.

And I know sometimes I've wanted to whack him upside the head with a 2-by-4, and I'm know he's wanted to do the same to me. But 5 minutes and a handshake later, it's forgotten. That's how brothers are. Beats being an only child to hell and back.

Not strictly a Finsec event, but here's a few photos of the Service and Food Workers' Union Nga Ringa Tota rally in Wellington on International Cleaners Day.

The 'Fair Deal for Cleaners' campaign that this rally is part of aims to provide a voice to the low-waged largely immigrant female workforce, in cities across Australia and New Zealand, who are calling on big property owners to support decency in their workplaces.

Betty Boop

Created in Max Fleischer, Betty made her first appearance in 1930 in Dizzy Dishes. Very much an adult cartoon figure, she originally resembeled a French poodle before her transformation to a very human curvacous Jazz Age Flapper. Based on singer Helen Kane (who failed in a high court action against Fleisher in 1932 for rights).

Betty Boops appearance and inuendue led to her mention in the Hays, National Legion of Decency and the Production Code of 1934 and after that her appearance and behaviour were toned down (a bit)

Many Thanks for a fan'dabi'dozi 25,328,600 views

Shot 09:06:2014 ar The Luton Classic Car Show, Stockwell Park, Luton REF 102-285

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11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Rovaniemi.

Finland hosts the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on 7 May in Rovaniemi. Minister-level representatives from the eight Arctic States will convene to review and approve work completed under the two-year Finnish Chairmanship to improve sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

Photo: Jouni Porsanger / Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Rovaniemi.

Finland hosts the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on 7 May in Rovaniemi. Minister-level representatives from the eight Arctic States will convene to review and approve work completed under the two-year Finnish Chairmanship to improve sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

Photo: Jouni Porsanger / Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

I made the straps too long to compensate for the short length, and so I am going to have to add some embellishment to the top for decency. Not sure I like the bottom, but I think a lot is because I substituted yarns....

The first three buildings of "Riverwalk," a developer-driven addition foisted upon the island in the boom years between 2002 and 2008. It was master-planners and designed by architects Gruzen Samton, who did the systems analysis on the original Roosevelt Island team, and once made a somewhat more sympathetic contribution to the island to the north of the Sert housing. Thus they have the decency (or perhaps the temerity) to refer to these new buildings as Southtown, honoring the master-plan from the Sixties. The developers get closer to the mark by boasting of their success on a site that "has defied previous government-sponsored development efforts." This is something of a flattening-out of the island's actual history, but nevermind: the new buildings are lousy and so there's not much for them to be proud of here. In defiance of the Johnson plans, the new buildings (divided between market-rate units and staff housing for the hospitals) neither make the most of the island's unique vantage point, nor do anything to sustain the "main street" concept. Perhaps that diagram always needed some further thought, but Johnson's Southtown, in drawings and model, is four times as interesting as this, with budgetary generosity lavished on a civic center and marina, and a real attention to creating a sequence of urban spaces between the buildings. These bland slabs could have been stuck anywhere; there seems to be no recognition that this is a fairly unique site both in terms of its surroundings and its history. They could have taken the same units and rearranged them in a way that contributed to the pre-existing urban spine of the island, perhaps even in a way that suggested how further development might proceed. As it is the short walk between Northtown and "Southtown" is a leap between two very different visions. Whatever one might say against the Johnson scheme, Riverwalk reminds us how much worse it could have been.

(The one thing I'll allow is that turning the buildings so that they're not oriented as north-south bars is not unreasonable given environmental performance requirements. But still!)

Couple more images here.

(Roosevelt Island overview.)

Suomen ulkomaanedustustojen päälliköt kokoontuvat vuosittaiseen tapaamiseensa Helsinkiin 19.–22. elokuuta. Kokous järjestetään Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamolla Töölössä. #slsk19

Kuvat: Petri Krook/ Ulkoministeriö

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

+++ MORE DETAILS OF ARTWORKS :

www.flickr.com/photos/144232185@N03/collections/721576745...

After the shock of Donald Trump’s inauguration day, when millions of Americans (and visiting foreigners like me) felt understandably distraught, bereft, dismayed, as the grotesque, narcissistic, predatory, corrupt fraud that is Donald Trump delivered a bleak and graceless inauguration speech, it was nothing short of a delight on Saturday, Jan. 21, Day 2 of the aberrant Trump presidency, when, across the country and around the world, millions of women (plus large numbers of supportive men) marched in protest against Trump and all he and his administration stand for — his disdain for women, his racism, his xenophobia, his adherence to intolerant white Christian fundamentalism, and, last but not least, his opaque, but very obviously corrupt business practices. Two US academics have estimated that between 3.3m and 4.6m people marched in total across the US, with New York’s turnout estimated at between 400,000 and 500,000 people.

Stepping out of Grand Central Station into a river of protest, with more clever, witty and insightful handmade posters than you could imagine, and with chants and cheers punctuating the general hubbub at regular intervals was to feel that perhaps this dystopian vision of America can indeed be overthrown before it wreaks untold havoc at home and abroad. And with no beginning or end of the protest in sight, it was easy to believe that the number marching was much larger than even the academics’ estimate.

It will take more than one day, of course, as the people of America need to unite like never before — everyone who didn’t vote for Trump, everyone threatened by Trump, everyone appalled by Trump, including, of course, those who voted for him but might already be having second thoughts. This could be a disastrous presidency, or it could be even worse than that, but people need to put aside any notions of complacency, and work out how to resist. This was a great start, and a historic moment that everyone there will remember, but now there needs to be much more action and organizing.

As you look at these photos, however, I hope they are a reminder of a day of hope across the US and around the world, when ordinary people demonstrated that fundamental decency will not be silenced, and that a tolerant, multi-racial society, featuring, at its heart, equality between women and men, and between people whatever their race, creed or color, has humour, intelligence and compassion that throw into even sharper relief how troublingly miserable, negative and ungenerous Donald Trump and his advisors are.

For an article by US Uncut about the numbers attending the protests, see: usuncut.com/news/womens-march-largest-protest-us-history/

For the turnout estimates, see: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xa0iLqYKz8x9Yc_rfhtmSOJQ2...

For an article in New York Daily News, which ran a front page devoted to the protests, under the headline, “See them roar,” see: www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/women-march-washington-...

For my website, see: www.andyworthington.co.uk

For my Facebook posts after Trump’s inauguration, see:

www.facebook.com/andyworthingtonUK/posts/1015497574252380...

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154975238073804&set...

For my most interesting photos, see: www.flickriver.com/photos/andyworthington/popular-interes...

Interfaith Vigil at San Quentin in a time of COVID19

July 19, 2020

San Quentin State Prison, Marin County, California

- Huge support from a steady stream of honking cars traveling to and from the Richmond Bay Bridge.

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From the organizers (Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity):

"Background: On May 30th, California Department of Corrections (CDCR) transferred 121 incarcerated individuals from California Institution for Men (CIM) prison in San Bernardino County to San Quentin State Prison. Upon arriving at San Quentin, 25 of the individuals who transferred from CIM tested positive for COVID19. This has led to a growing outbreak at San Quentin (which had no confirmed cases prior to this transfer) with over 1,900 cases confirmed among those incarcerated, 205 confirmed cases among staff, and 12 deaths to date and climbing. Due to a lack of ongoing testing, these numbers are likely an underestimation.

We know there is no “safe” way to social distance in prisons, North Block and West Block housing units at San Quentin are operating at roughly 190% capacity. We know there is no safe way to transfer incarcerated individuals from one prison to another, without the risk of creating a new hot spot at yet another prison. The only way to control the spread of this global pandemic (inside prison walls and beyond) is to grant releases, stop ICE transfers for those released, and reduce California’s prison population.

After increasing community advocacy and some vocal elected officials, on July 10, Governor Newsom announced plans to release 8000 from prisons statewide. While this is a step in the right direction, releasing a mere 6% of the people inside California’s overcrowded prisons falls woefully short of the large-scale decarceration needed to protect the health and safety of the community.

We believe all people are sacred and deserving of life, regardless of past convictions. Community-based re-entry programs and the faith community are able to care for loved ones, like Chanthon Bun, who was released from San Quentin on July 1st, and is now being housed in a sanctuary congregation while he recovers from COVID19.

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Demands: Our Interfaith Vigil will be lifting up the following demands, in line with the demands from loved ones who are incarcerated, including the campaigns for #ActNowNewsom (bit.ly/actnownewsom) and #StopSQOutbreak (bit.ly/StopSQOutbreakDemands):

Governor Newsom must begin the process of drastically reducing the overall prison population to below 50% of current capacity. In order to achieve this level of decarceration, Governor Newsom must grant releases without categorical exclusions based on crimes of commitment or sentencing but be based on the current level of risk not past offenses. We know that people can change and transform their lives. Releases must include those who are serving Life Without Parole sentences, who are actually at the lowest risk of reoffending, and those on Death Row who comprise a majority of deaths by COVID-19. Release should be to families, the faith community, or community-based re-entry programs - not other prisons.

Governor Newsom and CDCR must immediately stop all transfers between California prisons, and from prisons to ICE detention centers. Transfers continue to spread the disease inside the prison system, to staff and outside communities. Immigration transfers of people who earn release and parole. We believe all people are sacred and deserving of life, regardless of past convictions.

Governor Newsom must release people beginning with those most vulnerable people, including transgender people, elderly, disabled, and those medically vulnerable. Transgender people are at disproportionate risk of harm and violence in prison. Prisons should not be a death sentence. All life is precious.

Immediately improve the care and treatment for people inside San Quentin. This includes restoring access to phones to communicate to loved ones, adequate testing, access to PPE, improved sanitation, hot meals, etc. This also includes, CDCR must ensure that the incarcerated trans community has access to hormones and healthcare immediately – before and after their release. We demand that all people imprisoned be treated with mercy, compassion, and human decency."

At the time of this vigil, held at the west entrance to San Quentin, over 2,100 individuals at San Quentin have tested positive for COVID19 (1900 incarcerated, 205 staff), with 12 deaths.

To the glory of God and in pious memory of Allan Stewart Laing Esquire barrister at law of the Inner Temple London who departed this life February 12th 1862 aged 74. He was buried February 19th at Kensal Green Cemetery London.

Window at the east end of the south aisle, showing the Transfiguration.

Allan Stewart Laing was a notorious London magistrate in the 1830s, on whom Charles Dickens modelled the magistrate Mr. Fang in Oliver Twist.

After a street incident involving Laing, the London Mercury of 18th June 1837 observed:

Old Laing, of Hatton Garden, has long been a public nuisance. The fellow’s insolence and brutality—his utter disregard of decency, where the rights or feelings of the poor are at issue—have long marked him out as a fit subject for the process of expulsion from the office which he disgraces.

This expulsion came in January 1838, when he was dismissed as a magistrate.

Laing was therefore not an obvious person to commemorate in a church window!

The explanation seems to be that the enlargement of the church in 1862, of which this window was a part, was masterminded by the curate, Rev. Jeffreys Wilkins Murray, whose wife, Jane Elspet Isabella Murray, née Peebles, was a relative of Laing’s. Laing died in 1862 and left Jane Murray, her mother Ann Peebles (née Bruce), and Isabella Seton (née Bruce, almost certainly another relative) bequests of £1500 each. Ann Peebles and Isabella Seton jointly donated this window, which probably explains their coats of arms in the west window.

The window was made in 1862 by Alexander Gibbs, 38 Bedford Square, London. The 1861 plan of this window shows more elaborate tracery at the top.

Teetering on the edge of decency!

Leica MP, Neopan 400 @ 400ISO, @ Kongsberg 2016

Suomen ulkomaanedustustojen päälliköt kokoontuvat vuosittaiseen tapaamiseensa Helsinkiin 19.–22. elokuuta. Kokous järjestetään Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamolla Töölössä. #slsk19

Kuvat: Petri Krook/ Ulkoministeriö

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

Arctic Council Ministerial Dinner at Artikum Glass Hall. Norway's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide.

Finland hosts the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on 7 May in Rovaniemi. Minister-level representatives from the eight Arctic States will convene to review and approve work completed under the two-year Finnish Chairmanship to improve sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

Photo: Jouni Porsanger / Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Public decency is a big issue on the Beach. more at www.aberrantart.com

Suomen ulkomaanedustustojen päälliköt kokoontuvat vuosittaiseen tapaamiseensa Helsinkiin 19.–22. elokuuta. Kokous järjestetään Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamolla Töölössä. #slsk19

Kuvat: Petri Krook / Ulkoministeriö

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

Suomen ulkomaanedustustojen päälliköt kokoontuvat vuosittaiseen tapaamiseensa Helsinkiin 19.–22. elokuuta. Kokous järjestetään Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamolla Töölössä. #slsk19

Kuvat: Petri Krook/ Ulkoministeriö

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Rovaniemi.

Finland hosts the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on 7 May in Rovaniemi. Minister-level representatives from the eight Arctic States will convene to review and approve work completed under the two-year Finnish Chairmanship to improve sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

Photo: Jouni Porsanger / Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

Arctic Council Ministerial Dinner at Artikum Glass Hall. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Anders Samuelsen and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland Timo Soini.

Finland hosts the 11th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting on 7 May in Rovaniemi. Minister-level representatives from the eight Arctic States will convene to review and approve work completed under the two-year Finnish Chairmanship to improve sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

Photo: Jouni Porsanger / Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland

This church has a priest who holds weekly services The church is open for public visits on weekdays. The sanctuary contains many old icons and relics from Russia. There was no attendant, a situation that seemed to reflect a faith in human decency that was long ago abandoned in historic sites in the Lower 48.

Because Ichiro does have SOME decency.

Jokes aside, support the artists people! Without them they'd BE no BJDs!

Ichiro Stower - KDF Salgoo boy

After the shock of Donald Trump’s inauguration day, when millions of Americans (and visiting foreigners like me) felt understandably distraught, bereft, dismayed, as the grotesque, narcissistic, predatory, corrupt fraud that is Donald Trump delivered a bleak and graceless inauguration speech, it was nothing short of a delight on Saturday, Jan. 21, Day 2 of the aberrant Trump presidency, when, across the country and around the world, millions of women (plus large numbers of supportive men) marched in protest against Trump and all he and his administration stand for — his disdain for women, his racism, his xenophobia, his adherence to intolerant white Christian fundamentalism, and, last but not least, his opaque, but very obviously corrupt business practices. Two US academics have estimated that between 3.3m and 4.6m people marched in total across the US, with New York’s turnout estimated at between 400,000 and 500,000 people.

Stepping out of Grand Central Station into a river of protest, with more clever, witty and insightful handmade posters than you could imagine, and with chants and cheers punctuating the general hubbub at regular intervals was to feel that perhaps this dystopian vision of America can indeed be overthrown before it wreaks untold havoc at home and abroad. And with no beginning or end of the protest in sight, it was easy to believe that the number marching was much larger than even the academics’ estimate. This photo shows a placard featuring a quote from the writer Clementine Paddleford (1898-1967).

It will take more than one day, of course, as the people of America need to unite like never before — everyone who didn’t vote for Trump, everyone threatened by Trump, everyone appalled by Trump, including, of course, those who voted for him but might already be having second thoughts. This could be a disastrous presidency, or it could be even worse than that, but people need to put aside any notions of complacency, and work out how to resist. This was a great start, and a historic moment that everyone there will remember, but now there needs to be much more action and organizing.

As you look at these photos, however, I hope they are a reminder of a day of hope across the US and around the world, when ordinary people demonstrated that fundamental decency will not be silenced, and that a tolerant, multi-racial society, featuring, at its heart, equality between women and men, and between people whatever their race, creed or color, has humour, intelligence and compassion that throw into even sharper relief how troublingly miserable, negative and ungenerous Donald Trump and his advisors are.

For an article by US Uncut about the numbers attending the protests, see: usuncut.com/news/womens-march-largest-protest-us-history/

For the turnout estimates, see: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xa0iLqYKz8x9Yc_rfhtmSOJQ2...

For an article in New York Daily News, which ran a front page devoted to the protests, under the headline, “See them roar,” see: www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/women-march-washington-...

For my website, see: www.andyworthington.co.uk

For my Facebook posts after Trump’s inauguration, see:

www.facebook.com/andyworthingtonUK/posts/1015497574252380...

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154975238073804&set...

For my most interesting photos, see: www.flickriver.com/photos/andyworthington/popular-interes...

Not strictly a Finsec event, but here's a few photos of the Service and Food Workers' Union Nga Ringa Tota rally in Wellington on International Cleaners Day.

The 'Fair Deal for Cleaners' campaign that this rally is part of aims to provide a voice to the low-waged largely immigrant female workforce, in cities across Australia and New Zealand, who are calling on big property owners to support decency in their workplaces.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/island_life/3403033448/">Here</a> I mentioned how Getty Images had contacted me with an invite to sell selected photos through them. Ten of my photographs in total were chosen to be featured on Getty Images; five depicting wildlife and the other five, people. The later five are shown above.

Getty Images has a model release requirement in order for any photograph featuring a person to be submitted for final review and sale there. This gave me an idea!

I sent all five photos you see here to a friend in the Marshall Islands explaining what Getty Images was along with a copy of the model release form to be given to the respective parents of the children shown here and ask if they would mind filling it out. My friend would in turn scan the completed form and email them back to me. I told him to tell the parents that if the photo of their child sells that I would send the parents the money I made from that sell. This friend of mine thought this was a good idea as most families are poor and could use the extra money.

Well, I get an email from this friend informing me that the parents were initially scared to complete the model release form out of fear of getting into trouble by KPD (Kwajalein Police Department) and USAKA (U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll).

This news kind of upset me! Why should citizens of a society fear something like this? My friend told me that he explained everything (he speaks fluent Marshallese) and told them that this would be a good idea to bring in extra income and that it is perfectly legal.

If anything, this should tell you that something isn’t right over there! For private citizens to fear government by doing something perfectly legal really makes me sad! It really, truly does!

_______________________________________________

I want to touch on another topic related to this one and the entire message I have here on my flickr stream.

I owe a few an apology! I’ve been wrong of late! Wrong in the sense that you as a reader of my work may get the impression that some of those I write about in my stories are bad people. For example: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/island_life/3483479214/">in this story</a> I believe it wasn’t the right thing to do to portray those I spoke about solely in a negative light. This has actually been bothering me the past few days.

I truly feel and it is my belief that these people are good people. All are retired military who have done great things throughout their careers. They have sweat, bled and I’m sure at times even cried in their efforts to live good lives the best way they know how. I am also certain these people, by way of their extensive law enforcement backgrounds, have helped people, removed real bad guys from the streets and have made this world a little bit better as a direct result of their dedicated, loyal and honorable service.

Then what is the problem you ask? And why then am I doing what it is I am doing here on flickr claiming that TRUTH and JUSTICE are missing in the Marshall Islands? Well…keep reading!

You want to know what the most frustrating aspect of all my effort here is? It has been my attempt to open the eyes of these people to the fact that they truly do enable the oppression of the very people they truly believe they are helping by enforcing their policies and procedures in support of Marshallese Kings and Queens.

I DO NOT believe the Marshallese Kings and Queens of Kwajalein Atoll to be good people! To continue to do what they do year after year is inexcusable and clearly a violation of civil rights and human decency. But you see, there is a severe gap between the American Government/American contractors as it relates to Marshallese culture and customs. Absolutely no one I knew in four and half years there (other than me) ever took the time to actually truly get to know the Marshallese people on their level. A wealthy, all you can eat buffet of nourishment, fun and recreational activities mixed with a plush and very comfortable standard of living keeps the Americans in a personal comfort zone. In great contrast - the Marshallese for the most part live just the opposite: struggling to make ends meet, no education for their children, a lack of public utilities and no hope for a real future of success! The social gap, the economical gap and the gap between these two standards of living are immeasurable!

When American leaders and senior managers, whom for the most part have lived relatively comfortable lives for years in a structured and sanctioned environment where everything they have ever learned and know was done so without question or debate, arrive year after year on a rotating basis how do you expect them to enforce a policy and or a law that has been in place for years and enforced the same way by every one of their predecessors! These people believe the little black words on white paper they read in rule books because it is this same type of book they have followed with success their entire careers. The problem here is, not a single one of these leaders will take the time to actually learn what is really going on by simply spending time out there with the average poor Marshallese citizen. They only venture out into the Marshallese culture when they have to for work or to take a tour or sightsee.

The Marshallese Kings and Queens of Kwajalein Atoll, as evil as they are, are smart! They know this about the American leadership and they use the fear of the Marshallese citizens mixed with the enabling powers of support by the American Government in conjunction with a mutated version of Marshallese culture for their own greedy and selfish agendas by continually oppressing their own people!

By me attacking these leaders on a personal level, and it was personal the other night, is not the right thing to do. It is counter productive to why I am here in the first place! I was upset, frustrated and wanted to tell a story that didn''''t come out right. So, to those who I spoke of, for what it is worth to you, I sincerely apologize

And to be honest with you I don''''t know what else I can say on this entire subject. My testimony is here online free for anyone to read. It is my hopes that one day someone a little smarter than me may stumble upon my words and be that person to set things in motion to change things for the better....

I may be taking a break from this flickr stuff. I''''m burnt at the moment.... I for sure will not be telling any stories on this subject for a bit. If I upload again it will simply be pictures I like for one reason or another and have nothing to do with the subject tonight.

Take care all!

I write a lot on related topics

(Please note there have been a few cast revisions in this episode).

Captain Tim: Right Sargent Willis, call the men around.

Chorus of suffragette voices: And the women.

Capt. Tim: Yes, yes let’s not go through all that again. Just get everyone around Willis.

Sarg. Willis: I say, it would be awfully nice if you could just all gather around the captain quick as you can, that’s right, nice and close, let’s all cosy together, thank you so much, that’s awfully nice of you.

Corporal Shepherd: Right you lot, you heard what the fine officer said, cosy round, cosy round get cosyed in, smartly does it now, smartly does it, that’s right, that’s right. Permission to speak sir, the men and women all are cosying around just like what you said sir. Shall I cosy with them?

Capt. Tim: Of course, I shouldn’t have to tell you that corporal.

Corp. Shepherd: Right sir, thank you sir, cosying in now sir. Permission to speak sir, we are all cosy together sir.

Capt. Tim: Where’s Sargent Willis?

Private McMercer: Aye he’s absent on parade, that’s a criminal offence, he should be shot, shot I tell ye.

Capt. Tim: Oh don’t be so melodramatic McMercer. Willis, Willis what are you doing? You’re supposed to be cosying, er gathering around, with the rest of the men.

Pte. Bevins: And women!

Sarg. Willis: I thought as it was such a nice morning I’d just have a wander around, you know Sir, just a little wander and look at all the lovely countryside. After all it’s not as if we’ve not heard what you’ve got to say before.

Capt. Tim: That’s not the sort of attitude I expect from my junior officers. You’re supposed to support me up to the hilt, the hilt. Do you understand? We’re not out here to enjoy the countryside, we’ve got a very important job of work to do. Just what do you think would happen if everyone went about enjoying the countryside? The country would be ruined in no time.

Sarg. Willis: Oh very well.

Capt. Tim: Right, now then..

Pte. Jones: Excuse me captain, I was wondering if I might be excused?

Capt. Tim: Not now Steven, I’m just about to explain what we’re going to do.

Pte. Jones: Oh dear.

Capt. Tim: Now today we’ve been appointed to do a very important task helping our brave farmers, reaping and gathering in the sheaves.

Corp. Shepherd: Permission to indegest Sir. I would like to be the person what does the reaping and gathering.

Capt. Tim: We’re all in this together corporal, there’s plenty of work for all of us.

Pte. McMercer: Aside; Aye, and plenty for someone to order the rest of us about while he looks on.

Pte. Moffatt: Excuse me Mr. Spencer, what do we do when we’ve gathered in the sheaves?

Capt. Tim: It’s Captain, how many times do you have to be told?

Pte Moffatt: Sorry Mr. Spencer, what do we do with the sheaves Captain?

Capt. Tim: We burn them.

Pte. Miller: Ah, now then, it just so happens I know where to lay my hands on some firelighters they’re very hard to come by these days. I could let you have say half a dozen at five quid each.

Capt. Tim: Five pounds? Five pounds? Oh no, no, no. Thank you but we have our very own fire lighter in the form of private Breed.

Pte. Miller: Suit yourself.

Pte. Jones: I’ve just done a first aid course and we covered burns. You have to pour cold water on them for ten minutes. Oh dear, I’ve got a bottle of water in my first aid bag but I don’t think it will last for ten minutes.

Pte Miller: Funny you should mention bottled water, now I know where I can lay my hands on a crate..

Capt. Tim: We shall not be needing any water for the simple reason no one will get burnt. I won’t allow it. Now let’s get going, I need to unload the mowing machine and..

Pte. Moffatt: Please Mr. I mean Captain Tim, can I do the mowing, I know how to do it, I saw it in a film once with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne.

Capt. Tim: No it’s far too dangerous for an inexperienced person from the ranks. This takes leadership.

Pte. McMercer: Aye and it’s easier than raking.

Pte. Moffatt: Oh it’s not fair, he never lets me have any fun.

Capt. Tim: No talking in the ranks. Let’s to it, we haven’t got all day, looks like rain later on.

Pte. Jones: Talking of rain, I wonder if I might be excused for a moment?

Later that morning;

Capt. Tim: Now remember men,

Pte. Bevins: And women!

Capt. Tim: Careful near the ditch, it’s covered in reeds, so we don’t want anyone falling in.

Pte. Shepherd: Excuse me Capt. Tim, I’d like to volunteer to work by the ditch what isn’t there on account of it being covered in reeds then if anyone should fall in it will be me and not you or any of our other brave lads. I remember once when we was at...

Capt. Tim: Not now corporal, Not now.

Pte. McMercer: I was wondering how strong these wooden rakes are? I’ll just lean on one to see if it takes my weight.

Lunchtime;

Pte. McMercer: Aye, it seems to be holding up okay. Look Captain Tim, isn’t that captains Raven and Pratt coming over yonder Hill?

Capt. Tim: What? Oh yes, pay no attention to them, Captain Pratt has probably only come to show off the latest set of gaudy ribbons spread across her chest. No sense of decency, if I had any medals I wouldn’t go displaying them like that for all the world to see. She looks like a walking rainbow with all those decorations. Still better than the things she usually wears.

Sarg Willis: What did she get them for do you suppose?

Capt. Tim: Pond dipping I shouldn’t wonder, not proper work like we do.

Capts. Raven and Pratt: Greetings Captain Tim, just in time for a spot of lunch we see. Any cake?

Several pieces of bread pudding and tiffin later

Capts. Raven and Pratt: Well bye all.

Pte. Miller: Now before we get started again, I just happen to have some very nice calendars for sale. Going cheap, lovely pictures of birds on them. Get it, cheap, birds?

Suddenly everyone finishes lunch and starts working again.

Pte Miller: Please yourselves. Charmed I’m sure.

Early afternoon;

Capt. Tim: Well that’s another job well done. I think we can all be proud of ourselves, don’t you Sargent Willis?

Sarg. Willis: What? Oh yes, yes, very proud. I was just looking at those very pretty birds..

Capt. Tim: Not those damn calendars again?

Sarg. Willis: No Sir, those charming little birds on all that bare ground that we’ve laid to waste.

Capt. Tim: Oh we’ve no time for that now. We need to collect all our gear together before everybody slopes off. I’m still missing a rake!

Sarg. Willis: I think you’ll find private McMercer is still leaning on it.

(Any resemblance to the truth is purely accidental).

Enough already. Thanks to everyone and we missed those of you who weren’t able to join us on what was a very pleasant day. I’m sure Mr. Pitts photos will say it all.

Anon.

GST Voles in the Sandy Smith Nature Reserve Reed Bed carrying out the annual rotational cut of a quarter of the bed, this year the South East quadrant. A very cool day withsnow flurried on the ground and ice of the Decoy Pond. The sun came and went but overall the light was positive but I rated at 800 ISO equivalent and later when clouding over 1600 ISO. With 21 voles the start was a bit chaotic and there were too many on the cut and rake side in the field. With initially just one fire, personned by Jane as usual, a big pile of reed developed but later a second fire started by Jim and a more even division of the teams soon had the task proceeding at a cracking pass. We also developed of "sausage roll" tecnique passing the cut reed over the barbed wire fence and this made a big difference in our efficiency. It also gave the reedbed drag team time for a breather while the fire team took the tarps with reed to the fires.

Entertainment at the tea breaks was provided by 3 Stonechats who came to hunt close enough for me to snap. Other points of note being the regular visit of Sue & Erika for their cake, Malcolm's calendar sale and his cakes of course, the choccy ones being very dark with turkish delight and other bits.

Until next week at Maulden Heath.

A closeup of my son's short-lived Venus Flytrap, shot in the window of my mother-in-law's kitchen.

This brings back memories for me. My parents ran a greenhouse for many years in Albuquerque. One of the more popular items were the carnivorous plants like this one, among others.

There were a fascinating subject for me, for a time. Of course, all plants eat bugs. Most just have the decency to wait for the bugs to die and decomponse.

An eager plant, this.

"For he being dead, with him is beauty slain,

And, beauty dead, black chaos comes again."

— William Shakespeare (Venus and Adonis. Line 1019)

(2008-10-17-00753-new)

Suomen ulkomaanedustustojen päälliköt kokoontuvat vuosittaiseen tapaamiseensa Helsinkiin 19.–22. elokuuta. Kokous järjestetään Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamolla Töölössä. #slsk19

Kuvat: Petri Krook/ Ulkoministeriö

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

The underground public toilet near the corner of Elizabeth and Victoria Streets, built in 1907, is one of a group of such facilities built in Melbourne in the early twentieth century in response to increasing demand for public toilet facilities in the city that were both sanitary and discreet. Until 1902 there were no public toilets for women and few for men. The first public toilet, a urinal for men only, had been built in 1859, following the opening of the Yan Yean water supply in 1858. But these street level toilets were regarded as indecently public, and without an underground sewerage system the waste discharged into the gutters. Underground toilets, which removed toilets from public view and so satisfied contemporary perceptions of decency, had already been built in Scotland, England and Sydney. Such facilities were made possible in Melbourne by the establishment in December 1890 of the Melbourne & Metropolitan Board of Works, responsible for building and maintaining an underground sewerage system. The first underground public toilet in Melbourne, which was the first public toilet for women in the city, was opened in Russell Street in 1902, followed by another one for men in Queen Street in 1905. Public toilets for women were built only following concerted campaigns by feminist groups. The conveniences near the corner of Elizabeth and Victoria Streets included both men's and women's facilities, and was the second built in Melbourne for women and the third for men. It has been in continuous use since then.

The underground public toilet in Elizabeth Street near Victoria Street is opposite the Queen Victoria market. There is a stairway for each of the male and female toilets, at the top of which are wrought iron railings and gates, bluestone kerbing and cast iron sign posts, similar to the other underground toilets of the period.

-- Heritage Victoria

After the shock of Donald Trump’s inauguration day, when millions of Americans (and visiting foreigners like me) felt understandably distraught, bereft, dismayed, as the grotesque, narcissistic, predatory, corrupt fraud that is Donald Trump delivered a bleak and graceless inauguration speech, it was nothing short of a delight on Saturday, Jan. 21, Day 2 of the aberrant Trump presidency, when, across the country and around the world, millions of women (plus large numbers of supportive men) marched in protest against Trump and all he and his administration stand for — his disdain for women, his racism, his xenophobia, his adherence to intolerant white Christian fundamentalism, and, last but not least, his opaque, but very obviously corrupt business practices. Two US academics have estimated that between 3.3m and 4.6m people marched in total across the US, with New York’s turnout estimated at between 400,000 and 500,000 people.

Stepping out of Grand Central Station into a river of protest, with more clever, witty and insightful handmade posters than you could imagine, and with chants and cheers punctuating the general hubbub at regular intervals was to feel that perhaps this dystopian vision of America can indeed be overthrown before it wreaks untold havoc at home and abroad. And with no beginning or end of the protest in sight, it was easy to believe that the number marching was much larger than even the academics’ estimate.

It will take more than one day, of course, as the people of America need to unite like never before — everyone who didn’t vote for Trump, everyone threatened by Trump, everyone appalled by Trump, including, of course, those who voted for him but might already be having second thoughts. This could be a disastrous presidency, or it could be even worse than that, but people need to put aside any notions of complacency, and work out how to resist. This was a great start, and a historic moment that everyone there will remember, but now there needs to be much more action and organizing.

As you look at these photos, however, I hope they are a reminder of a day of hope across the US and around the world, when ordinary people demonstrated that fundamental decency will not be silenced, and that a tolerant, multi-racial society, featuring, at its heart, equality between women and men, and between people whatever their race, creed or color, has humour, intelligence and compassion that throw into even sharper relief how troublingly miserable, negative and ungenerous Donald Trump and his advisors are.

For an article by US Uncut about the numbers attending the protests, see: usuncut.com/news/womens-march-largest-protest-us-history/

For the turnout estimates, see: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1xa0iLqYKz8x9Yc_rfhtmSOJQ2...

For an article in New York Daily News, which ran a front page devoted to the protests, under the headline, “See them roar,” see: www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/women-march-washington-...

For my website, see: www.andyworthington.co.uk

For my Facebook posts after Trump’s inauguration, see:

www.facebook.com/andyworthingtonUK/posts/1015497574252380...

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154975238073804&set...

For my most interesting photos, see: www.flickriver.com/photos/andyworthington/popular-interes...

Suomen ulkomaanedustustojen päälliköt kokoontuvat vuosittaiseen tapaamiseensa Helsinkiin 19.–22. elokuuta. Kokous järjestetään Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamolla Töölössä. #slsk19

Kuvat: Petri Krook/ Ulkoministeriö

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

After all the inspiring sport of the summer my son and I were on our bikes this weekend cycling 20 miles of country roads and tracks for charity in typical British weather. We had fun and raised some cash for the local hospice. MAMIL = Middle aged Man In Lycra!!

N.B. In the interests of taste and decency lycra shorts not illustrated.

Not strictly a Finsec event, but here's a few photos of the Service and Food Workers' Union Nga Ringa Tota rally in Wellington on International Cleaners Day.

The 'Fair Deal for Cleaners' campaign that this rally is part of aims to provide a voice to the low-waged largely immigrant female workforce, in cities across Australia and New Zealand, who are calling on big property owners to support decency in their workplaces.

OK, last one for a while but I am loving this effect. This one comes courtesy of some rich person in London (late 2004) who had the decency to leave their gorgeous Z8 in the street where I could shoot it ... mmm, BMW roadsters ... love 'em!

"On a small square, wood is being cut for the city school. Cords of healthy, crisp timber are piled high and melt slowly, one log after another, under the saws and axes of workmen. Ah, timber, trustworthy, honest, true matter of reality, bright and completely decent, the embodiment of the decency and prose of life! However deep you look into its core, you cannot find anything that is not apparent on its evenly smiling surface, shining with that warm, assured glow of its fibrous pulp woven in a likeness of the human body. In each fresh section of a cut log a new face appears, always smiling and golden. Oh, the strange complexion of timber, warm eithout exaltation, completely sound, fragrant, and pleasant!"

― Bruno Schulz, The Street of Crocodiles

20220613 HELSINKI. PIKKU-FINLANDIA. NAFM2022. Ministry for Foreign Affairs produces photo material for media representatives. Please feel free to use the photos for journalistic purposes, considering the following restrictions: One-time picture publishing right, no archiving or reselling. Editorial use only. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organisation shall be mentioned as a source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. The publisher is not entitled to transfer rights to a third party. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall also obtain the permissions needed for any names, persons, works of art, trademarks, and proprietary rights shown in the pictures. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity. Photo: Atte Kajova

Session Americana playing at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge, MA.

www.facebook.com/pages/Session-Americana/53199003969

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Session Americana - from www.sessionamericana.com

This ad hoc acoustic supergroup started around a table at a small pub in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Ry Cavanaugh, Billy Conway, Sean Staples, Dinty Child, Jim Fitting and other friends gathered to swap songs and stories. Their lively performances and inspired versions of tunes from the dusty backroads of America's past were such a hit with fans that they decided to take their musical conversation into the studio. The two-CD debut Tabletop People ups the ante with stellar appearances by folksinger Rose Polenzani, Twinemen's Laurie Sargent, Dennis Brennan, Asa Brebner, Merrie Amsterburg, Dan Kellar, Presidents of the United States' Chris Ballew, Jabe Beyer, Tim Gearon and other luminaries. And the 18 gritty, funny, soulful performances included span a gamut of emotions and tastes that should please both adult and younger listeners.

"Genius ... Jaw-dropping vocals ... Session Americana is blessed in this regard:...musicianship that sets the standard for the genre in Boston

and vocals that do the same"

— Performer Magazine

Session Americana sit tightly around a small cafe table, ambient mics tuned to catch the whole sound of the voices and instruments. A suit-case drum kit, an old electric bass, a bunch of acoustic instruments, a field organ: This format feels very theatrical and though the musicians face each other, the audience feels drawn into the circle by the warmth, joy and camaraderie that emanate outwards by the all star cast of characters seated around the table. What keeps you coming back show after show is the same thing that any audience member longs for, great songs performed by a great band. The six core members of the band have brought enviable careers worth of experience to the “table”, featuring (current and former) members of Treat Her Right, Patty Griffin, Lori McKenna, The The, Dennis Brennan, Kris Delmhorst. The group has grown from a rag tag jam at a local pub to a regional institution, playing gigs from church coee houses to urban nightclubs to regional festival tents to large halls.

Band: Ry Cavanaugh, Billy Beard, Dinty Child, Jim Fitting, Sean Staples and Jon Bistline.

*Winner “2005 Best Folk Act” - The Boston Music Awards

*Winner “Best Roots Act 2006” - Improper Bostonian “Best of Boston” Issue

*Winner “Best CD” 2007 - Improper Bostonian

*Nominated “Best Roots Act” 2007 - WFNX/Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll

*Nominated "Best Live Act" 2007 - The Boston Music Awards

*Nominated "Best Americana Act" 2008 - The Boston Music Awards

“Genius ... Jaw-dropping vocals ... Session Americana is blessed in this regard: ...musicianship that sets the standard for the genre in Boston and vocals that do the same”

— NE Performer Magazine

“No egos, no big production, just some great songs stripped down to their bare essentials and performed with a real genuineness of spirit and emotional authenticity... it’s beautiful.” (Brian Mosher)

— The Noise

“An eclectic, swinging tour de force” — The Boston Globe

“[This] local country-folk megagroup’s double CD is one of the most loose, spontaneous, warm, and homespun acts of community and decency since the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

— The Boston Phoenix

“the cream of the Somerville/Cambridge community" - No Depression

Yugoslavian postcard by Studio Sombor, no. 406.

Voluptuous American actress Mamie Van Doren (1931) was a sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s. Van Doren starred in several exploitation films such as Untamed Youth (1957), loaded with rock 'n' roll and juvenile delinquency. Her onscreen wardrobe usually consisted of tight sweaters, low-cut blouses, form-fitting dresses, and daring swimsuits. Mamie and her colleague blonde bombshells Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield were known as 'The Three M's.'

Mamie Van Doren was born Joan Lucille Olander in Rowena, South Dakota, in 1931. She was the daughter of Warner Carl Olander and Lucille Harriet Bennett. In 1942 the family moved to Los Angeles. In early 1946, Van Doren began working as an usher at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. The following year, she had a bit part on an early television show. She also sang with Ted Fio Rito's band and entered several beauty contests. She was married for a brief time at seventeen when Van Doren and her first husband, Jack Newman, eloped to Santa Barbara. The marriage was dissolved quickly, upon her discovery of his abusive nature. In the summer of 1949, at age 18, she won the titles Miss Eight Ball and Miss Palm Springs. Van Doren was discovered by producer Howard Hughes the night she was crowned Miss Palm Springs. The pair dated for five years. Hughes provided her with a bit role in Jet Pilot at RKO Radio Pictures. Her line of dialogue inconsisted of one word, "Look!". The following year, 1951, she posed for famous pin-up girl artist Alberto Vargas, the painter of the glamorous Vargas Girls. His painting of Van Doren was on the July 1951 cover of Esquire magazine. Van Doren did a few more bit parts in RKO films, including His Kind of Woman (John Farrow, 1951) starring Robert Mitchum and Jane Russell. Van Doren then began working on the stage. She was a showgirl in New York in Monte Proser's nightclub version of Billion Dollar Baby. Songwriter Jimmy McHugh discovered her for his musicals, then decided she was too good for the chorus line and should have dramatic training. She studied with Ben Bard and Bliss-Hayden. While appearing in the role of Marie in a showcase production of Come Back, Little Sheba, Van Doren was seen by Phil Benjamin, a casting director at Universal International. In 1953, Van Doren signed a contract with Universal Studios. They had big plans for her, hoping she would bring the same kind of success that 20th Century Fox had with Marilyn Monroe. Van Doren, whose signing day coincided with the inauguration of President Eisenhower, was given the first name Mamie for Ike's wife, Mamie Eisenhower. Universal first cast Van Doren in a minor role as a singer in Forbidden (Rudolph Maté, 1953), starring Tony Curtis. Interested in Van Doren's allure, Universal then cast her again opposite Curtis in The All American (Jesse Hibbs, 1953), playing her first major role as Susie Ward, a wayward girl who is the man-trap at a campus beer joint. In Yankee Pasha (Joseph Pevney, 1954), starring Jeff Chandler and Rhonda Fleming, she played a slave girl, Lilith. In 1955, she had a supporting role in the musical Ain't Misbehavin' (Edward Buzzell, 1955) and starred in the crime-drama, Running Wild (Abner Biberman, 1955). Soon thereafter, Van Doren turned down a Broadway role in the play Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, and was replaced by newcomer Jayne Mansfield. In 1956, Van Doren appeared in the Western Star in the Dust (Charles F. Haas, 1956). Though Van Doren garnered prominent billing alongside John Agar and Richard Boone, she appears rather briefly, as the daughter of a ranch owner. By this time, Van Doren had grown tired of Universal, which was only casting her in non-breakthrough roles. Therefore, Van Doren began accepting bigger roles in better movies from other studios, such as Teacher's Pet (George Seaton, 1958) with Doris Day and Clark Gable. She appeared in some of the first movies to feature rock 'n' roll music, such as Untamed Youth (Howard W. Koch, 1957). The film was originally condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency, but that only served to enhance the curiosity factor, resulting in it being a big moneymaker for the studio. Van Doren became identified with this rebellious style, and made some rock records. She went to star in several bad girl movies that later became cult films. These include Born Reckless (Howard W. Koch, 1958), High School Confidential (Jack Arnold, 1958), and The Beat Generation (Charles F. Haas, 1959). After Universal Studios chose not to renew her contract in 1959, Van Doren was now a free agent and had to struggle to find work.

Mamie Van Doren became known for her provocative roles. She was in prison for Girls Town (Charles F. Haas, 1959), which provoked censors with a shower scene where audiences could see Van Doren's naked back. As Eve in The Private Lives of Adam and Eve (Mickey Rooney, Albert Zugsmith, 1960) she wore only fig leaves, and in other films, like Vice Raid (Edward L. Cahn, 1960) audiences were clued in as to the nature of the films from the titles. Many of these productions were low-budget B-movies which sometimes gained a cult following for their high camp value. An example is Sex Kittens Go to College (Albert Zugsmith, 1960), which co-starred Tuesday Weld and Mijanou Bardot - Brigitte's sister. Mamie also appeared in foreign productions, such as the Italian crime comedy Le bellissime gambe di Sabrina/The Beautiful Legs of Sabrina (Camillo Mastrocinque, 1959) with Antonio Cifariello, and the Argentine film Una americana en Buenos Aires/The Blonde from Buenos Aires (George Cahan, 1961) with Jean-Pierre Aumont. Van Doren took some time off from her career and came back to the screen in 1964. That year she played in the German Western musical Freddy und das Lied der Prärie/In the Wild West (Sobey Martin, 1964), starring Freddy Quinn and Rik Battaglia. Tommy Noonan convinced Van Doren to appear in 3 Nuts in Search of a Bolt (Tommy Noonan, 1964). Van Doren had turned down Noonan's previous offer to star in Promises! Promises!, in which she would have to do nude scenes. She was replaced by Jayne Mansfield. In 3 Nuts in Search of a Bolt, Mamie did a beer-bath scene, but is not seen nude. She posed for Playboy to promote the film. Van Doren next appeared in The Las Vegas Hillbillys (Arthur C. Pierce, 1966) which co-starred Jayne Mansfield. It was the only time two of 'The Three M's' appeared together in a film. A sequel was titled Hillbillys in a Haunted House, but Van Doren turned this role down, and was replaced by Joi Lansing. She appeared in You've Got to Be Smart (Ellis Kadison, 1967), and the sci-fi film, Voyage to the Planet of Prehistoric Women (1968), directed by the young Peter Bogdanovich (as Derek Thomas). In this film astronauts land on Venus and encounter dangerous creatures and meet sexy Venusian women who like to sun-bathe in hip-hugging skin-tight pants and seashell brassieres. In 1968, she was offered the role of a murder victim in the independent horror film The Ice House as a replacement for Mansfield, who died the previous year. She turned the offer down, however, and was replaced by Sabrina. During the Vietnam War, she did tours for U.S. troops in Vietnam for three months in 1968, and again in 1970. Van Doren also developed a nightclub act and did live theater. She performed in stage productions of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Dames at Sea at the Drury Lane Theater, Chicago, and appeared in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? and The Tender Trap at the Arlington Park Theater. In the 1970s, Van Doren performed a nightclub act in Las Vegas as well. Van Doren had a supporting role in the Western The Arizona Kid (Luciano B. Carlos, 1970). Since then, Van Doren has appeared only in cameo appearances in low-budgeted films. To this date Van Doren's last film appearance was a cameo role in the comedy Slackers (Dewey Nicks, 2002). Van Doren's guest appearances on television include Jukebox Jury, What's My Line, The Bob Cummings Show, The Jack Benny Show, Fantasy Island, Burke's Law, Vega$, and L.A. Law. Van Doren released her autobiography, Playing the Field, in 1987 which brought much new attention and proved to be her biggest media splash in over 25 years. Since the book's publication she has often been interviewed and profiled and has occasionally returned to acting. Van Doren has been married five times. Her first marriage was to sportswear manufacturer Jack Newman whom she married and divorced in 1950. Her second marriage was to bandleader, composer and actor Ray Anthony whom she married in 1955. They had one son, Perry Ray Anthony (1956). The couple later divorced in 1961. When Van Doren's early 1960s, highly publicized, on-again off-again engagement to baseball player Bo Belinsky ended in 1964, she married baseball player Lee Meyers in 1966. They were divorced in 1967. Her fourth marriage was to businessman Ross McClintock in 1972. They met while working on President Nixon's reelection campaign; the marriage was annulled in 1973. Since 1979 she has been married to Thomas Dixon, an actor and dentist.

Sources: Wikipedia and IMDb.

Suomen ulkomaanedustustojen päälliköt kokoontuvat vuosittaiseen tapaamiseensa Helsinkiin 19.–22. elokuuta. Kokous järjestetään Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamolla Töölössä. #slsk19

Kuvat: Petri Krook / Ulkoministeriö

Ministry for Foreign Affairs provides photo material for media representatives, participants and organisers of the meeting. Please feel free to use the photos, considering the following restrictions: Not for commercial purposes nor reselling. When publishing the pictures, the name of the photographer and organization shall be mentioned as the source. No picture manipulation is permitted. The holder of the picture rights and/or the organisation shall at all times retain the copyright to the picture. When publishing the pictures, the publisher shall ensure the legality of the context where the pictures are used, obtain the permissions and consents required for their publication, and observe the generally established practices and decency. The publisher shall ensure that publication of the pictures does not insult anyone’s privacy or dignity.

PAUL PRESTON, 'George Orwell and the Spanish Civil War'

Unfortunately Paul Preston was ill and was unable to attend the conference. Jim Jump, secretary of the IBMT, read Professor Preston’s paper, 'George Orwell and the Spanish Civil War'.

The paper noted that while Orwell's 'Homage to Catalonia' year on year outsells any other text on the Spanish Civil War, it is nevertheless only a partial and localised view of the war and misleading as a description of the reasons for the Spanish Republic's defeat.

Preston's paper concluded by saying that Orwell's memoir "had given much succour to those who wished to claim, whether from the far left or the far right, that the defeat of the Spanish Republic was somehow more the responsibility of Stalin than of Franco, Hitler, Mussolini or Neville Chamberlain". He ended his lecture by quoting Orwell: "...curiously enough the whole experience has left me with not less but more belief in the decency of human beings".

Listen to the whole lecture on IBMTnews channel on YouTube http://youtu.be/JlvfDS0FlT8

About Professor Paul Preston

Director Canada Blanch Centre for Contemporary Spanish Studies

Author of:

'The Spanish Holocaust: Inquisition and Extermination in Twentieth-Century Spain', Harper Collins 2012; paperback 2013.

'We saw Spain die: foreign correspondents in the Spanish Civil War', Constable and Robinson, 2009.

'The Spanish Civil War: Reaction, Revolution and Revenge',

paperback, Harper Perennial, 2006.

Video ok to embed but please acknowledge 'copyright IBMT/Marshall Mateer' - thank you.