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Microsoft PDC 2007 will not be as is major development platforms will getting into developers hands this fall, when the event was originally scheduled.
Microsoft is rescheduling its Professional Developers Conference originally set to be held in October this year in Los Angeles.
The PDC is the company's premier developer event where it outlines major platform strategies. At the 2003 event, top executives, including Bill Gates, outlined the core components of Longhorn, which became Windows Vista.
Because Microsoft has released or is close to releasing many of its developer platform products, it has chosen to reschedule this year's PDC, according to a notice on its MSDN developer network Web site.
"By this fall, however, upcoming platform technologies including Windows Server 2008, SQL Server codenamed 'Katmai,' Visual Studio codenamed 'Orcas' and Silverlight will already be in developers' hands and approaching launch, which is where we?ll focus our developer engagement in the near term," it said.
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The Canadian economy is projected to grow by just 1.4 per cent in 2019.
Consumer spending slowed sharply at the end of last year, but strong income growth will support a rebound in spending this year.
The housing market will continue to cool this year with a decline forecast in residential investment.
Business investment outside of the resource and residential sectors is set to improve this year, but oil and gas investment will post its fifth consecutive annual decline.
Given the economic slowdown, the Bank of Canada will remain on the sidelines this year. Rate hikes will return in 2020, assuming that the economy improves as expected over the second half of this year.
A turnaround in business investment will be required to push the economy to 2.0 per cent growth next year.
Some inconsistencies, EI up but, job market strong?
Excellent report. In line with other reports that I have reviewed. Good Job!!
Will provide comments after full review. Thanks!
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VIEWPOINTS OVER THE CITY
Ride to the Parks with views over Barcelona
ClaireFolkerts
" We had a lovely trip with ebikes to Montjuic up hill. Private guide, friendly who give us all information on whatever we say along the trip. "
Because the Montjuïc Mountain offers the best panoramic views over Barcelona and the sea. Enjoy the ride up to the Castle, cross the green parks and contemplate the 360º landscape from the viewpoints.
Take your electric bike and come with us on this route that moves away from the noisy city center to visit some of the most eclectic and special neighborhoods of Barcelona.
for 3.5 hours of fun and healthy biking with content
Reials Drassanes
Mirador del Poble Sec
Jardins de Joan Brossa
Castell de Montjuic
Anella Olímpica
Palau Nacional - MNAC
Font Màgica de Montjuïc
Avinguda del Paral·lel
Port Vell
The Montjuïc Ebike Tour starts at Arc del Triomf, a monument designed as the main entrance to the 1888 Universal Exhibition. From there we cross Barcelona riding our electric bicycles to arrive on the east side of the city, Plaça d'Espanya. In this enormous square, we find the two Torres Venecianes that welcome us to the Montjuïc district.
The first stop on the route is La Font Màgica de Montjuïc, the main fountain of a big set of ponds and fountains located from the Palau Nacional to Plaça d'Espanya. The magic fountain has a series of rows and light columns that display amazing illumination spectacles. Behind the fountain, there are four columns symbolizing the four red bars of the Catalonian flag. The columns were demolished in 1928 during Primo de Rivera´s dictatorship, who intended to eliminate all Catalan symbols for the 1929 Universal Exhibition. In 2010 they were restored with the support of all the political parties.
The Museu Nacional D´Art de Catalunya, known as the MNAC, is the museum that presides over the promenade. Formerly a national palace built for the 1929 Universal Exposition, it was turned to an art museum. Today it has one of the biggest collections of Romanesque art in the world, as well as numismatics, engravings and photography sections. The museum also carries out conservation, study and restoration work and its collection have more than 250,000 works of art.
The tour begins to ascend the Montjuïc Mountain until arriving at the Anella Olímpica, a set of sports facilities that were used in the 1992 Olympic Games. The facilities that comprise the Anella Olímpica are the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the Palau Sant Jordi, the Piscines Bernat Picornell, the Torre Calatrava, the Estadi Pérez de Rozas Baseball, the Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya, the Complex Esportiu Municipal Pau Negre – Migdia Park and the Museu Olímpic.
Our electric bikes will take us to the Jardins Joan Brossa, an exuberant garden dedicated to the famous Catalan poet. The gardens have a children´s park and other recreational equipment, as well as a diverse collection of sculptures from different ages. It has a total extension of 5.2 hectares and until 1965 it was the site of a military post.
The Montjuïc Ebike Tour finally arrives to one of the most impressive landmarks of the route: El Castell de Montjuïc. The Montjuïc castle is an old military fortress that has had an important role in the Barcelona history. It has been occupied by both national and foreign troops during the different wars of the history. It´s been also used to repress the population during political struggles and even as a prison for political opponents.
Nearby is the Parc Del Mirador de Poble Sec, a natural area that welcomes us to the Poble Sec neighborhood, where we visit the Plaça del Sortidor, one of the most beautiful and calmed places of Barcelona. The route through Poble Sec continues until reaching the Sant Antoni neighborhood, one of the trendiest areas in Barcelona. In these streets you can enjoy a young and modern atmosphere that permeates the coffee places, restaurants and pubs.
Leaving Sant Antoni, we ride along the streets of the Raval neighborhood until we reach Sant Pau del Camp, a former convent of Benedictine monks. The tour ends in the Reials Drassanes, the architectural complex that brings together the maritime museum and the old shipyards of Barcelona. From there we return to the starting point.
The Montjuïc Ebike Tour is the perfect route for all those who want to enjoy a great combination of historical landmarks and nature. El Jardí Botànic, the Castell de Montjuïc or the Fundació Joan Miró or the Parc Del Mirador de Poble Sec are examples of the balance between green areas and cultural sites that the Montjuïc Mountain has to offer. The big Montjuïc Park offers fabulous view-points for taking great pictures of the city, the sea and the mountain.
The Montjuïc Mountain has played a very important role in the history of Barcelona and getting to know it is essential. Events happened in the Montjuïc castle are fundamental to understand the social and political situation of Catalonia and his stormy relationship with the Spanish government.
Some of the coolest neighborhoods in Barcelona, such as Poble Sec or Sant Antoni are included in this tour. Those areas have some of the best shops, wineries and restaurants of the city and our local guides will teach you to recognize them. Experience its trendy feeling and cultural charm that attract young (and not so young) people from all around the world.
Inspiring tours on Barcelona's
Open daily 9am - 6pm
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Purpose and Scope Purpose and Scope The acoustic anisotropy of some sedimentary formations has been well-documented in prior laboratory experiments. In particular, Podio el al. present a good review of previous work in measuring present a good review of previous work in measuring the elastic properties of rock using acoustic data and present original data showing, for Green River present original data showing, for Green River shales, the compressional wave velocity as a function of the direction of wave propagation. Schroeder and Gray, using critical angle wave propagation techniques, show that compressional wave velocity varies as a function of the direction of wave propagation for both slate and Green River shale propagation for both slate and Green River shale samples. To our knowledge, acoustic anisotropy has not been considered previously as an important variable affecting the acoustic transit time response of porous sandstones. The purpose of this paper is to present data that support a hypothesis that anisotropy effects indeed may influence the acoustic response in sedimentary sandstones. Consequently, such effects perhaps should be considered in estimating porosity perhaps should be considered in estimating porosity in sandstones when the angle between borehole and bedding plane is significantly different from 90 %. That is to say, conventional interpretation of acoustic logs perhaps can be misleading in high-angle boreholes. Available data are from two wells in the Middle Ground Shoal field in Alaska. Acoustic log response shows definite anomalies between correlative sands in these wells; these anomalies are attributed to anisotropy effects. It is recognized that factors other than anisotropy (e.g., clay content, in-situ stress) could account for the observed anomalies; available data are inadequate to eliminate completely these factors as the causative factors. Hence, this work must remain only a hypothesis until additional data are available for further study.
Fig. 1 shows a dip section of the Middle Ground Shoal field in the vicinity of the two wells under study, C-11-26 and C-31-26. As indicated in Fig. 1 and Table 1, the angle between borehole and structural dip is relatively "standard" (i.e., about 90 degrees) in all of the sandstone members in Well C-31-26. On the other hand, this angle deviates moderately from "standard" in the HC-HD through HR-HZ sandstones and deviates significantly in the GN-GO and GR-GS sandstones in Well C-1 1-26. Curve C in Figs. 2 and 3 illustrates the calibration of acoustic log response and density log response, respectively, to core porosity under stressed conditions. Porosities under stressed conditions were available on 12 samples; Table 2 presents some pertinent data on these samples. The porosity at pertinent data on these samples. The porosity at 5,000-psi (34 474-kPa) differential pressure was taken as in-situ porosity. It is known that the stress field at Middle Ground Shoal (Fig. 1) is significantly different than that of a tectonically relaxed, subsiding basin, which has been the model for most prior porosity/stress investigations. Additionally, the porosity/stress investigations. Additionally, the laboratory procedures used on these 12 samples may not have permitted the measurement of an "equilibrium" porosity at the various stress states (i.e., pore volume changes with time are very small, say 0.001 cm /24 hours). Nonetheless, the typical porosity/stress relation illustrated in Fig. 4 suggests a porosity/stress relation illustrated in Fig. 4 suggests a possible "knee" at about 5,000 psi (34 474 kPa) and possible "knee" at about 5,000 psi (34 474 kPa) and indicates that the porosities measured at high stresses may not deviate substantially from "equilibrium" values. Curve D in Figs. 2 and 3 indicates the calibration of acoustic log response and density log response, respectively, to in-situ porosity, as determined by other Shell Oil Co. staff (J.D. McLehaney and C.G. McMaster). They applied an average reduction factor (derived from the 12 samples discussed) to more than 200 porosity measurements taken at zero differential pressure. These corrected porosities then were related pressure. These corrected porosities then were related to the log responses to obtain the relationship of Curve D in Figs. 2 and 3. Reasonable agreement between the two methods of calibrating porosity to log response is noted. For comparison, Curves A and B in Fig. 2 illustrate the acoustic-transit-time/porosity relationship developed by Pickett.
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Get plenty of rest. Your body breaks down considerably during heavy workouts, both mentally and physically. Getting adequate rest, is an essential part of any effective workout regiment. Whether you are training for a UFC title fight, or you are training to get into great shape, you need adequate rest to re-build and revitalize your mind and your body. Getting adequate rest includes, but is not limited to getting a good nights sleep, trying to take short naps, meditate throughout the day, and taking days off of training.
Phoenix has her mentor, Lisa Wheeler in. Lisa was a modern dancer turned fitness professional. Phoenix and Lisa talk about what it is like behind the scenes of the fitness workouts they film for Daily Burn's popular at home fitness videos. Lisa speaks of her goal to create great work and being good to people. She shares what the business of fitness is really like, having been in the business for 25 years already.
Seyi Oyesola – Oyesola is a Nigerian doctor, best known for creating the "hospital in a box," a mobile mini-hospital, which is solar powered. Because many underdeveloped nations lack significant medical infrastructure, Oyesola's invention allows for more effective medical aid to be provided for those who may not be able to otherwise access care because of where they live in the world.
Diane is hounded by FBI officials over her connections to Tully – a radical left-wing activist she had been sleeping with – and her previous filmed remarks about President Trump on the DNC audition tapes. Diane thinks that she is being bugged, after the prosecutor plays her a tape of her and Tully talking in her bedroom. The FBI interrogate Kurt about the gun he gave Diane, by saying that it is part of his background check. Proving his love and loyalty to Diane, he orders them out of his house, but not before Patrick Baseheart tells him that Diane will be indicted. It becomes clear the federal government are set on prosecuting her to make an example of the firm. Fighting fire with fire, Boseman leaks false information to a Fox News journalist concerning a porn star who slept with the President, alleging she instead was having an affair with the federal prosecutor targeting Diane; the President, who reliably watches Fox & Friends, would be sure to fire him via a tweet within minutes. Meanwhile, Lucca gives birth to a healthy baby boy, who she names Joseph Quinn-Morrello, but her mother sows seeds of doubt in her mind about Colin.
So many great articles Joel full of information that I would probably not have been able to decipher for several yeas. Cheers for making my work easier. I am a physiotherapist and have worked in professional soccer for several years in England and so much like you say that even at the elite level there is a lot of ineffective training methods been used I tend to agree just from my experience. Keep up the great work and when will the new book be out?
These are the weights you will be working with for the first phase of the program. Note that at the end of the first phase you will actually be doing more reps than your max at the start, so it may say something like "2 x 10 with your 10-rep max." This is because by the end you should be stronger and fitter than when you started. In the following twelve-week phases we will re-evaluate your maxes.
The concept of mixed martial arts is really nothing new to many members of the martial arts community. As a matter of fact, Bruce Lee was one of the first martial artist to stylistically integrating various martial arts into his Jeet Kune Do concept. Essentially, Jeet Kune Do was a mixed martial arts blueprint for adopting what is useful in a style and rejecting what is useless. According to Lee, "The best fighter is someone who can adapt to any style, to be formless, to adopt an individual's own style and not following the system of styles." It's no surprise that Bruce Lee is considered by many to be the "father of mixed martial arts".
The truth is this: if you really put your mind to it, went back to school and graduated with an honors degree in exercise science, trained dozens of fighters in person and hundreds of fighters around the world while receiving feedback and tweaking the program to make it better and better, in about 10 years or so you could probably develop, perhaps, an equally effective strength and conditioning program for MMA yourself, just like I did with the Ultimate MM Strength and Conditioning Program.
best mma training program
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A few weeks back I wrote an article about promoting your ebook on social media using sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Today I want to take a look at Pinterest, Instagram, and the new Google+. Each of these sites caters to a slightly different demographic. For this reason, it is important to really investigate the various platforms to find the one that is most suitable for your ebook. Learn how to create an ebook from Facebook posts.
Who is it that you are targeting? Where are they most likely to spend their free time? Are they more visual? This would make Pinterest and Instagram ideal as they are focused on images. Whereas, Google+ is more focused on professionals and special interest groups.
Free Download: Social media is a great way to get more traffic to your ebook, but it can be challenging. Learn how by downloading the second part to 'What You Need to Know About Promoting Your Ebook on Social Media' in PDF. Don't forget to download the first part as well.
Let's look at these social media platforms in more detail and explore how they may be used to promote your ebook.
Pinterest is the third largest social network. It is predominately used by women at a comScore of 71% which results in 72.5 million users, but men are also making their way to the pin boards at a rate of 33.33%.
The key to marketing on Pinterest is to build trust and increase engagement through re-pinning. Pinterest is all about educating followers, teaching them something of value, and of course entertaining and inspiring.
Then, by sharing your pins on your other social media profiles, you can get even more traffic to your sites. Cross promoting is an effective strategy for all the different social platforms. But don't forget to include relevant content on your blog. This means adding more than just information about the book itself. You want to build a community of followers so give them tons of information related to your niche to dive into.
Instagram is another great way to share your books, news on launches, promotions, and so much more. If you have not yet given it a try, then now might be a great time to do so.
Instagram is an online photo sharing network. It's a way of you staying connected with family and friends through pictures. Simply take a picture with any mobile device, add a fun filter, and upload.
But how do you use it for business?
Evan LePage from HootSuite, "says that Instagram is one of the most effect brand building tools available today".
He continues to explain that people are now finding and judging businesses on Instagram based on their visual identity. Therefore, if you do not have a strong presence on Instagram you may risk being forgotten.
As an author you have a great opportunity to promote to a large number of people and ultimately to find that group that is particularly interested in your subject or niche. The combination of photos and hashtags available are endless. So be creative!
Add the URL for your website to your profile so anyone visiting your Instagram account will see it.
Along the same lines, use the bio field in your profile to tell visitors a little about you and your book.
Post a picture of the front cover.
Connect with book reviewers/bloggers who are active on Instagram.
Share pictures of your writing environment to help your followers connect with you as a person.
Host a giveaway contest with the prize being your book.
Share inspirational images/quotes related to the theme of your book and/or writing in general.
Connect your Instagram account with your accounts on Twitter, Facebook, Fourquare, Tumblr and Flickr.
As with any social media platform it is important to be consist.
Post fresh content on a regular basis, establishing a frequency for new posts that keeps your brand in front of the people who want to see it. You don't need to post like clockwork, but keep your feed active by posting at least once a day—sharing new photos and videos daily will help build your following and give fans something to enjoy. Locowise found that brands typically post 2.3 times per day, with larger profiles posting even more frequently—7.24 posts a day on average.
Google+ has been a network that some have approached with caution due to some whispers a while back that they might be shutting down. However, we can definitely put those rumors to bed. Google+ is stronger than ever with a ton of changes and improvements – especially to its overall look. The focus of the new Google+ is on Collections and Communities.
Just like before, you can follow and create collections using your Google+ profile or page. To start, click on your profile picture in the top right and select the profile or page you want to use. Then click on the Collections menu in the left sidebar.
On the following page, you'll see a search box for Collections and three tabs at the top: Featured, Followed and Yours.
Use the search box or Featured tab to find collections to follow. Click the Followed tab to see the collections you're following. And use the Yours tab to see collections you've created or to create a new one.
If you're the creator of a collection, you'll want to visit your collection to see the latest changes. To edit your collection, click the three dots at the top right of the collection cover photo and choose Edit Collection.
Now, you can update your collection's cover photo, tagline, theme color and following preferences.
You can post updates to your collection from here using the pencil icon at the bottom right of the screen, or from the update box on your stream by selecting your collection as the destination for your update.
What's important to understand about Google+ is the user base. Anita Lovett says that, "the Google Plus network is primarily trafficked by professionals and individuals interested in networking or specific interests". This is perfect as it will allow you to better find a target audience that may be interested in your book.
Create an Eye Catching Profile – make sure to include your story, links and contact information in the About section. Also, don't forget your profile picture. And make sure to post regularly.
Link to Your Online Presence – this includes not only your WordPress site but also other social media networks that you have a presence on.
Join Google+ Communities and Host Hangouts – remain actively involved and create a following.
Create Your Own Community – send invites and recruit to build your own community that you can later help to promote other authors books on as well.
With over 150 million active users, and 50% of all users logging into Google Plus daily, Google Plus is a social network you can't ignore. Sure, it isn't as popular as Facebook or Twitter, but it can help impact your search engine rankings in a positive way.
Remember the key to using any social network is to find the one that best caters to those groups that may be interested in your niche. Use Pinterest and Instagram to promote using visuals. Add lots of enticing pictures that will grab the attention of visitors. Make sure to add links back to your website and have tons of helpful information available there once they click over. And with Google+ focus more on building communities. Find people that you can connect with and partner with on joint ventures. You will be surprised how willing people are to get involved.
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A startling new study shows that lowering blood pressure more — with a target of 120 instead of 140 — can cut deaths by 25 percent.
A third of U.S. adults have high blood pressure so millions could be affected by the findings. But government-funded researchers who ran the study say it's too soon for anyone to change what they are doing just yet.
Nonetheless, the results were so clear they stopped the main part of the study early to announce what they'd found.
"This study provides potentially lifesaving information that will be useful to health care providers as they consider the best treatment options for some of their patients, particularly those over the age of 50," said Dr. Gary Gibbons, director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which sponsored the study.
Right now, people are told to get their blood pressure to 140 or lower. That's the top number in a blood pressure reading, known as systolic blood pressure.
But there's been confusion over whether that's the best level. Starting in 2009, the team studied more than 9,300 men and women 50 and older, of various races, keeping some at the target of 140 and taking the rest lower, to a blood pressure level of 120.
"This is huge -- I mean, 25 percent less deaths and a third – 33 percent-- less heart attacks, strokes and heart failure -- that's huge."
The study's not quite finished but the effects on the heart were strong and clear, they announced. Getting blood pressure to 120 or lower reduced rates of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure by a third. It reduced the deaths from any cause by 25 percent.
"This is huge — I mean, 25 percent less deaths and a third — 33 percent — less heart attacks, strokes and heart failure — that's huge," said Dr. Julia Lewis, a kidney specialist at Vanderbilt University who took part in the study.
"You don't get that (by) lowering cholesterol. You don't get that treating people to prevent heart attacks. This is a big impact," Lewis told NBC News.
The team is still studying the effects of lower blood pressure on dementia, memory loss and kidney function. Other studies have suggested lower blood pressure can help reduce or delay dementia symptoms and boost kidney function.
It took, on average, three drugs to get a patient's blood pressure down to 120 — usually a diuretic, the first-line choice for lowering blood pressure, plus a drug called a calcium channel blocker and one called an ACE inhibitor. There are many choices within these classes of drugs. Each lowers blood pressure by a different mechanism.
Diuretics lower blood pressure by ridding the body of excess water, often making patients urinate more often. Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine or diltiazem lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessel walls. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as lisinopril open blood vessels by blocking a compound called angiotensin.
Normal blood pressure for adults is defined as a systolic pressure below 120 mmHg and a diastolic (bottom) pressure below 80 mmHg.
People are in the "pre-hypertension" stage with a blood pressure of 120/80. It's considered high blood pressure at 140/90 and stage 2 hypertension at 160/100. Both numbers are important and if either number is in the range of hypertension, even if the other number is lower, doctors get concerned.
"Prehypertension can progress to high blood pressure and should be taken seriously. Over time, consistently high blood pressure weakens and damages your blood vessels, which can lead to complications," NHLBI says.
High blood pressure strains the blood vessels and especially small capillaries, in turn damaging organs including the kidneys, heart and the brain. It causes heart attacks, strokes and heart failure as well as kidney failure and dementia.
Despite their enthusiasm, organizers of the trial say they have no message for the general public yet.
"These findings should not make any patients change their medications without talking to their doctor," said NHLBI's Dr. George Mensah.
"A first look indicates that the treatment is extremely well tolerated but that will be looked at much more closely."
Some doctors worry about getting blood pressure too low because there had been worries that too much blood pressure medication can cause memory and balance problems in the elderly. The findings have been mixed on this, however.
Dr. Jackson Wright of Case Western Reserve University, who helped lead the study, said a quarter of the patients were 75 or older. The team is still teasing out adverse events. "A first look indicates that the treatment is extremely well tolerated, but that will be looked at much more closely," Wright told reporters.
The American Heart Association says most people should try to lower blood pressure with lifestyle changes before they try drugs. Just losing weight can do it. So can a diet heavy on the fruits and vegetables and lower in salt.
Exercise helps and at least one study suggests a little sunshine can help, too.
"Very few things we do in medicine have such a large benefit to patients. This study's results are going to affect doctors' care of patients with hypertension — not only in our country, but throughout the world," Lewis said.
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Q: Create a view with uuid_generate_v4() I have a problem and have no idea how to solve it.
I need to create a view (let's name it "revision") from another view which updates very frequently.
In my view "revision", I have all the columns from another view table + a unique id for that I use uuid_generate_v4().
CREATE VIEW test_view AS
(
SELECT uuid_generate_v4() AS gid, fw.*
FROM First_view fw
);
The view itself looks ok, however, my problem is that I need to have stable gid as I am going to use my view to populate another table and I need to use gid as a reference so I need stable ids, but as view always runs the query, every time it generates a new gid.
I was thinking about creating a new rule but was not able to figure out how it can help.
What should I do to avoid this problem? Is there at all any solution to overcome this problem?
Thanks
Mani
A: If the table is static, you might wanna use a MATERIALIZED VIEW. It will ensure that the values remain unchanged until you run a REFRESH, e.g.
CREATE MATERIALIZED VIEW test_view AS
SELECT uuid_generate_v4() AS gid, 'foo';
SELECT * FROM test_view;
gid | ?column?
--------------------------------------+----------
5a789003-dd0e-4aa0-a324-890cb7adf007 | foo
(1 Zeile)
SELECT * FROM test_view;
gid | ?column?
--------------------------------------+----------
5a789003-dd0e-4aa0-a324-890cb7adf007 | foo
(1 Zeile)
|
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|
Books on Film: Terry Brooks's World of Shannara Will Be Brought to Life By MTV
Passionate fans of Terry Brooks's internationally bestselling Shannara fantasy novels now have reason to celebrate; MTV is adapting the popular books for TV. Director Jon Favreau and Smallville writing/directing duo Al Gough and Miles Millar are teaming up to launch the epic fantasy drama project.
The Shannara series first started in 1977 with the novel The Sword of Shannara, and totals 25 books. Brooks will release three additional Shannara books in 2014. Producers plan to base the first season on The Elfstones of Shannara.
On the transition from page to film Brooks said, "I believe we have formed the perfect team to bring Shannara to life onscreen. The adaptation of these books is very important to me, and I believe we are on the right track in our endeavor to create an epic television series that both new and old fans of the books will love."
A Shannara series seems to be a good fit for the MTV audience. Recently the supernatural drama Teen Wolf, based on the 1980s Michael J. Fox feature film, has proved to be a hit for the network.
Read Terry Brooks's Letter to Fans about the Shannara MTV series.
Category: Book PromoEvents
Rebecca Rosen on Lifetime's The Last Goodbye
September 21, 2015 December 3, 2015 Written by rherica
[youtube watch?v=L-Gl21IWpLo] Rebecca Rosen, spiritual medium and author of Awaken the Spirit Within, is appearing now on Lifetime's The Last Goodbye. The Last Goodbye is a new original series that follows Rebecca, as she uses her unique gift in an attempt to connect people seeking answers from their deceased family and loved ones. In each […]
September LibraryReads Top 10 List Announced!
August 11, 2014 Written by rhelizabeth
The September LibraryReads List was announced this morning, and we are very pleased to have four titles in the Top Ten. Remember, eGalleys are still available: Click to prepare for your September Readers' Advisory. Station Eleven: A Novel By Emily St. John Mandel "An actor playing King Lear dies onstage just before a cataclysmic event […]
#FridayReads: The Library at Mount Char
June 5, 2015 Written by cnewbould
THE LIBRARY AT MOUNT CHAR, an astonishingly original, terrifying, and darkly funny contemporary fantasy, is a trade favorite with three starred reviews! "A spellbinding story of world-altering power and revenge…like the Library itself, the book is bigger, darker, and more dangerous than it seems. The plot never flags, and it's never predictable…A wholly original, engrossing, […]
#AskaLibrarian
November 10, 2015 February 22, 2017 Written by cnewbould
Love to advise your patrons on what they should read next? Join us, along with Read It Forward and Library Journal, on Twitter every Thursday from 12-1pm ET to engage with patrons using #AskaLibrarian. This is a great opportunity you to do what you do best while growing your social footprint and awareness. We hope […]
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Learn more about the PENSACOLA community!
Home to the world-famous Blue Angel pilots, this coastal town offers it all, whether you're here for the short term or the long haul. Nestled in the westernmost portion of the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola Bay connects this dynamic sea port to the Gulf of Mexico. Nicknamed "The City of Five Flags", Pensacola's rich history of five different governments means immersive learning experiences for our locals, tourists, and students attending any of our local colleges, including the University of West Florida. Across the Gulf Coast, many families find respite within the walls of our medical complexes, including the renowned Sacred Heart Health System and Baptist Hospital. Our featured sport teams, the Pensacola Ice Flyers and Blue Wahoos, offer a good time for the whole family every season! Festivals and special events regularly bring downtown to life while lighting up the Palafox Place entertainment district. With a strong community focus on recreation, our high quality state parks and facilities guarantee weekends chock-full of outdoor fun in the sun. Top all of that off with a minutes-only drive to Pensacola Beach, known for it's notably white sands- and you'll never need (or want) to leave!
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The world has changed due to Technology. Technology introduced many latest and new inventions its have changed our life now new invention in the car technology introduced Petrol's car has gone now electric cars take place of them which can complete 215M Distance After the charge battery one time and its price Will be also low.
Yes, its possible its announce the American billionaire Elon Musk he introduced new Model Of Tesla Car.
Its Already Have done All Regulation Terms Its Owner Will Give 30 Cars On 28 July. In The August (100)Hundred And In September More 1500 Cars Production Will Be Complete And Its Production Will Be Complete 2 Million Number.
The Tesla Of Five Seat Has Not Dashboard While Its Will Be Computer Monitor And Its Show All Roads And You Can Control This Computer Via Touch Screen. This Company Will Be Made 5000 Cars In Every Weak And In The Next Year It Will Made 10000 Cars.
Elon Musk post on his twitter account And he said Tesla Car Will be available in 35000$ and its production will be huge in number. Its price already low with others Tesla cars and due to the tax credit, its price will be more low its price will be 27500$ via a tax credit.
He shares a picture of Tesla model 3 and said it will be Complete 215M Distances after charged battery One Time. It's Excel Wonderful And it's like a Sports Cars And It Can Run 0(Zero) to 60M In Just Six Seconds.
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Premier League side Stoke City have tabled a bid for New York City midfielder Jack Harrison.
That is according to Goal, who report that the Potters have made the MLS outfit an offer of $4.5m for the England U21 international, along with add-ons that could push the fee to $6m.
This recent offer comes after NYCFC rejected Stoke's initial approach in which $3m was suggested last week.
And the Potters, who sacked Mark Hughes earlier this month, have since returned with an improved bid in the hopes of strengthening their midfield.
NYCFC sporting director Claudio Reyna, meanwhile, seems to be open to selling the player but has steered clear of confirming whether or not a bid was made.
"Every league is a selling league, so why not us," he told Goal last week. "It's a statement of credibility to be honest. I know in some way we don't want to lose our most talented players, but we'll bring in other talented players as clubs.
"I think it's really a statement of credibility for the league when you start attracting clubs from big leagues to come watch MLS games and the talent here.
"It should happen, it needs to happen, and I think we need to start looking at this the other way, that actually it's good for the league that these clubs are coming here because what they're saying is this player is talented playing in this league and he can come play in a very good league.
"It obviously brings money into the clubs to reinvest in other players and youth development, so I think it's something that needs to be done. That's just my opinion, I know other clubs have different philosophies around it.
"I guess the question is who's not a selling league," Reyna asked. "Liverpool just sold a player to Barcelona. There's no league where you don't look at offers and think about it, and we're becoming that league and I think that's great."
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A Call to China
Benny Moon: Racing the Medicine Wheel
Benny Moon Eats Dirt
Clown William
Clown William and the Lincoln County War
Clown William and the Wind of Vengeance
Indian Country
Island Whispers
Medicine Hat Moments
Ms. Mulligan and the Enchanted Ice Cream
Mystery Muffin & Soda Pop Slooth: The Legend of Mr. Creepy
Mystery Muffin & Soda Pop Slooth: The Ghost of Crippler's Creek
Path of the Half Moon
WWCC Heroes
IE Snaps!
2019 Holiday Gift Guide - Give the Gift of Reading!
Shop Barnes & Noble
Shop IndieBound
Book 3 in the award-winning series! For Western, History, and Action fans.
Book 2 in the series follows William, our unique hero.
A gunslinger with Tourette's and a quick draw . . .
Award-winning paranormal historical fiction. For thriller and history lovers.
Pulse-pounding action for military thriller fans. Great for guys!
Book clubs take note! Award-winning historical fiction for fans of family and culture.
Sweet vacation romance for anyone who loves love! Great for the women you love.
Great for teens! Fantasy and romance collide in this island of magical creatures.
Your tweens and middle-graders will love this award-winning magical adventure!
Book 1 in middle grade mystery series for all the young sleuths on your list!
Book 2 is great for boys and girls ages 8-12 who like ghost stories with a twist!
Fun picture book about friendship and inner strength for ages 2-6.
For boys who love animals and motorcycles! Or any kid struggling with today's challenges. Book 1 in series.
Book 2 in the series takes Benny on a Vision Quest and into the racing finals. For kids ages 8-12.
These animal spirit cards are for the nature lovers on your list. Native American wisdom for every day.
Congrats to IE Authors Megan Wong, Jeffrey Meyer, and Robin Elno for placing in the 2019 NextGen Indie Awards
IngramElliott Publishing is proud to announce that three of our titles have been named as Finalists in the 2019 NextGen Indie Book Awards! The Next Generation Indie Book Awards is the largest international book awards program for indie authors and independent publishers. In its thirteenth year of operation, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards was established to recognize and honor the most exceptional independently published books in over 70 different categories.
We congratulate our winning authors!
Island Whispers, by Megan Wong, was a finalist in the Young Author category (written by under age 25).
Island Whispers is a YA Fantasy set on a magical island where an angel, demon, vampire, and merperson fight to save their world.
A Call to China by Jeffrey Meyer, was a finalist in the overall design category.
This beautiful debut novel is also Silver Winner in the 2018 Benjamin Franklin Book Award and Finalist in the 2019 National Indie Excellence Awards for historical fiction.
Clown William by Robin Elno, was a finalist in the novella category (17-40k words).
The Clown William series is also a Silver Winner in the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards and Winner/Finalist in the 2019 National Indie Excellence Awards for Best First Book, Best Series, and Western Fiction, respectively.
Author Megan Wong loves creating worlds filled with magic and sharing stories that need to be told. She is currently an undergraduate student majoring in psychology with a minor in creative writing at North Carolina State University.
Connect with the author on Facebook @islandwhispersmw and follow her blog.
A professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte for thirty-five years, the author, Jeffrey Meyer, taught Asian religions in the Religious Studies department, with a focus on Buddhism and Daoism. He is married with three grown children, currently living in Davidson, North Carolina. A Call to China is his first novel.
Follow Jeffrey Meyer's Blog on Goodreads.
Robin Elno is a retired army colonel, semiretired psychiatrist, and full-time author. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, where he is an active member of the San Antonio Writers' Guild. Elno's novels are often set against true historical backdrops like the Wild West. Follow the author at amazon.com.
Clown William and the Lincoln County War is now available and Clown William and the Wind of Vengeance, book three in the series is coming soon.
Author Vince Bailey greets fans at Arizona StoryFest& Authors Showcase
Award-winning author Vince Bailey recently participated in a unique event hosted by Arizona radio station KJZZ. The Arizona StoryFest and Authors Showcase is designed to help patrons relax, learn, shop, and play. The event features some of Arizona's top talent at the Authors Showcase & Reading Stage, where experienced storytellers entertain audiences on the main stage. The event also featured an Author's Workshop hosted by the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at ASU.
Thanks to our friends at Green Pieces Press, for highlighting Vince's book to their Literary International Network in conjunction with the event!
Vince Bailey at Arizona StoryFest featuring his novel Path of the Half Moon.
Vince Bailey, recent First Place Winner of the Paranormal Fiction category at the Chanticleer International Book Awards, hosted fans and passers by at his booth.
Path of the Half Moon is a truly unique and edgy novel. It's the first in a series following the story's hero, young Curtis Jefferson. This paranormal historical fiction tale is set in a remote detention facility for wayward boys in the early sixties. Curtis is an African American youth whose character and physical endurance are tested by a murderous inmate and a century-old Apache curse.
The novel presents an edgy and thrilling escape from the ordinary, and is being recognized for it's strong thematic elements, including the blurry edges between reality and the supernatural.
Vince is currently working on the second novel in the Curtis Jefferson series, Courses of the Cursed. Learn more and follow the author at www.vincebaileyauthor.com and on Twitter @vincebailey20.
IngramElliott Publishing honored with four winning titles by the 13th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards
IngramElliott Publishing is proud to announce that four of our titles have been named as Finalists or Winners in the 13th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards! The National Indie Excellence® Awards (NIEA) celebrates indie publishing and is proud to be a champion of independent presses "going the extra mile" to produce books of excellence in every aspect.
IngramElliott Publishing truly appreciates the NIEA recognition for these amazing titles and we congratulate our winning authors!
Clown William and the Lincoln County War, the second book in the award-winning Clown William series, is the Winner of the Western Fiction Category.
Clown William, the first book in the award-winning Clown William series, is a Finalist in the Western Fiction Category.
Earlier this month, the Clown William series won the Bronze Medal for Best Fiction Series in the 2019 IPPY Awards and book one in the series, Clown William, was the 2018 IPPY Silver Award winner for Best First Book/Fiction. Set in the late 1800s, this fresh twist on the Western features an unlikely gunslinger with Tourette Syndrome.
A Call to China was named a Finalist in the Historical Fiction Category.
A Call to China is the coming of age of the two daughters, one without family in rural China, the other with her mother in urban America. What begins as Olivia's adolescent fantasy to find her sister becomes a death-bed promise to her mother.
This beautifully-written novel was also the Silver Winner in the 2018 IPPY Awards for historical fiction.
Ms. Mulligan and the Enchanted Ice Cream was named a Finalist in the Juvenile Fiction Category.
A touch of magic was all it took to turn twelve-year-old Tabby into the twenty-five-year old Ms. Mulligan . . .
. . . can Tabby and her friends solve the mystery before it's too late to turn back?
This magical middle-grade novel was also the Silver & Bronze Winner in the 2018 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards for pre-teen fiction mystery and preteen fiction e-Book, as well as a Finalist in the 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Learn more at www.msmulligan.com.
Mooning over another win for Path of the Half Moon
Vince Bailey is on a roll! Vince's debut novel, Path of the Half Moon, was the winner of the Arizona Authors' Association Literary Award and now this supernatural book series is the First in Category Winner in the 2018 Chanticleer International Book Awards Best Paranormal and Supernatural Fiction Books Contest.
After being named a Semi-Finalist in the contest, Vince was invited to attend the 2019 Chanticleer Authors Conference in Bellingham, Washington. This unique and progressive conference was jammed packed with featured sessions and workshops on the business, marketing, and technologies of publishing and of being an author.
Vince enjoyed his time at the conference and was thrilled to walk away with a First In Category win for Paranormal Fiction, truly a great honor. Vince said, "I think it was a great forum for Path, and attending the program provided a great learning event for me, especially in terms of media marketing."
The awards ceremony began in the evening with the banquet catered by the Hotel Bellwether, and sixteen presenters recognized all of the CIBA Semi-Finalists who were in attendance before announcing his or her division's First Place Category winners for each of the sixteen divisions.
Path of the Half Moon is a truly unique and edgy novel--the first in a series following the story's hero, young Curtis Jefferson. Path of the Half Moon is a paranormal historical fiction tale set in a remote detention facility for wayward boys in the early sixties. Curtis is an African American youth whose character and physical endurance are tested by a murderous inmate and a century-old Apache curse. The novel presents an edgy and thrilling escape from the ordinary, and is being recognized for it's strong thematic elements, including the blurry edges between reality and the supernatural.
Vince is currently working on the second novel in the Curtis Jefferson series, Courses of the Cursed. Learn more and follow the author at www.vincebaileyauthor.com and on Twitter @vincebailey20.
Congratulations to our author, Vince, on his win!
Clown William Strikes It Rich Again with a Bronze IPPY Win for Best Fiction Series
Last summer, Clown William's unique title character, William - an 1870's gunslinger with Tourette's and a quick draw - took home the Silver Medal for Best First Book at the 22nd Annual IPPY Awards in New York City.
Now William's back at it, bringing home the Bronze Medal for Best Fiction Series in the 2019 IPPY Awards, which honored books one and two in the series: Clown William & Clown William and the Lincoln County War.
Author Robin Elno should be very proud of his efforts -- the quality of this year's entries was truly outstanding, which means the competition was extremely tough. You can see all this year's winner's on the website of the Independent Publisher Book Awards.
The author, Robin Elno, is a retired army colonel, semiretired psychiatrist, and full-time author. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, and is an active member of the San Antonio Writers' Guild.
Robin drew inspiration for William from a series of books and articles on the impact of neurological conditions on physical abilities. In his research, the author learned people with Tourette Syndrome can target point five times faster than average.
"The inspiration for Clown William came from an Oliver Sacks article (author of "Awakenings"). The speed and accuracy of those who have this condition inspired the creation of the character William and his subsequent adventures," says the author Robin Elno. "What might appear a handicap can also be an advantage. Nature puts things in balance. Our comic book heroes have strengths that rise out of a difference from ordinary people. So does William. I hope readers feel empowered by how William learns to accept the good and the bad."
Winner of the Arizona Authors' Association Literary Award and the 2018 and 2019 IPPY Awards, the Clown William series follows William's incredible journey from "clown" to "friend" to "hero."
Clown William and Clown William and the Lincoln County War are now available in print and e-Book. Book three in the series - Clown William and the Wind of Vengeance is coming soon.
Award-winning author Vince Bailey connects with readers at B&N
Author Vince Bailey was welcomed warmly by readers and fans at a recent author event, held at Barnes & Noble Arrowhead in his hometown of Peoria, Arizona. Vince met with readers and passers by and signed copies of his paranormal historical fiction novel, Path of the Half Moon. Path was recently named an official SEMI-FINALIST for the PARANORMAL Book Awards for Supernatural Fiction, a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs) and is the previous winner of the Arizona Authors' Association Literary Award.
Vince Bailey's award-winning Path of the Half Moon is a paranormal historical fiction tale set in a remote detention facility for wayward boys in the early sixties. Curtis is an African American youth whose character and physical endurance are tested by a murderous inmate and a century-old Apache curse.
Vince Bailey grew up in Central Arizona and his experiences there contribute significantly to the nostalgic aspect of his fiction writing. Path of the Half Moon is his debut novel, and Vince also pens a column for a nationally distributed trade periodical. Mr. Bailey currently resides in Peoria, Arizona with his wife, Rita. He's currently working on the next book in the Path of the Half Moon series.
Connect with Vince Bailey at:
www.vincebaileyauthor.com
www.facebook.com/vincebaileyazauthor
www.twitter.com/vincebailey20
Read more about Path of the Half Moon and shop Path merchandise. IngramElliott and Vince send many thanks to Barnes and Noble Arrowhead for supporting local authors in their store!
#indiepublishing #barnesandnoble #localauthors #pathofthehalfmoon #ingramelliottpublishing
Path of the Half Moon named Official Semi-Finalist in 2018 CIBA Awards!
We're excited to announce that Vince Bailey's debut paranormal historical fiction novel, Path of the Half Moon, has been named an official SEMI-FINALIST for the PARANORMAL Book Awards for Supernatural Fiction, a division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs). The Paranormal Book Awards recognize emerging talent and outstanding works in the genre of Paranormal and Supernatural Fiction. The Paranormal Book Awards is a genre division of the Chanticleer International Book Awards (The #CIBAs).
Path of the Half Moon, also winner of the Arizona Authors' Association Literary Awards, is a paranormal historical fiction tale set in a remote detention facility for wayward boys in the early sixties. Curtis is an African American youth whose character and physical endurance are tested by a murderous inmate and a century-old Apache curse. It's available in print and e-book wherever books are sold.
Meet the Author at Barnes & Noble!
Meet Author Vince Bailey
Saturday March 2, 2019 at 11 a.m.
Barnes & Noble Arrowhead
7685 West Bell Road
#CAC19 #SeriousAuthors #PARANORMALBookAwards #CIBAs
Clown William honored at the IPPY Awards Ceremony in NYC
IngramElliott at the IPPY Awards
The Independent Publisher Book Awards hosted the winners of the 22nd Annual, 2018 "IPPY" Awards on May 29th in New York City, celebrating their incredible work with 300 medalists and guests. Click here to view more pictures from the Copacabana ceremony. The IE team was there to represent our winning author, Robin Elno, and his unique Western novel, Clown William. Clown William won a silver IPPY for Best First Novel and is being well-received around the globe!
We're excited to announce that the second book in the Clown William series is coming soon! Clown William and the Lincoln County War follows William, the reluctant gunslinger with Tourette's, as he escorts the lady Emily over the mountains and into Lincoln, New Mexico. There, he finds her brother John in a battle for survival in the infamous Lincoln county War. The sheriff and his posse of hired killers, secure under the protection of the courts and the governor, have a stranglehold on the town. Eastern newspapers called Lincoln "the most dangerous street in America." And that was before William arrived.
Winner of the Arizona Authors' Association Literary Award and the 2018 IPPY Award, Clown William is the first in a series that follows William's incredible journey from "clown" to "friend" to "hero."
You can read more about Clown William at IngramElliott. The book is available now at most major retailers and Clown William and the Lincoln County War is coming soon.
The author, Robin Elno, is a retired army colonel, semiretired psychiatrist, and full-time author. He lives in San Antonio, Texas, and is an active member of the San Antonio Writers' Guild. Robin drew inspiration for William from a series of books and articles on the impact of neurological conditions on physical abilities. In his research, the author learned people with Tourette Syndrome can target point five times faster than average.
Clown William featured in IPPY Winner section at BookExpo
Clown William, Silver Winner in the 2018 IPPY Awards for Best First Book (Fiction) will be featured in a special IPPY Winners section at the 2018 BookExpo New Title Showcase in New York during this week's BookExpo event at the Javits Center. New Title Showcase is located in booth 1675 and will have a prominent banner above the booth reading NEW TITLE SHOWCASE so it's easy for attendees to find.
Clown William will be displayed along with other IPPY Award Winning titles at the 2018 BookExpo - the #1 book and author event in the industry.
IngramElliott will also be attending the IPPY Awards ceremony, held on May 29th at the legendary Copacabana Nightclub in Times Square for the 2018 Independent Publisher Book Awards Ceremony, celebrating our winning title!
#TheBookCon
#BookExpo
@IPPYmag
@IPAwards
Author Platform
IngramElliott
IPPY
NIEA
Uncommon Publishing
©2015-2020 IngramElliott, Inc.
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Directors, have you wondered why your chorus sometimes seems out-of-sync or ragged? This choppiness might be something you're demonstrating with your gesture, even though you might not be aware of it. This is due to something called mirror neurons.
Mirror neurons are the brain cells that pick up on social and emotional cues from other humans. If someone is hurt or upset, we can usually tell just by looking at their face or body language. This is not new information to us. What is interesting to note is that viewing someone hurt or upset can trigger a similar response a in our own brains, causing us to feel, at the very least, empathetic.
Dr. Jeremy Manternach demonstrates the lip-rounding condition.
How does this apply to chorus directors? Several studies measured the effects of nonverbal conductor gestures on singers. In one study by Dr. Jeremy Manternach now of the University of Iowa, participants sang one phrase of song several times while watching videos of a prerecorded director. The baseline director videos showed the director with a neutral expression, while other videos showed the director with an identical expression but with rounded lips on two words. The research showed that participants rounded their lips significantly more during the rounded conductor conditions than in the neutral positions. Participants unconsciously mimicked the director.
This is a powerful position for chorus directors to be in, as it has a lot of implications for the conducting gesture. Effective gestures can turn ideas into music. Ineffective gestures can disrupt the singers' storytelling. One way you can detect your effectiveness as a director is to film yourself from the front and honestly watch what you are nonverbally asking your group (watch with the sound off). If you are ever confused by a gesture (or shoulders or knees or lips, etc.) then adjust accordingly. Generally speaking, the clearer and simpler the gesture, the better an ensemble responds.
For more information about mirror neurons check out these videos: 1 , 2 and 3. For research on the effect of gesture on choral sound, check out the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing.
Join in the conversation in our Barbershop Chorus Directors group on Facebook. As always, feel free to reach out to the BHS Education Team for further resources and assistance at [email protected] or 800.876.SING.
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THANK YOU ELEPHANT CIRCLE COMMUNITY!
We asked and you gave so generously.
We set our sights on raising $5000 and, thanks to your generous support, WE DID IT!
We raised more than $5K and funded 10 Birthworkers of Color all over the United States. Three applicants received $600, four applicants received $300 and - in the spirit of meeting immediate needs - we gave $400 to a birthworker who went to extraordinary lengths to support a family and found themselves stuck, without the funds to travel back to their own family.
Folks donated from $5 to $500, with 5 individuals giving more than $400 and two organizations, The Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition and the Queer and Transgender Midwives Association, supporting birthworkers generously at $1200 and $500 apiece.
We plan to move from a rolling application process to two-three rounds of funding per year. Please keep an eye out this spring for information about the next round of applications! Open to all who identify as a person of color and a birthworker. Awards generally range from $200-$500 each.
Since 2009, Elephant Circle has funded Birthworkers of Color on their journey to serve parents and families. Until recently, applying for these funds had been primarily word of mouth and we funded about 6-12 people a year. Though exact amounts have varied across the years, we have consistently met our organizational priority that the money we spend supporting Birthworkers of Color is the second biggest line item in our budget (the first is paying the folks who work directly for Elephant Circle). This practice both represents and feeds what this priority means to us in the work we do as a birth justice organization - this fund is one of our ongoing, long-term, grassroots contributions to equity in birth in the US.
In the fall of 2018, a single Facebook post about our scholarship generated nearly 200 requests for applications in 36 hours. The need was real and urgent! We received nearly 100 completed applications. We funded 10 birthworkers this time and we plan to open applications a few times a year to fund as many folx as possible. Stay tuned for the next round!
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Acts of Faith Perspective
Perspective Interpretation of the news based on evidence, including data, as well as anticipating how events might unfold based on past events
What churches must do right now to stop being part of the sexual harassment problem
Sunlight filters through the stained glass windows inside the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. June 20, 2017. ( Eva HAMBACHEVA HAMBACH/AFP/Getty Images)
By Rev. Amy Butler
We're less than two weeks from the special election in Alabama that will determine whether a man accused of sexual assault of minors will be elected to the United States Senate. At the same time that the heirs of the religious right are tripping over their own hypocrisy and white evangelicals remain conflicted on whether to vote for a morally bankrupt candidate, we now are hearing stories about Matt Lauer and Garrison Keillor joining the growing list of powerful men losing their jobs over sexual misconduct allegations. Despite dire warnings of the immorality of a secular Hollywood and the media, it would appear that corporate America is more willing to show moral leadership than the church. This is not merely ironic. The church's silence and inaction are sins.
The other night I was hosting a Pastor's Table, a small dinner party at my home with a diverse group of congregation members. As we sat around the table, one of the men in the group brought up the subject of sexual harassment allegations we're seeing all over the media. He asked what he could do.
As a woman sitting at that table, I appreciated his questions. But it quickly became apparent that those questions were not the most pressing issues on our minds.
Each woman started sharing her story. "I remember the first time I saw a male teacher looking down my shirt. When I complained, I was told to button more buttons."
"The first time a man exposed himself to me, I was at a neighborhood pool. I was 7."
[Roy Moore allegations prompt reflections on fundamentalist culture in which some Christian men date teens]
"In my all-girl's elementary school, I had to stay after school some days when my mom was working late. I hated it because the janitor would push me up against the counter and touch my body. When I reported it, I was told just to stay away from him."
One by one the stories tumbled out, and every single woman at that table of church members had a story to tell. We were intergenerational, interracial and from every background, and yet our stories echoed with familiarity around the table. It was abundantly clear that sexual harassment and abuse of women is part of everyday life for many of us. And if it happens in all the places we women recounted around the table that night, you can bet it's happening in the church.
The church as an institution is varied in its expression, of course, and there is no unified voice that speaks on any issue. But as the stories keep coming out, I continue to be concerned about what we're hearing from the church these days. Some ministers are publicly supporting Roy Moore. Others just aren't really saying anything. And maybe that's the worst response of all.
[Some Alabama evangelicals see Roy Moore as a man of Christian values. Others are torn.]
For the sake of argument, let's just make the assumption that most Christians agree that Jesus wouldn't appreciate the sexual exploitation or abuse of women. So why would the church, an institution claiming to represent the values of Jesus, ever be silent on such a clear-cut issue?
We're silent because we're guilty, implicated by thousands of years of institutional and personal abuse of women, almost an entire existence of keeping women subverted and victimized. I don't think we even know how deep and inbred this sin of the church actually is. But like most things, the church will be dragged kicking and screaming into the conversation. Because women, like all the women around my dinner table last week, will start telling their stories. And we will not stop.
So I'd like to propose that the church begin taking some necessary steps to enter a conversation we should have been leading long ago.
First, it's time to start talking about misogyny, sexual harassment, sexual assault and sexism in general — at church, from the pulpit. Each Sunday our pews are filled with victims of sexual assault and of the constant, wearing, culturally inbred experience of sexual harassment. And these issues belong right up there with racism, homophobia and oppression of the poor (other issues the church doesn't speak up about enough).
Then, take it a step further and LISTEN TO WOMEN. Provide dinner tables and classrooms and online platforms for us to tell our stories, like the latest Twitter hashtag #churchtoo. Honor our stories as holy when we tell them. Believe us, if only for the simple fact that countless similar stories surely inspire some credibility — where there's smoke there's fire, as they say.
Research shows that though the U.S. population is fairly evenly split between men and women, it's women who form the majority in our pews. It's also a generally accepted statistic that one in four women has experienced sexual assault or harassment. But let's recall this only reflects the women who report their experiences. If you take the sample at my dinner party, for example, the true statistic is surely closer to four in four. And, of course, women are not the only victims of sexually inappropriate behavior and assault.
So basically everybody, or at the very least most of the people in our pews, are victims of sexual violence. If the church is not talking about these issues from the pulpit, in small groups, with our children, in staff situations, then we join the list of predatory forces in the world. Our silence makes us complicit.
[A Trump-like politician in Brazil could win the support of a powerful religious group: evangelicals]
And what if we consider the alarming reality that most churches do not have clear policies and procedures around issues of sexual harassment? That's a second step the church can immediately take. Let's begin by asking ourselves these questions: Does our congregation have a sexual harassment policy? Do our leaders know how to identify inappropriate or threatening behavior? Do they know clearly what actions can and should be taken in response to reporting such behavior? Are there automatic safeguards in place to keep those identified as sexual harassers or predators out of congregational leadership and other places where they can continue to engage in their behavior? If you answered "no" to any of these questions, then your church has some serious work to do.
And third, every single church should offer tangible help to victims of sexual violence. Perhaps there are pastoral staff members available for conversations, or training programs for church leaders, or support groups for victims. At the very least, we can place signs in each public restroom offering resources for people who need help. Make sure your congregational leadership and members know that women are valued in the community of Christ and that sexual harassment, abuse or denigration of anyone is unacceptable in the church. Then put legs to that claim by offering resources to help.
We know that healthy, loving communities of any kind can be instrumental in making our world a kinder, safer place. But so far, the church has too often been last in line to provide that kind of community for women. This is a shameful reality we must confront, especially in these days when the institutional church is steadily and rightly losing credibility and influence. If the church can't get itself to start protecting the very people who sit in the pews each Sunday, then it might be time to throw in the towel and let someone else take a shot at representing the love of Jesus to the world around us.
The Rev. Amy Butler is the senior minister at the Riverside Church, a New York City congregation known for its public pulpit and social justice legacy.
He was 12. He had just moved to America. Then his Sikh father was murdered.
Church denies First Communion to fashion-loving girl because she wanted to wear a suit
Could this rabbi be a first in Congress?
Riverside Church congregants call for reinstatement of first female minister after her exit following a sex shop visit
Deluge in Louisiana delayed but not denied as Barry's perplexing precipitation finally delivers
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Home » Rendez-vous » Rendez-vous April 1998 – Tire grip with gum!
Rendez-vous April 1998 – Tire grip with gum!
Recent warm temperatures (this is written in February after all) made us all think about spring. You know, that time of year when the tulips and Porsches bloom. Of course by the time you read this me may be buried in snow and we'll all be figuring ways to turbo charge our snow blowers but I digress..
Most of you know that I'm "into" tires. Of our annual Porsche related expenses, tires are at the top of the list. I'm always looking for the best traction and wear. Something that adheres to Mt-Tremblant's particular surface is high on my list.
Did you know that many if not most of the world's inventions came about by accident. How about 3M and those wonderful post-it-notes? The 3M guys were trying to make a better glue. Their failure turned out to be a lot more useful than just another adhesive.
Something similar happened to me last month while I was walking in a shopping mall. Suddenly my right foot was stuck to the polished floor. Lifting hard resulted in a "snaaaaaaaaack" sound and then 'konk-ouch" which was when my knee hit my face.
Now an ordinary person might have said *!#$!!%^! and muttered a few words describing the cretin who left bubble gum on the floor. I said "ouch!" and then I said $#@!%*&!! and also &^(#@!!! (the former being in French the latter in English as is the law here).
As fate would have it, a watering hole was nearby and since it was past 5 (in England) I sipped a beer while trying to get the $#@!! bubble gum off my shoe. I was really surprised at how tenacious the stuff was. It stuck to my rubber soles like glue.
"Eureka" I shouted. By now people in the bar were looking at me nervously and moving farther away. Scientific Philistines I suppose, or maybe they're not used to people yelling Greek words. Still the ones closest to me began to sidle away, like I was a nut or something.
Obviously I had discovered a marvelous traction enhancing substance! Distracted, I wandered out into the mall. Then I rushed back in to pay for my beer. Obviously the bar-keep didn't share my enthusiasm for discovery. Of all the names he used to call me back, "inventor" was missing.
I began testing the "stick-tion" on various surfaces. I already knew it stuck to rubber and to that drab cement with polished gravel they use on mall floors. When I tried it on a wooden bench I realized I'd made a mistake. I couldn't get it off. I needed this-particular-kind of gum. This was the mother-of-all-sticky-gums. I upended a coffee cup over the spot (to protect my sample from harm) and set off to buy a more. How hard could it be? Pink gum is pink gum right?
I was astounded at how many kinds of bubble gum you can buy. Not knowing which one I had , I bought two of everything. Twenty minutes and exactly $32.14 later (I'm saving my receipts 'cuz I'm sure this qualifies as a tax write off) I had my stock. I also had a lot of kids following me, like I was the Pied Piper or something.
Rushing back to the bench, I saw to my horror a very large (hmm, how can I put this?) "Weight-Watcher Challenged" woman was sitting on my experiment! Did she remove the cup I wondered? Now, under normal circumstances I'm not a forward person. Tracking a breakthrough my usual reticence had to take a back seat. "Pardon me madam, but you are sitting on my sample." "Huh"? "Yes, somewhere under there (point) is a scientific breakthrough which rivals the invention of mass hysteresis"! Bonk! I guess she misunderstood me, and figured this was some bizarre pick-up line or something. She didn't have to whack me with her purse though.
As she struggled to stand (no mean feat considering she was moving several billion kilo-calories against gravity) I observed with scientific detachment that the protective cup was no longer in place and that in addition to her considerable bulk, she was struggling with the tractive power of bubble gum which had a tenacious hold not only of the wooden bench but her faux-fur coat.
"Let me help you, you're stuck". Whack! I felt like the little old man on Laugh-In (a comedy show which was popular around the time 911's were invented). I presume she had once again misinterpreted my intentions. I knew that science involved some hard knocks, but I swear she was carrying bowling balls in her purse. While pretending (not hard under the circumstances) to collapse from the blow, I managed to stretch an arm on the bench and rescue the gum. I also rescued about 2.5 square inches of synthetic leopard skin. Fortunately, she didn't notice and as she lumbered down the mall, I was able to scientifically observe that nature had never made a leopard "that" large.
Knowing that time was short (she was headed towards the mall security office) I paid a passing kid five bucks and using his snow cone I was able the freeze the gum sufficiently to facilitate its removal.
Safely at home, I set to the task of seeing exactly what kind of bubble gum I had. This turned out to be more difficult than I had thought. Setting aside gums which were obviously the wrong color (purple, slime green, blue, black, orange , silver, and brown) I still had fourteen different kinds of pink gum. Not only that, but the exact color wasn't obvious unless you chewed it first. Well, I chewed and chawed sniffing the test piece and comparing it to my sample. I was halfway tempted to simply taste the piece I had recovered from the mall but good sense overcame scientific frenzy.
I found a match at sample number eight. Good thing, my jaw was aching by this time and all the stuff started to look and smell the same. Carefully setting aside the original, I started experimenting with the gum. How much chewing it took, how sticky it got and how much adhesion it really had. My fish scale was really handy for the last part.
As expected, getting it to stick to the tire was easy, chew, apply and press firmly. After covering about 1.5 square inches I realized that: a) I needed more gum; b) I couldn't chew that much gum; and c) I was going to be sick real soon.
I backed the car up so that the gum was under the tire. Wow! One small square of gum and I had to use quite a bit of power to get the car to move. I stopped and looking back, the gum was stretched between the garage floor and the tire. Wow! Incredible stick. Thus encouraged I started to plan.
Consider the magnitude of my problem. The surface area of four tires on a 993 is around TWO-THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SQUARE INCHES.! In metric that would be about 2 x 10 to the seventh fig Newtons or something. Considering that each piece of bubble gum would cover only about 1.5 square inches, that meant I needed 1,666 pieces of gum to coat the surfaces of all four tires and that isn't even counting the spare!
Now, where I live, bubble gum costs $0.65 for a package of six pieces. That works out to about 11 cents per piece. Add on taxes and its 15 cents each. For 1,666 pieces that's two hundred and fifty bucks worth of gum.
Assuming I could stand to buy that much gum ) how was I going to chew it?
I began eyeing Louise' new food processor! Halfway to the invention of artificial spit, she caught me and sent me back to the garage. Funny how some women can be so enthusiastic about tracking a Porsche and be so possessive about their cooking stuff!
Alas, my experiment is halted. Not for lack of funding. Lack of volunteers to share the moment of triumph. I rounded up all the kids in the neighborhood. "Hey guys and gals, all you have to do is chew sixteen hundred pieces of gum this afternoon, what-do-ya-say?" "Uhhm how long will this take?" "Lessee, there are about ten of you, say about six hours or so if you chew fast." They gave up after only a few hundred pieces. Modern kids have no stamina, too much Nintendo I suppose.
Previous: Rendez-vous June 1998 – The new 996!
Next: Rendez-vous February 1998 – Winter blues & the sailboat!
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Q: Convert String to code in Java
Possible Duplicate:
How do I invoke a java method when given the method name as a string?
How do I programmatically compile and instantiate a Java class?
I have a function:
fun1() {
System.out.print("hello");
}
I want to read a string from either the user or a file, and if the string "fun1()" appears, I'd call fun1.
I don't want to do this with a switch statement, because I have a lot of functions.
There is any way to call a function using strings?
A: You could use reflection here:
Method method = MyClass.class.getDeclaredMethod("fun1", new Class[] {});
method.invoke(this, null);
Consider first, however, if you can avoid using reflection then do. Reflection bring with it a number of disadvantages such as being difficult to debug and rendering automatic refactoring tools such as those in Eclipse effectively useless.
Rethink your design; you can probably solve the problem better with cleaner decomposition of classes, better polymorphism, etc.
A: You can achieve this using Java Reflection
A: you can do this using reflection. but the method you provided is not java. the return type is missing. why do you want to do this? here is a link, in case you go this route: invoking a static method using reflections
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Shane Lindsay
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Red Hot Chili Peppers' bassist Flea and redhead Angel pitching prospect Alex Da Silva end up LA baseball rivals
June 20, 2012 June 20, 2012 Roberto AngottiLeave a comment
AC/DC, Crowded House, Helen Reddy, Kylie Minogue, Little River Band, and Men At Work are just some of the big names that have sprouted out of Melbourne, Australia. There has never been a drought for world-class talent hailing from the metropolis often referred to as the "cultural capital of Australia" and the world's most liveable city. Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria.
Melbourne-born Michael Balzary AKA "Flea" of LA's Red Hot Chili Peppers jams the national anthem at Dodger Stadium.
Four-year-old Michael "Flea" Balzary moved from Melbourne to New York when his father, a customs officer, was transferred in 1967. Shortly after his parents divorced at age seven, his dad returned to Australia, where he now lives on the outskirts of Canberra with his second wife. Flea's mother later married American jazz musician Walter Urban Jr. and moved the family to Los Angeles in 1972. Flea would often sit in on weekly jam sessions with his stepdad and the constant flow of musicians who visited. While most of the California high school kids were into disco and dance music, Flea listened to jazz legends Louie Armstrong, Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. His greatest childhood memory was when he met Gillespie backstage after one of his concerts. Flea's musical interests diversified when he discovered funk music and Jimi Hendrix became his new idol. He befriended Anthony Kiedis in 1977 and the Red Hot Chili Peppers formed after Flea left Fear and declined an offer to join PiL in 1984.
Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, LA Lakers center-forward Pau Gasol and Flea
Widely known as a devout LA sports fanatic, most people are unaware of Flea's strong ties to Australia.
Flea has a strong connection to his Aussie roots. He professed, "I love Australia with my heart and Australian blood coarses through my veins. We are coming to Australia early next year, can't wait to feel the connection to my birthplace once again." The bassist owns a beachfront property in the little town of Congo on NSW's South Coast. Flea said, "Chances are, I'll end up living there permanently. Without wanting to sound corny, I feel it in my blood when I'm in that part of Australia. I get a lot of power and strength from the land."
Redhead pitcher Alex Da Silva of
the Melbourne Aces and LA Angels
Power and strength are two attributes commonly referred to when Melbourne Ace and LA Angels pitching prospect Alex Da Silva takes the mound. Signed by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim international scout Grant Weir as a free agent on January 10, 2011, the 19-year-old Da Silva has a cannon for an arm. Weir commented, "Alex probably throws harder than anyone in the country. Just his tools are impressive." Equipped with a 90 plus MPH fastball, curveball, change-up and cutter, Da Silva is committed to working hard everyday to realize his dream of making it to Major League Baseball. This past Australian Baseball League season the six-foot-two Aussie hurler was in good hands pitching under the guidance and supervision of Melbourne Ace manager Phil Dale, a former minor league coach for the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves as well as a national baseball coaching legend for leading the Australian team to its first ever silver medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics with a 1-0 upset over Japan. We checked in with Alex recently.
Melbourne's Alex Da Silva signed a professional contract with Angels scout Grant Weir in 2011.
Roberto: How are things going for you in Tempe, Arizona?
Alex: Feeling pretty good at my first Angels Spring Training camp. It's pretty good. They are very keen on looking after the players so everything is taken care of. I mean from getting picked up in the morning, breakfast, lunch. It's just a baseball paradise here, you know.
Roberto: It's everything you expected it to be?
Alex: And more…
Roberto: Reports from Australia are that you pack some heat with your fastball. Is that true?
Alex: It's a bit more like that back home, but over here I am just another fish in the sea. I'm mean, it's nothing special, really. That's where I have to develop. I mean, back home, yeah, There are not many guys that throw that hard. Over here, everybody does. I'm just another number.
Roberto: But you're a hard worker committed to a seven-year contract.
Alex: Yeah, seven years but at the moment just (taking it) day-by-day.
Alex Da Silva played on the 2011-12 Melbourne Aces which included Oakland A's starter Travis Blackley.
Roberto: Playing for Melbourne with Travis Blackley and Shane Lindsay must have been inspirational?
Alex: You see how they go about their business and whenever they step on the field it's always 100% business. It gives you something to go off and something to follow. Especially those guys, they are really good examples to follow. They always give you a nudge in the right direction when you need it. They are really good people to have around.
Childhood friend and Melbourne Ace teammate
19-year-old Darryl George is a bright MLB prospect.
Roberto: It must have been tough watching the Australian Baseball League Championship between your Melbourne Aces and the Perth Heat?
Alex: At the same time as you're not playing, you're still kind of there. You know the guys, especially Darryl George when he was getting up. I grew up with him. I know exactly what is going through his head. I've seen him do it since he was like 11-years-old. At the same time, you know they are doing everything they can and hopefully in the years to come I'll be the guy out there.
Melbourne Ace pitcher Alex Da Silva
Roberto: Did you have a case of the butterflies when you took the mound for the first time in the Australian Baseball League?
Alex: I played the very first series in Sydney. That was the only series I played. I came on when we were down to a time limit so I was put on to waste a little bit of time. Yeah, the crowd wasn't too happy so it was a little bit of a new experience for me. You know, the crowd against me. We were trying to do everything we could do to stretch the game a little bit. It's a tough situation.
Roberto: You played with Chicago Cubs catching prospect Alberto Mineo from Italy at the MLB Australian Academy. What were were impressions of him?
Alex: When I first met Alberto, he was one of those really fun guys to be around. Always smilng. His English is actually pretty good, but we still messed around with him a little bit. But he took it in the spirit
Italy's Alberto Mineo
it was meant to be. In terms of a catcher, I really like the way he went about his business. He took control of the game. There were times when I wanted to throw a pitch that I wanted to throw, but he insisted and pulled me back in line a little bit. In terms of catchers that I like, I just like catchers that get the job done and don't say too much. I do my job, and they do their job.
Roberto: But do you take things personally when catchers are insisting on a pitch, and you are shaking them off for another?
Alex: I'm not a big fan of shaking guys off. Every now and then I might feel that I know a hitter pretty well and the pitch I want to throw might be a bit more effective. When they put the same sign down twice, I always think they're really persistent on this one so I give them this one. I'll go with what they say. You might have a bit of a joke about it later if they get a hit off you. Go back to him and say that it should have been a curveball instead of a fastball. I usually just trust what they do.
Roberto: Baseball is still in its infancy in Australia. With the abundance of more popular sports on your home turf, what lured you into baseball?
Alex: Well there is AFL, Australian Rules Football, but I didn't like running that much so that kind of put me off it. I tried karate for a little while. I guess I really liked the guys who played baseball. I played with some pretty cool guys growing up. There was just something there that kept me going back every year. I really don't quite know what is was, but something kept luring me back.
Roberto: Who was an inspirational figure in your baseball career?
Alex: My very first baseball coach, Greg Dawes, he was a bit of a hard ass. Even little things like everytime you go out there to make sure your shirt is tucked in and your socks are tucked up stuck with me until now. In a way, that's the way the game should be played. That little bit of respect he taught me for the game carried on. Now I enjoy it much more because I got all that basic stuff out of the way. Now it's off to the fun stuff in just playing, and I don't have to worry about it.
Roberto: What is the most frustrating part of pitching?
Alex: The hardest part for me is when you throw a really good pitch, you'll throw a curveball that snaps off really well, and the hitter comes up with something. He might get a hit off a curveball that would have bounced before the plate. I mean what things are out of your control are the things that really get to you. So you do your job really well and you hit your spot, but the hitter just does a better job. For me that's the hardest thing. Or you do your job, you get a guy to roll over and there's an error in the field. They're the kind of things that really get me. I mean you've done your job, and at the end of the game you've got a loss next to your name. They're the things that really get me. It's just things that are not in your control is what frustrates me a little bit.
Roberto: Is it fun competing with international players abroad?
Alex: The two dominant forces here are the Americans and Latins. Americans are very similar to Australians. There is always the language thing. We say 'mate'. They always make fun of us saying stuff like 'Hey mate" and things like that. The Latino guys are really cool to be around, they'll mix in some Spanish. They'll mess with you a little bit, and you mess with them back. Just the other day we tricked one of the Latino guys into thinking that 'vamos' which means 'let's go' meant 'French toast'. So he is out on the field yelling 'French toast' (laughter). There's really not that much difference culturally. I've been told that Tempe, this area, is very similar to Brisbane. It's like being at home, just a bit drier and not as many hills. Otherwise, it's very easy to assimilate into this environment.
Roberto: Other than the jetlag and the time difference?
Alex: Yeah, it was a bit difficult. My flight from Sydney to LA was fourteen hours, and I didn't sleep a blink. The first couple days were hard. It took me like four days to feel like I was right. That's going to happen. You've got to deal with it.
Roberto: It's part of the game. What's next for Alex Da Silva?
Alex: After spring camp and extended spring, I hope to make a rookie or rookie advanced team from there. I mean, either way,
I don't really mind so long I am still playing here. That's the greatest blessing just to be able to come out and play everyday. At this point, it's spring, extended spring and short-season.
Roberto: Is Anaheim in the future?
Alex: I just want to get there. It doesn't matter when. I just want to make the big leagues. That's why I am here. That's why I was signed because somebody thought that I could make the big leagues. That's just what I want to do. Doesn't matter when, doesn't matter who for—whether it be Anaheim or New York—it doesn't matter. I just want to get there.
Roberto: Are you looking forward to pitching for the Melbourne Aces in the 2012-13 Australian Baseball League season?
Alex: I think by the end of the season, I might want a little break. I might take a couple weeks off, but I would like to play as many series as I can play with them. I would love to go over and play whatever role Melbourne Ace manager Phil Dale puts me into. Really, I would like to play as much baseball as I can.
A visit to Dandenong Ranges National Park and run up Mount Dandenong's 1000 Steps Kokoda Trail is the reward for Alex Da Silva after a good outing on the mound.
Roberto: Any words of encourage or advice for up-and-coming baseball players worldwide?
Alex: Never give up. There is always setbacks, but you have got to keep going through the setbacks. I have been lucky. I haven't had many injuries or anything,
I know some guys that have, and they are still where
I am. The thing is every time you have a setback, you just have got to keep going. Get through, get to the next little bit. Set yourself goals, get to the next little section. For me, my next section is to get through spring healthy and hopefully not giving up too many runs. I don't expect much from myself at this point, but I mean once I get an idea where I am at extended spring camp then I will set myself some good goals. You know, like I may not want to give up more than one hit for every two innings or something like that. You really have got to set specific goals and when you get those goals—reward yourself! Maybe instead of
just running around your block–you'll go for a run to the beach. You have always got to have those goals, and at the end of those goals you have got to have a goal to look forward to. Roberto: So have some immediate short-term goals leading to long-term goals?
Alex: Yeah, for me where I live at the bottom of the hills there is a place called the 1000 steps. Instead of my normal running, you know, it got a little bit boring so after I had a good outing I would go there. If I was starting, I would say that I wanted to get through five innings and only give up two runs or just be in a leading position coming out when I leave the game. If I got that, then I could go up to the 1000 steps and do my running because it's a beautiful rainforest which is a bit cooler and a really nice place to run. That was my reward. Or just about anything that I looked forward to.
Roberto: What about the growth of Aussie baseball with the injection of the MLB-sponsored Australian Baseball League (ABL) and the MLB Australian Baseball Academy?
Alex: In terms of the fanbase, with the ABL in place it has just exploded. It still has a long way to go. As far as the MLB Australian Academy, you can look at how many guys have been signed since the program started… My year alone 12 guys were signed and the year before me was even better. Everyone of them has been through the Academy multiple years. It's getting the results.
Roberto: Any words for your friends and family back home?
Alex: Missing you guys. I'm doing you proud!
Despite Red Hot Chili Peppers' Flea and redhead Alex Da Silva ending up on opposing sides of LA baseball, their love for Melbourne is skin deep. On game day when LA Angel pitching prospect Da Silva gets ready for a start, he pumps up the volume with some of his favorite jams from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rise Against. When Chili Pepper bassist Flea wants to get fired up before a big concert, he watches Matt Kemp and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Regardless how these two individuals mentally prepare for their performances, both are professionals grounded and undeniably connected by their Australian blood.
Da Silva's home away from home at LA Angels of Anaheim Spring Training Complex in Tempe
Australian Baseball League, Major League Baseball, Pop CultureAC/DC, Alberto Mineo, Alex Da Silva, Anthony Kiedis, Australia, Australian Baseball League, Congo, Crowded House, Dandenong Ranges National Park, Darryl George, Dizzy Gillespie, Fear, Flea, Grant Weir, Greg Dawes, Helen Reddy, Jimi Hendrix, Josh Klinghoffer, Kylie Minogue, Little River Band, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Lakers, Louie Armstrong, Major League Baseball, Matt Kemp, Melbourne, Melbourne Aces, Men At Work, Michael Balzary, Miles Davis, Mount Dandenong's 1000 Steps Kokoda Trail, New South Wales, Pau Gasol, PiL, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rise Against, Shane Lindsay, Travis Blackley, Walter Urban Jr.
A Wise 'Tail' of MLB's Past and Present "Big Dog", Cuban Tony Pérez and Australian Hayden Beard
April 25, 2012 July 14, 2013 Roberto AngottiLeave a comment
" The Big Dog" Hayden Beard from the Canberra Cavalry is an Australian all-star pitcher in the
San Diego Padres organization. (ABL/Ben Southall/SMP Images)
What does Cuban-American baseball legend Tony Pérez have to do with Aussie pitcher Hayden Beard in the San Diego Padres organization? Could it be their professional ties to the Padres? After all, Tony Pérez was named the Most Valuable Player in the Pacific Coast League in 1964 when he played for the San Diego Padres, a minor league club in the Cincinnati Reds organization at the time when Hayden Beard wasn't even born yet. After hitting .309 with 34 home runs and 107 RBI for the Padres, Pérez was sent up to Major League Baseball late in the 1964 season to become one of the game's most clutch hitters. Over a decade later his two-out, two-run blast off Boston's
Bill Lee in the seventh inning of the final game of the 1975 World Series lifted the Cincinnati Reds to their first world championship. Both Pérez and Beard share the same "Big Dog" nickname but for different reasons. Pérez' teammate Lee May came up with the "Doggie" moniker saying, "He's the big dog, the top dog … you could always depend on Doggie to drive in the big run." In Hayden Beard's case as a pitcher, he is "The Big Dog" on the mound who consistently keeps opponents off-balance and guessing in clutch situations.
Canberra Cavalry and Padres Double-A affiliate San Antonio pitcher "Big Dog" Hayden Beard
is tracking the scent leading to his Major League Baseball debut at San Diego's PETCO Park and
is only two steps away from making it. (Photo courtesy of ABL / Ben Southall / SMP Images)
Signed by the New York Mets in 2005, Hayden Beard was plagued by injuries early in his career and was shut down from competition for three years. Beard returned home to play for the Canberra Cavalry and pitched two seasons for the Padres Single-A Advanced affiliate Lake Elsinore Storm. After pitching for Team Australia during the 2011 Baseball World Cup in Panama, Beard's 2011-2012 ABL campaign for the Cavalry earned him ABL Player of the Week and a team-leading five wins with a 2.82 ERA. We caught up with "The Big Dog" Hayden Beard at Padres Spring Training camp in Peoria, Arizona prior to him being sent up to pitch for the San Diego Double-A affiliate San Antonio Missions.
Roberto: Thanks for joining us. How did you get "The Big Dog" nickname?
Hayden Beard: It was a radio broadcaster back in Low A (ball). I asked him to call me the name one day as a bit of joke on the bus on the way to the field, and I threw that night. (Later) we get off the bus, and he replayed the audio of the game. And sure enough he said, "Here comes the pitcher, the Big Dog, and the Big Dog whatever…" And the name just kind of stuck. Unfortunately, it was a self-given nickname. (laughter)
Roberto: Let's talk Canberra pitching for a moment. Were you happy for Steve Kent being signed by the Kansas City Royals after a stellar 5-1 record with six saves in the ABL?
Hayden Beard: I think with Steve getting that opportunity with the Royals was great, especially (after) the way things ended with the Braves. He had a great year two years ago coming off surgery. Didn't start so well last year and then to be let go…I think it hit him pretty hard. But in saying that, it gave him maybe a bit more drive than he had before to work harder, to get stronger and be a better pitcher. The work that he did in the ABL was unreal. He was out there everyday working his butt off, doing extra work. Just the progress made for a pitcher was phenomenal. He's a new guy now. I hope he stays healthy and has a great year. Out of the bullpen, pitchers can fly through the levels. It's not unrealistic that he could be in the Big Leagues in the next 12 months. [Editor's note: The Kansas City Royals have since released Steve Kent.]
Roberto: What about the Cavalry's unsung hero, pitcher Brian Grening averaging a strikeout per inning with an unrestricted limit of 43.2 innings pitched?
Hayden Beard: Grening was definitely our go-to-guy throughout the whole year. If we were in jam or if we needed someone to eat up a couple innings, we'd send "Greno" out there. I'll tell you what, as far as a pitcher goes, if I could have any pitch from anyone on
the staff, it would his change-up. That thing is unreal. I think that's why he had the success that he had. He doesn't have a 95 mph fastball. He doesn't have the big hammer, but that change-up is just phenomenal. It's been unfortunate that he hasn't been picked up by an affiliated team so far this year, but hopefully he goes and plays independent ball. And if someone needs a guy throughout the year, his phone starts ringing and maybe he is back out here. Roberto: Of all the ABL teams, the Canberra Cavalry had the strongest American presence. Why did you have so many U.S. players?
Hayden Heard: I guess we need the Americans on our team because Canberra is the smallest city that has a baseball team, and our baseball population is small. Therefore, our player base from where we can draw players in is quite limited. We don't have the number
of professionals that Sydney, Perth, especially Victoria, Brisbane have, so we're always in need of international help. So for us local guys that are on the team, we are all current professionals that have played professional baseball so we have been around Americans
our whole careers. We know a lot about them, and the reality of the situation is once you
all get together and put that same uniform on—you're a team. And you're all striving for
the same goals. You are there to win. You're there to get better. You have to start off, and it's a little bit weird maybe not knowing everybody. But that will last maybe one or two days. And you're all baseball-minded. You all love the game, and you're there because you want
to be there. As far as having that big U.S influence on our team, it's not a problem at all.
It's something I look forward to every year. Meeting new guys and making new friends.
It's good.
Roberto: Kody Hightower was a true competitor. Did you expect him to have the third best batting average (.361) and on-base percentage (.455) in the ABL?
Hayden Beard: What a story he was throughout the year! He's a guy that rolls out of club ball. I think when they were putting the team together, he wasn't really looked at as a guy that would be in our starting nine. A few injuries happen, we need a guy. Our manager, Steve Schrenk–a great guy–calls Kody and says, "Would you come away and play with us?" Kody had obligations with his club team in Canberrra that brought him to Australia to play. So it was a little tough to get those guys to come on the road with us, and then they obviously would miss their games that these clubs had paid for them to come out here and play. But Kody, I mean, for someone who had not really been playing professional baseball at a high level to come in and just do what he did there…absolutely raked. You know, he was probably our best hitter. He and Burgamy during that last month of the season were just unreal. Kody stepped up to the plate. The way he did it showed a lot about his character and him as a person. He's most welcome to come back and play on the team anywhere I play in the world. He could come out here and compete in minor league ball. There's no doubt in my mind about it. So who knows, maybe a scout saw it and thinks the same thing?
Roberto: That's exactly why I wrote the article—The Risky Lowdown of MLB's MIA Kody Hightower. His talents are uncharted and are unrecognized by the international scouts. He's got the competitive spirit to roll with the punches and play with the big boys.
Hayden Beard: He absolutely does. When he gets between those lines, he's brutal…he's a fighter and he wants to win. He sets very high standards for himself, and if he doesn't reach those goals then he is really hard on himself. I think that is the kind of mentality that you have to have to have success in the game. Kody is a guy that could play anywhere in the world, and I'm sure he'd have success and do what he has done throughout his career. Roberto: Now let's talk about you. How did the MLB Australian Academy on the Gold Coast prepare you for professional baseball?
Hayden Beard: Without the MLB Australian Academy, there's no way I would have
been signed. I wouldn't have gotten the exposure I had without this opportunity. I signed with the Mets. Went over there and went to the instructional league in 2005. Played in 2006. Spring training in 2007 then hurt my elbow and ended up having surgery. Took me out for the season. Never really bounced back after surgery. The arm never responded for whatever reason. Mets didn't give me a visa for the next two years because I wasn't healthy so I was no use to them. Then in 2009 I had an opportunity to go to Japan and play on the Australian provincial team. So I went over there for about a six week trip to Japan. The coach called me three weeks out and said, "You know Beardy, we need an arm. Are you healthy?" So I said,"Maybe I'll get healthy. I'll give it a go." So I committed. Got back in the gym, worked hard, started throwing, made the trip, went over there. Threw pretty well. Velocity was back up, you know, 93, 94, 95… And I thought I could have a chance to get back out on the mound, you know. I got home and contacted the Mets. Told them I was good to go. Went and played the Claxton Shield with Adelaide. The Adelaide Bite needed an arm and their manager called me and said, 'Would you be interested in playing for us."
I said, "Yes." Turns out one of the Adelaide coaches is a scout with the Padres. He put in his reports. December comes around, Rule 5 Draft happens. Get a call at three o'clock in the morning–"You're now a Padre!" And from then it has been taken off flight. Coming over here to the San Diego organization has been unbelievable. It's like what Corey Adamson said,
it is like a family here. The way you are treated. The way everyone gets on so well. From
the front office right down to the Arizona League. The trainers, the staff, everyone is just fantastic. And I couldn't think of a better place to be right now. I'm not sure a lot of clubs out there would have given me the opportunity that San Diego has. You know, I 'm getting pretty old as far as minor league age goes. They've kept me around. Obviously, they see something in me. I hope to repay them and have a successful Big League career.
Roberto: Josh Spence would love to have a fellow Aussie teammate down in San Diego.
Hayden Beard: Absolutely, I've know Spence. We went to the MLB Academy together in 2005, and now being in the same organization it's pretty cool. I think the role change from
a reliever to a starter has been huge for me, you know. Went out there in the Australian league, never started before. Started, worked on my secondary pitches, things just took off from there. Right now I'm pitching the best that I have in my life, and hopefully I will try to carry it right through into the season. Have a successful year. Who knows what the boys are going to do upstairs? They might give me a call down.
Roberto: Weren't you looked upon as the closer for Team Australia?
Hayden Beard: Yeah, I was. That was the initial plan, and then through talking to the Australian coaches and the staff they said my secondary stuff needs work. And it's tough to get that work out of the bullpen. You know, if you're not throwing between outings, you get your work in on the mound. Only throwing two pitches out of the bullpen–fastball, slider–both hard pitches, nothing below 85 mph–guys were starting to see it pretty good and hit it hard. And that's why I switched to the starting role to be able to throw a change-up. Through that I now have four pitches. I have an overhand breaking ball which is down around 79, 80 mph and a change-up around 78. Totally changed the way I pitched, and I guess the success I had in the Australian league is a testament to that, being a different pitcher than I was last year.
Roberto: What about the new Australian Baseball League with its support from Major League Baseball and the growth of the game in Australia since then?
Hayden Heard: I remember the old ABL about 12 or 13 years ago now. When that folded,
I was just a young kid and it was pretty hard. Because I used to love going there with my dad. He'd take me out there, and I'd go chase the foul balls. It was great. But then having no league in Australia to follow and no guys to watch was a little bit hard coming through the baseball ranks as a junior. Now the league is back. The growth we've seen in the game has been huge. The kids are walking around the malls wearing Canberra Cavalry hats, wearing Canberra Cavalry t-shirts. We're averaging 1000 people a game this year. That's fantastic! The numbers of baseball junior registrations have just skyrocketed. And I think it's a real testament to the league and the work they have done with Major League Baseball as a partner, trying to get their game out there in Australia and really promote it. And I'm sure if this league sticks around then you're definitely going to continually see more and more Australian professional baseball players leaving their mark in the Major Leagues. Roberto: Was pitching your number one preference as opposed to playing a different position?
Hayden Beard: No. I never pitched! I was a shortstop until I was 18. Then a Braves scout was at our game to see my buddy who was a Brave at the time. He saw me pitch. We were tied, had to go extra innings and ran out of arms so I was called from shortstop to throw a couple innings. I think I was running up to 87, 88 or something. This is at club baseball back home, and he was the one who first saw me there. It's Neil Burke, he's on the coaching staff for the Melbourne Aces. He spoke to the Academy people and said, "This guy has a chance, you know. Give him some time and train him up a little bit." And they did and a few months later I was a full-time pitcher. Now I'm a professional baseball player. That's seven, eight years ago now. I don't have that many innings at all in my arm. I've probably only thrown maybe 300 innings total as a pitcher. I'm still raw. I'm getting better everyday. I guess that's a positive right now.
Roberto: Has Aussie MLB pitchers like Grant Balfour been inspirational to you?
Hayden Beard: He has. Watching him pitch in the playoffs a couple years ago was awesome. Just seeing that there is hope there for Australian guys to come through the systems. Look…Peter Moylan as well with the Braves, another great guy, great impression. He had a burst in the minor leagues, hurt his back, had some surgeries, came back as a 26-year-old. And then to do what he did now..not just a Big League pitcher but a dominant Big League pitcher. That's impressive!
Roberto: What was your surgery all about?
Hayden Beard: It was a nerve arm issue. One of the nerves in my elbow popped out of where it was supposed to be and was rubbing against a bone. So they just moved the nerve. It had nothing to do with the way I threw the ball. I have real clean mechanics so I really have never had an arm injury sort to speak as far as ligament damage or anything like that. So hopefully this fresh arm will stay fresh for a while longer–knock on wood… Roberto: Is playing baseball a good life?
Hayden Beard: I'm just happy to be here. I love the game. I love doing what I do everyday. I know that I'm fortunate to wake up and come to the ballpark. Back home working a nine to five job makes me really appreciate what we have over here. Something
I think a lot of young guys really don't understand is how good this opportunity is, how
good a life it is playing baseball. Some young guys might have a bit of a whine, whatever. That it's tough out here on the field. It's not tough. Tough is getting up at seven o'clock in the morning, going to work for nine hours a day digging a ditch and then going home at nighttime. I love the game, and I'm happy to be here.
Roberto: Having already led the Lake Elsinore Storm to a Cal League Championship.
Are your Single-A minor league days over?
Hayden Beard: I did throw a lot of innings in the ABL in the offseason so that may count for something, and they might send me straight to Double-A San Antonio. It's really up to the bosses here. Wherever they send me, I'll go out and I will pitch my ass off. Work hard everyday and try move up that ladder to get up to the Big Leagues.
Roberto: I would like to see you to go head-to-head with Melbourne Ace and Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Shane Lindsay in the Major Leagues.
Hayden Beard: Absolutely. Shane is a great guy. He's a tremendous competitor. He's got
a lot of fire in his belly. I'm sure if anyone is going to get there–it's going to be him. So I'm with you. I really hope he gets healthy and has a year like he did last year to force their hand to put him in the Big Leagues.
Roberto: Thank you for your time today, and I look forward to "The Big Dog" pitching in his MLB debut at San Diego's PETCO Park.
Hayden Beard: I've still got a lot of arm left in me. Thanks Roberto!
Australian Baseball League, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, San Diego Padres2011 Baseball World Cup, Adelaide Bite, Atanasio Pérez Rigal, Australian Baseball League, Bill Lee, Brian Grening, Canberra Cavalry, Cincinnati Reds, Claxton Shield, Corey Adamson, Grant Balfour, Hayden Beard, Josh Spence, Kansas City Royals, Kody Hightower, Lake Elsinore Storm, Lee May, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, MLB Australian Academy, Neil Burke, PETCO Park, Peter Moylan, San Antonio Missions, San Diego Padres, Shane Lindsay, Steve Kent, Steve Schrenk, Steven Kent, Team Australia, The Big Dog, Tony Pérez
Dodger owner Johnson knows the Aussie Magic of Albuquerque Isotope pitching ace Shane Lindsay
March 31, 2012 April 2, 2012 Roberto Angotti1 Comment
Former LA Laker legend and new LA Dodger owner Earvin "Magic" Johnson will have to wait
patiently like the rest of us True Blue Dodger Fans for Melbourne pitcher Shane Lindsay to get healthy and up-to-speed before lighting up area radar guns with his atomic splitting fastball.
Shane Lindsay will start the 2012 season with Dodgers Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque Isotopes. (Photo courtesy of Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE)
It's a warm day outside the gate of the players' entrance to Camelback Ranch.
As the players enter in their SUVs with radios blaring and bling flashing in typical Hollywood style, they simply nod to the semi-retired security guard working the players' gate entrance prior to driving in one-by-one. However, when Aussie Shane Lindsay approaches, a modest smile and a cordial "g'day" is offered.
After parking his vehicle, the fashionably-conscious Lindsay exudes confidence. Despite not having thrown one pitch for the Dodgers and being reassigned to the Dodgers Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque Isotopes, Shane remains optimistic that he will be making his debut in a True Blue uniform at Chavez Ravine shortly. The 27-year-old Lindsay made his MLB debut for the Chicago White Sox in September 2011, and the LA Dodgers took notice.
Shane Lindsay made his MLB debut on September 2, 2011 pitching in relief against AL MVP Justin Verlander in
front of a sold-out Comerica Park.
Shane Lindsay pitched one inning as a reliever at Comerica Park that night and allowed no hits with a strike out and a walk. The six-foot-one, two hundred five-pounder made three other relief appearances before the end of the 2011 season. Lindsay elected free agency in October 2011, and agent Paul Kinzer reported in November that his client had signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Shane said, "We were in discussions for a while. We had talked to around ten different teams. I sort of left it in the agent's hands (to choose) the best suitoring situation and what he felt. That's kind of his job I guess. So far it's been good, you know. Obviously I haven't played for them yet or even thrown a pitch, but I like it so far. It's a bit slow of what I had hoped it to be. I unfortunately suffered a setback–a strained lat muscle right before Spring Training–and it sidelined me for a majority of it so far. So we'll see how it comes up in the end." Lindsay has been working hard to be ready for the start of the 2012 Albuquerque Isotopes season and for his eventual call up to the LA Dodgers.
From Browns to Dukes and eventually Isotopes,
ABQ baseball history dates back over 120 years.
Despite being injured, Lindsay has nothing but praise for the Dodger franchise. "You don't ever want to be hurt," Shane continued. "But as far as places to be hurt and the treatment and stuff…I don't think you can beat this. (They are a) very forward thinking organization and very modern in the way they go about things. So love it so far and hopefully it will be a longtime stay." With the recent announcement of the group led by Magic Johnson taking over Dodger ownership, Lindsay remains upbeat. He commented, "It's an organization with a lot of heritage, a very prestigious organization. I'm just really excited of it all. I'm sure there are big changes on the horizon, and hopefully it's a very exciting change."
Fellow Aussie Trent Oeltjen is elated to have Shane Lindsay in the LA Dodger organization.
Lindsay joins another Australian in the Dodger organization, Trent Oeltjen. Shane spoke of their friendship and the warm reception he received at Dodger camp in Glendale, Arizona. "We've lived together and been mates for a longtime now. (During) a few different Spring Trainings, he has stayed with us. We've become close over the years. It's been very good for the both of us to sort of play together. I think he's excited as I am…I know his wife is too. So it's good to have another Aussie, and everybody here has been fantastic–very friendly, very outgoing." Australia has produced over 330 players who have signed professional contracts with Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs and boasts more MLB contracted players than talent pools from China and its province in Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Cuba. Australia set a country-best record in 2011 with nine Aussie major leaguers.
When Lindsay was asked what Big League goals he has set himself for 2012, he responded confidently: "Establish myself at the major league level and prove to everybody else what I know I can do. I'm just trying to contribute in whatever way I can and help us get towards that World Series Championship. It's what everybody's goal is…" Magic Johnson along with new co-owner Mark Walter share the same sentiment as Lindsay and the Dodgers based on what he told the Los Angeles Times back in December while pursing the franchise. Johnson said, "The first thing I asked Walter was, 'Do you want to win, and do you want to put money in?' He said, 'Absolutely' … He told me three times, 'All I want to do is get to the World Series.'" Aussie pitcher Shane Lindsay has an uphill battle ahead of him to get a World Series ring. He conceded, "Obviously from a statistical standpoint, the biggest setback is the walks and the issues that we've had. But there is a lot more to it. And anybody that sort of knows me I'm trying to take pride in getting it down. We've done a lot of work over the last 18 months with mechanics, and I hope to just build on that this year. Being able to repeat my delivery with a very consistent mental approach will yield consistent results on the field too."
Homer Simpson will welcome Shane Lindsay to Isotope country. The team's name was voted on in an online survey of readers of the Albuquerque Tribune. Officially, there is a tie-in to New Mexico's history with nuclear energy, but really it's about the episode of "The Simpsons" where Homer goes on a hunger strike to prevent the Springfield Isotopes from moving to Albuquerque.
Homer Simpson lives at Isotopes Park.
However, the Albuquerque Isotopes prevailed in the end, and The Simpsons have found a home there too. Life-sized figures of Homer and Marge grace the main concourse, a mural of Homer haunts the 'Topes clubhouse and all sorts of other whimsical tributes to America's favorite cartoon family are discovered throughout the ballpark. The Simpsons have had their share of airtime, but now all eyes are on pitcher Shane Lindsay. He is known as an aggressive reliever with an electric fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s and a wild delivery. Throwing with extreme intensity, no pitch delivery is ever the same. Shane Lindsay has a sharp curveball that freezes hitters and results in less than desirable at-bats. Not afraid to throw his fastball inside, Lindsay lives on the edge and provides high drama every outing on the mound.
As a pitcher for the Colorado Rockies minor league affiliate Modesto Nuts, Shane Lindsay was rushed to the hospital to have eight screws and a metal plate surgically implanted in his left hand after being attacked outside a California restaurant in May of 2008.
Shane Lindsay has received a lot of media attention for all the wrong reasons after being labeled "wild". While outside a California restaurant in late May of 2008, Lindsay and a member of his Colorado Rockies Single-A Advanced Minor League affiliate Modesto Nuts host family were attacked. The end result was a trip to the local hospital, where eight screws and a metal plate were surgically implanted in his left hand. Lindsay reflected, "It's just was one of those situations where (it was the) wrong place, wrong time. It definitely could have been avoided had I just not been there. I'm not a troublemaker. I don't instigate. I'm not out there trying to disrespect anybody or anything like that. But unfortunately in this world, things…instances happen. It was a terrible day in my life, and hopefully I learned a lot from that." Shaking off rumors that he was the Aussie version of Derek Jeter, Shane was asked if their was any validity to him dating Los Angeles party girl Lindsay Lohan. Shane chuckled with laughter then replied: "Definitely not true. I've
never met the girl." But when pressured to find out if he would invite her to the Dodger locker room, he caved in laughing and admitted: "Sure, why not?"
In Jeter-like fashion he added, "Anyone is welcome."
Shane Lindsay pitched for the 2011-12 Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League.
Ace pitcher Shane Lindsay was dominant in the ABL knowing that his command was on the improve.
Lindsay has been working diligently during the offseason so that he is granted access to the 2012 Dodger Clubhouse. Pitching for his hometown Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League, Shane was able to stretch out as a starter and solidify his mechanics. Ace manager Phil Dale, who also coaches the Australian National team, praised Lindsay for his strength and his boost to the team. "He's what you call a power arm," said Dale. "It's like a Brett Lee in bowling. He's one of the fast bowlers, but what the baseballers call power pitchers." Lindsay enjoyed his time in the ABL. He said, "It was a fantastic opportunity for me personally. It allowed me to go home from the White Sox–where we were really breaking ground on mechanics stuff and approach to the game–and it gave me a platform to work on it. Phil Dale was good enough to allow me to start and get a lot of repetitions in and a lot of different things. I felt like I achieved a lot. My numbers were not fantastic, but at the end of the day we're trying to achieve certain goals. I think I achieved them, and I can't wait to show that I have." Seemingly scripted for the entertainment capital of the world, the timing is perfect for Isotope relief pitcher Shane Lindsay to show his best stuff in Albuquerque so that he is able to steal the Magic show and go prime time in Los Angeles.
Australian Baseball League, Major League Baseball, Minor League BaseballAlbuquerque Isotopes, Australian Baseball League, Brett Lee, Derek Jeter, Homer Simpson, Isotopes Park, Justin Verlander, Lindsay Lohan, Los Angeles Dodgers, Magic Johnson, Major League Baseball, Melbourne Aces, Minor League Baseball, Modesto Nuts, Phil Dale, Shane Lindsay, The Simpsons, Trent Oeltjen
Radio DJ Roberto Angotti goes 'Down Under' with LA Dodger Shane Lindsay to drum up support for the Australian Baseball League and MLB
February 8, 2012 April 8, 2012 Roberto AngottiLeave a comment
The LA lifestyle Dodger True Blue
When asked to special guest Friday morning at 8 am (Perth, Australia time) or Thursday afternoon at 4 pm (PST, USA time) on ABC Grandstand Strike Zone baseball radio show by host @CJColeman after completing my most comprehensive article to date
"MLB digs 'Down Under' and find nine Aussie stars", I requested to include one of the featured Australian players–Pitcher Shane Lindsay of the Los Angeles Dodgers–because of a recent tweet received from @ABQTopes (LA Dodgers Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque Isotopes). I thought to myself that if anyone deserved to go directly from the Australian Baseball League straight to Major League Baseball without any pit stops it was the recently signed Dodger flamethrower. After the Isotopes were kind enough to retweet my article to its 2500 followers, I tweeted back: "Thanks for the RT (retweet) and for sending the Dodgers your best talent. Do you think Aussie Shane Lindsay will wear True Blue after ST (spring training)?"
Moments later @ABQTopes replied,
"He has the tools to impress, but new ownership will have the final say." Time will tell who exactly will sign Lindsay's checks, but in the meantime he is training rigorously in Arizona to prepare for the pitcher and catcher February 21st report date at Camelback Ranch in Glendale. Shane emailed me: "Hey mate, doing good…working my butt off in Phoenix and getting ready for camp at athlete performance." Lindsay is taking this challenge very seriously.
Lindsay will be Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
Without a doubt, Lindsay could very well be vintage Jonathan Broxton
with additional strength out of the bullpen. Last season wearing Chicago White Sox silks, the gutsy and often "wild" Australian hurler was not afraid to throw inside with his intimidating signature upper 90's fastball to strike out hitters. The Dodgers believe Shane Lindsay has what it takes to become successful in MLB, and all he has to do now is figure out who to impress…the "wild" Kim Kardashian?
Located at the corner of 4th and Broadway in Manhattan, the MLB Fan Cave hosts interactive fan activities and visits from MLB players, baseball personalities and celebs.
Sublime with Rome in the 2011 MLB Fan Cave.
In order for me to impress on why you should vote for me to be in the 2012 MLB Fan Cave by clicking HERE so that I may deliver an innovative and fresh approach to the coverage of pro baseball and also report on the latest cutting-edge music and pop culture trends, it is imperative to hear from others about my positive influence on them–as I am not accustomed to being my own publicist! Let's first connect the dots through the Skunk Records and Sublime stories as told by San Diego-based Slightly Stoopid drummer Ryan 'RyMo' Moran.
While on the road with Rebelution , Ryan Morgan recently spoke about my good friend, Mike 'Miguel' Happoldt–co-founder of Skunk Records and producer for Sublime, Slightly Stoopid, Unwritten Law, Long Beach Dub All-Stars and Long Beach Shortbus. 'RyMo' explained, "In a nutshell, Skunk Records was two people. It was Brad Nowell from Sublime, and Mike Happoldt. Mike Happoldt is still one of our producers to this day, we work with him all the time. Basically those two guys started that record label as an underground Long Beach record label. It was basically two friends who just put their heads together and said, 'Hey, we're going to start recording.' At the time, Mike Happoldt was called 'Miguel'. Miguel was going to Long Beach State and he was in a recording arts music program there … and so after hours there they would sneak into Long Beach State, and Sublime recorded a whole bunch of stuff there. They would basically just sneak in after hours and use the studio from like, 8 p.m. 'till 4 in the morning and then come back in the next night and do it all again. Skunk Records really was just a grass roots movement between those two guys.
Now sadly, we all know the story that Brad Nowell passed away in '96 from an overdose on heroin, which sucked. At that point Mike, or Miguel, basically kept the label going, but it shrunk considerably. It went from like a full-on functioning label to just basically him doing stuff out of his house on a smaller scale. Basically, Skunk Records released quite a few records from bands like The Ziggens, one of Sublime's favorite bands from back in the day. They released a good amount of other stuff —- obviously the work they did with Long Beach Dub All-Stars. Basically, Skunk Records is just Miguel Happoldt. It's his project."
DJ Roberto at KROQ 106.7
When LA music industry insider executive Dana Smart interviewed Mike 'Miguel' Happoldt about Sublime and the influence of reggae, yours truly got some serious props.
Mike said, "Brad was a huge fan of DJ Roberto Angotti of KNAC (not metal yet) in Long Beach. He taped every show between 1985 and 1986." You can listen to some of the songs that Brad loved by clicking on the following podcast link–The Waxcast Episode 2: Homage to Reggae Revolution–a loyal listener's tribute to my radio show
before moving on to Los Angeles' #1 Young Adult Radio Leader, 'The World Famous KROQ 106.7 FM', where I deejayed from 1986 through 1992.
I would see Brad regularly when I promoted Club Reggae at Fenders Ballroom in downtown Long Beach, where huge punk groups would perform in the larger room and Jamaica's Wailing Souls and Eek-A-Mouse, England's Pato Banton and Tippa Irie as well as LA's Untouchables and Fishbone and other reggae/ska groups would play in my part of the ballroom on weekends. We would not discriminate against anyone who would enter our Punky Reggae Party. Long Beach experienced a London boomtown feeling in the early/mid-80's. I clearly remember Brad joining me in the DJ booth when I promoted Eek-A-Mouse and Sublime together at Bogart's in Long Beach. He came again to check me at an Andy Summers gig as well. When singer Gwen Stefani and bassist Tony Kanal from No Doubt were a couple without a contract, they would frequent my OC Club Reggae where I would test market their records on the dance floor.
After graduating early in 1980 from high school at age 17, I studied abroad in London and immersed myself in the 2 Tone movement. Borrowing elements of ska, punk rock, rocksteady, reggae and New Wave, bands like The Specials, The Selecter, The (English) Beat, Madness, Bad Manners, and The Bodysnatchers were the talk of the town. However, it was UB40's "My Way of Thinking" that captured my imagination. Their progressive and upbeat style of British reggae was ear candy, and I could not get enough of it. I also learned of another Birmingham-based band called Steel Pulse. I collected records from London's Aswad and Linton Kwesi Johnson as well. The artists trusted me, and I traveled with UB40 throughout America as their emcee while supporting Sting and The Police. I became the first radio deejay to interview British reggae, ska and two tone artists and break their records in America while hosting "Roberto, Rock, Reggae" on KSPC 88.7 in Claremont, California. Although a college station, the strong 3000 watt signal penetrated in Orange, LA, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Within two years in 1982, I got my first real job in commercial radio when I was hired as a new music jock.
Working overnights at 'Rock N Rhythm KNAC' in Long Beach, I mixed New Wave and Classic Rock from the 50's-70's in this unique format which allowed deejay freedom with two personal choices per hour. I would bring in my crate of records from independent and unsigned artists to customize my radio show with a healthy dose of reggae and ska. After I had created a huge buzz for the music, I was rewarded with the first reggae show–"Reggae Revolution"–on commercial radio in addition to working my KNAC new music weekend deejay shifts and serving as program director of Pomona College's KSPC. Often I would receive acetate test press copies of songs fresh out of the studio from up-and-coming LA New Wave bands like the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo (who would later drop the long name), The Motels, X, The Blasters, The Plimsouls and Missing Persons. The groups would have listening parties while paying close attention to the audio quality of the recording on-the-air before going back in the studio to master the song.
Although we did not have the signal strength of LA powerhouse KROQ, Long Beach's KNAC–lead by the innovative program director Jimmy 'The Saint' Christopher (who would later become the PA announcer for the Texas Rangers at the Ballpark at Arlington)–was looked upon by the music industry as an indicator station. While other stations would only play one or two tracks from an album, KNAC would dig deeper and play as many as four or five. Once research had indicated that the public liked the tracks, then only would the more conservative and bigger KROQ's of the world would add songs to the playlist–especially if there was payola.
Reggae legend Peter Tosh granted DJ Roberto his final interview before his untimely death in Kingston.
I thought that I would never sell my soul to the corporate giants, but it took a KNAC format change to Metal in 1986 for me to take a sabbatical in the UK and come back stronger than ever at KROQ. While a Film Studies major at Claremont McKenna College, I had done a documentary of the English Beat and written my thesis on reggae based upon two interviews with legendary original Wailer, the late and great Peter Tosh. He was the Original Jamaican Rude Boy that many of the two tone characters emulated years later in England.
Original Jamaican Rude Boys Bunny Livingston (Wailer), Bob Marley and Peter Tosh
Pato Banton performs live in front of 50,000 fans and a nationally-televised audience with Los Pericos in Buenos Aires, Argentina at 2007 Pepsi Music Fest.
After graduating from college and taking some time off, I embarked on a journey to document UB40's making of the 'Geoffrey Morgan' Album in their hometown of Birmingham, England. Staying at each band-member's house a week at a time, it goes without saying that the lads were tired of my eternal smiling grin and my video camera staring at them every step of the way. Upon arriving at their DEP studios in the industrial section of Birmingham's Digbeth, the band suggested I go down to an open audition held underground at a local pub where local talent would be performing live.
Ranking Roger, Yaz Alexander and Pato Banton
My life would change forever… At the time, a local MC by the name of Pato Banton had recorded two tracks on UB40's 'Baggariddim' Double Album. One of the tracks, "Hip Hop Lyrical Robot", was a B Side to the #1 song "I Got You Babe" featuring Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders. After the success of the Beat's "Pato and Roger Ago Talk" off the Beat's 'Special Beat Service' Album, Ranking Roger continued to produce Birmingham's top MC while Pato was on fire.
Fergie with Tippa Irie (in red) & the Black Eyed Peas
Roger did not disappoint the local reggae massive when he produced Pato's 12″ single called "Mash Up The Telly", which was the song that I had videotaped at the audition and later became a big UK smash hit. Before I could stop the camera and say hello, Pato was out the door and gone… I was blown away at his amazing talent and charisma on camera. I showed the footage to UB40 back at the studio, and the next day keyboardist Mickey Virtue game me Pato's 12″ single "The Boss" and business card.
I immediately phoned and arranged a meeting with Pato's manager, Grantley 'G.T.' Haynes. I learned that he also managed another client from London's #1 Saxon Sound named Tippa Irie, who had massive success with "Hello Darling". I had been sending postcards to KROQ Program Director Rick Carroll so he would expect me when I arrived back in LA. Equipped with new vinyl and a vengeance to get back on the radio, I brought back "Reggae Revolution" to the Southern California airwaves with a much improved signal that reached five times the amount of listeners I had previously at KNAC. Within a few months, Pato Banton and Tippa Irie were signed to U.S. recording contracts.
I arranged for Pato to record a song at the KROQ studios with the San Diego-based rock group Private Domain. The end result was "Absolute Perfection", and the song became an instant hit on commercial radio throughout America in addition to a staple in the KROQ Top 10 playlist. Later I took Tippa Irie to see his first Black Eyed Peas concert at the Belly Up in Solana Beach. The end result there was "Hey Mama", a track that broke radio charts internationally and was a MTV favorite. UB40 have always respected my writing style, and they paid me the ultimate compliment when they asked me to write the liner notes for their Dancehall Album.
After they flew me to Jamaica, I was able to work out of Ali Campbell and Brian Travers' Oracabessa Records HQ in St. Mary. There I would vibe up full stop and meet a long cast of Jamaican stars passing through including Sly & Robbie, Rappa Robert, Toots Hibbert, Jack Radics and Mr. Vegas. Once word got out that I was writing liners, the phone rang constantly. The Sublime camp always loved my articles for Mean Street Magazine and asked for to write the liner notes for 'Sublime: Everything Under the Sun' Box Set. Mad Professor requested that I write Macka B's 'Global Messenger' CD liners as well.
Music Club U.S.A. allowed me to go through the entire Fashion Records catalogue out of South London and produce two compilation CDs: 'Love All Night' and 'Essential Dancehall Classics'. Despite having my plate full between teaching English in Orange County and freelance writing nonstop, I continued working with Pato Banton as he had a long list of recording artists who to this day consider him an inspiration and a foundation artist. Sting recorded with Pato on a couple occasions and flew he and his band on his private jet to Spain. Peter Gabriel recruited Pato to join him on his international WOMAD Tour. Ali and Robin Campbell scored a #1 hit with Pato on "Baby Come Back". I have since arranged for Pato Banton to tour with the likes of 311, Matisyahu, English Beat, and Argentina's Los Pericos. Tippa Irie and Pato Banton are first-rate live performers and consummate professionals in the recording studio. Both constantly in demand, it won't
be long before they each throw out the first pitch at an upcoming MLB game and perform live in the MLB Fan Cave.
Australian Baseball League, Major League Baseball, MLB Fan Cave, Pop Culture2 Tone, 311, ABC Grandstand Strike Zone, Albuquerque Isotopes, Ali Campbell, Andy Summers, Aswad, Australia, Australian Baseball League, Bad Manners, Birmingham, Black Eyed Peas, Bob Marley, Bradley Nowell, Brian Travers, Bunny Wailer, California, Camelback Ranch, Chicago White Sox, Chris Coleman, Chrissie Hynde, Claremont, Claremont McKenna College, DEP, Digbeth, England, English Beat, Fashion Records, Fergie, Fishbone, Grantley Haynes, Gwen Stefani, Jack Radics, Jamaica, Jamaican Rude Boy, Jimmy Christopher, KNAC, KROQ, KSPC, Linton Kwesi Johnson, London, Long Beach Dub All-Stars, Long Beach Shortbus, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Pericos, Macka B, Mad Professor, Madness, Major League Baseball, Matisyahu, Mean Street, Michael Happoldt, Mickey Virtue, Minor League Baseball, Missing Persons, MLB, MLB Fan Cave, Mr. Vegas, New Wave, No Doubt, Oingo Boingo, Oracabessa, Pato Banton, Perro Bravo, Peter Gabriel, Peter Spence, Peter Tosh, Pomona College, punk rock, RappaRobert, reggae, Reggae Revolution, Robbie Shakespeare, Roberto Angotti, rocksteady, Shane Lindsay, ska, Skunk Records, Slighty Stoopid, Sly Dunbar, St. Mary, Steel Pulse, Sting, Sublime, Texas Rangers, the Ballpark at Arlington, The Beat, The Blasters, The Bodysnatchers, The Motels, The Plimsouls, The Police, The Pretenders, The Selecter, The Specials, The Untouchables, The Ziggens, Tippa Irie, Tony Kanal, Toots Hibbert, True Blue, UB40, Unwritten Law, Wailing Souls, WOMAD, X, Yaz Alexander
MLB digs 'Down Under' and finds nine Aussie stars
February 5, 2012 July 14, 2013 Roberto AngottiLeave a comment
Major League Baseball ventures into Australia to find new talent and fans.
Australia has produced over 330 players who have signed professional contracts with Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs and boasts more MLB contracted players than talent pools from China and its province in Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Cuba. Australia set a country-best record earlier last year with nine Aussie players being called up to the major leagues. Now in 2012, there are now nearly 60 Australian players competing in the major and minor league circuits. In total to date, there have been 35 Australian players who have successfully achieved MLB status.
A's ace Grant Balfour plays to win games and nothing gets in the way of showing it.
Leading the charge of the thunder 'Down Under' in Major League Baseball is Grant Balfour of the Oakland Athletics. Balfour is just one of two Australian professional players to compete in a World Series as a late-inning relief pitcher for the 2008 American League Champ Tampa Bay Rays. Acquired by the Rays in July 2007 from the Milwaukee Brewers in a trade sending pitcher Seth McClung to Miller Field, Grant Balfour did not make Tampa Bay's opening 2008 roster. However, after turning heads at Triple-A Durham and closer Troy Percival being placed on the disabled list early into the season, the Rays sent Ben Zobrist to Durham in exchange for Balfour. Tampa Bay's decision paid off immediately as the Aussie pitcher was worth his weight in gold.
Evan Longoria holds back Grant Balfour from a potential clash.
Assuming the role of Rays closer for the ailing Troy Percival until mid-July, Balfour ended his regular season campaign with a stellar
6-2 record and a 1.54 ERA. In perhaps the most memorable appearance of his Tampa Bay career, Balfour struck out future Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. for the final out of game four of the 2008 American League division series against the Chicago White Sox and led the Rays to its first playoff series win ever. After a three-year stint in Tampa Bay, Balfour signed a two-year contract worth 8.1 million dollars with the Oakland Athletics in January 2011. In
his 62 innings of relief for the A's during 2011, Grant struck out 59 hitters and racked up five wins for the third-place Athletics. He also repeated his personal best 14 2/3 inning scoreless streak in 2011.
Hideki Matsui congratulates A's closer Grant Balfour after yet another save.
The 34-year-old Balfour, who made his MLB debut back in
2001 for the Minnesota Twins, is the Australian patriarch for future Aussie baseball prospects. Although more than a decade has passed since then, he appears to have turned a new leaf and be at the prime of his career. Perhaps his greatest Aussie highlight came on September 15, 2010–when he fanned the Yankees' Austin Kearns and passed former MLB star Graeme Lloyd on the career strikeout list for Australian-born pitchers. Lloyd, however, can still lay claim to being half of MLB's first
all-Australian battery with catcher Dave Nilsson in 1994.
Pitcher Liam Hendriks of the Minnesota Twins
Up-and-coming 23-year-old pitcher Liam Hendriks of the Minnesota Twins made history in his MLB debut last year on September 6th–when he, teammate Luke Hughes and White Sox Shane Lindsay became the first three Australians to play in the same Major League Baseball game. Leading the Major Leagues since 2004 for lowest amount of walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP), Chicago's Jake Peavy was hardly the best candidate
to go head-to-head against for his first MLB victory. With no run support from his Twins offense, the Perth-born Hendriks fought hard by pitching seven strong innings but in the end lost his first decision 3-0. Fox Sports North analyst and Baseball Hall of Famer
Bert Blyleven praised Hendriks on his first outing. He said, "From what I saw today, he deserves a B-plus. I thought he pitched very well, he did a good job.
Liam Hendriks in his 2011 MLB debut.
Hendriks controlled both sides of the plate, and he changed speeds well. He got through it with flying colors. Run support would be nice but you can't always have that, but I thought he pitched a very, very good ballgame." The elusive first win never manifested in four appearances this past season; however, Hendriks kept hitters guessing by striking out 16 in a combined 23 innings of work. Liam Hendriks was signed by the Twins as a non-drafted free agent out of Australia's Sacred Heart College in 2007. He made his professional debut as an 18-year-old that summer with the Single-A Rookie Gulf Coast League Twins. In his eleven starts in Florida, Hendriks went 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA. In 2008 he pitched for the Australian national team in the Final Olympic Qualification Tournament before undergoing season-ending back surgery. Prior to the start of the 2009 season, Hendriks returned on the hill for his country in the World Baseball Classic.
Perth Heat's Liam Hendriks in 2007
Coming off a layoff, he then resumed play in the minor leagues, where he posted a 5-5 record with a 3.55 ERA in 14 starts. Hendriks was selected for the 2010 All-Star Futures Game, but was forced to miss the contest due to appendicitis. In 2011 he began the season at Double-A New Britain and went 8-2 with an impressive 2.70 ERA in 15 starts. Hendriks was promoted on July 19th to Triple-A Rochester, where he tallied a 4-4 record with 4.56 in nine starts. History would repeat itself the Aussie right-hander was once again selected to the World Team roster in the 2011 All-Star Futures Game. As if being chosen an All-Star for the second consecutive year was not enough, the six-foot-three, 210-pound Liam Hendriks was recently named the 2011 Jim Rantz Award winner as the Twins' Minor League Pitcher of the Year after ranking second among all Twins Minor Leaguers in wins (12) and strikeouts (111). Hendriks has a promising future ahead in MLB.
Twin Luke Hughes in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
Facing Detroit Tigers' Max Scherzer on the mound in his first major league at bat in April 2010, Luke Hughes slugged a home run out of the park. Perhaps an early indication of what was to follow in 2011 Twins Spring Training, Hughes showed a ton of promise with his bat and defensive position versatility.
By leading the Twins with six home runs, 15 RBI, a .567 slugging percentage and 37 total bases in the preseason, there was no way manager Ron Gardenhire was going to send him back down to the minors again. Luke played in 96 games as a utility infielder in his first full major league season in 2011.
Perth-born Luke Hughes of the Minnesota Twins
For an anemic Twins offense which ranked 25th of the 30 professional baseball teams, Hughes power was a welcome addition to Minnesota as he slammed seven home runs and racked up 30 RBI. The late-blooming 27-year-old Luke Hughes will certainly improve with more playing time as he becomes more familiar with some of MLB's best pitchers. During the offseason, he played in 19 games for his hometown Perth Heat in the Australian Baseball League (ABL) and hit .344 with four home runs and 13 RBI.
The explosive former Chicago White Sox pitcher Shane Lindsay was recently signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Going into 2011 Chicago White Sox Spring Training in Arizona, relief pitcher Shane Lindsay had a career minor league record of 19-14 with a 3.65 ERA in the NY Yankees, Colorado Rockies and Cleveland Indians organizations. Although he did not make the 25-man opening day roster, manager Ozzie Guillen and pitching coach Don Cooper were very much impressed with the 27-year-old career minor leaguer. So much in fact that when the roster expanded in September–it was graduation time to Major League Baseball for Lindsay. After posting a 1.98 ERA and punching out 78 in 63 innings of relief work at the Triple-A level, Shane was put to the test in his MLB pitching debut on September 2nd against the 2011 American League Central Division Champion Detroit Tigers. In his inning pitched as a reliever at Comerica Park, Lindsay allowed no hits with a strike out and a walk. The six-foot-one, two hundred five-pounder made three other relief appearances before the end of the season.
Melbourne Ace pitcher Shane Lindsay in ABL action
Lindsay elected free agency in October 2011, and agent Paul Kinzer reported in November that his client had signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He will need to impress coaches at Dodgers Spring Training when pitchers and catchers report at the end of month at Arizona's Camelback Ranch to make the 2012 Dodgers Opening Day roster. Most predict Shane Lindsay will begin as a member of the Dodger Triple-A affiliate Albuquerque Isotopes bullpen in anticipation of the MLB call up.
Atlanta Braves sidearm reliever Peter Moylan is considered one of MLB's best groundball specialists and the chief bullpen stopper in pressure situations.
Former Australia World Baseball Classic team member and current Atlanta Braves 33-year-old reliever Peter Moylan underwent right shoulder surgery during the offseason to repair a torn right labrum and rotator cuff. The groundball specialist was encouraged by surgeon Dr. James Andrews' projection that he would likely only need six months of rehab. Moyan said, "It is what it is and couldn't have been avoided. It's rough, but it just means my offseason will be spent rehabbing instead of relaxing. It's not going to change anything. I'm still going to be ready to go by the end of spring." Moylan has long been plagued by a series of injuries and surgeries. The Aussie pitcher missed most of the 2011 season after another surgery for a bulging disk in his back.
Hitters cringe when facing the oddity Peter Moylan.
With 287 game appearances under his belt in his on-and-off again six seasons in MLB, Moylan has been a workhorse out of the bullpen when not on the disabled list. After recovering from Tommy John surgery, the hard-throwing right-hander with his signature side-armed 'down under' delivery returned in fine form in 2009 and set a Braves franchise record 87 relief appearances. 2010 was equally as busy as his workload included 85 appearances in relief.
Even for a reliever who has set the bar high with a respectable 2.60 ERA and 205 strike outs in his illustrious MLB career, there is a heightened sense of optimism that if Moylan returns healthy in 2012 that his personal best year for the Braves has yet to come. An Atlanta fan favorite out of the bullpen, Peter is also well-liked on Twitter–unless you are in the band Nickelback. Considered less than entertaining live, they were nearly booed offstage in Detroit on Thanksgiving. @PeterMoylan tweeted to Nickelback lead singer Chad Kroeger that he should attend a Foo Fighters concert to learn how to put on a good show. "Foos are killer for sure," tweeted Kroeger. "We're doing just fine too thanks. ? for you Pete, is watching [Braves closer Craig] Kimbrel better from the bench or on TV?." Better cancel Atlanta boys!!! Worth following anywhere, Peter Moylan is top-notch entertainment.
Trent Oeltjen of the Los Angeles Dodgers hopes to play everyday next to Matt Kemp.
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Trent Oeltjen could have easily followed his childhood friends playing rugby in Sydney. Instead, his American father made sure that Trent played T-Ball at an early age and developed a love for his dad's country's favorite pastime. After catching the eyes of MLB scouts as a standout player for Australia in the World Junior Baseball Championship, Oeltjen signed a professional baseball contract with the Minnesota Twins organization at the ripe young age of 17. He was chosen to play for the Australian national team at the Athens Olympics in 2004. As a member of Australia's 2005 Baseball World Cup and 2006 World Baseball Classic teams, Oeltjen once again represented his homeland. Oeltjen proclaimed, "Any time you get to represent your country on the world's stage, it's a dream come true for any Australian kid."
Trent Oeltjen and Rich Thompson strengthened their craft early on 'Down Under' and while playing in the Australian Baseball League for their hometown Sydney Blue Sox.
The accolades continued as he was selected to the 2006 MLB All-Star Futures Game and the 2007 Baseball World Cup, where he led the international competition in three major categories. Batting an unstoppable .523, stealing seven bases and scoring nine runs, Oeltjen became the first Australian in the event tournament's 37 years to make the All-Star team and win its Batting Award. "The World Cup really helped me turn around my career," Oeltjen exclaimed. "It helped me get the confidence to know that I could play against some of the best players in the world. Since then I've found that my career has really turned around." He was summoned once again for more Aussie baseball ambassadorship duty in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, where another strong offensive 6-for-12 batting frenzy ensued. Not surprisingly, his success for Australia coincided with another baseball dream realized. The aspiring and talented athlete spent nine years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut for the 2009 Arizona Diamondbacks, thereby becoming Australia's 27th member of the elite Major League Baseball fraternity.
Gene Simmons of KISS, Shannon Tweed and their two children meet Trent Oeltjen at Dodger Stadium.
On August 6, 2009, Oeltjen made the best of his MLB debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates by blasting his first major league home run over the right field wall off relief pitcher Jesse Chavez in the top of the 8th inning to tie the score in a game the D-Backs would win in extra innings. Leaving a lasting impression on baseball fans and international supporters who always believed in his athleticism, Oeltjen finished the game 2-for-6 with one RBI and two stolen bases.
Deeply inspired by Hollywood, Trent Oeltjen does his own stunts and lives for dramatic storybook endings.
After playing in 24 Diamondbacks games before the end of the 2009 season, Trent Oeltjen signed with the Dodgers in July 2010. He was assigned to Triple-A Albuquerque and later called up to the majors briefly at the end of the 2010 season. In June 2011, the left hand-hitting slugger earned his way back up to the major league level for good with a .339 batting average–including a sizzling .440 in May–racking up eight homers and 34 RBI in 56 Triple-A games.
During the remainder of the 2011 season, Oeltjen played in 61 Dodgers games in the absence of Manny Ramirez. Despite a major letdown in Mannywood, it was all blue skies for the Aussie outfielder. He took full advantage of the opportunity to become an everyday player. However, 2012 will prove to be a critical season for the 29-year-old as he strives for a slot in the Dodgers Opening Day line-up.
Rich Thompson of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is one of the most underrated MLB pitchers and is critical to the success of the Halos.
A Major League Baseball Australian Academy Program (MLBAAP) success story playing for two of Australia's
and America's finest organizations in the Sydney
Blue Sox and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim,
Rich Thompson recently returned from his third trip to Taiwan after pitching for the Major League Baseball
All-Stars in the 2011 Taiwan All-Star Series. Having played for the Australian national team during his junior and senior international career, Thompson was well aware of the young Chinese Taipei team's talent and ability to compete. This time he made history as the 27-year-old Hornsby-native not only was the first of the 31 Australians to play Major League Baseball to be selected for a traveling All-Star Series team but also the first MLB pitcher to win two games in the five-game exhibition series. Enjoying a solid 2011 campaign for Halos manager Mike Scioscia, Thompson made 44 appearances and kept batters at bay with a 3.00 ERA. Best known for being a pressure situation reliever with men on base, Thompson comes through when called upon to deliver key outs in times of critical crises.
LA Angel Manager Mike Scioscia pulls reliable reliever Rich Thompson for a strategic lefty-lefty match up.
In 54 innings of work, the rally stopper struck out 56 hitters and solidified his position in the Angels bullpen. Seven years younger than senior mentor Grant Balfour, Thompson is in a better position in becoming the bright new face for Australian baseball players in the major leagues. When asked by OzMLBplayers blog what was the best advice he could give up-and-coming Australian baseball prospects, Thompson paused, reflected and thought back to some words of wisdom offered from a fellow Aussie.
Pitcher Rich Thompson in 2007 All-Star Futures Game
"When I was 13, I attended a two-day camp with Mark Shipley," said Thompson. "Shipley's advice was: Don't drink. Don't smoke. Always be clean-shaven. And church on Sundays. That always stuck with me. Since I can't be bothered shaving and we play games on Sundays, I guess two out of four ain't bad." Thompson believes an improved attitude and a cutter that strengthened his arsenal of pitches led to the best season of his career. "I really felt like it was an attitude change.
Having that extra pitch (cutter) maybe gave me some more confidence, and I had more opportunities to get guys out."
San Diego Padres lefty Josh Spence struck out the first batter he faced--Atlanta Braves' highly-prized 22-year-old Jason Hayward--in his MLB pitching debut at PETCO Park on June 24, 2011.
San Diego Padres believe in pitching ace Josh Spence and their future with him.
Although he hails from Geelong, Australia, San Diego Padres southpaw Josh Spence began his collegiate pitching campaign at Central Arizona Community College, where in two seasons he stifled and rung up batters at an alarming rate (327 strike outs) to the tune of a whopping 1.40 ERA. Arizona State University (ASU) recruited Spence into their 2009 starting rotation, and the Sun Devils enjoyed a ride to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska as a result. Spence has proven that he can compete under pressure when it counts and deliver outstanding pitching performances when they mean the most.
Josh Spence celebrating before going to the 2009 College World Series with Arizona State University.
Teammates Mike Leake–named 2009 National Player of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and current Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher–and Jason Kipnis–named a 2009 1st Team All-American by ABCA and current Cleveland Indians second baseman–witnessed first-hand the pitching magic of Josh Spence–named a 2009 2nd Team All-West Regions Honoree–as he compiled a 10-1 record with a 2.37 ERA during his junior year. It will make for an interesting 2012 ASU reunion this year between July 30 and August 2 at Cincinnati's Great American Ballpark when Leake and Kipnis face Spence for the first time in opposing uniforms.
Pitcher Josh Spence can be a hitter's worst nightmare on the hill when on target and in the zone.
The slender six-foot-one lefty Spence was drafted in
the third round by the Angels in June 2009, but he opted not to sign so that he could return to Arizona State for his senior year. However, he missed the
entire 2010 college season with a vague elbow injury. Regardless, the Padres still selected him in the ninth round of the 2010 draft, and he proved healthy enough to pitch 24 innings between rookie ball and the Midwest League. Prior to being called up to MLB in June 2011, Spence surrendered only 48 hits and struck out 84 with a remarkable 2.14 ERA in 71 innings pitched in the minor leagues. The 24-year-old continued his dominant pitching as a San Diego Padres reliever by striking out 31 hitters in 29 innings and posting a 2.73 ERA. Under the watchful eye of former Angels pitching coach and current manager Bud Black, Josh Spence possesses the tools to become not only a promising MLB starting pitcher but also a potential future Cy Young candidate. Padres' faithful look for Josh Spence to have a breakout season in 2012.
Free agent pitcher Brad Thomas waits patiently for another chance to play MLB after a baseball twist of fate changed the course of his life by avoiding a close call with tragedy when 9/11 travel plans cancelled due to postseason play.
Postseason baseball–courtesy of former Minnesota Twins Double-A affiliate New Britain Rock Cats teammate Michael Cuddyer's game-winning home run–saved the life of pitcher Brad Thomas. Changing his travel plans and ultimately his fate, Thomas would not leave on this particular date and flight to his native Australia because advancing to the Eastern League's finals pushed back that trip for him. With airline tickets in hand for he and his wife, Kylie, on American Airlines Flight 11–which took off from Boston on September 11th destined for Los Angeles but instead crashed into the World Trade Center, Brad Thomas lived to tell his story. He commented, "Michael pretty much saved our lives single-handedly by knocking in the winning runs in the last of the playoff games that took us to the next round." Cuddyer was Thomas' first roommate in professional baseball in 1997. They played parts of the following seven seasons together, making their way up through the Twins minor league system. When Brad Thomas began pitching for the Detroit Tigers in the 2010, their friendship took a slight turn. Friend or foe–when pitching to an opponent, even a lifesaver–it's a different ball game. In four career at bats facing the left-handed reliever, Cuddyer is hitless with a walk. Off the diamond, however, they are life-long bros.
Sydney Blue Sox Brad Thomas was impressive in the 2012 ABL postseason by allowing only one earned run in 11 innings of starting pitching against the feisty Adelaide Bite and the defending champion Perth Heat. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Schembri/SMP Images/ABL)
While Cuddyer continues to thrive in Minnesota, the future is unknown for the 34-year-old Thomas. With a 6-6 career record and a 5.80 ERA in Major League Baseball, it's probable that this Aussie will be looking for another minor league deal or a return to Japan or Korea for another new lease on life in the world of baseball. He recently had a great abbreviated season in the Australian Baseball League with the Sydney Blue Sox. The Sydney native made four starts and five total appearances amounting to 22.1 innings pitched. With a 2.42 ERA and a 1-1 record in the 2011-12 ABL season, Brad Thomas demonstrated that he is once again MLB ready.
With a landmark partnership between the Australian Baseball Federation, Major League Baseball and the Australian Sports Commission, the sky is the limit for the recently revamped Australian Baseball League. In an effort to propel baseball's profile on the Australian sports landscape and foster participation in the game, the ABL seeks to showcase the wealth of talented Australian baseball players on their own home turf and to teach what their fellow Aussie predecessors from decades past have mastered in elevating the sport on the international level. Teams boast elite national players from across Australia along with personnel from Major League Baseball feeder clubs, the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan, the Korean Baseball Organization and the Chinese Professional Baseball League. The ABL pioneers the pathway of development for many emerging Australian baseball prospects as well as offers a vibrant alternative off-season league for games hosted in the northern hemisphere. Currently in its second season as Australia's premier professional baseball competition with the 2012 ABL Championship Series between defending champ Perth Heat and challenger Melbourne Aces this weekend, be sure to tune in and watch the excitement of what is truly the ABL's answer to the MLB World Series. For further information on the Australian Baseball League, visit their official ABL website.
Australian Baseball League, Major League Baseball, San Diego Padres2011 Taiwan All-Star Series, ABL Championship Series, Adelaide Bite, Australian Baseball Federation, Australian Baseball League, Brad Thomas, Brisbane Bandits, Canberra Cavalry, Grant Balfour, Josh Spence, Liam Hendriks, Luke Hughes, Major League Baseball, Melbourne Aces, Perth Heat, Peter Moylan, Rich Thompson, Shane Lindsay, Sydney Blue Sox, Trent Oeltjen
LA Dodger Lindsay and jail dodger Lohan share a common name and love for living on the wild side
January 21, 2012 Roberto Angotti3 Comments
Melbourne Ace and LA Dodger pitcher Shane Lindsay
Whether it is Melbourne Ace pitcher turned LA Dodger Shane Lindsay getting into an off-field altercation or actress gone too far Lindsay Lohan "borrowing", both Lindsays are wild and crazy in different ways. While the Australian Lindsay has often been compared to the rookie wild pitcher "Nuke" LaLoosh character in Bull Durham for his lack of control, the American Lindsay's Marilyn Monroe-inspired Playboy spread has further financed her footloose and fancy free Hollywood party lifestyle of excess.
LA True Blue actress Lindsay Lohan welcomes the prospect of sharing the spotlight with Aussie Shane Lindsay.
While outside a California restaurant in late May of 2008, the six-foot-one Aussie pitcher Shane Lindsay and a member of his Colorado Rockies minor league affiliate Modesto Nuts host family were attacked. The end result was a trip to the local hospital, where eight screws and a metal plate were surgically implanted in his left hand. Lindsay reflected, "It made me take charge of my life and say, 'How am I going to keep this from happening again?' I started to think about where I go and the company I keep." Nearly four years have passed and the 27-year-old Melbourne native has a rare opportunity to keep the peace in California at Chavez Ravine as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen. Lindsay will need to impress coaches at Dodgers Spring Training when pitchers and catchers report next month at Arizona's Camelback Ranch before being granted entry to join the game's elite in 2012, even though he made his MLB pitching debut late last season with the Chicago White Sox.
Dodger Stadum, Los Angeles historic landmark and future home for pitcher Shane Lindsay
With a fastball rivaling that of MLB's best pitchers, Shane Lindsay made his Major League Baseball debut on September 2, 2011 with the White Sox.
Originally signed by the Colorado Rockies as a non-drafted free agent in August 2003 as an 18-year-old Australian club and national team prospect, Shane Lindsay previously played in the Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees minor league organizations before launching his Major League Baseball career with Ozzie Guillen's Chicago White Sox in 2011. He is known as an aggressive reliever with an electric fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s and a wild delivery.
Shane Lindsay is ready to rock and roll Los Angeles.
Throwing with extreme intensity, no pitch delivery is ever the same. Shane Lindsay has a sharp curveball that freezes hitters and results in less than desirable at bats. Not afraid to throw his fastball inside, Lindsay lives on the edge and provides high drama every outing on the mound. Seemingly scripted for the entertainment capital of the world, the timing is perfect for Los Angeles Dodger relief pitcher Shane Lindsay to steal the show.
Australian Baseball League, Major League Baseball, Minor League BaseballAustralian Baseball League, Chavez Ravine, Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Dodger Stadium, Lindsay Lohan, Los Angeles Dodgers, Major League Baseball, Melbourne Aces, Modesto Nuts, Ozzie Guillen, Shane Lindsay
Aces boss Phil Dale holds the wild cards in the ABL
November 30, 2011 November 30, 2011 Roberto Angotti3 Comments
Managers Phil Dale and Kevin Boles exchange line-up cards prior to the Australian Baseball League Melbourne Aces/Sydney Blue Sox game(photo courtesy of Joe Vella/SMP Images/ABL)
In his second year as boss for the Melbourne Aces, manager Phil Dale is no newcomer to the game. Already heralded as a legendary Australian baseball icon for being the first Aussie ever to be awarded a full-ride scholarship to play ball in the U.S., Dale has just begun to create a new chapter in his own legacy. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Reds in 1985, he pitched his way up the minor leagues for four seasons but never made it to the Bigs as a player. However, the Major League Baseball (MLB) curse did not stop the Melbourne native from becoming a hero for the Australian national team and a MVP of the Australian Baseball League (ABL) in its infancy and pre-MLB affiliation days.
Australia Coach Phil Dale
Drawing from his own experience as a professional minor league player, Dale's source of inspiration was a higher calling to mentor his fellow aspiring countrymen to the ranks of baseball's elite. He began his coaching career in the minor leagues for the Reds and Atlanta Braves before repatriating back to Australia, where he would work with Aussie's finest for the nation's biggest feat ever in the 2004 Athens Olympics. In just one of his many accolades of coaching greatness, Dale led the Australian national team to a monumental silver medal honor after a stunning 1-0 upset over heavily favored Japan.
Ex-MLB lefty Travis Blackley returns to Aces in 2012
Wild Card #1: Prior to Travis Blackley signing to Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) KIA Tigers in December 2010, the 29-year-old Australian national team hurler pitched in the New York Mets and Oakland A's-affiliated minor leagues. Snagged by the Seattle Mariners as an amateur free agent in 2000, Blackley made his Major Baseball League debut on July 1, 2004. An injury setback prohibited him from returning to MLB action until 2007 with the San Francisco Giants. Blackley is currently in great shape.
Recently signed LA Dodgers pitcher Shane Lindsay (photo courtesy of Joe Vella / SMP Images / ABL)
Wild Card #2: Shane Lindsay made his Major League Baseball pitching debut on September 2nd against the 2011 AL Central Division Champion Detroit Tigers. The Aces manager praised Lindsay for his strength and his boost to the team. "He's what you call a power arm," said Dale. "It's like a Brett Lee in bowling. He's one of the fast bowlers, but what the baseballers call power pitchers." The 26-year-old express train will be joining fellow Aussie MLB success story Trent Oeltjen at 2012 Dodgers Spring Camp.
17-year-old Aussie phenomenon Daniel McGrath (photo courtesy of Joe Vella / SMP images / ABL)
Wild Card #3: Making his debut on Melbourne's roster as a 16-year-old, Doncaster native pitcher Daniel McGrath has a Big League decision in 2012. Tussling between following his manager's footsteps by attending an American University or signing a very lucrative professional contract, the six-foot-three prospect is going abroad. Aces skipper and long-time supervisor of the Atlanta Braves Australian and Asian scouting department, Phil Dale knows he has been dealt something special with lefty Daniel McGrath.
ABL Player of the Week (Round 3) Nic Ungs (B. Southall/SMP Images)
Wild Card #4: Named as one of the ABL Players of the Week for round three action, Dubuque, Iowa's Nic Ungs delivered possibly the best pitching performance in the recently reorganized league's history against the Brisbane Bandits on November 20th. Coming within two strikes and inches away from throwing the first ever perfect game in ABL history, Ungs now wishes that he could get the pitch back that Brisbane's Brad Dutton drilled just out of Aces first baseman Justin Huber's grasp to end his no-hit bid. Postgame the 32-year-old Midwesterner commented, "The perfect game doesn't come up that often, I've thrown a no-hitter before, but it's just one of those things. Of course I'd like to have the pitch back." With the four wild card pitchers working in tandem in January, Phil Dale's Melbourne Aces may indeed be the team that will dethrone defending champions Perth Heat for the 2011-12 ABL Championship title. Ungs said, "It's going to be great with the guys…to build the team chemistry that we are going to need down the stretch."
Australian Baseball League, Korea Baseball Organization, Major League BaseballAustralian Baseball League, Daniel McGrath, Kevin Boles, KIA Tigers, Korea Baseball Organization, Melbourne Aces, Nic Ungs, Phil Dale, Shane Lindsay, Travis Blackley
Team #Italy #baseball and #softball coaching staffs announced fibs.me/3R Forza #Italia!… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 3 days ago
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You will have the opportunity to become a member of our student societies. We have a thriving student-run Anthropology Society which regularly organises talks, socials, pub quizzes, film screenings, field trips and other events. Its activities offer a great way to meet people and to take anthropology beyond the confines of the classroom.
The Department runs a range of extra activities either for students or to which students are invited. These include field trips, seminar series with external speakers and other events.
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Katie is making a good looking Gypsy Vanner. She should mature at 14.2 (both parents were 14.2) She has excellent bloodlines and she will mature to be a Gypsy Vanner to be proud of. She is ready to begin training as you desire shortly.
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Meeting Russian Ladies
Estimates of rape victims from the town's two main hospitals ranged from 95,000 to one hundred thirty,000. One physician deduced that out of approximately 100,000 women raped in the metropolis, some 10,000 died in consequence, mostly from suicide. The demise rate was thought to have been a lot larger among the 1.four million estimated victims in East Prussia, Pomerania and Silesia.
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This strategy of selection, as opposed to the indiscriminate violence proven earlier, signifies a definite change. By this stage Soviet troopers began to deal with German ladies more as sexual spoils of struggle than as substitutes for the Wehrmacht on which to vent their rage. In Berlin, many women were simply not prepared for the shock of Russian revenge, however much horror propaganda that they had heard from Goebbels. Many reassured themselves that, though the hazard have to be nice out in the countryside, mass rapes may hardly take place within the metropolis in front of everyone. Most sick-educated Red Army soldiers suffered from sexual ignorance and completely unenlightened attitudes in direction of women.
All this was mixed with the dehumanising influence of contemporary propaganda and the atavistic, warring impulses of men marked by worry and struggling. One can solely scratch on the floor of the psychological contradictions. When gang-raped ladies in Königsberg begged their attackers afterwards to place them out of their distress, the Red Army males seem to have felt insulted.
Altogether no less than two million German ladies are thought to have been raped, and a considerable minority, if not a majority, seem to have suffered multiple rape. Yet within Russian Girls a few days, a sample emerged of troopers flashing torches within the faces of women huddled within the bunkers to choose their victims.
In 1995 ladies constituted an estimated 70 percent of Russia's unemployed, and as a lot as 90 percent in some areas. Young ladies supply berries to visitors to their izba home, 1909. Photograph by Sergey Prokudin-Gorsky. Famous girls in Russian historical past embrace Anna of Russia, Elizabeth of Russia, Catherine the Great, and Yekaterina Vorontsova-Dashkova. My greatest desi relationship sites language is Russian.
Russian legislation offers for as a lot as three years' imprisonment for sexual harassment, but the law hardly ever is enforced. Although the Fund for Protection from Sexual Harassment has blacklisted 300 Moscow firms the place sexual harassment is known to have taken place, calls for for sex and even rape still are common on-the-job occurrences. According to reviews, girls usually are the primary to be fired, and they face other types of on-the-job discrimination as nicely. Struggling firms often fireplace ladies to avoid paying youngster care benefits or granting maternity go away, as the regulation nonetheless requires.
Russian girls are additionally lured abroad with sham guarantees of jobs such as dancers, models, waitresses or domestic helpers and end up caught in compelled prostitution conditions. However, Russia has ratified the UN Trafficking Protocol, and has taken steps to curb this phenomenon. The Soldiers' Mothers Movement was shaped in 1989 to show human rights violations within the armed forces and to assist youths resist the draft. The movement has gained nationwide prominence by way of its opposition to the warfare in Chechnya. Numerous protests have been organized, and representatives have gone to the Chechen capital, Groznyy, to demand the release of Russian prisoners and find lacking soldiers. The group, which claimed 10,000 members in 1995, additionally has lobbied towards extending the time period of mandatory navy service.
But either officers have been involved themselves, or the lack of discipline made it too harmful to revive order over drunken soldiers armed with submachine weapons. Beria and Stalin, again in Moscow, knew completely nicely what was happening from a variety of detailed stories. One stated that "many Germans declare that every one German girls in East Prussia who stayed behind were raped by Red Army troopers". Numerous examples of gang rape were given – "women underneath 18 and old girls included". Women and children who stay in poverty are at most risk of becoming trafficking victims. Prostitution in Russia has unfold rapidly in recent years, with girls from small towns and rural areas migrating to massive cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Omsk, or Yekaterinburg to interact in prostitution.
"Russian troopers don't shoot ladies," they replied. Drink of every variety, together with harmful chemical compounds seized from laboratories and workshops, was a major factor in the violence. It appears as if Soviet soldiers needed alcoholic courage to attack a lady. But then, all too often, they drank too much and, unable to finish the act, used the bottle instead with appalling impact. A number of victims had been mutilated obscenely. Calls to avenge the Motherland, violated by the Wehrmacht's invasion, had given the concept virtually any cruelty can be allowed. Even many younger girls troopers and medical staff within the Red Army did not appear to disapprove.
But some ladies had been deeply shaken by what they witnessed in Germany. Natalya Gesse, an in depth friend of the scientist Andrei Sakharov, had noticed the Red Army in motion in 1945 as a Soviet warfare correspondent. "The Russian soldiers had been raping each German female from eight to eighty," she recounted later. Marshal Rokossovsky issued order No 006 in an try to direct "the sentiments of hatred at preventing the enemy on the battlefield." It seems to have had little effect. There had been also a couple of arbitrary makes an attempt to exert authority. The commander of one rifle division is said to have "personally shot a lieutenant who was lining up a group of his men before a German girl spreadeagled on the ground".
She does appear very pleasant however am unsure if she means as she says or if she is looking for a means out of where she is. © 2020 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. After the second stage of ladies providing themselves to one soldier to save lots of themselves from others, got here the post-battle must survive hunger. Susan Brownmiller noted "the murky line that divides wartime rape from wartime prostitution". Soon after the give up in Berlin, Ursula von Kardorff discovered all sorts of ladies prostituting themselves for food or the choice currency of cigarettes. Helke Sander, a German film-maker who researched the topic in nice element, wrote of "the gray area of direct drive, blackmail, calculation and real affection". If anybody attempted to defend a girl against a Soviet attacker it was both a father attempting to defend a daughter or a young son trying to guard his mother.
Show her her and she's going to present you what a real loopy that you just love intercourse is. A Russian girl understands important it really is for nearly any man turn into respected.
"Our troopers' behaviour in direction of Germans, notably German women, is completely correct!" mentioned a 21-year-old from Agranenko's reconnaissance detachment. Several German women recorded how Soviet servicewomen watched and laughed after they were raped.
A smaller organization, the Russian Women's Party, ran as a part of an unsuccessful coalition with several different splinter events in the 1995 elections. Pamfilova has gained particular stature as an advocate on behalf of girls and elderly people. The regulation lists one hundred occupations which are forbidden to ladies, as they are thought-about too harmful to their well being, particularly reproductive health (till 2019 the determine was 456 ). The rapidly increasing non-public sector has provided women new employment opportunities, however many of the Soviet stereotypes stay.
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Erin started her journey with yoga in 2012 when moving into the neighborhood of SoulSpace. Her practice ebbed and flowed until she recently found permanent residence in Southington. Once settling into her new life of being a wife, homeowner, and dog mom, along with an extremely overflowing schedule as a hairstylist, everything seemed completely unsettled. She knew it was time to dive into an authentic practice. This lead her to CrossRoads teaching training where she recently graduated with her 200 hour certification.
Erin has truly loved embodying the yogic idea of union. Yoga is a way for her to yoke her faith and practice together, really carving out time from the chaos of the world to just be. Yoga also supports growth of healthy communities and relationships which has been Erin's fuel throughout her life. She looks forward to sharing her love for this mind, body, and spiritual practice along with meeting new people.
Esterina is an enthusiastic yogi eager to share the many benefits of yoga with her students at any level they are ready to receive the practice. She is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran with an MBA, and has worked since 2002 in healthcare administration. Esterina has had a life-long interest in health & wellness. She began practicing yoga regularly in 2013 and soon discovered several additional mental and physical benefits; including the mind-body-spirit connection.
Desiring to help others in a more connected way, Esterina made a conscious decision to simplify her life and participate in more activities that nurture the soul and human interaction. She first completed the 200-hour Yoga Alliance certified training program in 2016 and the 300-hour program in June of 2018 at Cross Roads in Planstville, CT. Esterina is Level 1 Yin Yoga certified through Biff Mithoefer, and was trained in Trauma Informed Yoga through Exhale to Inhale where she volunteers her time to bring yoga into domestic violence shelters.
Esterina loves spending time with her family, friends and pets. She also enjoys hiking, baking, gardening, traveling and blogging. She feels that yoga only supplements her life, and would like to share the mutual benefits that practicing and learning from one another brings.
Amy teaches 6th grade at the local middle school her son attends. In addition to wanting to spend time with her daughter, Cheyenne, Amy was drawn to CrossRoads to learn alignment and become more confident in her practice. She graduated in 2014 and is enrolled in the 500 hour program. Amy has been teaching various fitness classes since 1998. She is certified as a Mad Dogg Spinning Instructor, AFAA group fitness instructor, RYT200 and is certified in CPR, AED and basic first aid. Amy has learned that yoga goes beyond the physical postures. With the open hearts of her teachers, Crystal Sullivan and Shelley Nyren, she was able to make the mind, body, spirit connection to her yoga practice, a gift she is honored to share with others. Amy is glad to see how the importance of wellness is permeating the schools.
beliefs and how we move through the world.
and having a rockin' self-care practice that keeps her up for the challenges of daily life.
Karen started practicing yoga in 2005 as a way to balance her workouts. She immediately fell in love with the physical practice; however, what she wasn't expecting was the mind, body, and spiritual connection she discovered. As a registered dental hygienist, Karen had always been interested in the human body and physical health; yoga simply added to this interest. Karen believes yoga is the path to optimum physical and spiritual well-being, and views yoga as a gift to mankind. She sees yoga as a gift she has given herself, and now she is striving to help share that gift with others. Karen received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate from CrossRoads located at Soul Space Yoga and Wellness, studying under Crystal Sullivan, Shelley Nyren and Cheryl Moran in 2013. In 2018, she completed her 500 training also at CrossRoads. Karen is registered with Yoga Alliance as an E-RYT200, RYT 500, YACEP. Karen also enjoys being in nature, walking, gardening, reading, making jewelry and most of all spending time with her husband, daughter and son.
My name is Jessica and I am a 25 year old yoga instructor and nature lover who is obsessed with hiking and camping. Yoga is the practice I love because I see how quickly and powerfully it gets straight to the heart of what so many of us are seeking. We all want to feel less stress, to feel more present and to have more confidence as we move through this world. My hope is that my work helps people to feel their purpose, find depth in their joy and reflect the light of who they are back out into the world. Learning to use the power of my own breath to clear, heal and empower every aspect of my life is why I am called to share these accessible and life changing practices with as many people as possible. I am devoted to raising the vibration of our world one relationship at a time because at the end of the day, all we have is each other.
Lisa began practicing yoga in 2003 and fell instantly in love with the mind-body connection. She began leading and sharing yoga classes in her living room with friends and family and eventually began sharing her love for yoga by leading donation-based classes at Peace Cafe at the First Congregational Church in Southington, CT. Lisa also teaches at the Southington YMCA as well as various yoga studios in CT. Lisa completed her 200 hour certification through Sacred Rivers under the direction of Paula Scopino. She recently completed her 300 hour training at SoulSpace and certified as an ERYT200, RYT500, YACEP. She has also studied the Art of Teaching Vinyasa with Shiva Rea and Kundalini Yoga with Snatam Kaur.
Lisa has been honored to be part of the yoga staff at SoulSpace since 2011. Lisa is also involved with CrossRoads Teacher Training at SoulSpace leading an in-depth chakra workshop. She has recently begun leading Kirtan at SoulSpace since 2016, combining her musical gifts and love of chanting mantra.
Kathy was drawn to yoga after her 3 children were grown and with an empty nest, she had more time on her hands. Her interest in yoga started as means to improve her health, flexibility and balance as she struggled with the "aches and pains" that come with middle age but it quickly became apparent to her that yoga was so much more. With yoga's emphasis on the union of body, mind and spirit, the combination of asana, conscious breathing and mediation helped her to feel better physically but also fostered more mindfulness, acceptance and spirituality in her daily life – benefits that she had never expected! As one of her teachers told her early on in her studies… "Yoga calls us to be a better person." To Kathy that is the essence of yoga and the motivation for why she practices and teaches yoga. Because of the noncompetitive nature of yoga and the philosophy to honor your body, Kathy believes that yoga is accessible to all ages, shapes and sizes. Kathy aspires to be a gentle, warm, supportive guide sharing her love of yoga with new and experienced students. She is very grateful to have found SoulSpace studio where she completed her 200 hour certification under the direction of Crystal Sullivan and Shelley Nyren.
Kathy has worked at IBM as a technical support specialist in software sales organization for over 25 years. She lives in Southington with her husband of 33 years, Peter and her two cats. She has raised three grown daughters and hopes to have lots of grandchildren some day. In addition to yoga, Kathy likes to read, hike, cook for her family, and attend UConn sport events. Go Huskies!!
Michelle is a 25 year old who works full time in the Public Health Field. Michelle has been practicing yoga for years and has recently gotten the passion to teach. This year she completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training at SoulSpace. At the beginning of her training, Michelle was not sure if she wanted to teach but was just hoping to deepen her practice. She now is taking opportunities to teach at Soul Space and is loving it. She hopes to continue to attend trainings, continue to learn, and continue to grow as a person, on and off the mat. Michelle works on incorporating yoga into her daily life and hopes to use yoga to help others as it has helped her.
Jennifer's yoga journey began when she was seeking a remedy for severe weakness caused by an out-of-control autoimmune disease. Yoga helped to heal her physical weaknesses, taught her how to nurture herself, manage anxiety, conquer fears, and gave her opportunities to travel, to cultivate community, and spread love. She was drawn toward teaching to help others find freedom and full body health. She completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training at Soul Space Yoga & Wellness. Jennifer values faith, authenticity, freedom, and community. She wants everyone to feel free to move their bodies in ways that are beneficial for them. She believes that a yoga practice should be a space where one can be empowered to be authentic and to allow true healing: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Jennifer encourages her students to find freedom of movement and to follow their own inner teacher by intensifying up or modifying down according to their body's needs. Jennifer is a devoted follower of Jesus and the core of her being is rooted in her faith. She loves her family, friends, and new faces! In addition to teaching and practicing yoga, she is also a music composer, trained flutist, and medical therapist at a chiropractic office.
Kim fell in love with yoga while living in Massachusetts and pregnant with her first child. She was looking to keep active while pregnant, and appreciated how yoga had made her feel physically, and emotionally. The prenatal yoga class had proven to help her feel more energetic, sleep better, and enjoy the positive connection between baby and mom. After eight wonderful years of living in the Boston area, Kim and her family have since moved back to Connecticut to spend more time with their expanded families. As she continued with her practice, Kim decided she wanted a deeper understanding of the history of yoga, as well as the link it can facilitate between the physical, mental, and spiritual bond. Therefore, last October she began her 200 hour teacher training at Soul Space. This journey is one that she will be forever grateful for. Her goal is to bring yoga and its message to the next generation as a means for them to find a healthy connection between the mind, body, and soul. She truly believes all beings can benefit from a little yoga every day, and would love to help make that possible for people in this crazy, busy world. You can usually find Kim enjoying her free time with her wonderful, supportive husband and their two incredible kids. They love hiking, camping, nature, art, and believe a good laugh can cure just about anything.
Lucia Infante has enjoyed teaching Italian to high school students for the past 16 years. She strives to create a compassionate environment where each student can experience a sense of belonging and self-discovery. She brings the same compassion into her yoga classes. Learn to practice yoga in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Lucia completed Bhogah Yoga's 200 Hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher training in Vinyasa under the direction of Brianne Davidson in May 2013. She has completed an 85 hour prenatal training program.
She started practicing yoga in 2006, but her practice was put on the back burner a few years later to complete her Master's degree in education coupled with raising her family. It wasn't until 2012 when her doctor prescribed yoga for her health, which began her path to deepen her yoga practice.
She practiced yoga for the physical benefits. However, once she learned to truly be on her mat, she was able to make a body, mind, and spirit connection that transcended off her mat. This self-discovery sparked an excitement and craving to learn more. The benefits of regular practice during her training has improved her life in ways she didn't believe possible, which cultivated a desire to share this passion with others.
Whether you have been practicing for some time or new to yoga, join Lucia for Vinyasa yoga or if you are pregnant, deepen your experience and enjoyment of pregnancy with prenatal yoga. Her goal is to help her students find and maintain a peaceful mind and body. Students of all levels enjoy her friendly and warm teaching style.
As a graduate of the CrossRoads 200 hour Teacher Training program, Amy has found her passion in sharing her yoga practice with others. Amy began practicing yoga at Soul Space in 2012 in an effort to quiet her busy mind and strengthen her body. Following treatment for breast cancer in 2014, Amy had an intense desire to delve more deeply into the yogic philosophy. Teacher training allowed Amy to connect more fully to her true self. She has begun living a healthier lifestyle that incorporates more meditation, breathing and Ayurvedic practices. Amy enjoys sharing her passion not only with the community members at Soul Space, but with the students and staff she works with as a reading consultant in Newington. Amy is eager to continue learning all she can about living a healthy and balanced life using holistic practices. Amy also loves spending quality time with her husband and two children, as well as running, reading, baking, and connecting with friends.
Jessica's journey to yoga has been a lifelong one, but it wasn't until about a year and a half ago that she realized yoga truly is the path she is meant to follow. A moving experience at the end of an early morning yoga class led Jessica to Soul Space, where she completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in December of 2017. Jessica is passionate about yoga, meditation, and spiritual growth, and looks forward to the moments when she can share her passions with others. During the day, she works as a K-4 Library Media Specialist and brings mindfulness and yoga practices into her work with children. When Jessica is not teaching, she can be found reading, writing, or indulging in the occasional Netflix binge – all while curled up on the couch with with her handsome pup, Gus.
As a child, Joanne Kelleher can remember watching Liliias Folan's yoga program on PBS and frequently standing in tree pose. Joanne started her yoga studies over 22 years ago with Carole Milano at the Southington Arts Council. She received her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training Certificate from CrossRoads located at Soul Space Yoga and Wellness, studying under Crystal Sullivan, Shelley Nyren and Cheryl Moran in 2013. In 2016, she completed her 500 training also at CrossRoads. As a Reiki II practitioner she is drawn to offering gentle, energetic hand-on assists during her classes.
Joanne is currently transitioning from a career in the technology field to the non-profit world. She is the director of the Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington, where she runs workshops and provides resources for parents and childcare providers. She is also doing grant proposal writing as an independent consultant.
On the technology side, she is the Vice President of Operations at SecureRF Corporation, focusing on operations and administration including recruiting, grant writing/administration and logistics. She previously worked as the marketing director at Imaging Solutions and Pinnacle Decision Systems, and she started her career at the Travelers.
Joanne lives in Southington with her husband, Tim Johnson, and they have been exploring the joys of an empty nest as both of their sons are off at college. Joanne sings with the Branches contemporary choir at the First Congregational Church of Southington, and has been an active volunteer in the Southington community with FCC, Boy Scouts, the Southington Band Backers, the Southington Education Foundation and other organizations.
Kristen stays busy as both the mom of two active boys and as the Department Chair of Fine Arts & Photography teacher, at a local high school. She holds a B.S in Elementary and Special Education, and a B.F.A and M.F.A in Photography. In addition to being a master teacher, Kristen is a curated artist and photographer, whose work has been exhibited locally and elsewhere.
Kristen is an active person that thrives with movement. Kristen finds the movement of yoga a great way to strengthen her core and the pranayama a great way to calm her mind. You will find that you will leave class with a smile on your face and a feel as if some of the static from the world we live in has been washed away. Kristen's goal is for people of all ages and abilities to be able to find themselves on the mat loving the practice of yoga. Kristen is a 200 hour YTT graduate from Soul Space.
Kristen's motto is to "be strong and sparkle"–she keeps up her fitness skiing, hiking, and practicing yoga.
Sara began her yoga journey while searching for ways to better understand the paradox of feeling highly sensitive but also disconnected to the world around her. Sara's study of self-realization, yoga and the arts has provided her with tools for empowerment and whole body healing.
Sara is passionate about teaching and learning. Sara received her 200-hour certification from SoulSpace Yoga and Wellness in 2015. Since then she has trained with skilled yoga teachers from all different styles of yoga.
Sara is an intuitive and creative yoga teacher who compassionately holds space for people of all ages, abilities and experience as they safely bridge the gap between their mind, body and heart. Her classes can consist of intention, breath work, meditation and carefully sequenced postures. Sara enjoys bringing awareness and balance to the energetic body as well as providing students with modifications and gentle hands on assists that encourage students to meet themselves where they are and practice yoga for longevity.
Sara is extremely grateful to be a part of the SoulSpace community.
Alicia began her yoga journey by visiting different yoga studios while in college. She quickly noticed that yoga gave her the physical alleviation her body was craving but also taught her more about who she is as an individual, strengthening her inner Self. Alicia believes her youth aids in her ability to connect with people of her generation through teaching yoga, and wishes to reach out to all individuals who are struggling on their own life journey in hopes that they too can find their inner strength. Soul space has become Alicia's sanctuary and also her classroom as a student in the teacher training program. Alicia's classes hold the opportunity to express creativity, freedom, and spiritual growth for all yogi's.
Cassie Marcheggiani, RYT 200, LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and EMDR trained, from colorful Denver, Colorado. Yoga is defined as "to yoke" or to bring together mind, body, and soul. With this practice, I have found such greatness in myself, my loved ones, those who challenge me, and those I pass by. Using the vehicle of breath, one can take the journey of becoming aware of their true self through asana(movement). Through meditation, w e are allowed to become our best selves. I wish to share my best self with others so they may start or continue their own journey.
I started my yoga practice 10 years ago, looking for a new workout to define muscles. This led me to Soul Space Wellness Center in Southington, CT, where I was welcomed with love and inspiration. I recently graduated from Soul Space's Crossroads Teaching Training 200 Hour Certificate Program, where I was guided along the path to mind, body and soul balance and peace.
As a devoted runner for over 25 years, avid skier and general fitness enthusiast, Dawn is by no means a stranger to injury. In fact, it was an injury that ultimately led her to the mat. A torn ACL brought her running career and love for all things cardio to a temporary screeching halt. As an alternative exercise, she turned to yoga. It didn't take her long to connect to the oneness and union of yoga as well as its therapeutic healing qualities. The more she practiced, the more she immersed herself deeper into this beautiful and ancient tradition. She liked what was happening. Yoga revealed to Dawn the beauty and strength inherent in her own being. It uncovered the person that existed before the stresses of a corporate career.
Dawn is also a certified fitness instructor through Aerobics Fitness Association of America [AFAA] and Body Training Systems [BTS] who has been teaching since 2007. In June 2012 she completed the class room requirements for her yoga certification in WHY Power through West Hartford Yoga's 200 hour teacher training. This beautiful process was organically nurtured by many wonderful teachers such as Ellen Head, Jill Miller, Judith Orloth, Nikki Poole, Jude Russell, Barbara Ruzansky, and Crystal Sullivan. When not on her mat, Dawn can be found with her other beautiful inspirations, Paul, Brandon and Devin either running, skiing or just tossing the baseball in the back yard. Just as the word yoga itself means to yoke or join, yoga has helped me cultivate a connection between all aspects of my being. How can I not share this joy?
Marilyn discovered yoga after retirement from the corporate world. It was a suggestion from her daughter that brought her to her first class over 11 years ago but it was the profound effect on the body-mind connection that kept her coming back. After attending classes for many years, the desire to really learn more about every aspect of yoga led her to enroll in the Crossroads Training here at SoulSpace. A believer in continuing education and personal development at every age, Marilyn continues to learn and grow. She's a lover of the outdoors and an enthusiastic gardener. She treasures her role as a mother and grandmother.
Cheryl began exploring the path of yoga almost 20yrs ago in New York City while attending law school. As her interest gravitated from the physical to the spiritual aspects of practice, various asana and meditation teachers have been helping to gently guide her on her journey including Rolf Gates, Seane Corn, Kevin Griffin, Nikki Meyers, Brian Kest, Tommy Rosen & Sharon Salzberg. In 2012, Cheryl became certified as an RYT at the 200hr level in Nosara, Costa Rica and is currently enrolled as a 500hr RYT student at Kripalu.
Believing passionately in the power of gratitude in our lives and the limitless benefits of living in the present moment (one breath at a time), Cheryl tries to walk her own spiritual path with grace, humility and an open heart. She strives for balance, flexibility, strength & serenity both on and off of the mat and, desiring always to remain a student, is constantly learning from all of the various teachers that surround her each and every day.
Jessica has a dedicated career working as a leader in the mental health field, currently employed by Yale University's School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry. She has served as a Clinical Director in various capacities over the past ten years with areas of specialty practice surrounding forensic psychology, addiction recovery, trauma, evidence based treatment, and holistic treatment modalities. Jessica is an advocate for yoga and meditation in developing increased visibility as effective practices in the realms of psychiatry, health, and human services. She continues to witness the profound impact these modalities have had with alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction when combined with traditional "talk therapy".
Jessica has been teaching yoga since 2011, receiving her certification from Samadhi Yoga. She approaches her students from a place of love and acceptance and is passionate about cultivating a studio atmosphere of non-judgment and to support healing and optimal functioning of the whole self. She frequently utilizes medicinal aromatherapy, Ayurveda, and detoxing flow to enhance her classes. Jessica has been inspired through cultural immersion and travels to Asia, Australia, and Central America, which have served as a catalyst to enhance her spiritual connection to nature and the "yoga of life". She will also graduate in the summer of 2016 with her AYS certification from the Himalayan Institute and is the founding director of Prima Wellness, LLC.
Susan completed her 200 hr Yoga teacher training through CrossRoads and is currently enrolled in the 500 hr training at CrossRoads. She is also a Yoga Alliance certified Radiant Child Yoga Teacher, which a Kundalini based program, with 175 hours of training completed. She is in clinical practice as a Pediatric Physical Therapist and has been working with children and families for 29 years in all settings. She recently completed her Doctorate in Physical Therapy, is APTA board certified as a Pediatric Clinical Specialist and her research focuses on using yoga intervention with children who are differently abled. Susan currently works as a Pediatric Physical Therapist in schools on the CT shoreline and is a per diem employee at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. Integrating yoga into her physical therapy interventions has been extremely rewarding and she believes in the benefits for both children and families. Susan discovered yoga while recovering from an acute episode of multiple sclerosis, which she has thrived with for 10 years. Yoga and meditation has provided a foundation for wellness and a source of strength during both uplifting and challenging times. She has a particular interest in supporting families in their journey of raising children and adults with physical and emotional challenges and regularly engages teachers and caretakers in yoga and mindfulness practices in her work settings.
Crystal has had a life-long fascination with the body-mind-spirit connection. She has completed a 200 hr yoga teacher training at Sacred Rivers, a 200 hour Vinyasa teacher training with Rolf Gates and a 300 hour teacher training with emphasis on Yoga Therapy at Sacred Rivers. She is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) recognized by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Additionally, she has studied The Art of Teaching Yin Yoga with Paul & Suzee Grilley and Paulie Zink, The Art of Teaching Vinyasa with Shiva Rea and Kundalini Yoga for Mastering Your Life with Guru Singh. She studies regularly with her teacher and Amma devotee, Gauri Jennifer DesRochers. Crystal believes that yoga is a way of life that invites wellness, serenity, and deeper communion with the Divine. Her students are encouraged to lead their best possible life. Also a Physical Therapist, she directs/lead teaches CrossRoads 200 & 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training and offers Yoga Therapy Consults at SoulSpace for those who seek to take their practice and understanding of yoga to the next level and/or who wish to apply yoga's therapeutic tools to specific concerns. She loves spending quality time with her husband, daughter, friends and yoga community. She also loves creating music and art and cherishes all forms of learning. Crystal is grateful for the opportunity to serve at SoulSpace.
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Broadberry Entertainment Group and LAVA Present
Sat. September 7, 2019
American musician who plays the guitar, banjo, and fiddle for bluegrass band
Born in Washington, D.C. but raised in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a teacher of old-time music at Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia, co-founder of Old Sledge, joined Old Crow Medicine Show in 2012.
2406 Colonial Ave
Norfolk, VA, 23517
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Q: Relations between $\mathcal D$-modules and Exterior Differential Systems? As a followup of this answer, I wonder relations between $\mathcal D$-modules and Exterior Differential Systems, both of which could be used to describe systems of PDEs. If I understand correctly, $\mathcal D$-modules are about linear PDEs while exterior differential systems are about general PDEs. However, I am looking for an explicit and direct description of relations between these two, at least under certain linearity assumptions. This question is motivated by the Spencer resolution. To fix notations, let $X$ be a smooth complex variety of dimension $n$. As a (left) $\mathcal D_X$-module, $\mathcal O_X$ admits a locally free resolution $\mathcal D_X\otimes_{\mathcal O_X}\bigwedge^*\Theta_X\to\mathcal O_X$ called Spencer resolution, where $\Theta_X:=\operatorname{\mathcal Der}_{\mathcal O_X}(\mathcal O_X)$ is the tangent sheaf. This resolution is quite closely related to the de Rham complex therefore the question. I am not familiar with either, and I guess that this should be something already understood, if not well documented.
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Return to alavigne.net home
Elemental Iceland
Return to Elemental Iceland home page Introduction To Iceland! Day 1 - Reykjanes Peninsula Day 1 - Reykjavik Day 2 - Hellisheiði Geothermal Plant; Day 2 - Reykjadalur Hot River Day 2 - Geysir and Fulfoss Day 2 - Seljalandsfoss Day 3 - Backpack between Volcanoes I Day 4 - Backpack between Volcanoes II Day 4 - Skógar to Skaftafell Day 5 - Climbing Iceland's Highpoint Day 6 - Lagoons, Coasts, and Deserts Day 7 - Dettifoss Day 7 - Hverir, Krafla, and Lake Myvatn Day 7 - The Turf farm at Laufás Day 7 - City of Akureyri Day 8 - The Troll Peninsula Day 8 - Eirick's Homestead Day 9 - The Final Tour Supplemental Images Where we drove The "Short Report" Original Planning Page GPS Data Video Clip Index
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A Backpack Between Volcanoes
Básar to Fimmvörðuháls pass
Sunday, July 8th
Today was the day for the start of our two-day "between the volcanoes" backpack, from the valley of Þórsmörk to the small south-coast community of Skógar.
We chose this backpack for a number of reasons: the first was that the start point - the Þórsmörk valley - is considered one of Iceland's most beautiful outdoor destinations. Surrounded by glaciers and mountains, it has a slightly warmer climate that supports a small indigenous bit of forest, a very unique thing in this country. Secondly, the path of our backpack climbed up and over a mountain pass between two glacier-capped volcanoes; one of the volcanoes is Eyjafjallajökull, and if you don't remember, this is the Icelandic volcano that erupted in 2010, becoming world-famous as its ash disrupted air travel for two months in Western Europe and the North Atlantic. Part of the eruption occurred directly across the path our backpack, and we were interested in viewing the aftermath. And thirdly, this short two-day backpack fitted well into the logistics of our fairly short visit to Iceland.
courtesy CHatko
Hamragarðar campground
As I mentioned earlier in this narrative, the logistics surrounding the setup of this backpack meant that I had to get up early and drive the van to the endpoint, at Skógar. The second bus - the one that would take us from the campground into Þórsmörk valley - didn't leave until after 10am, so everybody except me got to have a nice, leisurely morning.
Green Buttress
Leaving the campground at 7:15am, I drove east along the ring road towards Skógar. The lower green flanks of Eyjafjallajökull were a constant companion on the left, and I stopped at several of the interpretive lookouts along the way to take some shots of this now-famous volcano. Unlike those days just 26 months prior, the top of the peak looked quiet and smoke-free.
Portrait of an eruption
I arrived at the Skógar area shortly before 8 a.m., and parked the Hiace at the Skógafoss waterfall parking area (the path leading down from the mountains - and which we would use on the second day of our backpack - ends here).
I knew I had to take bus 21a, but it was not completely clear to me if the bus left at 8a.m. or 8:30a.m., and also it was not clear as to whether or not the bus stopped at the Skógafoss parking area, or out at the junction with the ring road. In order to cover all of my bases, I briskly walked the five minutes or so back to the main ring road, and bided my time until 8 a.m.
Skógar
Farmlands and Westman Islands
West from Skógar
I took a few pictures of the surrounding scenery from the ring road while I waited. Of particular niceness was the view across the coastal plains towards the rugged Westmann Islands, situated just a few kilometres south of the coastline. From my point along the road near Skógar, I had a perfectly lined-up view of farmland, a small coastal town, and islands in the far distance.
8 a.m. came and went. No bus coming along the ring road at 8, then. I had at least 30 minutes to work with, so I decided to head back to the car park to see if there was any indication of the bus back there. As I was walking back, I noticed a large white bus come from inside Skógar itself and turn towards the parking lot. I wasn't absolutely sure that it was the bus I wanted, but it seemed promising.
Skógar bus stop
Arriving back at the parking lot, it was clear from a sign in the bus' window that it was indeed the 21a, and it was leaving at 8:30 a.m. Uncertainty resolved. The 21a *leaves* from Skógar at 8:30 a.m.; it does not come from some point further east. I went up to the bus driver and paid the 1100 ISK fee to take the bus back to Seljalandsfoss (and he nicely gave me a 100 ISK discount when I didn't have precise change on hand).
While waiting for 8:30 to arrive, I struck up a chat with a young Welsh family whose children were cavorting about near the bus. They had recently moved to Iceland to live and work, and during their weekends and time off they explored the wilds of the country. It so happened that this particular weekend they were aiming to do exactly the same itinerary we were planning - albeit over a longer number of days.
Reykjavik Excursions
Welsh boy
West on bus 21a
8:30 a.m. soon rolled around, and we boarded the bus and headed back to the ring road, then east. In about twenty minutes, I was back at Seljalandsfoss, where the bus dropped us off right at the waterfall parking area. It was a simple matter to follow the footpath across the fields and back to our campsite, where the rest of the group was having a late and leisurely breakfast.
Breakfast at Seljalandsfoss
Hamragarðar camground buildings
Hatko's morning pleasure
After breakfast and packing up, we made our way to the central facilities building at the Hamragarðar campground. The bus that would be taking us into the Þórsmörk valley stops on the road in front of this building.
Big buses approach
Bus 9a - a large highly jacked-up four-wheel drive Mercedes bus - arrived a few minutes late. We presented the tickets we had purchased the day before and loaded our full packs into one of the cargo holds. Soon, we were on our way up highway 249. The pavement soon ended, and we began the dusty and bumpy drive along the F249 - our first experience with one of Iceland's so-called "F-Roads" (also known as "Mountain Tracks").
Heading to Þórsmörk
The Þórsmörk valley is a highly-prized destination for Icelanders and foreigners alike. Surrounded on three sides by big mountains and big glaciers, especially on the south and west, the valley contains a microclimate that makes it more amenable to vegetation. As a result, there is a small natural forest in the valley, reportedly also quite beautiful and scenic. In fact, the name Þórsmörk translates to "Thor's Forest".
Glacier stopoff
F249 turned out to be quite a dusty and washboarded track, throwing up a huge plume of dust behind us and rattling our teeth. To our left was a very wide, braided river, chocked with sediment. This was the Markafljót, the main river that drains the entire Þórsmörk valley, including the many glaciers that flow down into the valley. The wide sandy flats and many river braids is characteristic of a glacial outflow river.
Off to our right was a steep mountain slope, with snow and glaciers thousands of feet above us. This was the northern slope of now-famous Eyjafjallajökull, which erupted in 2010. The bus made a scenic 10-minute stop at an overlook towards a valley glacier that flowed down from the heights of Eyjafjallajökull. It's snow, ice, and crevasses were quite dirty-looking, sporting deposits of volcanic ash from the 2010 eruption.
Lady's Bedstraw and Eyjafjallajökull
Ewart and Þórsmörk valley
Chillin in Þórsmörk
Typical Þórsmörk ford
Back on board
Back on board the bus after our scenic stop, we continued on our journey up the Þórsmörk valley. The road became increasingly challenging, with larger and larger fords of tributaries of the Markafljót river. The largest of the fords, I fear, may have been too much for the Hiace - or at the very least would have made for a white-knuckle experience.
A major ford
There are several huts and campgrounds sprinkled about the scenic Þórsmörk valley, and the F249 road that we were on provided access to two of them: the Húsadalur hut and campground, and the Básar hut and campground. The start point for our backpack was the Básar hut and campground - however, our bus was headed to the Húsadalur hut and campground. From there, another bus would arrive within minutes to take us the final few kilometres to Básar.
Increasingly interesting and beautiful crags became visible around us as we continued up-valley. Under an increasingly sunny day, there were now great views in all directions - green craggy valleys down low and attractively-shaped alpine peaks higher up.
Húsadalur hut
we arrived at the Húsadalur hut and campground at around noon, and got out to wait for the final bus that would take us to Básar. It was a most pleasant location, on the banks of the wide Markafljót river. There was a large green lawn in front of the hut buildings, and in the background, a short but thick forest covered the hillsides, with the occasional crag of lava rock poking up.
There wasn't much time for us to poke around, because soon another large 4-wheel-drive bus rumbled up, and we confirmed with the driver that this bus was indeed continuing on to Básar. All of our logistics, fortunately, were still going according to plan.
9a bus cockpit
Another bus to final destination
Looking across at Skagfjörðsskáli
Within twenty minutes were on our new bus, headed to Básar. We had to head a short way back long the road we had just come up to reach the side junction leading to Básar, and from there it was a short drive along another dustry stretch of the road. As we approached the site of the hut and campground, we could see many tents and four-wheel drive capable vehicles parked in little nooks and crannies between the trees that grew here. It looked like quite a busy place - but only for people with the appropriate vehicular equipment!
Soon afterwards, we reached the Básar hut proper, and the bus slowly backed into a long driveway that led up to it. It wouldn't be long before we were ready to begin our backpack into the Icelandic wilderness!
Approaching Básar
Disgorging visitors
Interactive Trackmap - drive into Thorsmork - double-click to expand
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Interactive Trackmap - drive into Thorsmork - click to expand
[ Return to "Elemental Iceland" Home page | Introduction | To Iceland! | Day 1-Reykjanes Peninsula | Day 1-Reykjavik | Day 2-Hellisheiði Geothermal Plant | Day 2-Reykjadalur Hot River | Day 2-Geysir and Gullfoss | Day 2-Seljalandsfoss | Day 3-Backpack between volcanoes I | Day 4-Backpack between volcanoes II | Day 4-Skógar to Skaftafell | Day 5-Climbing Iceland's Highpoint | Day 6-Lagoons, Coasts, and Deserts | Day 7-Dettifoss | Day 7-Hverir, Krafla, and Lake Myvatn Area | Day 7-Turf Farm at Laufás | Day 7-Akureyri | Day 8-The Troll Peninsula | Day 8-Eirik's Homestead | Day 9-Final Tour
| Supplemental Images | Where we drove | The "Short Report" | Video Clip Index | GPS Data ]
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Professor Mühlhäuser named as ACM Distinguished Member
Recognition for outstanding scientific contributions to computing
2021/12/21 by Daniela Fleckenstein
Prof. Max Mühlhäuser, Professor of Computer Science and head of the Telecooperation Lab, was named a 2021 Distinguished Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). The ACM named 63 Distinguished Members in 2021 for outstanding contributions to the field of computing. All distinguished members are longstanding ACM members and were selected by their peers for a range of accomplishments that advance computing as a science and a profession.
Picture: Katrin Binner
Professor Max Mühlhäuser
The 2021 distinguished group of computing professionals were selected for their contributions in one of three fields: education, engineering or science. Professor Mühlhäuser was selected for his outstanding scientific contributions.
Professor Mühlhäuser's Telecooperation Lab researches concepts and methods for human-centered smart spaces of all sizes: from personal cyber workstations and intelligent meeting rooms to smart cities and intelligent, resilient infrastructures. In addition, he is also heading the doctoral school Privacy and Trust for Mobile Users at TU Darmstadt and is a principal investigator in cooperative research centers such as the center for resilient digital cities emergenCITY, the German national research center for Cybersecurity ATHENE, and the collaborative research center MAKI on the Future Internet.
"Each year we are excited to recognize a new class of ACM Distinguished Members both for their professional achievements, as well as their longstanding membership with ACM," said ACM President Gabriele Kotsis. "The Distinguished Members program is both a way to celebrate the trailblazing work of our members and to underscore how participation with a professional society enhances one's career growth. This award category also emphasizes how ACM's worldwide membership is the foundation of our organization."
The 2021 Distinguished Members work at leading universities, corporations and research institutions across the globe. To be nominated, a candidate must have at least 15 years of professional experience in the computing field, five years of professional ACM membership in the last 10 years and have made a significant impact in the field of computing, computer science or information technology. Furthermore, it is expected that a Distinguished Member serves as a mentor and role model, guiding technical career development and contributing to the field beyond the norm.
ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery claims to be the world's largest educational and scientific computing society, uniting educators, researchers and professionals to inspire dialogue, share resources and address the field's challenges. ACM strengthens the computing profession's collective voice through strong leadership, promotion of the highest standards, and recognition of technical excellence. ACM supports the professional growth of its members by providing opportunities for life-long learning, career development, and professional networking.
ACM press release
Telecooperation Lab
Communication and Media Relations
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The structure-activity relationship of the crucial C16 region of (-)-dictyostatin was established through total synthesis of analogs followed by detailed biological characterization. A versatile synthetic strategy was used to prepare milligram quantities of 16-normethyldictyostatin, 16-epi-dictyostatin, and the C16-normethyl-C15Z isomer. Along the way, a number of other E/Z isomers and epimers were prepared, and a novel lactone ring contraction to make iso-dictyostatins with 20-membered macrolactones (instead of 22-membered macrolactones) was discovered. The synthesis of 16-normethyl-15,16- dehydrodictyostatin is the first of any dictyostatin by a maximally convergent route in which three main fragments are assembled, coupled in back-to-back steps, and then processed through refunctionalization and macrolactonization. Cell-based and biochemical evaluations showed 16-normethyl-15,16- dehydrodictyostatin and 16-normethyldictyostatin to be the most potent of the new agents, only 2- and 5-fold less active than (-)-dictyostatin itself. This data and that from previously generated dictyostatin analogs are combined to produce a picture of the structure-activity relationships in this series of anticancer agents. © 2007 American Chemical Society.
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The Data concerning the User is collected to allow the Owner to provide its Services, as well as for the following purposes: Analytics, Interaction with external social networks and platforms, Remarketing and behavioral targeting and Advertising.
Receive their Data and have it transferred to another controller. Users have the right to receive their Data in a structured, commonly used andmachine readableformat and, if technically feasible, to have it transmitted to another controller without any hindrance. This provision is applicable provided that the Data is processed by automated means and that the processing is based on the User's consent, on a contract which the User is part of or on pre-contractual obligations thereof.
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Home > Home care services > Palliative care > Who is it for?
medication costs that do not provide the intended relief and are becoming a financial hardship to the patient.
Agnes was diagnosed with ovarian cancer the year her husband died. She underwent surgery with no further chemotherapy or treatments. She had just learned that the cancer had come back and spread to her bladder and abdomen.
The only family she had was a sister-in-law and nephew. She had no health care directive.
She was afraid of being in pain and didn't want to go through the ordeal that her husband did when he died of lung cancer.
Allina Health Palliative Care met with Agnes four times and provided several telephone calls from an expert nurse for symptom management and family support.
The palliative care nurse accompanied Agnes and her sister-in-law to her first cancer doctor visit. The nurse helped Agnes and her family understand her disease and treatments that were presented by the doctor.
The social worker met with Agnes, her nephew (power of attorney), and sister-in-law to discuss resources, assist in completing her health care directive, and future planning options.
The palliative care nurse visited a third time to provide assessment and treatment options to manage her abdominal pain and bladder spasms.
At the time that Agnes' quality of life started to decline, the nurse visited to discuss and assist Agnes' transition from palliative care to hospice care.
Agnes spent her remaining months at a care facility with hospice support.
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You will need to have the Adobe Flash plug-in version 11 installed. If you do not have Adobe Flash 11, you may get it by clicking here.
Related Article: What are the minimum system requirements for the PGA TOUR player?
Related Article: Do I need to log in to access PGA TOUR Simulcast and LIVE@ content?
Related Article: Does the PGA TOUR Player support mobile devices and what do they feature?
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PREVIOUS ARTICLE: Brüll, Jacob NEXT ARTICLE: Brutskus, Iulii
Brushtein, Aleksandra Iakovlevna
(1884–1968), Russian playwright, memoirist, and teacher. Aleksandra Brushtein was born in Vilna, where her father, Iakov Vygodskii (Wygodzki; 1857–1941), was a physician and a leading figure in the Jewish community. She graduated from the History–Philosophy Department of the Higher Women's Courses in Saint Petersburg. After the revolution, Brushtein concentrated on educational work and writing, organizing 173 literacy schools for adults and writing extensively for children and adolescents.
Especially popular in their day were Brushtein's plays for children, including Prodolzhenie sleduet (Continuation to Follow; 1933), Goluboe i rozovoe (Blue and Pink; 1936), and the dramatization for children's theater of world classics such as Don Kikhot (Don Quixote; 1928), Khizhina diadi Toma (Uncle Tom's Cabin; 1948), and Zhestokii mir (Cruel World, an adaption from Dickens; 1954). Overall, more than 60 of her plays and dramatizations were performed, and an anthology of them appeared in Moscow in 1956. Her memoirs, Stranitsy proshlogo (Pages from the Past) appeared in 1952, and an autobiographical trilogy, Doroga ukhodit v dal' . . . (The Road Goes off into the Distance . . .), was issued between 1955 and 1959.
Brushtein's plays, straightforward and openly didactic, were once very popular on the children's stage, though they have since been forgotten. In essence she is now known for her trilogy Doroga ukhodit v dal' . . . , with the title of the first volume (1955) having become the name for the entire set (the other two titles are V rassvetnyi chas [At the Hour of Dawn; 1958] and Vesna [Spring; 1959]). Its subject is typical of a coming-of-age novel: the biography of a girl from the time she enters school until she graduates. The action takes place in Vilna at the end of the nineteenth century. The novel's hero, the girl's father, is the doctor Iakov Ianovskii, whom she worships (the prototype was the author's own father). However, the hero of the novel, unlike his model, was not active in politics and in place of the former's Jewish interests he appears simply as a bearer of the values of the liberal intelligentsia.
The novel is written lightly and with humor, and depicts historical events through the eyes of a child. It creates a convincing picture of the life of the liberal Russian and Russian Jewish intelligentsia at the end of the nineteenth century, as well as of the life of multiethnic Vilna in that period. Brushtein refers calmly and naturally to many subjects that the Soviets half-forbade or relegated to silence. For decades, her book served young Soviet Jews as an almost singular source of information about the Pale of Settlement, the numerus clausus, the Passover Seder, and the identity of such people as Alfred Dreyfus and the revolutionary Hirsh Lekert.
Doroga ukhodit v dal' . . . served as a genuine codex of values of Russian liberal intelligentsia, and, in the narrower sense, of the values of the Russian Jewish intellectual community that emerged in the middle of the nineteenth century. The novel, which was one of the most important books for a generation of young people, preserved in many ways the cultural traditions of the Russian Jewish intelligentsia under Soviet conditions that threatened it in so many ways.
Aleksandra Brushtein, Doroga ukhodit v dal' (Moscow, 1965); L. Kabo, "A. Ia. Brushtein," Lekhaim 1 (2001).
Valery Dymshits
Translated from Russian by Alice Nakhimovsky
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f1 austin articles archive
Rate the race: 2012 United States Grand Prix
2012 United States Grand Prix
18th November 2012, 20:39 25th March 2015, 6:02 | Written by Keith Collantine
What did you think of the United States Grand Prix? Share your verdict on today's race.
Live: 2012 United States Grand Prix
F1 Fanatic Live
18th November 2012, 17:30 4th April 2013, 9:01 | Written by Keith Collantine
Follow the 2012 United States Grand Prix on F1 Fanatic Live.
Advantage Vettel – but Alonso still believes
2012 United States Grand Prix pre-race analysis
18th November 2012, 3:12 | Written by Keith Collantine
Sebastian Vettel has a chance to clinch the drivers' championship with one round to spare in the United States Grand Prix but Fernando Alonso believes he can be beaten.
2012 United States Grand Prix qualifying in pictures
18th November 2012, 1:37 4th October 2017, 15:55 | Written by Keith Collantine
Pictures from final practice and qualifying for the United States Grand Prix.
Vettel takes pole as Alonso struggles to fourth row
2012 United States Grand Prix qualifying
17th November 2012, 19:58 31st October 2017, 17:21 | Written by Will Wood
Championship leader Sebastian Vettel will start seven places ahead of rival Fernando Alonso after taking the first ever pole position around Circuit of the Americas in the United States.
2012 United States Grand Prix grid
17th November 2012, 19:33 18th November 2012, 17:07 | Written by Will Wood
Sebastian Vettel is on pole for tomorrow's United States Grand Prix, with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton alongside. Fernando Alonso will start eighth after Romain Grosjean's penalty.
Vettel quickest yet again in final US practice session
2012 United States Grand Prix third practice
Sebastian Vettel was the fastest driver once again in the third and final practice session ahead of qualifying for the US Grand Prix.
Will F1 make a success of its return to America?
17th November 2012, 10:50 17th November 2012, 10:51 | Written by Keith Collantine
F1 is back for another attempt to win over the American public. But will the Circuit of the Americas provide the springboard for success the championship is yearning for?
Drivers praise COTA but race prospects aren't good
2012 United States GP Friday practice analysis
F1 drivers were full of praise for the new home of the United States Grand Prix after sampling it for the first time today. But its first race be any good?
Live: 2012 United States Grand Prix third practice
17th November 2012, 0:00 4th April 2013, 9:01 | Written by Keith Collantine
Follow the 2012 United States Grand Prix third practice session on F1 Fanatic Live.
Live: 2012 United States Grand Prix qualifying
Follow the 2012 United States Grand Prix qualifying session on F1 Fanatic Live.
2012 United States Grand Prix practice in pictures
Pictures of F1 cars in action for the first time at the dramatic new Circuit of the Americas.
Make your United States GP predictions to win prizes
Enter your predictions for the United States Grand Prix for your chance to win prizes this weekend.
Vettel fastest despite delay in second practice
2012 United States Grand Prix second practice
Sebastian Vettel was quickest for the second session in a row at the Circuit of the Americas despite losing time with a technical problem.
Vettel takes top time off Hamilton in first practice
2012 United States Grand Prix first practice
Sebastian Vettel led the first practice session at the Circuit of the Americas by over a second.
F1 drivers have positive first impression of COTA
F1 drivers gave the Circuit of the Americas the thumbs-up after arriving at the new home of the United States Grand Prix.
Live: 2012 United States Grand Prix first practice
Follow the 2012 United States Grand Prix first practice session on F1 Fanatic Live.
Live: 2012 United States Grand Prix second practice
Follow the 2012 United States Grand Prix second practice session on F1 Fanatic Live.
2012 United States Grand Prix Thursday pictures
15th November 2012, 23:59 | Written by Keith Collantine
Pictures from Thursday at and around the Circuit of the Americas ahead of its first Grand Prix.
How Vettel and Red Bull can win titles this weekend
Sebastian Vettel can win the drivers' title this weekend and Red Bull are very likely to clinch the constructors' crown. Here's how they can do it.
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Conference on Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing (CALCON)
Home > Conferences and Events > CALCON > 2019 > all2019content > 4
All 2019 Content
CLARREO Pathfinder Inter-calibration: Requirements and Objecti
Constantine Lukashin, NASA Langley Research Center
Y. Shea, NASA Langley Research Center
K. Thome, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
B. A. Wielicki, NASA Langley Research Center
The Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) is a Tier 1 mission recommended by the NRC Decadal Survey 2007. In 2016, NASA allocated funding for a CLARREO Pathfinder mission to demonstrate essential measurement technologies required for the full mission. The allocated funds support the flight of a Reflected Solar spectrometer, hosted on the International Space Station (ISS) in the 2023 time-frame. One of the major objectives of CLARREO Pathfinder mission is to demonstrate on-orbit sensor inter-calibration. The CLARREO Pathfinder approach for reference inter-calibration is based on measuring spectral reflectance with high accuracy and establishing an on-orbit reference for operating Earth viewing sensors: CERES and VIIRS. The mission goal is to be able to provide CLARREO reference observations that are matched in temporal, spectral, and angular domains with measurements from the aforementioned instruments, with sampling sufficient to overcome the random error sources from imperfect data matching. The inter-calibration method is to monitor changes in targeted sensor response function parameters: effective offset, gain, non-linearity, spectral response function, and sensitivity to polarization. We will present the CLARREO Pathfinder project status, development of its inter-calibration approach and algorithms, and expected sampling estimates.
Jun 19th, 3:00 PM
Research Centers and Departments
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Ecologist - Writer - Photographer
Stress physiology of South African game animals
Sharing of reproduction and care of young in banded mongooses
Effects of anthropogenic waste disposal on banded mongoose demographics
Group dynamics in chimpanzees
Costs and benefits of communal breeding in grey mouse lemurs
Dynamics of group-living in social spiders
Magazine Articles+
The Ray Harryhausen Centenary Photo Quiz
Scotland Galleries
Ray Harryhausen: Titan Of Cinema - Teaser
Tyrannosaurs: The Exhibition
Tyrannosaurs: teaser
Trix - Tyrannosaurus rex for real
Full Flow: Explorations of the Flow Country
Titan arum - at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Wee Reekie - Amorphophallus konjac
Amorphophallus titanum - the corpse flower
Scotland's Squirrels
Abstracts with Trees
Ardnamurchan I: Portrait of the region
Ardnamurchan II: Landscape of Contrast
Scottish Wildlife
Scotland Travel
Scotland in Monochrome
The Joppa Whale
Rhino!
Rhino Capture
Rhino I
Rhino II
Rhino III
Rhino IV
Rhino V
RHINO portfolio
Republika Hrvatska: Croatia
Zagreb: Urban Architecture
Out and About: Rural Architecture
Wildlife: Nature's Architecture
Colours of Kerala (India)
Camera Trap: South Africa
Black and White Camera Trap Images
Colour Camera Trap Images
South Africa Wildlife
South Africa Landscape
Madagascar Wildlife
Emporia of Weird & Wonderful: the Nature of Museum
Year in Pictures
Reimagining Baby Tyrannosaurs
Ray Harryhausen: Titan of Cinema
Death to Nanotyrannus! Long Live Tyrannosaurs!
Ray Harryhausen Tribute Blog
Filling Romer's Gap: A Tribute to Professor Jenny Clack
Tyrannosaurs: from T. rex to Nanotyrannus, all features great and small
The Grey Squirrel conundrum: conservation v's ethics
Dinosaur egg discovery reveals social lives of dinosaurs
New Reekie 3 and the Power of Plants
Wee Reekie - Smaller but Smellier...
Ecology: Life on the Edge
Why Fossils Matter
The Return of the Giant Corpse Flower…
The Future of Scotland's Landscape: Geology and Biodiversity
A Gathering of the Extraordinary: Scottish Nature Photography Festival 2017
Roads Less Travelled – Sutherland in Winter
Monkey Business: All Primates Great and Small
Crossing Croatia: National Parks, Castles and bear shit
India: Memories of Kerala
Highlands: Scotland's Wild Heart (with snow...)
Happy Birthday Sir David Attenborough
By the seaside on the Algarve
Civil War, Sex, and Mass Eviction....
A New (Moody) Dawn
Wet and Windy in Wester Ross
The Death of a Rhino
When the Wind Blows: Wild Shetland
Conservation Communication: Getting the Message Across
Animal Welfare: Aiming for a Better Future
Amorphophallus titanum: a Natural Wonder
India: the Colours of Kerala
Exploring Uncharted Terrain: Looking Back to Rhino and South Africa
Dinosaur & palaeontology articles & Blogs
The Ray Harryhausen Centenary Podcast
Ancient amphibian fossils provide insight into our future in changing climate
Image: An early tetrapod fossil (skull & vertebrae). Fossil Hunters Exhibition, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.
Take a moment. Close your eyes. And imagine a tropical swamp and wet forest landscape. It is hot and humid. The vegetation is lush and glossy green, with thickets of trees and an understory of ferns, horsetails and other spindly fibrous plants. Water drips from leaves. Flying insects buzz about. On occasion, an amphibian or reptile plods through the mud. Where on Earth are you?
Such environments exist today – in the Amazonia of South America, the Congo of West Africa, and the Indonesian islands. But we are in Scotland, in the United Kingdom, Europe. How can this be?
Image: Laurentia, showing the position of Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom and Ireland ~ 600 mya. Source: British Geological Survey.
We have time travelled. Our time machine has delivered us to between 345 and 360 million years before present (in the Carboniferous Period). Before the Age of Dinosaurs. At the time, Scotland, separate from England and the rest of the United Kingdom, was on the equator and part of the supercontinent Laurentia (abutted by eastern Canada and Greenland). Why have I packed you off in a time machine to Scotland at this time (of all times and places that we could set our sights on)? The reason is that this time is of particular scientific interest. Give a palaeontologist a time machine, and they would not set it for when animals first clambered onto land, or the Age of Dinosaurs, nor the Dawn of Mammals. They would set it for the geological time period known as Romer's Gap.
Image:Carboniferous scene from Fossil Hunters exhibition (National Museum of Scotland), featuring the fauna and flora of Willie's Hole, a site in the Scottish Borders. Many of the taxa shown have yet to be formally named by scientists. They include (from left to right), a 'primitive' tetrapodomorph nicknamed 'Ribbo', a colosteid eating a lungfish, and a whatcheerid (yes that is a real thing). If you look closely you will see some Arthropods in the bottom right corner. See: Closing Romer's Gap, National Museum of Scotland. Palaeoart by Mark Witton.
The Gap, today spanning approximately 15 million years, is so-called because, in the 1950's, American palaeontologist Alfred Sherwood Romer identified it as a time strangely lacking in tetrapod fossils. Tetrapods are vertebrate animals with four limbs with fingers and toes. They are important because they dominate the land-living vertebrate fauna today: as amphibians, reptiles, fish and mammals. In itself, the lack of fossils for a geological span is not important; there are periodic gaps in the fossil record throughout time. The crucial interest here is that major evolutionary change occurred within the vertebrate lineage at this point. Tetrapod fossils found in rocks prior to the Gap (the Devonian, or 'Age of Fishes') were polydactylus (with up to 8-digits per limb) and fish-like with tail fins. Fossils in rocks after the Gap show modern features including pentadactyl (5-digit) limbs and other terrestrial features.
Filling Romer's Gap...via Willie's Hole
Image: Koilops herma - an early tetrapod from Willie's Hole. From Phylogenetic and environmental context of a Tournaisian tetrapod fauna. Clack et al. NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION 1, 0002 (2016) | DOI: 10.1038/s41559-016-0002. Source: rdcu.be/b3gCd.
In a scientific paper, Phylogenetic and environmental context of a Tournaisian tetrapod fauna, published in the very first issue of journal Nature Ecology and Evolution (2017), a collaboration of scientists, led by Professor Jenny Clack of the University Museum of Zoology Cambridge, from Leicester, Southampton, and Cambridge Universities, British Geological Survey and National Museums of Scotland, helped to fill the fossil black hole of Romer's Gap using fossils unearthed from Scotland, specifically from a project called TW:eed (Tetrapod World: early evolution and diversification). The TW:eed project is an extension of that instigated by Tim Smithson and world-famous fossil collector, the late Stan Wood, the man who famously discovered Lizzie the Lizard. Lizzie is a fossil which, whilst important as the earliest known amniote (laying eggs on land), is probably not a reptile and possibly not female! Stan uncovered Lizzie in a Bathgate quarry (East Kirkton, just 10-minutes from my home) in West Lothian, and the Bearsden Shark in Glasgow, amongst many other fascinating fossils.
Image: A collection of early tetrapod fossils from Fossil Hunters: Unearthing the Mystery of Life on Land, an exhibition curated by the National Museum of Scotland.
The Scottish Romer's Gap fossils, including those collected at Willie's Hole, Burnmouth, in the Scottish Borders and several other locations described in the paper, featured prominently in Fossil Hunters: Unearthing the Mystery of Life on Land, an exhibition curated by and debuting at the National Museum of Scotland that went on to tour Scotland. Sir David Attenborough described the fossil finds as both 'sensational' and 'wonderful'.
Image: Ribbo - early tetrapod. The large number of prominent ribs indicate support of lungs out of water. Discovered at Willie's Hole, River Whiteadder, Scottish Borders. See: Closing Romer's Gap, National Museum of Scotland. Palaeoart by Karen Carr (reproduced with permission).
The scientists present evidence for at least five new tetrapod species for Romer's Gap. One of which, buried deep in the rock, was only discovered 'accidentally' using hi-tech micro-CT scanning. And there are more species to come, amongst others, 'Ribbo', so-called because of its extensive ribcage, evidence of air-breathing adaptation. The team show that Romer's Gap was not a period lacking fossils due to either low biodiversity at the time or environmental conditions precluding the fossilisation process, but simply that palaeontologists have not been looking in the right places. Nova Scotia, Canada is the only other place in the world to have yielded Tournaisian (the early period of the Carboniferous geological era) tetrapod fossils, but so far has produced only a smattering of bones. The Gap fossils of the Scottish Borders were originally buried in mud during tropical flash floods encompassing their vegetated terrestrial habitat. Crucially at least some of these fossils provide evidence of a capacity to walk on land, and are therefore of major importance in placing these early amphibians at a pivotal point in the evolution of our ancestors. Humans are ultimately descended from these early tetrapods. So were the dinosaurs...
Image: Burnmouth, Scottish Borders, Scotland. Site of early tetrapod vertebrate fossils of global importance.
The project finds suggest a diversity of Tournaisian fossil tetrapods waiting to be discovered within the 'Gap'. The diversity reflects an evolutionary radiation of tetrapods, a burst of speciation to fill vacant evolutionary niches, following a mass extinction event associated with major and rapid climate change https://www.britannica.com/science/Devonian-extinctions as well as exploiting niches previously unoccupied by vertebrates (because they had not effectively colonised the land). The end of Devonian extinction period saw the loss of up to 80% of animal species – quite scary. The TW:eed fossils tell us, not just what vertebrate species walked the land at the end-Devonian period, but also the environment they inhabited, a varied and seasonal marshy swamp-land with thickets of lycopod trees that periodically experienced drought and flood , and the prey that they likely ate, with fossil scorpions, millipedes and shrimp-like ostracods found in the same deposits. Crucially charcoal deposits provide evidence of forests and fire; and therefore oxygen levels comparable to before and after – so an anoxic atmosphere is not an explanation for Romer's Gap.
Image: the geological and evolutionary context and significance of the recent fossil finds – from Burnmouth and Willie's Hole in the Scottish Borders. The East Kirkton Bathgate fauna are also represented. Geological timescale of the Carboniferous Period, showing the extent of the two main sites within 'Romer's Gap', Burnmouth and Willie's Hole, in which new Tournaisan tetrapods have been found. Mississippian is equivalent to the early Carboniferous. Taxon codes left to right: Ve, Ventastega; Ic, Ichthyostega; Ac, Acanthostega; Tu, Tulerpeton; Wh, whatcheeriids; Cr, Crassigyrinus; Ba, baphetids; Co, colosteids; Ad, adelogyrinids; Te, temnospondyls (amphibians); An, anthracosaurs; Ca, Casineria; Ge, Gephyrostegus; Se, seymouriamorphs; Di, diadectomorphs; Am, amniotes; Mi, microsaurs; Ne, nectrideans; Ai, aïstopods. Copyright Jenny Clack. Source: Rebuilding a post-extinction world in the early Carboniferous by Jenny Clack.
A changing environment
Image: Changing environments - crucial to evolutionary innovation. But too fast and responsible for mass extinction. Fossil Hunters Exhibition, National Museum of Scotland.
There is an important lesson to be learned from Fossil Hunters, Romer's Gap and the Scottish fossils. Past environmental change, driven by a changing climate, has led to dramatic changes in habitat and biodiversity – many species have gone extinct and other species have evolved to cope with change. Historical climate change was natural, driven by abiotic factors, e.g. volcanic eruptions, or locally but equally dramatically by shifting continents (tectonic drift). Climate change today is unequivocally being impacted by human drivers: 97% of actively publishing climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities, and the climate is changing at a significantly more rapid rate than background rates (excluding Earth's mass extinction events caused by catastrophic events). There is a real and present danger that the rate of change is too great for our habitats, ecosystems, and the species within to cope or evolve to keep up with. The Polar Bear, the most terrestrial of our Arctic mammals is likely to be the first to go. Climate change is a major marker of the Anthropocene, and we and our biodiversity face an even more worrying future as we enter the Trumpocene.
Image: Polar bear, a flagship species for the impact of modern climate change. Taxidermy specimen photographed at the National Museum of Scotland. Global warming is resulting in ice melt and driving starving bears to cannibalism and increasing human-wildlife conflict.
These recent fossil finds from Scotland, whilst rare, are of international importance. They tell us, not only what life used to be like in a part of the United Kingdom 450 million years ago, but they make an important contribution to our understanding of life on earth. Perhaps more pressingly, these fossils and our understanding of the environmental change that accompanied them, indicate that we should treat our current (and future) climate with care...
...otherwise, palaeontologists of a future age will be looking at a multitude of extinct species from the Trumpocene. If, indeed, palaeontologists and humans are still around to do so…
It was with great sadness that I learned yesterday (26/03/2020) of the death of Professor Jenny Clack. Professor Clack was a giant of vertebrate palaeontology. Based at the University of Cambridge Department of Zoology, she made a major contribution to the understanding of early terrestrial vertebrate evolution, how fish evolved into the first land-dwelling vertebrates, Acanthostega being one of the most famous 'missing links'. Alongside the late great Stan Wood, another of my palaeontology heroes, she was a crucial contributor to research on Scottish early tetrapods that filled a key global gap in evolutionary history – Romer's Gap. In 2016 I wrote an article to coincide with the publication of an exciting scientific research paper on the early Scottish tetrapod fauna and ecosystem (and the Fossil Hunters exhibition that launched at the same time at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh). The article has remained unpublished until now, and I now publish here on my Blog and dedicate it to the important contributions made to palaeontology, and our understanding of the history of life on Earth, by Professor Jenny Clack. It was a privilege for me to see Professor Clack present for the Edinburgh Geological Society in 2017 on Scotland: The World's Greatest Place for Vertebrate Palaeontology. She gave a fascinating tour of the contribution of Scottish fossils to the field of vertebrate palaeontology. I was a like a kid in a sweet shop during the talk, with every slide a treat of Scottish vertebrate palaeontology. Below are photos taken at the Edinburgh Geological Society presentation by Professor Jenny Clack 22/11/2017.
To read personal tributes to Prof Clack's life and career:
Professor Jenny Clack, FRS, 1947-2020, by Dr. Jason Head & Dr Timothy Smithson, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge.
A Remarkable Life in Fossils, by Dr. Nick Fraser, National Museums Scotland.
Professor Jenny Clack, 1947-2020, by Dr. Darren Naish, Tetrapod Zoology.
© Jason Gilchrist
All images copyright of Jason Gilchrist. Please contact me direct via the Contact page for commercial and/or printed use. For online non-commercial use, you may reproduce images from this website provided you clearly credit Jason Gilchrist in the image caption and provide clickable link to www.jasongilchrist.co.uk
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaCommonCrawl"
}
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Q: Deploying my nextjs project on Vercel gives me the error: "FirebaseError: Firebase: Error (auth/invalid-api-key)" It gave me this wall of errors during the build:
(node:748) UnhandledPromiseRejectionWarning: FirebaseError: Firebase: Error (auth/invalid-api-key).
at createErrorInternal (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:466:40)
at _assert (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:470:15)
at file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:5913:13
at Component.instanceFactory (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:5930:11)
at Provider.getOrInitializeService (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/component/dist/esm/index.esm2017.js:290:39)
at Provider.initialize (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/component/dist/esm/index.esm2017.js:234:31)
at initializeAuth (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:584:27)
at getAuth (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:5979:12)
at /vercel/path0/.next/server/chunks/190.js:32:68
(Use `node --trace-warnings ...` to show where the warning was created)
(node:748) UnhandledPromiseRejectionWarning: Unhandled promise rejection. This error originated either by throwing inside of an async function without a catch block, or by rejecting a promise which was not handled with .catch(). To terminate the node process on unhandled promise rejection, use the CLI flag `--unhandled-rejections=strict` (see https://nodejs.org/api/cli.html#cli_unhandled_rejections_mode). (rejection id: 13)
(node:748) [DEP0018] DeprecationWarning: Unhandled promise rejections are deprecated. In the future, promise rejections that are not handled will terminate the Node.js process with a non-zero exit code.
> Build error occurred
Error [FirebaseError]: Firebase: Error (auth/invalid-api-key).
at createErrorInternal (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:466:40)
at _assert (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:470:15)
at file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:5913:13
at Component.instanceFactory (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:5930:11)
at Provider.getOrInitializeService (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/component/dist/esm/index.esm2017.js:290:39)
at Provider.initialize (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/component/dist/esm/index.esm2017.js:234:31)
at initializeAuth (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:584:27)
at getAuth (file:///vercel/path0/node_modules/@firebase/auth/dist/node-esm/index-c327074d.js:5979:12)
at /vercel/path0/.next/server/chunks/190.js:32:68 {
I honestly have no idea what I'm looking at. Can someone help me narrow down what might be the problem? Why is the API key invalid when it's working fine locally?
A: Turns out I just had to add the environment variables to Vercel. Oops.
A: I think the most common solution with this situation is to create 2 files. First file is .env with keys. Then 'firebase.config.js':
export const firebaseConfig = {
apiKey: process.env.FIREBASE_API_KEY,
authDomain: process.env.FIREBASE_AUTH_DOMAIN,
projectId: process.env.FIREBASE_PROJECT_ID,
storageBucket: process.env.FIREBASE_STORAGE_BUCKET,
messagingSenderId: process.env.FIREBASE_MESSAGING_SENDER_ID,
appId: process.env.FIREBASE_APP_ID,
};
Finally import and insert object in firebase:
import { firebaseConfig } from './firebase.config';
firebase.initializeApp(firebaseConfig);
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaStackExchange"
}
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The direct assessment of children will yield data on the following domains at the start and the end of the year.
Each of these domains will be related to age, home background, first language and pre-school experience. This will allow each country's data to be reported in a contextualised fashion.
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
}
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WalthamMuseum.com
Home Beauty How much protein do I need?
How much protein do I need?
The very name of the protein, also known as protein, has a meaning: it comes from the Greek word "protos" and means "first" or "elemental". And indeed, protein is an elementary component of a healthy diet and belongs to the most important nutrients next to carbohydrates and fats. The body needs individual protein components – amino acids – to build muscle, organs, connective tissue, bones and cells, and to maintain the proper functioning of the immune system. How much protein do I need?
Protein happens!
Our body needs it to build muscles, organs, connective tissue, bones and cells. And for a healthy immune system. But protein can do more. How much protein a day does your body need to build muscle and stay slim? As always, it all comes down to the right proportions! Too much protein can do more harm than good. Which proteins you supply to your body is also crucial.
Protein – from products of animal or vegetable origin
Fish, meat, eggs and dairy products provide animal protein, but often contain a lot of fat. Soybeans and legumes, as well as seeds, potatoes and cereals are vegetable, rather low-fat sources of protein.
At most half of the daily demand for protein should be covered with animal products by choosing lean variants of these products. Excess animal protein is stored in the body in connective tissue and blood vessels, and also affects metabolism and kidneys. Let's do a small review of protein-rich products:
1 egg – 7 g protein
100 g turkey – 21 g protein
100 g salmon – 20 g protein
100 g lentils – 27 g protein
100 g tofu – 8 g protein
100 g cottage cheese – 13 g protein
Measuring method
Protein is very rarely presented as an integer that is independent of any variables. The reason is very simple – 200 g of protein may be the right amount for a man weighing 80 kg, but an exaggeration for a woman weighing 50 kg. Therefore, the demand for protein depends usually on weight, e.g. 2 grams per kilogram of body weight.
This is a much better system, suitable for most people, but still not perfect. It does not take into account the amount of body fat a person has. The need of someone who weighs 80 kilograms and has 8% body fat will be different from the demand of someone who weighs
80 kilograms with 20% body fat. This is because dry weight is much more metabolically active than adipose tissue. Muscle tissue is the place where the protein can interact and the anabolic processes that interest us occur here.
Demand of inactive people
dietary protein intake should be 0.8 g / kg body weight. That is the recommended daily allowance (according to RDA), this is the number quoted in many textbooks and is therefore also used by nutritionists. "Covering demand" is, however, different from "optimal intake", which allows you to maintain better health and figure. Many studies show that this optimal range for an inactive person is 1.2-1.5 g / kg body weight.
The demand of active people
The most popular belief that has been used is 2 or 2.2 g / kg body weight. This supply has been confirmed by many scientific studies and should be suitable for most people.
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaCommonCrawl"
}
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I can't stand that feeling!!! I find drinking really cold bottled water seems to help me. Hope you feel better!
Elderberry Syrup (from www.asimplerway.com) This is a great cold and flu remedy, helping with expectoration, coughs, fevers and the general process of getting well. And kids like the taste! Elderberry Syrup (adapted from a recipe by Herbalist Angela Kann) Ingredients: Sambucus nigra berries (dried) - 8 oz Zingiber officinalis root (dried) - 2 oz. Ligusticum porteri root (dried)1.5 oz Mahonia repens root (dried) 2 oz Cinnamomum zeylanicum bark (dried) 3 tsp Honey (unpasturized) 2 cups Distilled water 8 cups Brandy 1/4 cup Weigh the proper quantity of each herb and combine with the water in a stainless steel pan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 - 40 minutes. Strain the mixture into another pan using a cheese cloth and strainer (a press if you have one.) Once the liquid is separated, add the honey and brandy at a low heat setting, stirring with a wooden spoon. Pour the syrup into dark glass bottles. Green wine bottles work nicely and can be stored in the refrigerator. I keep a 2 oz brown, blue or green bottle out and handy during the winter months.
washing your face with cold water is a temporary fix, but causes problems if your wearing makeup. and totally agree with the ice water...it will also help you kick the cold.
It seems like I've tried ever cold and sinus medicine out there. Is there ANYTHING that can relieve congestion when I have a cold? Something that really works?
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
}
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I am enrolled in a master's program with plans to work for the defense industry after graduating in the winter of 2019.
As of this fall, I have been doing theater for almost a decade. So when I came to Mines, I joined the theater community where I act in, direct and produce shows. I am also the editor for the Oredigger newspaper's arts and culture section. I think it is important to pursue passions outside of what you are doing in school to avoid burning out on the same subjects.
When I've needed advice, I've turned to a lot of professors at Mines. Some of the best career and life advice I've received has come from my data structures professor, for whom I went on to be a teacher's assistant. He worked in industry for years before going into teaching, which is the same path I'd like to take with my career.
The best advice I've received recently was from my stage manager while I was directing a show. We had a rough dress rehearsal for the show, and I was rather stressed. She reminded me that everything comes together in the end. In theater, perfection isn't necessary for a good show. As in life, perfection isn't always worth the stress.
I would love to have a conversation with Julie D'Aubigny because she has an absolutely fascinating story which really needs to become a play or a movie. Long story short, she was a 17th century French woman who was an accomplished swordsman, opera singer and rogue. As an aside, there is a musical about her which debuted in 2017.
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
}
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Jason Hoffman/Thrillist
James Beard Award Winner
The Great Craft Beer Sellout
By Dave Infante
Published on 10/13/2016 at 12:22 PM
Dick Cantwell calls them "hate tourists," the beer geeks who started turning up at Elysian Brewing Company's original brewpub in Seattle as soon as the sale was announced. "Our service staff took it on the chin," says the 58-year-old brewer, who co-founded the brewery in 1995, two decades before selling it to the world's largest beer company, Anheuser-Busch InBev. "People were buying beers, and literally dumping them on the floor," he says. Then they'd stalk out the door and into the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood in search of a real craft beer from a real craft brewery. You know: a locally owned one that hadn't "sold out" yet.
It's a common sentiment throughout the industry, as well as with the hopped-up cognoscenti that function as de facto mouthpieces of the "better beer" movement. After all, the craft movement might have started out as a straightforward quest for really damn good beer, but over the years corporate mistrust and disdain for mainstream tastes have become so tightly woven into its identity that they often seem like defining characteristics.
But like it or not, the great craft beer sellout is on. The craft beer landscape is radically different than it was when Cantwell began brewing. It's changed almost as substantially between this year and last, when we first warned you that a massive shift was underway. Since then, the number of American craft breweries has swollen to 4,600, even as craft beer's growth is flattening out. Year-over-year volume was up just 8% in July 2016, and will likely remain under double digits for the year -- only the third time in the past decade that that's happened. That's still better than overall beer consumption in the US, which has been slowly giving up market share to wine and spirits since the '80s.
For those reasons, and a few more, craft brewers across the country have been lining their war chests with institutional capital, or aligning themselves under the banner of Big Beer, looking for quick cash to expand, amp up distribution, or just retire on. In the past 24 months, "strategic partners" (i.e., bigger beer companies) bought Ballast Point, Elysian, 10 Barrel, Hop Valley, Terrapin, Revolver, Devils Backbone, and Saint Archer outright. Lagunitas sold 50% to Heineken; Founders sold 30% to Mahou San Miguel; Firestone Walker joined Ommegang and Boulevard under Duvel Moortgat's tent. Hell, as this article went to print, Brooklyn Brewery announced it had sold 24.5% of its company to Kirin, the Japanese corporation.
And, oh, the private equity deals! Oskar Blues, Full Sail, and others have all sold themselves, in part or in whole, to investment groups eager to get in on beer's only growing category.
In other words, shit be happening, compadres. So, we spent the last month interviewing craft brewers, macro buyers, die-hard drinkers, and industry analysts to see how, and if, this shift will affect how we craft beer lovers -- you, me, us -- will drink. Should acquired breweries like Elysian still count as "craft," now that it's cast lots with the moneymen? As lovers of craft beer, must we now spurn those breweries? If the quality level stays high and more people gain access to better beer, should we care? Does it even matter?
It does to beer geeks. At least the "loud, sloppy, crying" ones.
In the digital age, hate tourism hardly requires a physical visit to a newly acquired brewery. In August 2016, on the day Terrapin Beer Company announced it had agreed to be acquired by Tenth and Blake (MillerCoors' premium portfolio, through which it manages its craft acquisitions), its Facebook page popped off.
A sample of the negative comments [all sic]:
"Enjoy your money, you won't get any more of mine."
"I guarantee the new owners are all about profit and nothing more."
"Bye terrapin, there's other great local breweries out there that deserve my money. Just another brick in the wall to big beer. Smh shame shame"
This sort of dissent is easy to vent, which might be why you always see and hear so much of it upon news of a sale. "It gets amplified on social media because people who have strong opinions are a lot louder on the internet than those who are indifferent," wrote Leah Kuck, Terrapin's marketing & communications representative, in an email exchange with Thrillist. She manages the brewery's Facebook page, and wasn't surprised by the reaction.
Brewers -- those who've sold, and those who haven't -- tend to agree. "A whole bunch of people yelling in the wind," is how John Laffler described a typical online reaction to an acquisition. The current brewmaster of Chicago's independent Off Color Brewing, Laffler built his reputation at Goose Island, but left within a year of that company's sale to ABI. ("It was just time," he told the Chicago Tribune in a 2012 interview.)
But beyond the small, loud cohort of beer geeks who "go on loud, sloppy crying jags each time a brewery is acquired," as MarketWatch's Jason Notte put it in a recent email exchange, there's a whole mainstream population of less dogmatic drinkers, who really just want some good beer. "The most vocal people are not buying as much as everybody else," remarks Laffler. Investors are betting that courting everybody else, rather than the pissy minority of beer geeks, is the best way to sell more beer from their acquired brands.
So far, it's working. Partially or fully acquired breweries like Lagunitas, Founders, and Ballast Point "are getting some of the best growth in craft beer right now," says Benj Steinman, publisher of Beer Marketer's Insights. Ditto ABI's brands. According to a 2015 Nielsen study commissioned by the Brewers Association, craft brewing's leading advocacy group, 61% of craft consumers consider a brewer's independence as "somewhat" or "very" important when choosing their beer. But, Steinman says, "the evidence in front of my nose says [ownership status] doesn't matter" to a mainstream customer.
But will it change the beer?
The ink was hardly dry on Revolver Brewing's August 2016 deal with MillerCoors, the country's second-largest beer company. The deal, transferring control of the Granbury, Texas brewery to the country's second-largest beer company, hadn't even officially closed yet. But: "It's just a pen stroke," Rhett Keisler, a Revolver co-founder, assured Thrillist on a phone call in early September. "The beer is still the beer."
This is a common refrain amongst brewers who have sold off their control. "We remain fully in control… no planned changes," wrote Eric Ottaway, Brooklyn Brewery CEO, in an email to Thrillist. "[S]ame brewers, same recipes," pledged Lagunitas in the press release heralding its $500 million partnership with Heineken NV, the world's second-largest beer company. "It will be the same people making the same beer, with the same culture and approach," promised Ballast Point founder Jack White in the San Diego Union-Tribune following the brewery's $1 billion sale to Constellation, a New York holding company with a $34 billion market cap whose lucrative portfolio also includes Corona brands in the US.
(Like many acquired breweries, it wasn't the same people at Ballast Point -- White exited in the aftermath of the sale, as did the CEO, COO/brewmaster, and CCO. The brewery declined to comment for this story.)
Brewers who have sold consistently deny they've cut any corners. Keisler says the "responsibility is on us" to ensure that MillerCoors never foists cost-saving programs on Revolver at the expense of the quality of its beer. And buyers tend to claim they'd never ask for such a compromise. "We're not touching anything when it comes to the beers," says Scott Whitley, president of Tenth and Blake, the MillerCoors subsidiary that will control Revolver.
Still, cautionary tales abound. As the industry's biggest and most aggressive acquirer, ABI is central to most of them, and as one of its most high-profile purchases in the US, Goose Island has been the conglomerate's litmus test. The results are mixed.
ABI has expanded production of the brand's flagship IPA to its facilities in Colorado, and flat-out moved production of 312 Urban Pale Ale from Chicago (area code: 312) to its facilities in upstate NY. It's tweaked recipes to brew Goose Island's hop-forward beers at volume. On message boards and blogs, drinkers have claimed all this change hurt the beers' flavor and freshness. This consternation peaked in 2015, when batches of the coveted Bourbon County Brand Stout were found to be infected with a flavor-wrecking, albeit non-toxic, bacteria, and had to be recalled. Diehards again cried foul and threw blame on ABI's doorstep as "proof" of bad-faith brewing.
Would it have happened if ABI never bought the brand? Who knows. But it did, and it freaked some people out.
But there's an upside!
Of course, some change is good. There are some genuine benefits to selling that, at least in the short term, you'll enjoy as a drinker.
Consistency is a big upside. Big Beer is famous for delivering lager that tastes exactly the same, no matter where you're drinking it. Private equity is famous for having prodigious heaps of cash. Both grant small brewers easier access to better equipment and quality-control expertise, which in turn makes it easier to put out batch after batch of identically tasting complex beers at scale.
And ingredients! "The biggest gift from 'Uncle InBev,'" to its acquired breweries, writes Aaron Goldfarb in a Serious Eats story published last month, "is surely the 1,700-acre hop farm in northern Idaho" to which its newly bought breweries have access.
When we called Felipe Szpigel, the president of The High End (ABI's subtly named premium portfolio), he was quick to bring up that same farm, called Elk Mountain. Take Elysian as an example, he said. "They had this amazing beer called Space Dust, but they couldn't get the hops that they needed. Because of Elk Mountain and the resources we have here, they can start brewing Space Dust [more often], and it will become their flagship beer."
From hop procurement to waste-water treatment (another unsexy but necessary consideration that Whitley brings up), there are facets of the business that independent brewers just sorta suck at, and acquisitions can provide the people and resources to help. "A lot of people who start out brewing really don't understand business," says Anat Baron, a former general manager of Mike's Hard Lemonade and beer-industry insider who directed 2009's documentary Beer Wars. A buyer, either with pre-built infrastructure or the know-how to build it, can help new acquisitions get their houses in order so they can "focus on the beer" (another common refrain).
10 Barrel's co-founder Jeremy Cox has seen it firsthand. "We were spending a lot of time on [procurement of] supplies, and stuff that wasn't all that fun" prior to selling the brewery to ABI in fall 2014. Now it's got more brewers, happier brewers, and time to innovate on specialty projects, he says, like the Crush kettle sour program. Cox and his co-founders claim that the freedoms afforded by the acquisition actually make 10 Barrel "more craft than before."
That's a matter of endless debate; your mileage may vary. But strike the semantics for a moment, and consider the underlying argument. Freedom to focus on brewing, coupled with turnkey access to a pre-existing distribution network (or, at least, shitloads of money to build one), puts more full-flavored beer in more places it never was, like stadiums, airports, and chain restaurants. Which all sounds pretty great, right?
"Do we use more-expensive hops and make less money, or do we use less-expensive hops and make more money?"
The thing about distribution
Here's the thing most people don't talk about. It's hardly sexy, and often counterintuitive, but distribution -- known in the industry as the "middle tier" because it's the legislatively mandated linchpin between brewers and retailers -- is "100% of the game," says Baron. "It's everything."
The three-tier system is enforced at the state, not the federal, level, so there are dozens of regional idiosyncrasies. Nationally, here's the gist: large brewers do so much business with regional distributors, who in turn do so much business with regional retail accounts, that they have de facto control over the three tiers simply due to scale. (In states where it's legal, macros actually buy distributorships, formalizing this arrangement. In states where it's not, the Department of Justice has investigated macros for offering kickbacks and pay-for-play arrangements.)
Why does this matter for craft beer? Let's say a supermarket notices that its IPA stock is "turning" (selling) twice as fast as its other categories. No surprise there. The store tells the distributor. Let's say the distributor is "blue," which means that the majority of its business comes from distributing MillerCoors products. Before MillerCoors lined its premium portfolio with hop-forward "craft" acquisitions like Saint Archer and Hop Valley, the distributor would've been forced to either carry independent brewers' IPAs to fulfill the supermarket's request, or risk missing out on that business.
In 2016, there's no need, because now the distributor (via MillerCoors) has that category covered with options like Hop Valley's Alphadelic or Saint Archer's India pale. The retailer is happy, because it has something to sell the customer, and the margin is bigger than it might have been on an independently produced IPA (scale!). The distributor is happy because it no longer has to maintain time-consuming relationships with a dozen independent breweries, now that it can lean on the portfolio of just one. MillerCoors is happy because even though sales of adjunct light lagers are flagging, it's selling beer in a growth category.
But what about the drinkers? Are we happy?
"A lot of people who start out brewing really don't understand business."
The drinkers are happy! (For the time being.)
The thing is, this is probably as good as it's going to get for the category of full-flavored beer. As the market gets tighter, breweries will fail. There will be fewer independent brewers large enough to compete for the mainstream supermarket shelf space. At the same time, they'll struggle to compete with smaller, more nimble craft brewers in on-premise taprooms, and specialty beer bars/shops. "They're kinda getting squeezed from both sides," says Steinman.
When those big-ish regional craft brewers start dropping, acquired breweries will represent access to -- and define the perception of -- premium "craft" beer for most of the country's drinkers, who are hardly as discriminating as some Dark Lord-hoarder in a basement thumbing through RateBeer. At which point, an acquirer could, theoretically, just sorta make it… less premium.
This concern usually comes up when the buyout money is from private equity, thanks to that industry's reputation for slashing costs and bailing when growth slows, but can apply to strategic partners, too. Independence has allowed craft brewers to stand as a bulwark against a quality slide, says Jim Koch, co-founder of Sam Adams and chairman of Boston Beer Company. (Though the company is publicly traded, Koch holds all its voting shares and remains in control.) "In a very practical sense," he tells Thrillist, it comes down to a simple question: "Do we use more-expensive hops and make less money, or do we use less-expensive hops and make more money?"
In a growth market, brewers on all sides are able to keep quality high and eke out profits, but as competition tightens, cost-cutting tactics like substituting cheaper ingredients, discontinuing time- and labor-intensive beers, and centralizing production can keep returns high for investors or corporate owners, even as retail prices drop. As Greg Koch, the outspoken and fiercely independent co-founder of Stone Brewing, remarks: "The commodity world [...] naturally, over time, reduces choice and quality, and those forces are strong, man."
Each acquisition, in other words, is drawing rambunctious craft beer further into the more narrowly defined world it set out to expand. No one -- not brewers, analysts, distributors, or drinkers -- knows quite where to draw the line. At what point does ownership status cease to be just a question of semantics? At what point does it become a threat to quality beer? And, if expansion is the key to survival, is there a way for craft beer to grow while retaining its independence?
Cantwell doesn't view the "hate tourists" as sociopaths, he says. "People in that community were just wounded; they felt betrayed and sad."
Maybe there is!
Up until this point, the conversation has been binary: cash vs. craft. Corporate vs. independent. Selling out vs. fighting the good fight. But there may be a viable third way. Greg Koch certainly hopes so. In June 2016, he announced the launch of True Craft, a private-equity-backed entity that will take minority positions in independent craft breweries with a $100 million fund. "True Craft is behaving in ways that are different that traditional private equity," he tells me, explaining that while traditional private-equity firms are beholden to a timeline to flip their investments, his will "go on into perpetuity."
True Craft is just the latest (well-funded, star brewer-backed) attempt to forge a craft beer acquisition Holy Grail: a patient group of private investors, true believers who understand the craft ethos, offering a middle road to brewers seeking capital to expand, or "something more solid than cred" to retire on, as Notte says.
Artisanal Brewing Ventures, which holds both Victory and Southern Tier, is another manifestation of this middle way. Ulysses Management, the private-equity firm that backs it, is a "family shop" (i.e., the money it manages just comes from one or a few wealthy-ass clans), which enables a more farsighted position than traditional firms. "I can hold investments for a long, long time if I think they make sense," says Paul Barnett, Ulysses' managing director.
With a CEO from Southern Tier and board seats for both Southern Tier and Victory's co-founders, ABV (get it?!) hopes to make procurement and distribution more cost-effective for both breweries by pooling their clout. "We're better positioned as a combined entity," says Bill Covaleski, Victory's co-founder, noting that together, Victory and Southern Tier represented the 15th-largest craft brewer by volume, as opposed to the 28th and 31st respectively. (Still, ABV has eight board seats, and Victory's founders only control two of them -- a far better paradigm than a 100% buyout, but not one that leaves Covaleski and his partner with total control, either.)
The most ambitious model of craft beer compromise, however, is Equity for Punks USA, a mini-IPO/crowdfunding round launched by BrewDog, Scotland's cultishly popular independent brewery and international pub network. The fund, explained co-founder James Watt, allows US drinkers to buy Regulation A shares of the company's US operation, in effect distributing slivers of ownership amongst them. The cheeky bastards will open a brewery in Columbus later this year with an undisclosed portion of its $50 million target raised. To guard against the temptation to sell -- which Watt assured Thrillist, and pretty much everyone he's ever given an interview to, that he'll never do -- BrewDog recently amended the company's bylaws to effectively prohibit it. ("Nailing our colours to the motherfucking mast!" is how it phrases it.)
Can other craft brewers deploy the BrewDog/Equity for Punks model? There's certainly incentive. BrewDog has grown at a freakish rate since being founded in 2007, including 130% growth in UK sales in 2015, 44 brewpubs internationally, and a cool £5.5 million in operating profit (around $7.5 million) last year. If the rule is that craft's brash, change-the-world independence just won't work at scale, BrewDog is a hell of an exception to it.
That's all well and good -- but what about my feelings?
Dick Cantwell quit Elysian just a few days after his fellow board members decided to sell the brewery. He was the sole dissenting vote. ("Dick has been in the belly of the beast," said Jim Koch approvingly, upon learning that the other brewer would be interviewed for this story.) Still, Cantwell doesn't think he's some kind of craft brewer hero, nor does he view the "hate tourists" as sociopaths. "People in that community were just wounded," he tells Thrillist ruefully. "They felt betrayed and sad."
Craft beer has always encouraged an explicitly personal connection between brewers and customers. It's asked them to get to know brewers, invest themselves in independent breweries, and give a shit about those brewers' handiwork. It's told them that craft brewers and their customers are, as beer historian Maureen Ogle puts it, "noble warriors doing battle against the people who want to steal the throne." It convinced many that they are what they drink. So what happens when what they drink changes?
Craft beer won its battle, but it won so handily at first that it's having trouble convincing anyone that the war still needs to be fought. And if they can remember, will many mainstream drinkers still care who actually makes the beer? "A lot of consumers don't," says Cantwell towards the end of our interview. "That's more than they want to think about when they're buying a six-pack."
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Dave Infante is a producer and writer-at-large at Thrillist. Follow him @dinfontay.
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"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaCommonCrawl"
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Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle, usually in a leading truck, eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle, also usually in a trailing truck. This configuration of steam locomotive is most often referred to as a Mikado, frequently shortened to Mike, but at times it was also referred to on some railroads in the United States of America as the McAdoo Mikado and, during World War II, the MacArthur.
The 2-8-2 saw great success in the United States, mostly as a freight locomotive. In the second decade of the 20th century it largely replaced the 2-8-0 Consolidation as the main heavy freight locomotive type. Its tractive effort was similar to that of the best 2-8-0s, but a developing requirement for higher speed freight trains drove the shift to the 2-8-2 wheel arrangement.
Almost all North American railroads rostered the type, notable exceptions being the Boston and Maine, the Delaware and Hudson, the Cotton Belt and the Norfolk and Western. The largest users included the New York Central with 715 locomotives, the Baltimore and Ohio with 610, the Pennsylvania Railroad with 579, the Illinois Central with 565, the Milwaukee Road with 500 and the Southern with 435.
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Leaping into the new season
Alina Frederick, EditorNovember 15, 2019Leave a Comment
More stories from Alina Frederick
Step back and watch out for the newest sport at Etowah. After being a club for three years, the Dancing Eagles are now considered a sport and are coming in hot for their new season.
"This season, I am most excited to dance with people I have never met before and make more friendships throughout the season," Livy Sells, sophomore, said.
This season has brought many new opportunities to the Dancing Eagles team. They are the most recent addition to Etowah's sports teams, and this year the squad is incorporating new styles of dance, upgrading uniforms, entering into competitions, and gaining many new members.
"The new changes give us a chance to letter through the Athletic Department and give us more opportunities to feel like a team," Tessa Liles, junior, said.
Head coach Brittany Chandler danced from age five until college giving her past experience in the sport. She trained in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and tap, and competed for four years on her school's varsity dance team. She has incorporated her love for dance into her job by volunteering to take charge of this team on the side. This is her third-year coaching the dance team for Etowah and her fifth year coaching a dance team.
"I am most excited about adding more competitions, growing the size of the team, and competing in two separate categories this year," Chandler said.
This season, Chandler decided to add on a pom routine to introduce the team into a more competitive style in dance. This routine also includes cheerleaders from the school because of the sharp and "cheerleading style" this dance portrays to the audience.
"I love this style because it is super upbeat, fun, and gets the crowd hyped up," Chandler said.
One of the major challenges for the new team includes performing at three competitions instead of one, like in past years. The team has been more serious about practices and is excited to get the competition season started.
"This year we are competing at three competitions, so that will be more challenging but also a fun experience," Madeline Fiscarelli, senior, said.
Their first competition is on Dec. 14 at Forsyth Central High School. Make sure to support the Dancing Eagles of Etowah at pep rallies, half-time at basketball games, and at all of their competitions.
Alina Frederick, Sports Supervisor/Editor/Social Media Advisor
Hello, I am Alina Frederick and this is my third year on staff. This year I am a sports supervisor, editor, and social media advisor. My favorite part...
Hey batter batter, swing
New year, new goals
Learning Overseas
Connecting across cultures
Black Friday, broke Saturday
How to host the best Friendsgiving
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package org.apache.solr.common.util;
import java.lang.annotation.ElementType;
import java.lang.annotation.Retention;
import java.lang.annotation.RetentionPolicy;
import java.lang.annotation.Target;
/**
* Annotation to suppress forbidden-apis errors inside a whole class, a method, or a field.
*
* @lucene.internal
*/
@Retention(RetentionPolicy.CLASS)
@Target({ElementType.CONSTRUCTOR, ElementType.FIELD, ElementType.METHOD, ElementType.TYPE})
public @interface SuppressForbidden {
/** A reason for suppressing should always be given. */
String reason();
}
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaGithub"
}
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Constructed with preformed windstopper and windproof sleeves.
Lining made of fleecy wool to promote moisture wicking and provide constant body heat regulation.
Close fit, ideal to wear under outerwear or on its own.
Zipped pocket on the chest for practical storage of personal belongings.
Reflective details on front and rear.
Lycra® cuff with seamless thumb hole.
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"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
}
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Paul's Missionary Journeys
Presbyterian Men's Breakfast - April 10, 2016
We all know Paul went on at least three missionary journeys, but it's not easy to piece them together. His itineraries have to be inferred from what we read in the Book of Acts, and from hints Paul gives in his Letters. Scholars have put together some good guesses, and I pored through many of them -- and the Book of Acts -- to construct a reasonable summary. Because it's easy to get lost between the ancient place names and today, I made a few maps to help anchor us. They are also on my website, gort.net, and Mario has them if you want for reference later. Going through the stories of his journeys, a clear picture emerges, not only of the geography, but of the spiritual growth Paul himself went through. As we reflect on his spiritual journey we might see some parallels to our own journey.
Here is where our story begins: Paul, of course, is the writer of most of the Letters in the New Testament and the founder of Christianity. Paul or Saul as he was at the start, was a Roman citizen and a Jew from Tarsus in Turkey next to Syria. Saul was a graduate student in Jerusalem and a fire-breathing anti-Christian zealot in the years after Jesus' crucifixion.
The prelude to his missionary journeys happened on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus. The new heretical sect of Messianic Judaism was spreading, and Christian disciples had reached the Jewish communities in Syria and eastern Turkey. Saul was after them with a vengeance. On the road to Damascus Jesus showed Saul his spiritual blindness by flashing a divine light, physically blinding him. Then, after new sight was given to him in Damascus, Saul, like Jesus and the prophets before him, went to the desert for a time. Maybe he did some quiet contemplation assimilating this new vision. This time in "Arabia" prepared Saul to begin preaching Jesus to the Jews of Damascus. Now the persecutor had become preacher. This turnabout antagonized many orthodox Jews who, as Saul used to be, were violently opposed to this Jesus heresy. Saul was forced to escape and friends let him down from the Damascus city wall in a basket. Returning to Jerusalem, he looked up the Apostles and disciples. Knowing the former Saul, they were mistrustful, but Barnabas convinced the brothers the new Saul was for real, and they welcomed him. But his preaching in Jerusalem, stirred up the same orthodox hornet's nest and Saul fled to Tarsus, his home.
There Saul argued and encouraged the new believers, both gentile and Jew in his hometown synagogue. Evangelizing his neighbors undoubtedly served as practice, and any resistance would have helped thicken his spiritual skin. Meantime, Barnabas was sent north to nearby Antioch to help out the new believers there. He looked up Saul in Tarsus, and the two of them preached Jesus in Syrian Antioch before heading off on the first missionary journey. The first journey stayed close to home, beginning in Cyprus, Barnabas' home island. Both had now preached the word in their hometowns, and were ready to move a little farther afield. But not all that far. Although they traveled several hundred miles, their target, Pisidian Antioch, was not that far overland from Tarsus. We know that at Perga, before they get to Pisidian Antioch, their companion John Mark decides to leave them and return to Jerusalem. Maybe faint heart?
Saul and Barnabas preach in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch. Pisidia was familiar territory for the two evangelists. The dialect and customs were familiar, but it was out of town. They won believers, but stirred resentment, and so they headed east, arguing, teaching and being stoned as they went. Finally, at Derbe, you wonder why Saul didn't just keep going east and walk home to Tarsus, licking his wounds. Spiritually stronger and tougher now, Paul and Barnabas retrace their steps, preaching and teaching in the same towns they'd passed through until back at Perga they were ready to preach there as well. For good measure they went down to Antalya preaching Christ before shipping home, ending the first journey. It was probably time for a little rest and recovery, since Paul was almost killed by stoning the first time through Lystra. The decision to return to the places where he was violently rejected rather than just walking home may be the moment of transition from Saul to Paul. Saul means asked for. Paulus means small, or humble.
Before the second Journey, Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem for the first Church Council. The apostles and disciples reach agreement that gentiles are allowed to become full members of the new Way without needing to follow the Jewish Mosaic Law. No adult circumcision, no dietary laws. Now Paul is in full accord with Peter and James on the gentile issue, ready for serious evangelizing of non-Jew as well as Jew.
The second journey starts from Syrian Antioch. Paul and Barnabas split over taking John Mark again. Barnabas heads for Cyprus again with John Mark, and disappears from the Bible and our story. Paul, now accompanied by Silas, makes his own way, by land this time, back to Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Pisidian Antioch to encourage the believers and get the Churches organized. Paul knew the Word needs reinforcement; new believers need examples and encouragement, and by appointing Elders, Paul began the necessary process of forming up the new community. Paul knew that a religion of ones or twos can't persevere. As much as we sometimes resist formal institutions, we humans need structure to keep us on the rails. So he starts this journey by re-enforcing and supporting the fragile new "Churches within the synagogues." Then Paul and Silas go beyond Pisidian Antioch into new territory.
Here is something we often overlook when we reflect on Paul's missionary journeys: Paul's teaching and evangelizing took place in Jewish synagogues, but gentiles were also hearing the Word. Gentile believers in the One God were welcomed into Jewish worship services. Although they were not "full members" of the community and they were not required to follow the 613 rules of the Law, they were there. These "God-fearing gentiles" in the synagogues were an early fruit. Looking back, we can see the Wisdom of God in first giving the Word to the Jewish people who both at home and in exile, would establish beachheads for God in the pagan world. Without the familiarity, practice and presence of Judaism, there would not have been an effective "soap-box" to evangelize the gentile world. Paul and Silas preached The Messiah to the God-fearing gentiles as well as to the Jews, but there was confusion. Were the gentiles now Jews? Back in Syrian Antioch the believers were first called "Moshiachim" which means, "followers of the anointed one." In Greek and later English this name would later translate as "Christians." The new believers saw themselves as part of Judaism. This is the context for that First Jerusalem Council.
As Paul and Silas moved north towards the Black Sea and Istanbul, their intention was to circle through Asia and perhaps down to Ephesus on the coast, preaching in the synagogues. But the Spirit had something else in mind. The Spirit turned them away from Asia at this time and instead led them to the Western world - to Macedonia and Greece.
The isolated Jewish communities in the West were frontier outposts of monotheism in a pagan world. The West was logical, reasonable, philosophic and idolatrous. The West was pagan. The West was the home of Plato, Aristotle, and the Greek academies, the home of Zeus, Athena and the power and might of imperial Rome. Roman Caesars were men who were to be worshipped as gods. Isolated communities of Jews and synagogues were scattered throughout the western Roman Empire. These Jews were usually tolerated by Rome as useful, if eccentric craftsmen and merchants. Because they were useful to Rome, their strange oriental religion was tolerated by the empire. But, the Jews were few, isolated and powerless. This is the world to which God sent Paul and Silas in the middle of the second missionary journey. Is Paul now ready for this? God thought so. Are we?
They land near Philippi not knowing a soul. Their mission to the west is facilitated by a woman. Acts tells of the encounter with Lydia, a God-fearing woman of substance from Asia who after her own baptism houses them and the new Philippian believers. Traveling overland they reach the synagogue of Thessaloniki. Many of the Thessalonian Jews resist this heresy, and their threats force Paul to leave town. His escorts lead him by sea to Athens itself. Now in Athens, Paul argues in the synagogue and preaches from the Areopagus, the great rock of a pulpit standing at the top of the Athenian Agora. Here he truly becomes a Greek to the Greeks. Gesturing to one of the temples in the agora Paul preaches; "I see you are very religious. You even have an altar dedicated to an Unknown God. This is the God of whom I speak." Paul is tolerated in Athens because the Greeks are philosophers with "itching ears," eager to hear new ideas. Even so, a few believe.
Paul moves further west from intellectual, aloof Athens to the gritty commercial crossroads of East and West, the port city of Corinth and its synagogue. Here both Paul and Christianity reach another stage of spiritual growth. Paul meets up with Aquila and Priscilla, a Jewish couple recently kicked out of Rome in one of the frequent pogroms. All skilled at the same craft, Paul, Priscilla and Aquila go into the tent-making business together in Corinth. Paul, now a businessman, sets up in Corinth and for several years preaches Christ to both Jew and Gentile. Here he writes two letters encouraging and disciplining the believers he'd earlier taught in Thessaloniki, letters we know as 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
What is driving this man? Where is the energy coming from? How can he live in the everyday world making a living, and at the same time preach, teach, write, and develop what becomes the greatest institution on Earth? Paul shows us that by expending all, giving God everything you have, more perseverance and power come. Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord. And, let's not forget, God also gave Paul the help of two formidable women, Lydia and Priscilla.
In time, Paul, Priscilla and Aquila sail across the Aegean to Ephesus. Paul leaves his partners and preaches in the Ephesian synagogue. The believers ask him to stay on, but he tells them, "...another time, I will return." Paul sails home to Syrian Antioch. The end of the second missionary Journey.
The third journey begins with Paul returning to encourage the Churches he'd planted from Derbe to Pisidian Antioch. This time the Spirit permits him to evangelize across Asia and now reach Ephesus by land. On the way, Paul perhaps formed the seven Asian Churches which we know as the seven Churches in Revelation. In Ephesus, while preaching in the synagogue, he encounters the usual resistance. This time, Paul takes his Jewish and gentile believers out of the synagogue and sets up worship in another building. This "rental" of a hall in Ephesus marks the birth of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the beginning of the split between Christianity and Judaism.
Paul is again called to the West and his beloved Corinth. Paul goes the long way around, revisiting the Churches of Macedonia and Greece on the way. Persevering, teaching, encouraging, he writes his 2nd letter to his beloved Corinthians - maybe from Philippi. Repetition, visits, encouragement, resolving disputes, pastoring, personally teaching, persevering. This is a lesson and message in Paul's visits and letters to the Churches - and to us. Keep at it, pray and work without ceasing. God will provide the power.
Back in Corinth for winter of 57-58 AD Paul writes the most powerful and complete statement of Christianity to this day - the Letter to the Romans. In the spring, Paul revisits the Greek Churches on his way back to Asia, and makes his farewell address to the Elders of Ephesus before his final trip to Jerusalem. End of the third journey.
In Jerusalem, he preaches, is beaten, dragged before the Sanhedrin and imprisoned in Caesarea. While a prisoner for two years, he preaches until, claiming his right as a Roman citizen, he is shipped as a prisoner to Rome - beginning the fourth missionary journey.
Acts details Paul's trip as a prisoner. From Myra they catch a freighter bound for Rome, but shipwreck off the Maltese coast. Paul evangelizes the islanders. Reaching Rome, Paul preaches and writes encouraging teaching letters to the Churches in Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossae and even a short letter to his friend Philemon.
63 AD in Rome, marks the end of the fourth and final recorded missionary voyage of Paul.
Still Paul persevered. The Letter to Hebrews was written a few years later, we don't know from where. He may have revisited the coastal islands, the Ionian coast of Greece, Spain, even Britannia. Tradition has Paul executed outside Rome during Nero's time in 64 or 65 AD. But through Paul, the Word and teaching of God continues to this day, to the Jew first and then to the world.
Among Paul's last words are these to his good friend Timothy. "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Saul kept the faith. He emptied himself of self again and again becoming Paulus, small; tirelessly revisiting, repeating, teaching, encouraging others in the faith. Persevering. The Word finally got to us here today.
Good work, Saul. Thanks.
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The State of Michigan has changed the maximum number of work hours for students age 16 and 17 while attending school. Students age 16 and 17 may work up to 24 hours per week (with 30 hours of school classes).
Minors in the State of Michigan who wish to work must first complete a work permit. This work permit must be completed by the employer, the worker, and then verified by the Superintendent's designee. The work permit, once signed, is to be kept with the employer for as long as the minor works. The Stevenson Counseling Office currently signs all work permits for Stevenson students.
The minor must apply in person in order for a work permit to be issued. Since the students are the workers, the students must be present to be issued the work permit. No exception can be made to this State of Michigan requirement.
Issued work permits must be on an employer's premise before a minor can start to work. Read more about Youth Employment in Michigan on the Michigan Department of Education website.
Please visit the Livonia Youth Employment Resource Center for potential job opportunities in Livonia and the surrounding communities for students ages 15 and up.
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© Oliver's Travels
Seychelles / Food & Drink
This Map Shows the Best Countries in the World for Vegetarians
Alice Johnston
Food Editor
Updated: 20 February 2018
Travelling as a vegetarian can be a bit hit-and-miss.
Some countries are excellent at providing meat-free meals, with multiple delicious options to choose from, whereas others think that chicken doesn't count as meat and think nothing of adding bacon to a 'vegetarian' salad.
But how do you know which country is which before you get there?
The Seychelles is the most vegetarian-friendly country in the world | © Sebastien / Unsplash
Oliver's Travels has put together this useful infographic which shows exactly which countries are the most vegetarian-friendly, and which necessitate bringing some almonds and a cereal bar in your bag.
They did this by counting the number of vegetarian restaurants, the number of people per vegetarian restaurant and the per-capita meat consumption of each country to extrapolate the results.
© Oliver's Travels
While the graphic doesn't show the actual diets of the citizens in the countries examined, it means that vegetarian travellers will have a much easier time deciding where their next trip should be.
The Seychelles is the most vegetarian-friendly country in the world for veggie travellers, with a Global Vegetarian Index score of 328. The score was driven by the high number of vegetarian restaurants in relation to its small population, along with a very low annual meat consumption per capita of 35.6 kg (the US is 120.2 kg).
Never again will vegetarians have to suffer through just eating plain chips | © NeonBrand / Unsplash
Thailand, Malaysia, and Sao Tome and Principe also ranked highly. The top-ranking country is Europe was the UK. While the US eats a lot of meat as a whole annually, it has the highest number of vegetarian restaurants. Bhutan has the lowest annual meat consumption, eating only 3 kg of meat per capita.
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Q: Unique messages from a kafka topic with in a time interval I have a kafka topic to which 1500 message/sec are produced by different producers with each message having two fixed keys RID and Date, (there are other keys to which are varying for each message)
Is there a way to introduce a delay of 1 min in the topic and consume only unique messages in the 1 min window.
Example - In a minute there could be around 90K message in which there could be 1000(random value) message with RID as 1 and Date as 1st Jan 2020.
{"RID": "1" , "Date": "2020-01-01", ....}
I would like to consume only 1 message among 1000(any one among 1000 at random) after 1 minute is completed.
Note: There are 3 partitions for the topic.
A: What you want seems not to be possible. The brokers cannot deliver message based on your business logic, but they can only deliver all messages.
However, you could implement a client side cache to "de-duplicate" the messages accordingly, and only process a sub-set of the messages after "de-duplication".
A: I'm not completely sure about your question, but it seems you need the compaction log
It will remove the oldest messages from the topic, only need to configure the compaction for the topic and use as identifier the RID record.
Hope this can help you
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Clicker Training A Horse - Do I have to use a Clicker?
Clicker Training A Horse – Do I have to use a Clicker?
When Clicker training a horse do I have to use a clicker? I always start all of my horses out with a clicker because it make a distinctive sound which is very important in the beginning. Later on you can use a tongue click or another distinctive sound if you choose to.
Be sure to check out my blog for more information about Clicker training a horse. Want to get started clicker training your horse? Contact me today as I offer distance learning classes where you can learn from the privacy of your own home.
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C&C Fancy Stitch Belly Guard is beautiful with fancy stitching and designed to maximize comfort for your horse. The girth's reinforced belly guard provides maximum strike and impact protection when your horse is jumping its best. Anatomical design along with soft calfskin padding on the underside of the girth insure comfort. This girth is practical with triple ply elastic fixed onto stainless steel roller buckles, a center D-ring and carabiner clip, and D-rings at each end of the girth.
If the size or color you would like to order in not available in the options, please email [email protected] to place a pre-order.
Click the button below to add the C&C Fancy Stitch Belly Guard to your wish list.
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My One Cent: Josh Burns
myonecent-joshburns-square-quote2.png
Josh Burns is a copywriter and creative strategist in Spokane, Washington where he is one of CARE's newer advocates. This is Josh's My One Cent story:
The opportunity to advocate for CARE sort of landed in my lap about a year and a half ago when I ran into Jonathan Young, one of CARE's Regional Advocacy Coordinators, at my brother's wedding in California. I was just moving back to Spokane and he wondered if I knew anybody who might be a good fit for advocacy work. I wasn't very familiar with CARE and initially, when he described its mission to eradicate poverty by empowering women and girls, I figured he needed a woman to fill that role.
The funny thing is though; at the time, I was looking for a new way to contribute. I donated to various organizations, but I felt like there was some meaning missing from my life. I'm a person who has a servant's heart. I love my job and the pro-bono work we get to do and I spend a lot of my time volunteering but I was still looking for something with more purpose. I decided to look into CARE and create a short list of woman politicos with advocacy experience who I thought would be good for this advocacy role. When I gave Jonathan my list, he said, "Well, Josh, what about you? You'd be a great advocate." I wasn't convinced that a 40-year-old white guy was really the best choice, but I learned that advocates for girls and women come in all genders, sizes, ages and demographics.
Foreign assistance and advocacy were new to me so I attended a CARE advocacy leadership training. It was a lot to take in, but I really connected with the people. I was impressed with CARE as an organization and how passionate, articulate and intelligent the people are who support it. I met other advocates from very diverse backgrounds and what really stood out was that they all had the same heart. The more I learned about CARE and the people who are making it happen, the more I loved the organization and felt there was a lot of truth and transparency in the way they function.
After attending my first in-district meeting, I went to the National Conference in May 2017, which was a big eye-opener. It was my first time on Capitol Hill and it was intimidating, but also empowering to see the impact CARE made that day with more than 300 advocates all talking about poverty eradication.
Last summer, I went on a learning tour with CARE to Guatemala. The programs I saw on the ground really crystallized for me the importance of foreign aid.
We met with middle school girls in a UNFPA-funded program that's creating real change in their lives, shaping their futures and ability to lift themselves out of poverty. They're helping girls think bigger about what they can do in the world and the changes they can create in their own lives and communities. The idea of those programs being cut in a federal budget that zeroes out UNFPA and USAID is unfathomable.
If the programs go away, they don't have these groups that they're willing to walk an hour and a half to get to each week. If they don't have the support and continual positivity from their peers and program directors, there's a real risk that they will slip back into accepting social norms that men are superior and they're "just girls." But with the help and encouragement of the program they're in right now, a lot of the girls I met were like, "I'm not getting married until I'm 22 and done with college and my husband better have a college degree too." That's really beautiful, especially in a community with a great deal of poverty.
I'm usually the kind of person who says, "let's go down there, roll up our sleeves and get to work." So initially, advocacy felt unnatural… like, "All I have to do is make phone calls and attend meetings?" I've learned that advocacy holds a lot of power and that it's an effective way to create sustainable change for those girls I met in Guatemala and for the millions of people CARE reaches around the world each year.
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About Dr. Moore
The Privilege Institute
White Privilege Conference
600 Ridgeview Court
eddiemoorejr.com
"Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr. is a prophetic visionary who is changing the world by helping us change how we relate and communicate with each other. Listen to him!"
— John Igwebuike, Associate Professor & Associate Dean at Alcorn State University
Creating change requires an individual who is not only committed to institutional change, but most importantly an individual committed to your change. Eddie Moore, Jr. works with organizations, businesses, communities, cities, institutions and schools to tailor his work to your needs. Working with organizations prior and post visit, Dr. Moore provides consulting training sessions that have been described as high energy, motivating, challenging and enlightening by participants of all ages, time and time again. His delivery style includes presentations and keynote speeches, classroom workshops, group and individual planning, cultural competency training, and organizational change. Dr. Moore works with organizations, not for organizations, as he is committed to building relationships, one change agent at a time.
Consulting Opportunities include:
Engaging Youth through Athletic Camps
Organizational/ Institutional Change
Diversity and Law Enforcement
Cultural Competency
Cultural Diversity and Teachers/Curriculum
International/Global Workplace: Preparing Corporations for Diversity
Sexual Harassment and Affirmative Action in the Workplace
Dr. Moore's most requested Keynotes include:
Diversity, Privilege and Leadership: Are We Making Any Progress in the 21st Century
This interactive, informational, challenging and energetic session examines and explores issues of diversity, privilege, oppression and leadership across America. We all have an excellent opportunity to be positive role models, powerful decision makers, and effective agents of change, if we have the tools. Are we making any progress?
America Is Changing: Are You Ready?
This session challenges participants to examine their own biases, behaviors and belief systems. Additionally, they learn how to take action against hatred, bigotry, privilege and oppression. We need more leaders for social justice and equity across America. Do you have the skills and ability to lead?
The Challenges of Addiction: A Zero-Hero Story
Zero to Hero is the true-life story of Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. as he takes participants from his youth growing up facing the challenges of poverty, drugs and alcohol in a Florida "hood" to his role as a national leader, educator, consultant and motivational speaker. Honest, raw and challenging, participants will hear the story of how, despite a support system, the temptations of 'street life' left him facing addictions, scared, insecure, lost and out of control. But this is not the story of the "Zero." This is the story of how when those around you believe in you, and can convince you to believe in yourself, then anything really is possible. For those who are facing life's many, many challenges, this is a powerful story of redemption, forgiveness, hard, work, determination and Moore. The "Hero" is about excellence, achievement, capabilities, opportunities. The "Hero" means focus, attitude, community and excellence. These are some of the key things connected to leadership, building relationships, creating change, athletics, academics and Moore. This session is designed to leave participants enlightened and empowered to change the world, one person at a time.
Dr. Moore's most requested Workshops include:
White Privilege: Getting in on the Conversations
This interactive, informational, challenging and energetic session examines and explores white privilege/oppression and the imperative that those promoting diversity must "get in on the conversations." Participants will leave with the skills and knowledge necessary to begin addressing issues of white privilege/oppression individually and institutionally.
The N!gga(er) Word: Is There a Message in The Madness?
Who is allowed to say the N!igga (er) word? What do we do/say when N!gga (er) is said in our classrooms, hallways, practice fields, dinner table, cafeterias and resident halls? Ignoring the N!gga (er) word is not an option anymore – You can hear N!gga everywhere in the 21st century.
Participants are challenged to examine their personal/professional histories with N!gga (er), when and/or how they first heard N!gga (er) and pictures/feelings associated with the word. The workshop encourages all people, but specifically young people/future leaders, to consider the ramifications of casual or uniformed usage of a powerful and troublesome word.*
*Please keep a look out for our educational video on The N!gga(er) Word: http://tinyurl.com/n-words2012
I Am George Zimmerman, Ferguson, Oklahoma University, Baltimore, Cleveland: Conversations about White Supremacy, White Privilege, and Oppression.
Participants examine these issues and other forms of oppression in this interactive session. Explore the recent surge of open racial violence and the use of media to spread and combat our thoughts, interactions, institutions, and cultural practices. Learn to engage in critical conversational tactics to deepen understanding and engagement, especially when viewpoints differ and tensions run high. Explore not only where we have been and where we are, but also how to prepare new insights, skills and tools to empower your activism as a role model and agent for social and institutional transformation.
Dr. Moore delivers an additional wide range of keynote addresses/workshops, including:
Black Males, Athletics, Academics and The New Achievement Gap
Diversity, Privilege and Multicultural Education: Are Teachers Ready?
Dr. Martin Luther King: Let's Stop Dreaming!
Everybody Needs Diversity Skills and Cultural Confidence!
LEADer/ship: Is it Nurture or Nature (The Lion King) (great for grades K-12)
Make It Happen: Motivating, Challenging and Inspiring Youth to ACTION!
The Mirror Exercise: Everyone Needs Confidence, Self-Esteem and Motivation (great for grades K-12)
Youth and High Self-Esteem: What Matters Is On The Inside
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Abstract Dopamine is critical in pathophysiology and therapy of schizophrenia. Many studies have reported altered dopaminergic activity in the dorsal but not ventral striatum in schizophrenia. Based on the largest genome-wide association study of schizophrenia to date, we calculated the polygenic risk score (PGRS) of each subject in a healthy general group, including all variations in the set of functionally related genes involved in dopamine neurotransmitter system. We aimed to test whether the genetic variations in the dopaminergic pathway that have been identified as associated with schizophrenia are related to the function of the striatum and to working memory. We found that a higher PGRS was significantly associated with impairment in working memory. Moreover, resting-state functional connectivity analysis revealed that as the polygenic risk score increased, the connections between left putamen and caudate and the default mode network grew stronger, while the connections with the fronto-parietal network grew weaker. Our findings may shed light on the biological mechanism underlying the "dopamine hypothesis" of schizophrenia and provide some implications regarding the polygenic effects on the dopaminergic activity in the risk for schizophrenia.
GB/T 7714 Wang, Chao,Liu, Bing,Zhang, Xiaolong,et al. Multilocus genetic profile in dopaminergic pathway modulates the striatum and working memory[J]. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS,2018,8.
APA Wang, Chao,Liu, Bing,Zhang, Xiaolong,Cui, Yue,Yu, Chunshui,&Jiang, Tianzi.(2018).Multilocus genetic profile in dopaminergic pathway modulates the striatum and working memory.SCIENTIFIC REPORTS,8.
MLA Wang, Chao,et al."Multilocus genetic profile in dopaminergic pathway modulates the striatum and working memory".SCIENTIFIC REPORTS 8(2018).
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Absa Group Announces Retirement of Maria Ramos, Appoints Interim CEO
Absa Group has announced the retirement of its Chief Executive Officer Maria Ramos who will leave office at the end of February 2019 after ten years at the helm.
The Board management expressed their gratitude to Ms Ramos for seeing Absa through the Global Financial crisis and the acquisition of Barclays African subsidiary banks for $1.3 billion in 2013.
"With the separation on track and our new strategy as a standalone financial institution in place, Maria feels that this is the right time to retire," the banks said in a statement.
In effect, René van Wyk has been appointed as the Absa Group and Absa Bank interim chief executive.
He has served as the Registrar of Banks at the South African Reserve Bank and has 19 years experience in the banking industry.
NEWS INDEPTH: Kenya, Burundi trail EAC in war on graft
Taxify Partners with Stanbic Bank to Provide Drivers with Car Loans
IFC in New Partnership to Develop Affordable Housing in Mombasa County
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Medical barcode download is effective and powerful application to administer healthcare industries through reliable, cheaper and protected medical barcode images.
Medical barcode download is effective and powerful application to administer healthcare industries through reliable, cheaper and protected medical barcode images. Medical barcode generator software is more accepted among Pathological Labs, Surgical equipment supplier, Nursing Home, Hospitals, Pharmaceutical industry, Healthcare centers, Blood banks and Medical wholesalers to manage important documents. Medical barcode download application creates barcode objects in linear or 2D dimensions similar to Code 128 SET A, Aztec Font, Coda bar, Code 39 Full ASCII, UCC/EAN-128, UPCE, LOGMARS, DataMatrix Font, LOGMARS, PDF417 Font etc with attractive designing objects akin to pencil, ellipse, triangle, line, text, arc, rectangle and more. Medical barcode download software saves all designed medical barcode labels in key file formats similar to png, tiff, exif, bmp, gif, wmf, jpeg, emf, jpf for further utilizes. Barcode generator software presents attractive GUI interface so that non technical users can admittance software frankly without any industrialized guidance obligatory. Medical barcode designer application is more useful to control patient's records, check medical equipment status, product details, medicines and etc. Software allows downloading free edition to distinguish software elements and operational capabilities without any added charges. Medical barcode download software maintains low system requirement for installation similar to 18 MB free hard disk space, Pentium class or elevated processor, 256 MB Ram and supports major windows operating systems akin to Win Vista, Win 7, Win Server 2008, 2003, Win XP and etc. Features: * Medical barcode download application provides perfect solutions to manage healthcare business through medical barcode labels. * Barcode generator software designs several medical barcode images at solitary mouse tick. * Medical barcode creator application designs barcode in user specified styles by using advanced designing tools.
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Today I talked by phone with Terry Wise, who was one of the first attempt survivors to speak publicly and often about her experience. She's a former trial attorney who now writes and speaks full time and has served on the boards of a number of national organizations on this issue. She's at terrywise.com.
Here's quite an interesting development as more people choose to talk openly about their experience: The major national suicide prevention groups and others are putting together guidelines to help people decide whether they're ready to tell their stories publicly. There are concerns about people speaking too soon. The details are near the end of this post.
We started off chatting, then I started taking notes. Questions are in bold.
Terry: I was extremely, extremely fortunate. After my talks, I meet people who walk with a cane or such who took far less than I did.
Did you know the risks you were taking?
I'm an overpreparer. I had researched it. Sadly, there is a lot of information out there. It's relatively easy to find what is a lethal dose. I had an arsenal of narcotics from my husband. I calculated it out, counted it out. I put it all together so it would be enough to end my life. I was convinced it would be a fatal dose. Many people don't take enough, or change their minds and call the hospital, or wake up in a puddle of vomit after throwing up the fatal dose, or someone finds them in time.
How could you trust the information you found online?
To be able to trust a recipe to end your life, that's sort of a misuse of the word "trust." You never know what's reliable information and that isn't. You take your best guess. When you're depressed, your judgment is skewed anyway. But it would be great if none of that information was out there. A lot of people would hang on and get help. Suicide prevention organizations I work with do work with social media sites if there's something life-threatening out there.
What do you think of the way suicide issues are portrayed in films, TV, the media at large?
I'm very disappointed in the lack of awareness. As an example, I was invited to a very well-known talk show. I asked who else was on, and when I found out, I didn't want to do it. They were trying to get ratings for shock value. They had someone missing half a face from a gunshot, someone missing their legs. Media and TV, they reveal too much detail, which is also shown to increase suicide contagion. It's better to avoid those highly detailed descriptions. Or it's especially true when a celebrity dies by suicide. People start to glamorize them. The bottom line is, I wish more people who portray attempts would read the suicide reporting guidelines and understand the safe messaging.
I think that some, not all, personal stories are crucial to hear. For example, for that talk show, they could have a mix, not just those who were physically maimed. No experts in suicide prevention were asked to appear. It was imbalanced. It should be accompanied by some professional input as well. What have you learned? What would have prevented you from doing what you did? I use myself as an example. I started to give away personal belongings, I started to drink more, I made new estate plans, I started to lose a lot of weight. Educating people. There has to be some incorporation of a positive image.
Would the images of shock value have stopped your attempt?
It certainly is a deterrent, but I didn't see any before my attempt. I probably would have avoided looking at those because I wanted to avoid anything that would interfere. I would've thought none would apply to me.
How you we ease the tension when talking about the topic of suicide?
I think there will always be some sort of stigma to silence people, some myths, unfortunately. They're not eradicated. Unfortunately, we're always going to be battling stigma and myths. But absolutely there's a way to keep a balance between not talking and talking about it to save people's lives. Back when I started in 2004, I was pretty much the only person who had attempted who was giving speeches. Over time, I've seen the growth of public speakers out there. It's actually evolved significantly. I can only imagine 10 years from now.
What is the worst stigma?
One leading component is the belief that depression is a sign of weakness, a character flaw. In fact, recognizing depression and reaching out for help is a sign of personal strength. A lot of people are silenced by the belief that by talking out, people think they have a character flaw.
How do you think this will change in the future?
Every time someone comes out when talking openly about depression and recovery, it reduces the silencing power of stigma. That's why it's important when celebrities do it. When you come forward and say, "I suffered, I got help, I'm better now," I think that drastically reduces the power of stigma.
The stories I see about people who have survived suicide attempts usually end with the people saying they got help and feel better. What about the people who haven't reached that point and are still struggling? Should we be hearing their stories as well?
I hope they're hearing from me. Everybody, everybody has the possibility of recovery. I can't imagine a situation where I'd say to myself, "This person doesn't have, shouldn't have any hope." Recovery, it doesn't happen overnight, and not on the first try. Don't give up. There's hope for everyone. I hear from a lot of those people. Hundreds, maybe thousands. Think of it, they are in the middle of the night online, researching, and they find my site and write to me. They think they just can't go on another day. It's the perfect example of people who think they've tried it all. But if they're writing to me, it means they haven't lost hope. And I point that out. There's a small piece of you who hasn't lost hope. The one thing I get the most thanks for is, thank you for making me feel less alone. Being alone and suicidal is a lethal combination. It's something very liberating to find someone else. That can be a lifesaver.
Is there any value in people hearing their stories?
There is value in certain settings, like support groups, where they're trying to overcome some challenges. Would I recommend that someone go up and give a keynote speech if they were depressed? No. It's not healthy for them or their audience.
I'm on a committee to draft regulations for people who want to tell their stories. There's nothing out there like a formalized document to help people decide whether or not they're ready to tell their story, to deliver a safe message to their audience. There are a lot of people out there who are not ready. The guidelines can be very helpful for speakers and audiences. Hopefully, they'll be done within a couple of months.
A lot of people who have lost children to suicide, they want immediately to go to the high school and talk about their child's death. They're still grieving. You should ask: How will their family be affected? Does that matter to you? Did you talk to them?
Can people find the guidelines online?
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged interview, lawyer, mental health, suicide, suicide attempt by kayakembe. Bookmark the permalink.
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Sorse Ilish is a classic Bengali fish curry, made of Hilsa fish cooked in delectable mustard sauce. Get all the tips like how to use mustard in fish.
Fish Kalia is a Bengali delectable fish curry where fried fish (shallow-fry or deep-fry) cooked in rich and medium spicy gravy.
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SFSP has been specified to obtain reliable frame separation using byte stuffing and xor based flag obfuscation. It is similar to SLIP and its variations, although uses a more cautious approach, appending at the end of the frame an END flag to exclude a set of vulnerabilities. Its overhead is 1.33 times higher if compared to SLIP's but it is more reliable thanks to the presence of the END flag. SFSP uses a xor based flag obfuscation method to avoid the occurrence of flags within a frame. Its procedure is lightweight and more efficient if compared with the flag transposition method used by SLIP that requires more memory and operations to be executed. The suggested sampling and transmission strategy is byte-by-byte. SFSP is designed to support fast on the fly encoding and decoding implementations with no need of additional buffers.
Frame transmission starts with a START flag (decimal 149), followed by data bytes. When START, END (decimal 234) or ESC flag (decimal 76) occurs in data, it is prepended with an ESC flag and its value is xored with the ESC flag to avoid the presence of START, END or ESC flag in data. END is appended at the end of the frame.
Receiver identifies the start of a frame when a START flag is received. If ESC flag occurs during reception, it is ignored and the next byte xored with ESC flag to get back its original value; any value out START, END or ESC flag causes the receiver to discard the frame and be ready to receive the next one nominally. The end of the frame is detected when an unescaped END flag is received.
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Personal insolvencies include bankruptcies, debt agreements and personal insolvency agreements. One of our key focus areas is to ensure that people who enter into the personal insolvency system comply with their obligations– but we want to do more! Can you help us predict non-compliance? You can use our data alone or in combination with other data to help us predict when non-compliance might occur. Surprise us with the output – e.g. it can be a visualisation or a predictive model. What indicators that we have provided in the data, would be the most useful.
Team 42 - DON'T PANIC!
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Is the oldest religious text. It is older than the Bible and the Koran.
The original Egyptian name for the text, transliterated rw nw prt m hrw is translated as "Book of Coming Forth by Day". Another translation would be "Book of emerging forth into the Light". The text consists of a number of magic spells intended to assist a dead person's journeythrough the Duat, or underworld, and into the afterlife.The Book of the Dead developed from a tradition of funerary manuscripts dating back to the Egyptian Old Kingdom. The first funerary texts were the Pyramid Texts, first used in the Pyramid of King Unas of the 5th dynasty, around 2400 BCE. These texts were written on the walls of the burial chambers within pyramids, and were exclusively for the use of the Pharaoh (and, from the 6th dynasty, the Queen). The Pyramid Texts were written in an unusual hieroglyphic style; many of the hieroglyphs representing humans or animals were left incomplete or drawn mutilated, most likely to prevent them causing any harm to the dead pharaoh. The purpose of the Pyramid Texts was to help the dead King take his place amongst the gods, in particular to reunite him with his divine father Ra; at this period the afterlife was seen as being in the sky, rather than the underworld described in the Book of the Dead. Towards the end of the Old Kingdom, the Pyramid Texts ceased to be an exclusively royal privilege, and were adopted by regional governors, other high-ranking officials and common folk.
Posted on June 3, 2013 by felastory • This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged Africa, Christianity, History, Islam. Bookmark the permalink.
I AM GOD-PHARAOH BECAME AFTER FOLLOWING THIS. [email protected].
So you are nephew to Ra Moses (now in the mid of war, Near Aleppo, Syria)?
Sure I am. My grand fathers educated the worlds and the Greeks sat at their feet.
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* @copyright: Copyright (c) 2012-2017 Dan Grossman. All rights reserved.
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// This behaviour is automatic in Chrome/Firefox/Edge but not in IE 11 hence why this exists.
// Other browsers and versions of IE are untested and the behaviour is unknown.
Copyright © 2015 <a href="http://www.awio.com">Awio Web Services LLC</a>.
Copyright © 2012-2017 <a href="http://www.awio.com">Awio Web Services LLC</a>.
Developed and maintained by <a href="http://www.dangrossman.info/">Dan Grossman</a>.
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
}
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Welcome to Hastkala Arts, established in the year 2014, we are top most manufacturers, suppliers, traders, retailers and wholesalers of a wide range of Handicrafts Items. Inclusive of Marble Watches, Decorative Pen Stands and Marble Pooja Thali, we offer a wide range of products. To design the offered range of marble gift products as per the prevailing market trends, our designers make use of the finest quality marbles that are procured from some of the trusted vendors of the industry. Their impeccable finish, contemporary appearance, elegant design and durable construction, makes these marble gift products highly demanded for commercial & personal gifting & decorative purposes. Backed and supported by a team of innovative and creative craftsmen, we have been able to cater to the precise needs of our valuable patrons. Boasting on a very congenial workplace, we work to attain maximum customer approval.
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
}
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Cloud, advertising, and IDFA: Three key mobile game trends for 2021
By MEFFebruary 26, 2021April 9th, 2021MEF Webinars & Workshops
George Jijiashvili, Senior Analyst at Omdia is joined by Jonathan Stringfield, VP at Activision Blizzard Media, Kristan Rivers, CEO at AdInMo and Juan Francisco Di Nucci CEO at AWG, to unpick the current key trends in the mobile games industry and identify opportunities for the broader mobile ecosystem.
The mobile games market continues to experience impressive growth, further boosted by the pandemic. According to Omdia, end-user spend on mobile games is predicted to surpass $100 billion for the first time in 2021, generating $103 billion, or 62% of the total global games revenue. Importance of mobile games will only grow, as its total share is set to increase to 69% by 2025, when it is expected to bring in whopping $129 billion.
Watch the MEF Webinar in full
Cloud gaming and game subscriptions pick up pace
Cloud gaming is now gaining real momentum, as it is set to grow from just $1.4bn in 2020 to $12bn in 2025, according to Omdia. Most of the vital pieces are finally coming together to make cloud gaming a viable option for both serious and casual gamers; this includes rapidly expanding fast internet connectivity globally, 5G network rollouts, improved video streaming technology, and growing availability of appealing content. Helped along by the investments from leading game companies and tech giants, adoption of cloud gaming and game subscription services are accelerating.
Juan Francisco Di Nucci highlights that these developments "lower the barriers to entry" for playing premium game titles, which in the past were only available to the owners of consoles or powerful PCs. Meanwhile, mobile game developers are increasingly implementing subscriptions as part of their efforts to forge long-lasting customer relationships, boost user retention and drive revenue growth.
It's clear that a cure-all business model doesn't exist: all monetization methods will continue to coexist within the games ecosystem, including one-off purchases, microtransactions, subscriptions and advertising."
In-game advertising brings opportunities and pitfalls
In-app ad revenue's share of the total mobile games market value is growing, as game publishers turn to advertising as a supplementary or primary source of revenue. In-app advertising brought in $43bn in 2020 (or 32% of the total mobile games revenue), which is set to grow to $94bn in 2025 (or 42% of the total).
Developers however must be wary of in-game advertising's many pitfalls – and as Kristan Rivers points out, "effective monetization must be balanced with gamer experience".
For game makers, the biggest challenge will be understanding the interplay between game mechanics and monetization methods, as well as utilizing the right combination of those models.
Changes to IDFA oblige game makers to alter their approach
Apple's imminent user-privacy rule changes, limiting advertisers' access to the unique identifier for iOS devices (IDFA), will cause iOS in-app advertising revenue to dip by 17% below original expectations this year, according latest projections from Omdia. iOS users will remain highly valuable targets for advertisers and game makers: in 2020, iOS users spent on average 4.7 times more on apps than Android users.
There is a growing sentiment that the changes to IDFA are net-positive for the games industry, which – as Jonathan Stringfield noted – "got enamored with up-front targeting and tracking via click-through and lost track of the key business metrics". In many ways, it will serve as a course-correction for the industry, forcing companies into better practices.
The webinar video goes into greater depth into these and other near- and long-term term industry trends. It also includes further questions from the audience.
Available to download now – Omdia's Cloud Gaming and Subscription Revenue Forecast: 2020-25
This report provides a global forecast of cloud gaming market revenue from 2017 through 2025, covering 50 markets. For more information about this forecast, please contact George.
George Jijiashvili
Senior Analyst, Omdia
Previous PostMEF Member News Round-up, March 1st
Next PostGlobal Mobile News round-up, February 26th
MEF Webinars & Workshops
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Pingback: Mobile games trends 2021: key takeaways from MEF's webinar | AdInMo: InGamePlay brand advertising
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaCommonCrawl"
}
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Bone malas have been widely used in Tibetan tradition and practice. Using a bone mala is a reminder of impermanence - the more we contemplate impermanence and death the more fruitful our life becomes.
Approximately 29" strand and 7mm beads. ***The tassel is red.
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
}
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In Box Office · Movies
The superhero pic earned an unprecedented $156.7 million on Friday in North America; overseas, it finished the day with a massive early foreign total of $487 million.
To say Disney and Marvel's Avengers: Endgame is making history in its box office debut is an understatement.
The superhero tentpole grossed $156.7 million on Friday in North America, putting it on course for a stunning domestic debut of $340 million-plus and a global launch of $1 billion. All are records, despite Endgame's lengthy running time of three hours.
The results overseas are no less astonishing. Avengers: Endgame, which began rolling out Wednesday, including in China, finished Friday with a three-day foreign tally of $487 million. That's already the biggest international opening of all time, eclipsing The Fate of the Furious ($443 million).
The Russo brothers shot Endgame back-to-back with last year's Avengers: Infinity War, the previous record-holder for biggest global opening ($640.5 million) and biggest domestic debut ($257.6 million), not adjusted for inflation. Endgame has the advantage of opening day and date in China, unlike Infinity War.
Globally, Endgame's early cumulative total through Friday stood at $643.7 million, another record-breaking feat in eclipsing Infinity War's entire opening before Saturday gets underway. China's portion through Friday is a record $217 million.
Furthermore, overall weekend revenue in the U.S. will clock in at $380 million or more, an unprecedented stat. Until now, the most ever collected in one weekend was $314 million.
In terms of biggest single day, that crown had belonged to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which took in $119 million on its first Friday.
Endgame sports an impressive 96 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, the second-best second best of any MCU title behind Black Panther (97 percent). And like Black Panther, Endgame was awarded a coveted A+ CinemaScore.
The tentpole is playing in 4,662 theaters in North America, the widest release of all time. Some cinemas are staying open around the clock to meet demand.
The nostalgia factor is running hot. Not only is Endgame a direct sequel to Infinity War, it's the culmination of the previous 21 titles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a blockbuster series of films that commenced with Iron Man in 2008 and established Kevin Feige's Marvel Studios as best in show.
Endgame's halo effect is even boosting fellow MCU tentpole Captain Marvel, which in its eighth weekend is soaring back up the chart to No. 2 with a projected $8 million to $9 million as moviegoers who haven't seen the pic catch up before viewing Endgame.
'Know Your Enemy': Film Review
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaCommonCrawl"
}
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Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Ru x86-x64 SP1 NL3 by OVGorskiy® 04.2017 Сборка сделана на основе оригинальных образов: ru_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1_x86_dvd_619117 ru_windows_7_ultimate_with_sp1. Здравствуйте. Помогите пожалуйста в теме Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 14393.729 v.1607 by IZUAL.
Windows 7 Ultimate by KottoSOFT mini Office 2013 v.10.7 (x86-x64) (2015) Rus Category: OS / Windows 7 Added: 21-07-2015, 21:43. 100; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5 Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Redistributable (x86) - 11.0.61030. Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 by UralSOFT v.41.15 (x86/x64) (2015) Ru · Windows 8.1 Enterprise. Aug 2, 2012 . Visual Studio Professional 2012 is a professional-quality integrated . and deploying software for Windows, Microsoft Office Скачать Windows 7 Ultimate UralSOFT v6.15 торрент бесплатно без регистрации. Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (x64 x86) updates for October v.28.10 by XaKeR CD 12Windows XP Professional SP3 XaKeR CD v 12.0 (2012 RUS).0 12.0 3 x86.
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
}
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To cut weight and reduce user fatigue the light is made of a lightweight aluminum alloy and weighs in at just 4.1 oz. Designed for durability, the housing features a corrosion and scratch-resistant anodized finish, is O-ring sealed to make it waterproof and submersible to 9.8', and its broad operating temperature enables its use in most weather and conditions.
A very high-quality item. These fit the Remington models as stated, but if you want to put one on a Mossberg 500, you'll need a different adapter. Look for Steiner #9171. For certain Beretta models, look for #9172 or #9173. Adapters for those are about $35. Note that these lights will NOT fit a Mossberg 500 with a breacher barrel. Doing it this way beats paying full MSRP for part numbers attached to those other shotguns.
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
}
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The K-40 sits flat on the floor or countertop and also tips onto its back for easy access to sink drains and bathtubs full of water.
The K-40 greatly reduces site clean-up thanks to the patented Guide Hose two-way AUTOFEED®.
It completely contains the rotating cable and eliminates waste water splashing or spraying.
Click the button below to add the K-40AF Sink Machine (230v) 71742 to your wish list.
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{
"redpajama_set_name": "RedPajamaC4"
}
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HOUSE STATE AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
Representative Bruce Weyhrauch, Chair
Representative Jim Holm, Vice Chair
Representative John Coghill
Representative Paul Seaton
Representative Ethan Berkowitz
"An Act relating to the dividends of individuals claiming
allowable absences; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED HB 547 OUT OF COMMITTEE
"An Act establishing the Alaska Statehood Celebration
Commission; and providing for an effective date."
- MOVED CSHB 476(STA) OUT OF COMMITTEE
"An Act relating to the Alaska Securities Act, including
reports, proxies, consents, authorizations, proxy statements,
and other materials, civil penalties, refunds of proceeds from
violations, restitution, and investment adviser representatives;
and providing for an effective date."
"An Act relating to federal requirements for governmental plan
and other qualifications for the teachers' retirement system,
the public employees' retirement system, and the judicial
retirement system; and providing for an effective date."
- HEARD AND HELD
SHORT TITLE:PFD: DELAY PAYMENT FOR ALLOWABLE ABSENCES
SPONSOR(S): STATE AFFAIRS
Jrn-Date Jrn-Page Action
03/29/04 3110 (H) READ THE FIRST TIME -
03/29/04 3110 (H) STA, FIN
03/30/04 (H) STA AT 8:00 AM CAPITOL 102
03/30/04 (H) Heard & Held
MINUTE(STA)
SHORT TITLE:AK STATEHOOD CELEBRATION COMMISSION
SPONSOR(S): REPRESENTATIVE(S) ANDERSON
SHORT TITLE:ALASKA SECURITIES ACT
03/01/04 2790 (H) STA, JUD, FIN
03/09/04 (H) MINUTE(STA)
03/26/04 (H) Scheduled But Not Heard
SHORT TITLE:RETIREMENT:TEACHERS/JUDGES/PUB EMPLOYEES
SPONSOR(S): RLS BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR
05/21/03 2070 (H) STA, L&C, FIN
05/21/03 2070 (H) FN1: ZERO(ADM)
05/21/03 2070 (H) GOVERNOR'S TRANSMITTAL LETTER
03/30/04 (H) <Bill Hearing Postponed to
Thurs. 4/1/04>
SHARON BARTON, Director
Permanent Fund Dividend Division
Department of Revenue (DOR)
POSITION STATEMENT: Answered questions on behalf of the
division during the hearing on HB 547.
JIM SHINE, Staff
to Representative Tom Anderson
POSITION STATEMENT: Reviewed committee substitute (CS) to HB
476, Version LS-1744\D, Utermohle, 4/2/04, on behalf of
Representative Anderson, sponsor.
VINCE USERA, Senior Securities Manager
Division of Banking, Securities & Corporations
Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED)
TERRY ELDER, Alaska Representative
Investment Company Institute (ICI)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified and answered questions during the
hearing on HB 527.
ANSELM STAACK, Chief Financial Officer
Division of Retirement & Benefits
Department of Administration (DOA)
POSITION STATEMENT: Testified and answered questions on behalf
of the division during the hearing on HB 331.
TAPE 04-54, SIDE A
CHAIR BRUCE WEYHRAUCH called the House State Affairs Standing
Committee meeting to order at 8:01 a.m. Representatives Holm,
Seaton, Coghill, and Weyhrauch were present at the call to
order. Representatives Lynn and Gruenberg arrived as the
HB 547-PFD: DELAY PAYMENT FOR ALLOWABLE ABSENCES
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 547, "An Act relating to the dividends of
individuals claiming allowable absences; and providing for an
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to a [two-page chart] listing
allowable absences from the years 1999 to 2003 [included in the
committee packet]. He noted some of the amounts of absences on
the chart, for categories such as "accompanied," "enrolled
college," "active duty," and "medical." In response to a
question from Chair Weyhrauch, he confirmed that the chart was
prepared by the [Permanent Fund Dividend] Division.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON moved to adopt HB 547 as a work draft.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH objected for discussion purposes.
SHARON BARTON, Director, Central Office, Permanent Fund Dividend
Division, Department of Revenue (DOR), offered a brief overview
of the previously mentioned chart. She noted that the chart is
an initial response to a request from the committee to see a
breakdown in the numbers involved in the allowable absences.
She reminded the committee that it had requested information
regarding "behavior patterns beyond that," including how long
people are staying out [of Alaska] and whether or not they are
returning. She explained that the division has that information
stored, but because of the age of its computers, it would be
labor intensive to retrieve the information. Notwithstanding
that, she said the division would carry out the committee's
request "if it ends up being pivotal ... to decision-making
here."
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON offered his understanding that the request
had been for the division to take the applications at "six years
and ten years," and follow those applications to see if the
allowable absences ended with a permanent fund granted without
allowable absences or [if they were] terminated.
MS. BARTON confirmed that was true, but clarified that is what
would be "terribly labor intensive for us to dig out for you."
She illustrated that it would mean taking staff away from
important work in order to complete this request.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked if following a single year instead
of two years would cut the work in half.
MS. BARTON answered that it wouldn't matter. She specified that
it's a matter of asking the computer to track each individual
applicant through some 12 million records, using an inefficient
system. Manual effort would be used to program each individual
[search]. She clarified, "So, it doesn't really matter how far
back we go; once we get into each individual record, [we] can go
back as far as that record goes."
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM noted [on the chart] that in 1999, only two
people were listed under the category of "secondary education,"
and since then there have been close to 1,000. He asked what
caused the change.
MS. BARTON answered that she suspects that's an error in the
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH closed public testimony on HB 547.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked Ms. Barton if the fiscal note is
accurate, or if the division would be filing a more detailed
MS. BARTON confirmed that more work needs to be done on the
fiscal note because the one before the committee was done
quickly for the last hearing.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM said it bothered him that approximately $7
million is being given away and Ms. Barton had said that the
division has an inefficient computer system with which to work.
MS. BARTON said she thinks the inefficiency is a result of
different pieces of [the computer system] being built at various
times and not working well together. She indicated that the
division has submitted a request for funds to change the system
to a more cohesive one. She offered details.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM asked how the processing of permanent fund
dividend (PFD) checks is paid for.
MS. BARTON replied that the division's operations are fully
funded out of the PFD fund. In response to another question,
she relayed that updating the division's computer system is now
the department's number one priority, as well as her own.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH offered his understanding that "this assumes a
$50,000 expenditure ... in 2005." He noted that the fiscal note
does not clarify "what that would be going for."
MS. BARTON confirmed that is the assumption and explained that
it was the staff's quick estimate at the programming costs if
the research was handled as a special project - a one-time
event. She explained that the division is working on what the
cost would be "if we weave it in to this upgrade we're doing
right now." She added, "We believe we can hone it down from the
$50,000."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked if one possible impact of passage of HB
527 would be a decline in the applications and payments, and if
that would be reflected in the fiscal note.
MS. BARTON surmised that there would be an indeterminate amount
of people who, because of the bill, would be discouraged from
filling out an application for a PFD because they know that they
will not be coming back to Alaska. Out of the 625,000
applications received every year, she said, the division
probably won't notice a change in workload.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked what kind of authorization the division
would need to print on the checks the total amount of PFD checks
that are mailed to out-of-state addresses.
MS. BARTON responded that the division could do that as a matter
of procedural policy; it does not need statutory authority to do
so. The [lack of] room on the check would be a limiting factor,
although the division could find room.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that there is a discrepancy between
the number of checks mailed and the amount of money sent [out of
state], and asked why.
MS. BARTON answered that some of the people who would have
applied for the allowable absence PFD check would have returned
to Alaska and received the check at their home address. She
confirmed that another reason could be that they are students
and the check was mailed to their parents' Alaska address.
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL, regarding checks that are mailed out [of
state], asked how the division is presently set up to discover
fraudulent applications.
MS. BARTON answered that the division has just reorganized its
"fraud unit" and has reestablished working relationships with
fraud enforcement people across the state, as well as with the
federal government. She revealed that the division is probably
most successful discovering fraud through tips from the public.
She stated that the division gets hundreds of tips from the
public and investigates each one. Additionally, the division
performs focused audits. For example, all applications with an
out-of-state postmark are audited, as well as those applications
submitted by people who have refused jury duty because they
claimed not to be residents of the state. Ms. Barton reported
the findings of the fraud investigator for the past year. She
noted that the office of the inspector general in Seattle,
Washington, has agreed to take all of the division's identity
theft cases, of which there are presently three.
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL said he is trying to decide: "Is this
huge policy call worth the effort of those very, very few?"
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked if the identity theft arose from
electronically generated applications, or paper [applications].
MS. BARTON answered she doesn't have that information.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH turned attention to [Section 1, subsection (a)]
of the bill, which read as follows:
*Section 1. AS 43.23 is amended by adding a new
section to read:
Sec. 43.23.009. Dividends of individuals with
allowable absences. (a) Notwithstanding other
provisions regarding payment of dividends, the
dividend of an individual who was absent from the
state during the qualifying year as allowed in AS
43.23.008(a)(1)-(8) or (10)-(13) shall be paid to that
individual on the first subsequent year that the
individual is eligible for a dividend without claiming
an allowable absence under AS 43.23.008(a)(1)-(8) or
(10)-(13). A dividend that has not become payable
under this subsection may not be paid under AS
43.23.005(h).
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH - noting that currently, [paragraph (9)] of AS
43.23.008(a) pertains to members of the United States Congress -
brought attention to a possible Amendment 1, to insert [existing
paragraph (9) of statute] in Section 1, thus having the bill
apply to paragraphs (1)-(13) of the current statute. Chair
Weyhrauch explained that he thinks it would be unfair to treat
members of the U.S. Congress differently.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated opposition to Amendment 1. He
indicated that he had been on a naval ship and he considers that
part of the United States. He said he thinks an Alaskan
congressman's turf in Washington, D.C., is part of the state of
Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that he has received 17 e-mails that
have raised concerns about the bill, and 15 e-mails that were in
favor of it. One of the e-mails in support expressed the point
of view that everyone should be treated equally.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH stated he understands Representative Gruenberg's
point, but thinks of this issue as a policy statement and thus
looks at the definition of what would be considered part of the
state a little more tightly. He said, "It looks fair, to me, to
treat them like everybody else, including those who have to care
for a dying family member or going to school or the military;
once they come back, they'll receive a large payment of
dividends that indicate their leave out of the state."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG responded that [members of the U.S.
Congress] represent the state; they don't just represent one
person, as in the case of someone caring for a relative. He
offered more examples. He said, "Frankly, I don't think any of
us do as much for the state as our congressional delegation
does, and I think it's just as symbolic to give them the
dividend, even if you don't give it to anybody else."
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON pointed out that, currently, the bill does
not include congressional "staffers" for exemptions.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said the only people exempted in the
bill are the three members of U.S. Congress, and "they're the
people who push the button on the floor (indisc. - voice faded
out)."
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL commented that given the longevity of
Alaska's congressional delegation, its members may never get
[the PFD].
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM remarked that "you could argue this on both
sides."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH withdrew Amendment 1.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON emphasized that the proposed legislation
is not so much concentrated on fraud as it is on offering an
incentive for people to return from outside the state. He
indicated that the system is the creation of the state and there
is nothing inherently right or wrong about it; the state just
needs to figure out how it wants to run the system. He
indicated that most of the comments sent in opposition to the
bill were [from those in] the military or college students. He
said the comments from the military seemed to be a
misinterpretation that the dividends would be cut off.
Representative Seaton emphasized that's not the intent of the
bill. Conversely, the bill just states that if a person who is
out of the state qualifies for the dividend, he/she will get the
dividends upon his/her return to the state. He pointed out that
several [e-mails] from people in the military state support of
that concept.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM noted that in Fairbanks, military people
don't have to get a state license plate, but they receive a PFD.
He stated that he finds it bizarre that "we would allow that to
happen." He characterized the bill as "an interesting
differential," and applauded Representative Seaton for taking it
on; however, he stated that he is not convinced that it's the
right program to have for Alaska. He said he thinks it [sends]
a bad message that people somehow deserve a "welfare check" just
for being citizens of Alaska."
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to a memorandum from Legislative
Legal and Research Services [included in the committee packet],
and said Legislative Legal and Research Services was asked to
address the issues regarding due process and equal protection.
He focused attention on the end of the first paragraph on the
second page of the memorandum showing examples of cases in which
a regulation permitting absences from Alaska - if the absence
was no longer than the time physically present in the state -
was upheld. He added, "But apparently that's no longer in
effect."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG offered his understanding that that
referred to the 180-day provision - that a person cannot be out
of the state for over half of the year - but added that he is
not certain of that.
MS. BARTON, regarding the length of time for an allowable
absence not exceeding the time a person is a resident in the
state, said she doesn't know if that was ever a regulation, but
it is not one now. She continued as follows:
I know in looking at these extended absences at the
five-year point where we do review them more
carefully, we certainly look at that as one factor.
... If they were only a resident of the state for 18
months and have been gone for five years, they need to
have done many of the other due-diligent kinds of
things to establish residency and their intent to
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM said he would be interested in finding out
what the results would be of getting a second fraud
investigator. He noted that the provisions on the PFD are
rather specific as to what the penalties are "if some things
happen." He asked whether any of the checks sent to fraudulent
applicants were recovered.
MS. BARTON replied that the division goes after the money,
though, in some cases, it doesn't press criminal charges if the
money is paid back, but the person loses the next five
dividends. She indicated that it is a little more difficult to
retrieve money from those who are out-of-state. She added,
"And, of course, to penalize them for five subsequent dividends
doesn't mean a thing."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG read the numbers, from 1999 to 2003, in
the active duty category of the chart. He asked if the increase
was also consistent prior to 1999.
MS. BARTON answered that she doesn't know, but offered to
research it.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated his assumption that, with the
exception of 2001 to 2002, the accompanied category has "pretty
steadily increased, as well." He stated his assumption that
"that reflects those folks who are accompanying military folks."
MS. BARTON stated that category is mainly made up of military
spouses and families, although it also includes spouses and
families of students and of someone out of the state for medical
treatment. In response to a follow-up question from
Representative Gruenberg, she stated that she doesn't know how
many active duty military people are in Alaska at any given
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON referred to e-mails in the committee
packet. He indicated that some of the e-mails expressed
opposition to the fact that college students and others who's
PFDs were being held would not be earning interest on those
dividends. He shared that another e-mail was in support of the
bill because many high school students choose to turn down free
tuition [to Alaska's University system] in order to attend
colleges out-of-state and so they should also wait for their PFD
checks until they return; however, the students should receive a
reasonable amount of interest on those checks. Representative
Seaton explained that he just wanted it on the record that those
comments had been received by e-mail.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON noted that some people had expressed that
college students often don't receive a lot of income, and those
people suggested a shorter time period, for example, a "four-
year grace."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH removed his objection [to the previous motion to
adopt HB 547 as a work draft].
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN objected. He stated that he thinks the
intent of the bill is good, but doesn't think the military needs
"this kind of hassle." He noted that [those in the military] go
where they are ordered, and "they take Alaska with them when
they go somewhere else." He commented that there are many
students who are not born with a silver spoon in their mouths
and can use every dollar they can get. He stated that although
he knows it is not the intent of the sponsor, "we're inferring
that the military and students tend to be cheats, more than the
rest of the population." He said he thinks these kinds of
things need to be investigated on a case-by-case basis. He
concluded, "We need to protect the PFD - it's our obligation to
do so - but I'm afraid that this bill throws the baby out with
the bathwater, and I cannot support it."
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON responded, "This is a system that the
legislature designed to allow extraordinary absences," noting
that the conditions that are placed on those extraordinary
absences are for the legislature to decide. He continued as
It doesn't mean that anybody is cheating; it just
means that we are designing a system that pays people
to be outside. And if that is our intention, to pay
people to be gone from the state, that is sometimes
the outcome of what the system has crept to. And that
is the entire purpose of the bill, to give people a
reason to become and remain ... physical residents at
the end of their extended allowable absence. ... And
so there is no intent and there is no action saying
that the people that are receiving extended absences
that we allow are in any way cheats. So, I want that
really clear. Fraud is something that is totally
different than a system that we create that allows
people to be paid to be gone from the state.
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN said he understands, but stated that the
gist of his previous remarks remains.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG directed the committee's attention to
page 3, lines 2-5, which read as follows:
(c) Notwithstanding other provisions, a dividend
that has not become payable to an individual under (a)
of this section is not subject to levy, execution,
garnishment, attachment, or any other remedy for the
collection of debt until that dividend becomes payable
or is paid to the individual.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said if he were a bankruptcy-planning
attorney, he might want to use that language to protect somebody
who doesn't have a lot of assets but has a fair amount tied up
in dividends.
TAPE 04-54, SIDE B
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG continued as follows:
That can be utilized to sequester funds from
creditors, in a (indisc.) planning situation, like I
would be if I were a JAG [Judge Advocate General]
lawyer advising military who have some debts and are
about to be transferred from the state. It could
sequester a fair amount of money from Alaska
creditors. And I haven't really thought about how to
deal with that. But if somebody could be gone for 5,
10, [or] 15 years, that could be $15,000, ultimately,
that's sequestered from creditors.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON clarified that it wouldn't be somebody
leaving the state, because he/she doesn't have any future credit
for dividends; therefore, it would only be somebody who has left
the state and has had allowable absences, and was not in Alaska
for an extended period of time, but then declared bankruptcy or
something else outside of the state.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG concurred.
REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL noted that what first appealed to him
regarding the bill was "the draw to bring people back into
Alaska to receive their benefit"; however, the more he thought
about the practical "outplay" of the bill, the more problems he
had with it. He said he appreciates Representative Lynn's
comments. He stated that the check distribution would almost
become "a banking of sorts," where money has to be held in
account for people. He indicated that he is not certain whether
he wants that [additional work] given to the [division]. He
suggested that the intended consequences may be getting
outweighed by the unintended consequences. He also mentioned
that there might be an inherent unfairness. He noted that less
than 5 percent of [Alaska's] overall population has been outside
of the state with allowable absences. He estimated that about
1-2 percent may be military. He stated that he knows there is
fraud, but said he doesn't know that it would be worth "having a
big bureaucratic system and delayed recipients for all that."
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN said Alaska has no problem attracting
military to the state with or without "this program."
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON offered his understanding that the
division already had an accounting system for holding checks.
MS. BARTON stated that the division currently has to account for
18-year-old filers [whose parents or guardians did not file for
their PFDs] and for estates [where someone has died]. She said
she doesn't think [HB 547] will create a huge accounting burden.
She explained that the applications will be processed and
pended, so in any given year, the division will know what the
possible liability is and those funds will be retained in the
fund until such time as they can be released.
MS. BARTON, responding to previous remarks regarding possible
interest on [the withheld dividend] monies, said the division
would have to think through the process she just described
differently if interest were a part of the equation.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG offered his understanding that as the
bill is currently written, the interest would remain with the
MS. BARTON said that's correct. In response to a follow-up
question from Representative Gruenberg, she said she did not
know how much that would be per year, but offered to research
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN said, "It would seem to me that if we were
... paying interest on money being withheld, this interest would
belong to the person that this money would eventually belong to
when they return to the state, rather than to the state. You'd
be getting interest on somebody else's money - a pretty good
deal."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH said, "All right, there's a motion on HB 547 and
an objection." [Although the motion pending was whether to
adopt HB 547 as a work draft, the committee treated the
following roll call vote as if it pertained to a motion to move
the bill from committee.]
A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Gruenberg, Holm,
Seaton, and Weyhrauch voted in favor of HB 547. Representatives
Coghill and Lynn voted against it. Therefore, HB 547 was
reported out of the House State Affairs Standing Committee by a
vote of 4-2.
HB 476-AK STATEHOOD CELEBRATION COMMISSION
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH announced that the next order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 476, "An Act establishing the Alaska Statehood
Celebration Commission; and providing for an effective date."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH moved to adopt the proposed committee substitute
(CS) for HB 476, Version 23-LS1744\D, Utermohle, 4/2/04, as a
work draft.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM objected.
JIM SHINE, Staff to Representative Tom Anderson, Alaska State
Legislature, reviewed Version D on behalf of Representative
Anderson, sponsor. He noted that Version D would reduce the
number of members on the commission from 17 to 9, would reduce
the number of public members on the commission from 12 to 4,
would provide for one member from each judicial district, and
would eliminate the four "at-large" members.
MR. SHINE directed the committee's attention to page 2, lines
18-19, of Version D, which read in part: "or if a legislative
member of the commission is no longer a member of the
legislative body from which the member was appointed, the
officer responsible for appointing that member shall appoint a
replacement member as soon as possible."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH closed public testimony.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM asked Mr. Shine if going to 9 members would
affect the fiscal note.
MR. SHINE responded that although a new fiscal note has not been
received, he anticipates that there will be a reduction in the
fiscal note. He noted that the next committee of referral would
be the House Finance Committee.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM removed his objection.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM moved to report the proposed CS for HB 476,
Version 23-LS1744\D, Utermohle, 4/2/04, out of committee with
individual recommendations and the [forthcoming] fiscal note.
There being no objection, CSHB 476(STA) was reported out of the
House State Affairs Standing Committee.
HB 527-ALASKA SECURITIES ACT
be HOUSE BILL NO. 527, "An Act relating to the Alaska Securities
Act, including reports, proxies, consents, authorizations, proxy
statements, and other materials, civil penalties, refunds of
proceeds from violations, restitution, and investment adviser
representatives; and providing for an effective date."
REPRESENTATIVE LYNN moved [to adopt] the proposed committee
substitute (CS) for HB 527, Version 23-LS1792\Q, Bannister,
4/5/04, [as a work draft].
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH reviewed that at the last hearing on HB 527, a
representative of the New York attorney general's office had
testified. He also reminded the committee of the correspondence
in the committee packet from [Warren E. Buffet, Chairman],
Berkshire Hathaway. He stated that he is not certain that HB
527 does what he would like it to do. He said his inclination
is to "get into this with both feet," but thinks there isn't
time, nor is there the inclination by the committee to do that.
He said, "I just think that we have an obligation to equip our
state with the means to do those kind of things the public
sector is normally charged to do, without the public sector
paying for it when there's wrong-doing."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH noted that there were concerns raised by other
members of the administration regarding some portions of the
bill, which he said have been addressed in Version Q.
VINCE USERA, Senior Securities Manager, Division of Banking,
Securities & Corporations, Department of Community & Economic
Development (DCED), described his involvement working with
[Legislative Legal and Research Services] to come up with
Version Q.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated that he also wanted to proceed
as Chair Weyhrauch did. He said, "There are lots of securities
problems in the state, but I think this is an area that has some
troubling aspects on a national scale, and I'd like to see our
state in the forefront of protecting our consumers. We're
basically a consumer state, in this area." He expressed his
appreciation of Mr. Usera's willingness to look at "the Takeover
Bid Disclosure Act." He stated for the record that he thinks
"we" probably all agree that the Alaska Takeover Bid Disclosure
Act is probably unconstitutional and needs to be repealed. He
mentioned working in the House Judiciary Standing Committee to
develop a new Act to add to the bill. He asked Mr. Usera, "Is
that not correct?"
MR. USERA answered, "That's correct."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG directed attention to page 3, [line 17-
19], which read in part as follows:
The amount of the restitution paid to the harmed
person may be two times the amount of loss caused to
the person by the violator.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG commented that's almost a kind of
punitive damage, except that it goes to the victim, not to the
state. He asked how "two times" became established.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH said he added that language. He explained that
it's intended to deter wrongful conduct, to pay those who have
been harmed, and to give notice to those potential offenders
that "if they're going to do business here, ... they have to cut
square corners with the consumer and, if they don't, they have
to pay a penalty." He revealed that he had received
confirmation from the drafters of the bill that "this would pass
muster if it were challenged." He noted that this is similar to
"the wage and hour statutes."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked, "Was it a policy call for 'two
times', or was it more of a recognition of the maximum extent
constitutionally permissible?"
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH responded, "There's a tension there, because the
idea embodied in the statute is 'two times', but that's to the
maximum extent allowed by the constitution."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked Chair Weyhrauch how he would feel
about allowing the amount of a recovery to be determined by the
administrator to the maximum extent constitutionally
permissible, thus "leaving it to that person's discretion to
that extent."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH responded that the problem with the
constitutional issue and punitive damages cases is that they're
subject to "what ... seems right to a judge." He said:
This is a tension between attracting business capital
in the state and wanting to do business here, and
having a certainty for businesses in order to do their
work here. By spelling out in statute, as opposed to
allowing an ambiguous judge-made sanction, you do
provide that ... level of certainty to businesses,
which I think they need, as opposed to a judge-made
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated that "these ... administrative
actions" sometimes involve brokerage houses, and the amount to
an individual investor may be small. He noted that the number
of investors in [Alaska] in a given corporation may be small and
[so the bill would] hardly provide any deterrence at all. He
suggested that it might be constitutionally permissible and a
wise policy to allow discretion by the administrator to award
more damages.
MR. USERA noted that the consumer protection statutes in Title
45 allow for treble damages. He continued as follows:
The way we've administered the statute in the past has
been to try to levy enough fines to convince the
wrongdoer to make the victim whole. If it is
egregious and we can double that amount, that would be
an excellent outcome. I don't have any experience
with levying two times the fine or things of that
nature, ... but I don't see any harm coming from this.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH pointed out that the language reads that [the
restitution paid] "may" be two times - it's discretionary.
MR. USERA said [the double amount] would only be implemented in
the case of an egregious wrong, and then it may be in place of a
fine. He concluded, "This would give us the ability to make the
victim whole, and perhaps a little bit more than whole."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked how the department would feel "if
this were allowed to be treble damages, to be consistent with
the unfair trade factor?"
MR. USERA replied that he would like the ability to do that, but
he only sees that coming about in an unusual situation.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG said, "At least you'd have the
discretion."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked Chair Weyhrauch if he would
consider that a friendly amendment.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH suggested that the House Judiciary Standing
Committee could decide to make that change when it hears the
TERRY ELDER, Alaska Representative for the Investment Company
Institute (ICI), told the committee that the ICI is the
professional organization whose members are the mutual fund
industry. Because many of the mutual funds have investment
advisors that are federally registered, [the ICI] is also
interested in issues that affect those advisors and their
representatives. He noted that the ICI is active both at the
federal level and at the state level, and has historically been
cooperative with Alaska's state regulations. Mr. Elder said the
ICI has always supported both state and federal regulations of
the security industry and works closely with all the states and
the North American Securities Administrators Association, for
example, regarding common language that is in the Uniform
Securities Act.
MR. ELDER turned attention to Section 1 [of Version Q]. He
explained that Section 1 would exempt the Securities Act from
[AS] 37.10.050, which deals with fees that are set by
regulation. He stated that the ICI's position would be to
encourage the committee to delete Section 1 before moving the
bill out of committee. He explained that when executive branch
agencies set fees by regulation and those fees have no
relationship to the cost of regulation, that becomes an issue
for the ICI. He continued as follows:
We think [that] to exempt the Securities Act almost
all by itself there, sort of jumps out at you. It's
one of fairness; you're singling out the securities
industry for exemption from that limitation, which the
ICI doesn't think is fair. The ICI already provides a
sea of revenue to the State of Alaska that exceeds the
total cost of the Division of Banking, Securities &
Corporations, and so we would argue from a fairness
standpoint that ... industries shouldn't be singled
out for exemption ....
MR. ELDER, on the subject of delegating legislative power to the
executive branch, said [the ICI] doesn't have any problem with
legislatures setting fees in statutes. The problem, he
explained, is allowing the executive branch to set fees by
regulation. He said AS 37.10.050 makes sense if the legislature
were to say, "Okay go ahead and do that by regulation and we
aren't going to get involved in that or worry about that, as
long as you're covering your costs." He said he doesn't think
anybody would disagree with that. For example, he said, "If you
spent $10 million in regulation and you wanted to bring in $50
million of revenue, that would be more of a legislative issue
than we think should be delegated to an agency through
regulation."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH said [Section 1 of Version Q] was added to allow
the executive branch to collect fees, because of the volume of
work that it does through the securities area. He added,
"Certainly that's subject to any review and comment period by
the industry on that regulation." He remarked that the
legislature is always troubled when the executive branch
implements regulations that stray from what [the legislature
intends].
MR. ELDER noted that a lot of discussion when [AS 37.10.050] was
last amended was focused around resource agencies and not other
agencies such as the securities division. That's another reason
it would be "more appropriate to do it as a general look at that
issue and deal with all of them," he said, adding, "Our position
is that they should reflect costs, unless they're set by the
legislature."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH told Mr. Elder that the bill would "pick up"
issues more related to the securities area when it is heard in
the House Judiciary Standing Committee, so "it may be even more
relative in the next committee."
MR. ELDER clarified:
The fees that we're talking about here that are paid
by the mutual fund for this are not paid by large Wall
Street companies. These are fees that are paid by the
shareholders; they're expenses of the fund and so
they're passed on directly to the individual
shareholders. And ... that's another concern that
everybody has; if you're concerned about the fees
charged within the mutual fund industry, then that
would show up as one of those fees.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked how much the fees are for [state
notice].
MR. ELDER offered his understanding that currently there is a
flat fee of $600 for [a] one-year notice and $1,100 for two
years, so right now it's a flat fee. And it's a notice filing,
not a registration, because in 1996, when the National
Securities Market Improvement Act was passed, Congress
established what it called "federal covered securities." He
explained that mutual fund shares are considered a federal
covered security. He explained what that means is that since
1996, states can't require registration of the securities and
can't regulate what's in the prospectus, for example, but they
retain enforcement authority, with respect to fraud. He added,
"And so, it's limited to fraud on the state level, and the
Securities Act reflects that now, because it was amended in 1999
and we also changed to a flat fee."
MR. ELDER, in response to a question from Representative
Gruenberg, explained the difference between a registration and a
notice filing as follows:
When you register, you can also be denied. [When] you
register, you have to meet a whole laundry list of
criteria that would be in the statute in terms of
whatever you're registering for, and usually those
things would be listed and disclosed to investors in
prospectuses and things like that. And they would
submit that to a state under a registration concept,
and the state would review that and say, "Yes, it
meets it" or "No, it doesn't," and either allow it or
disallow it.
In a notice filing, it is recognized that what
Congress did was essentially take the registration
authority away from the state. They are now federally
registered; they're registered with the SEC [U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission]. And so, what the
state gets is in fact a notice filing ... for two
reasons: One is to sort of let the state know that
we're ... going to be selling this security in your
state, and two, it was a way for the state to continue
to receive fees. Because obviously, one of the big
issues in 1996, when the federal government made that
change, was, "If we take the registration authority
away from the states, won't that have a big fee impact
on them?" And they decided to make that revenue
neutral, to the extent they could; it wasn't totally
revenue neutral, but they tried to do that. And so,
one way to do that was to allow notices to the states
for federally covered securities. The state can't
say, "No, I don't want you to sell XYZ in Alaska," but
the state can say, "This is what we charge for this
notice."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated that he thinks that Section 1 is
an issue that the House State Affairs Standing Committee should
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM asked how many companies "this" would
involve.
MR. ELDER answered he isn't certain. He explained that the ICI
represents 95 percent of the industry, and the industry
registers at the federal level and notices at the state level,
by fund. He surmised that approximately 8,000 funds are noticed
in Alaska. He clarified that in terms of "mother companies,"
there would be fewer than that, because, for example, a company
may have a number of funds and will notice each one of the funds
that they want to sell in Alaska. Each of the funds are
separate securities that have their own management.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM stated that the intent [of the bill] is to
ensure that there's no skullduggery going on with the funds to
the detriment of the investors from Alaska. He added: "Which
leads me to my thought as to why we're having a notice of filing
other than for the purpose of oversight. It appears to me that
if we don't really have much oversight other than the fact we
know you're here."
MR. ELDER said that's correct. He noted that there are two
reasons for the notice filing, and one is simply to "make it
revenue neutral to the state." He said, "You can maintain your
fee income by having this notice filing and charging for the
notice. That's why one must be careful not to slip and use
"registration" instead of "notice," because it means two
different things. He concurred that there is much more
oversight involved with registration than with [notice].
Notwithstanding that, he said, "Where you do have authority,
however, in terms of ... oversight, is in enforcement issues
related to fraud." He reiterated that the ICI has never been
against that idea.
REPRESENTATIVE HOLM directed attention to Section 6, and asked
Mr. Elder if [the amount of restitution that may be paid] was of
concern.
MR. ELDER responded that the only thing he is concerned about is
Section 1. Notwithstanding that, he added the following:
The only thing that you might want to think about with
the others is whether or not you want to differentiate
between fines and potential fines related to
intentional violations, versus unintentional
violations. But the ICI is not taking that position;
I'm just offering that as a friendly suggestion.
MR. ELDER, in response to a question from Representative
Gruenberg, revealed that he worked in the Division [of Banking,
Securities & Corporations] for eight years and was director for
the last four years, before his retirement.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG asked Mr. Elder if he, personally, had
any other suggestions for the committee to consider.
MR. ELDER, specifying that he was responding with his personal
opinions, noted that the State of Alaska has a long history of
using uniform language, and stated that he personally supports
that as useful because it's good for industry to know what to
expect from one state to another. He noted that there is a new
Uniform Securities Act of 2002, which was recently passed, and
both the North American Securities Administrative Association
and the ICI support it. He also suggested that it might be
appropriate to look at the Uniform [Securities] Act, or at the
statute in total, rather than doing something piece meal.
MR. ELDER noted that currently, there is a substantial
differentiation between intentional and unintentional
violations; for example, he said, he has seen violations that
are bad and violations that are technical, and so he thinks they
should be differentiated in the way they are fined.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked Mr. Usera to address Section 1.
MR. USERA noted, "Section 1 of the bill allows us to charge what
we're charging now, plus any increases that may come along." He
said he has estimated that the fees that are charged now "would
add something in the range of .0000006 of a cent to the dollar
amount of a mutual fund." He clarified that if somebody owns 50
shares, he/she is not even going to see a penny added to their
fees. He admitted that this is one area where the state takes
in more than it spends. He said it's always been that way. He
noted that currently the amount taken in is approximately $10
million. Doing away with Section 1 probably would have the
effect of losing $10 million to the general fund, which he said
would be a "pretty strong hit." He said, "We're one of the
profit centers of state government and I personally don't see
anything wrong with making a profit."
MR. USERA remarked:
And it just seems to me to be an improvident act to
limit state government to what it spends - there's
just no rhyme or reason to it. We don't propose
raising fees beyond an exorbitant amount. I mean,
right now they're $600. We are proposing a fee
change, ... in regulation, basing it on the assets
under management: One fee for under $100 million,
another fee for up to $750 million, and another fee
for those who are $750 million and beyond. That seems
to be reasonable. And ... the cost would be passed on
to the individual owner. If all 50 states were to
charge that, you might add on fifty cents to a
customer's mutual fund. ... The mutual fund industry
has been discovered to have overcharged fees in the
range of $10, $12, $15 per person, and ... the fees
that we would charge would pale in comparison to what
they're gouging their customers for now.
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG stated, "In view of what Mr. Usera has
said and hearing what Mr. Elder has said, I'm not convinced we
should delete Section (indisc. - voice trailed off)."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH offered his understanding that Representative
Lynn had "moved CS for HB 527, Version Q." He asked, "Is there
objection to moving this with individual [recommendations] and
attached fiscal note?" He said, "Seeing none, so ordered."
[Although the committee treated the proposed CS as having moved
from committee, the motion that was actually pending was whether
to adopt Version Q as a work draft].
HB 331-RETIREMENT:TEACHERS/JUDGES/PUB EMPLOYEES
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH announced that the last order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 331, "An Act relating to federal requirements
for governmental plan and other qualifications for the teachers'
retirement system, the public employees' retirement system, and
the judicial retirement system; and providing for an effective
date."
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG moved [to adopt the committee
substitute (CS) for HB 331, Version 23-GH1009\D, Craver, 4/1/04,
as a work draft]. There being no objection, Version D was
before the committee.
ANSELM STAACK, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Retirement &
Benefits, Department of Administration (DOA), told the committee
that the division takes care of the Public Employees Retirement
System (PERS), the Teachers Retirement System (TRS), the
Judicial Retirement System, the Supplemental Benefit System
(SBS), and Deferred Compensation. He offered a history of "how
we got here," and stated that PERS, TRS, the Judicial Retirement
System, and SBS are all qualified plans. He explained that
there are positive aspects to a plan remaining qualified, even
for a tax-exempt agency like the State of Alaska. It means that
members of the retirement system can "pay their contributions in
free tax." He said that's a tremendous benefit, which lowers
the cost of the system itself.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH asked, "Is that the state deferred comp
program?"
MR. STAACK answered: "No, that is all of them. For instance,
any contributions you make to the public employees', teachers'
retirement system, judicial retirement system, and the
supplemental benefit system are all pre-tax, in terms of their
contribution." He said the SBS is what is called the defined
contribution plan, while the PERS, TRS, and the Judicial
Retirement System are what are called defined benefit plans. In
response to questions from Chair Weyhrauch, he clarified that
the basic difference between those types of plans is that in a
defined contribution plan, the employer puts in money and the
employee makes a match, and the employee directs his/her own
investments and walks off with whatever amount is there when
he/she terminates. The employer is not responsible for any
residual or for paying any money in the future. For the [PERS,
TRS, and the Judicial Retirement System], on the other hand, it
is required by law that the employee gets paid irrespective of
whether the system earns enough money to do it; it is the
responsibility of the state to make up the balance.
MR. STAACK, in response to a question from Representative Holm,
noted who falls under which systems: Under the PERS, there is
the State of Alaska, plus 154 other employers, including
municipalities and school districts; under the TRS, there are 62
school districts; under the Judicial Retirement System, there
are judges and certain members of the court system; and under
SBS, there is the State of Alaska employees and 14 other
political subdivisions that are no longer in social security.
In response to a follow-up question, he said the University of
Alaska has its own separate plan.
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH stated that he would like to have an overview of
the PRS and TRS. He noted that the legislature is "funding the
shortfalls as a separate line item in the state." He related
his understanding of an issue that was brought to his attention
regarding why there is a huge debt owed for PERS/TRS. He
explained that it is a result of some assumptions of projected
contributions during a "bear" market. Now that the market has
rebounded, he said, whoever is responsible for making those
assumptions that the legislature has to fund it has not met to
revisit what the legislature needs to do to fund the program;
therefore, the legislature is acting on improper data in
planning [the state's] financial future. Chair Weyhrauch said
it seems to him that the legislature may be in a position of
requiring that the PRS/TRS people who make the estimates meet
more often to provide better information to the legislature.
MR. STAACK responded that he could bring information to Chair
Weyhrauch and the committee that "we went through with the
PERS/TRS board," including an actuarial evaluation and the
projections that were done, and including all the earnings up
through January 2004 and any projections that were made for the
next 25 years that assumed what would happen with "a very rosy
scenario."
CHAIR WEYHRAUCH indicated that the committee members needed more
MR. STAACK indicated a willingness to help the committee in that
REPRESENTATIVE GRUENBERG mentioned technical problems in the
field of family law with respect to the pension plans, and
offered an example.
REPRESENTATIVE SEATON asked Mr. Staack to provide scenarios
based on the 2004 mortality tables.
MR. STAACK replied that what will be used are the 1994 mortality
tables. He explained that those are the mortality tables that
are used for the PRS and TRS. He noted that there is a newer
mortality table called "RP2000," which will update the mortality
[table] that's used in the retirement systems.
[HB 331, Version D, was held over.]
There being no further business before the committee, the House
State Affairs Standing Committee meeting was adjourned at 10:00
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We apologize for the audio issues in this episode. We've returned to the recording studio after surviving the bomb cyclone. After our moments of squee, we talk about genetic forensics and elderly living on the road.
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A series of new vanadium(III) chalcogenidoantimonates [VIII(dap)2SbQ3] (Q = S (1), Se (2); dap = 1,2-diaminopropane), [H2dien][VIII2(en)2(dien)2(μ2-O)][SbSe4]2 (3, en = ethylenediamine; dien = diethylenetriamine) and [VIII(dien)2SbSe4] (4) have been solvothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Both 1 and 2 contain neutral vanadium(III)-centered complexes [VIII(dap)2SbQ3], where the [SbQ3]3− anion acts as a chelating ligand to complex [VIII(dap)2]3+, but they exhibit different molecular conformations. 3 consists of selenidoantimonate anions [SbSe4]3−, the protonated H2dien2+ cation, and the dinuclear complex [VIII2(en)2(dien)2(μ2-O)]4+ based on two [VIII(en)(dien)]3+ units bridged by one μ2-O group. 4 contains neutral [VIII(dien)2SbSe4] moieties with seven coordinated vanadium centres, which offers a rare example of high coordination of a nitro-selenidovanadium(III) complex, mainly because the vanadium(III) ion has a regular octahedral configuration based on the structures in the solid state. The optical, magnetic and photoelectronic properties of all compounds have been investigated, and the density functional theory calculation of 4 has also been studied.
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Moon hopes stalled NK nuke diplomacy will pick up from Singapore Declaration
President Moon Jae-in speaks (L) during a New Year's press conference, also available via videoconference, at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Monday. (Yonhap)
President Moon Jae-in on Monday expressed hope for the stalled diplomacy on North Korea's denuclearization to move forward from the agreement reached in the Singapore summit between Washington and Pyongyang.
"The Singapore Declaration achieved under the Trump administration was a very important declaration in terms of denuclearization and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula," Moon said during a New Year's press conference held at Cheong Wa Dae, referring to the agreement produced from the first-ever US-North Korea summit in Singapore in June 2018.
Moon added, "I believe we could speed up the North Korea-US dialogue and inter-Korean talks if we negotiate ways to achieve more concrete steps by starting again from the Singapore Declaration."
The president said he believes the imminent launch of the new US administration under President-elect Joe Biden has provided a "turning point to restart Washington-Pyongyang and inter-Korean dialogue."
Moon also stressed the importance of Seoul's relationship with Beijing and said his government will work to invite Chinese President Xi Jinping to South Korea as soon as the pandemic stabilizes and other conditions are arranged.
"The South Korea-China relationship is very important. (China) is our country's largest trading partner and is in a relationship in which we have to cooperate to move forward the Korean Peninsula's peace," Moon said. (Yonhap)
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Last Updated: Friday, 19 January 2007, 13:01 GMT
Palestinian girl dies of injuries
Barrier contraction often draws protests by Palestinians and supporters
A 10-year-old Palestinian girl has died in hospital in Jerusalem, three days after being injured during an incident involving Israeli border police.
The child, Abir Aramin, was the daughter of a prominent Palestinian peace activist Bassam Aramin.
She came from the West Bank village of Anata where Israel is building a section of its West Bank barrier.
Palestinians say she was with two other girls in the village when an Israeli border police vehicle drove past.
Stones were thrown in the direction of the police, who responded with tear-gas and stun-grenades. The girl was hit in the head.
The border police have launched an investigation.
An Israeli border police spokeswoman said that they had used "crowd control means against stone throwers" protesting against the construction of Israel's controversial barrier.
660 Palestinians killed by Israeli security services: 141 were children, and 322 had taken no part in hostile acts
23 Israelis were killed by Palestinians
Source: B'Tselem
Guide: West Bank barrier
"The border police expresses its regret over the death of the girl and hopes the circumstances of the incident are quickly revealed."
The Israeli human rights group B'Tselem has said that last year 660 Palestinians were killed by Israeli security forces. In the same period 23 Israeli civilians were killed by Palestinians.
Israel says the defensive system of concrete walls and wire fence is needed to stop suicide bombers. Palestinians say it is part of an Israeli land grab of West Bank territory.
Settlement freeze
Also on Friday, Israeli Defence Minister Amir Peretz ordered a freeze on the building of a new Jewish settlement of Meskiot in the West Bank, less than a month after saying it would go ahead.
A defence ministry official said Mr Peretz wanted to give the matter further consideration.
Last month's announcement that Israel would build its first new settlement in more than a decade prompted criticism from the Palestinians, the European Union and the United States.
The settlement was planned to house Israeli families who had moved from the Gaza Strip when settlers and troops left in 2005.
All settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law, although Israel rejects this.
The 2003 Middle East roadmap calls for a complete halt to all settlement activity.
ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIANS
KEY STORIES
PLO backs new 'talks' with Israel
US envoy returns to Middle East
Netanyahu and Mubarak hold talks
Arab League backs Mid-East talks
Laptops given to Gaza's children
Bleak climate
A climate of pessimism surrounds efforts to restart talks between Israel and the Palestinians
Gazan surfers brave the sewage
Palestinians test out Gandhi-style protest
Peace talks: Palestinian views
Jerusalem Diary: Cairo views
The Thais working Israel's farms
US-Israel row: Israeli views
Jerusalem's tinderbox
History lessons for US policy?
Trouble flares in East Jerusalem
Israel warns of further strikes on Gaza
Cars smuggled through Gaza tunnel
Israel defiant on building plans
Salam Fayyad Hezbollah Sheikh Nasrallah Ehud Olmert Mahmoud Abbas Ismail Haniya Fouad Siniora Mahmoud Zahhar Amir Peretz Shimon Peres Khaled Meshaal Hamas Islamic Jihad Gaza Strip Al-Aqsa Brigade Ariel Sharon
BBC ARABIC.COM
BBC News in Arabic
TOP MIDDLE EAST STORIES
Iranian scientist 'heading home'
Attack on Yemen security offices
Libyan 'Gaza ship' docks in Egypt
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Q: Getting number of binary digits combinations without "forbidden" patterns I need to get the number of all combinations of binary digits in an 8-digit binary number, but not including those that follow some "forbidden" patterns like these:
xxxx0xx1
x1xxx0xx
x1xxx0x0
(where x represents any digit)
These shouldn't be in "valid" combinations I would like to count.
My numbers are much larger in fact, so I can't simply enumerate them.
What should I do?
A: Unfortunately I'm joining the party a bit late. I had the (what I think analytic) solution earlier, but there was no time to test it and write it down.
Introduction
What got me thinking was that is is really easy to calculate this with only one forbidden pattern. If you have a word of length n then the number of all possibilities is
$$a = 2^n$$
A forbidden pattern fixes some (say m) of the binary digits. On those places you cannot choose between 0 and 1 anymore and therefore you can calculate the number of forbidden patterns by simply taking the m fixed bits not into accout
$$p=2^{(n-m)}$$
or in our case 2^Count[patt,x]. Now you simply subtract this from a and you have the number of valid combinations. If you have two or more patterns, than this works when the pattern do not interfere. Best example is when you have the same pattern twice. Then obviously you cannot subtract this two times.
The reason for this is that the intersection of those patterns is not empty. They both have the same combinations in it and therefore, we have to take care to subtract them only once. This intersection argument remembered me of the Inclusion-exclusion principle because we basically want the same: We want to count the number of elements in the union of a set of forbidden patterns.
Looking at the formula
$$
\begin{align}
\biggl|\bigcup_{i=1}^n A_i\biggr| &= \sum_{k = 1}^{n} (-1)^{k+1} \left( \sum_{1 \leq i_{1} < \cdots < i_{k} \leq n} \left| A_{i_{1}} \cap \cdots \cap A_{i_{k}} \right| \right).
\end{align}
$$
shows that we only need an patternIntersection operation and a patternCount operation. The argument of the inner sum in above formula contains nothing more than to count the intersection of all pattern-Subsets of length k.
Implementation
Let's first start with something very basic: the pattern-intersection. If we have two digits xx and try to think what the intersection of the patterns x1 and 1x is, then we see, that it can only be 11. Therefore, if we want to intersect two patterns, we make this digit by digit. Let's call this function c for combine
c[x, 1] = c[1, x] = c[1, 1] = 1;
c[x, 0] = c[0, x] = c[0, 0] = 0;
c[x, x] = x;
c[0, 1] = c[1, 0] = 3;
c[3, _] := 3;
c[_, 3] := 3;
So if we have (say on the first place) a x in the one pattern and a 1 in the other, the intersection will have a 1 at this place. The only new thing is, that when patterns clash with a 1 and 0, we set this to 3 which means something like both, 0 and 1 appeared.
Now we can define a patternIntersection which takes an arbitrary number of patterns as argument an gives their intersection as output
patternIntersection[p1_List, p2_List] := c @@@ Transpose[{p1, p2}];
patternIntersection[p1_List] := p1;
patternIntersection[p1_List, p2_List, rest__List] :=
patternIntersection[patternIntersection[p1, p2], rest]
Quick test shows what we expect:
patternIntersection[{x, x, 1, x, x, 0}, {1, x, 1, x, 0, 1}]
(* {1, x, 1, x, 0, 3} *)
Now we need a function to count the possibilities. This works as explained above: just count the x in the pattern but if there is a 3 anywhere, the count is 0. This is because there does not exists any word which has a 0 and a 1 in one place:
patternCount[p__List] := With[{pp = patternIntersection[p]},
If[FreeQ[pp, 3], 2^Count[pp, x], 0]
]
Last but not least, we need to write down the formula from the top.
countValidCombinatations[forbidden_] :=
With[{n = Length[First[forbidden]]},
2^n - Sum[(-1)^(k - 1) Total[patternCount @@@ Subsets[forbidden, {k}]],
{k, n}]
]
Examples
Now we are ready to go: Testing your example
countValidCombinatations[{{x, x, x, x, 0, x, x, 1}, {x, 1, x, x, x, 0,
x, x}, {x, 1, x, x, x, 0, x, 0}}]
(* 144 *)
Testing kguglerex
kgulerex = (ToExpression /@ Characters[#]) & /@ {"10x001x1",
"0xx0110x", "1000xx01", "01xx01x1", "00x1000x", "111101x1",
"10x00x0x", "0111x0xx", "xx001011", "10x0x010"};
countValidCombinatations[kgulerex]
(* 206 *)
or the examples with 5000 digits which belisarius used to time the operation
l = RandomChoice[{x, 0, 1}, {10, 5000}];
N@Timing@Log[10, countValidCombinatations[l]]
(* {9.16457, 1505.15} *)
A: A straight forward approach is to simply generate all the combinations you don't want and use Complement to remove them from all the possible numbers. You can generate all possible combinations using Tuples:
expandBinRep[n_]:=n//.{a___,x,b___}:>Sequence[{a,0,b},{a,1,b}]
Complement[Tuples[{0, 1}, {8}], expandBinRep@{{x, x, x, x, 0, x, x, 1}}]
I would emphasise that this might lead you to deal with huge lists of numbers when it might not bee needed.
An alternative route might be to take the description of numbers to exclude {x,1,0,x} and generate descriptions that can generate remaining numbers, for this example; {x,0,x,x} and {x,x,1,x}. This is done simply by making one difference so it doesn't match and letting all other digits be free:
invertDescription[v_]:=Insert[ConstantArray[x,Length[v]-1],
Abs[1 - v[[#]]],#]&/@ Flatten[Position[v,0|1]]
However with this definition the descriptions overlap, so you'd need Union to make them only appear once:
invertDescription[{x, x, x, x, 0, x, x, 1}] // expandBinRep // Union
Update
I believe that this definition solves the problem of overlapping patterns:
invertDescription[v_] :=
PadRight[Append[v[[1 ;; # - 1]], Abs[1 - v[[#]]]], Length@v, x] &
/@ Flatten[Position[v, 0 | 1]]
A: digits = IntegerDigits[Range[0, 255], 2, 8];
inputList = StringJoin /@ RandomChoice[{"x", "0", "1"}, {10, 8}]
(* {"10x001x1", "0xx0110x", "1000xx01", "01xx01x1", "00x1000x", "111101x1",
"10x00x0x", "0111x0xx", "xx001011", "10x0x010"} *)
forbiddenPatterns = Alternatives @@ (ToExpression /@ Characters /@ inputList /.
x -> Blank[])
(* {1, 0, _, 0, 0, 1, _, 1} | {0, _, _, 0, 1, 1, 0, _} |
{1, 0, 0, 0, _, _, 0, 1} | {0, 1, _, _, 0, 1, _, 1} |
{0, 0, _, 1, 0, 0, 0, _} | {1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, _, 1} |
{1, 0, _, 0, 0, _, 0, _} | {0, 1, 1, 1, _, 0, _, _} |
{_, _, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1} | {1, 0, _, 0, _, 0, 1, 0} *)
Count[digits, Except[forbiddenPatterns]]
(* 206 *)
opsExample = {"xxxx0xx1", "x1xxx0xx", "x1xxx0x0"};
inputList2 = Join[inputList, opsExample];
{Count[digits, Except[Alternatives @@ (ToExpression /@ Characters /@
opsExample /. x -> Blank[])]],
Count[digits, Except[Alternatives @@ (ToExpression /@ Characters /@
inputList2 /. x -> Blank[])]]}
(* {144,122} *)
(Note: this is same as Leonid's deleted answer applied to an arbitrary list of forbidden patterns. Posting it just to get a clarification on why this doesn't work.)
A: The following seems fast and less memory bound, because it's based on SatisfiabilityCount[], a wonderful function to count boolean valued functions with boolean arguments:
count[l : {_String ..}] := Module[{x, sp},
sp[s_String, sub_String] := StringPosition[s, sub][[All, 1]];
SatisfiabilityCount[
And @@ Not /@ (And @@@ (x /@ sp[#, "1"] && Not /@ x /@ sp[#, "0"]) & /@ l),
Array[x, StringLength[First@l]]]];
count@ {"xxxx0xx1", "xx1xxx0x"}
(* 144 *)
count@ {"xxxx0xx1", "x1xxx0xx", "x1xxx0x0"}
(* 144 *)
The example from @kguler's answer
kgulerex={"10x001x1", "0xx0110x", "1000xx01", "01xx01x1", "00x1000x", "111101x1",
"10x00x0x", "0111x0xx", "xx001011", "10x0x010"};
count[kgulerex]
(* 206 *)
count[{"0xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx01"}]
(* 985162418487296 *)
Edit
Let's calculate a really large one (5000 digits, excluding 10 patterns in 10 seconds):
l = StringJoin /@ RandomChoice[{"x", "0", "1"}, {10, 5000}];
N@Timing@Log[10, count[l]]
(* {10.25, 1505.15} *)
A: You could try string patterns:
binary = Table[IntegerString[n, 2, 8], {n, 0, 255}];
(*
{"00000000", "00000001", "00000010", "00000011", "00000100", etc.
*)
DeleteCases[StringReplace[binary,
{_ ~~ _ ~~ _ ~~ _ ~~ "0" ~~ _ ~~ _ ~~ "1" -> "",
_ ~~ _ ~~ "1" ~~ _ ~~ _ ~~ _ ~~ "0" ~~ _ ~~ _ -> ""
}
], ""]
(*
{"00000000", "00000010", "00000100", "00000110", etc.
*)
There's probably a nice way to turn your "xxxx0xx1" into a pattern...
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Friday Roundup: NIMBYism, Incarceration Incentives, and Len Bias' Fading Ghost
Here are a few quick, end-of-the-week links that didn't make it into full blog posts this week:
The Slow Fade of Len Bias' Ghost
That's the title of a Dallas Morning News column by Mark Osler, who says it's "pathetic" it took 24 years to reduce the crack/powder disparity in federal sentencing
Reentry Housing Inhibited by NIMBYism Run Amok
Most recently in Dallas and Houston. In Dallas short-sighted neighborhood interests succeeded in killing tax credits for four projects for reentry housing, while "without zoning restrictions in Houston there's little anyone can do to block" the project there. The Dallas News said "Tax credits, which can be sold to investors, are a main source of funding for low-income housing construction in Texas," and neighborhood opposition "counts too heavily in the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs' scoring process," according to those trying to implement these projects. The House Corrections Committee recently discussed whether all TDHCA's low-income housing credits should come with a stipulation that they not discriminate against ex-offenders.
Crime Lab News
Here's the latest newsletter from the DPS crime lab in Austin.
See You in Court
The City of Austin may be headed to federal court after the Austin City Council, under intense pressure from the local police union, rejected a settlement agreement negotiated by city attorneys over a racially charged police shooting. Debbie Russell from the Austin chapter of the ACLU has a response in the Austin Post to the city's decision.
Another Incarceration Incentive
I try to pay attention to the various institutional, financial incentives promoting mass incarceration, so I'm especially fascinated to read Scripps Howard reporting that under the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, "communities compete for hundreds of millions of federal dollars by identifying illegal immigrant convicts they've jailed. Problem is, some 20 percent of people identified turn out to not be illegal immigrants — and many are actually citizens, according to a White House report."
FBI Agents May Have Cheated in Test on Surveillance Limits
Hundreds of FBI agents allegedly cheated on tests designed to find out if they understood legal limits on electronic surveillance. Says AP, "The inquiry threatens to be another black eye for the FBI as it tightens controls after years of collecting phone records and e-mails without court approval. The brewing scandal has already upended management at one of the nation's largest field offices."
Posted by Gritsforbreakfast at 6:17 PM 1 comments
Does drug treatment for juveniles increase recidivism?
Back in January I reported on the bizarre finding that Texas Youth Commission inmates who went through drug treatment had higher recidivism rates than addicted youth who didn't receive those services, according to a legislatively mandated report (pdf). As mentioned then, the agency's "chemical dependency treatment was a flat-out failure, actually increasing recidivism compared to youth assessed as having chemical dependency who received no treatment." The problem had been going on for years. In 2007, the Dallas News ran a story declaring, "The Texas Youth Commission's drug treatment program produces graduates who are more likely to re-offend after release than addicted inmates who did not participate."
TYC has recently changed the treatment curriculum and it's too soon to analyze results from the new program, but these startling data left me scratching my head.
Then Time magazine ran a feature July 16 asking, "Does teen drug rehab cure addiction or create it?," and now I'm wondering if TYC's treatment curriculum was merely flawed, or if the whole concept of drug treatment for teens should be reconsidered. Reports Time:
Increasingly, substance-abuse experts are finding that teen drug treatment may indeed be doing more harm than good. Many programs throw casual dabblers together with hard-core addicts and foster continuous group interaction. It tends to strengthen dysfunctional behavior by concentrating it, researchers say. "Just putting kids in group therapy actually promotes greater drug use," says Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
The exposure can be especially dangerous for impressionable youngsters. "I've known kids who have gone into inpatient treatment and met other users. After treatment, they meet up with them and explore new drugs and become more seriously involved in drug use," says Tom Dishion, director of research at the Child and Family Center at the University of Oregon, who has documented such peer influence in scientific studies.
In academic terms, the problem is known as deviancy training, or the negative impact of friends on teen behavior — what parents would simply call a bad influence. In one 2000 study, in which researchers measured how much time teens spent together and how much they encouraged their peers' misbehavior, Dishion found that social exposure to delinquent peers at age 14 accounted for 53% of adolescents' life problems five years later — including criminal convictions, sexual promiscuity, relationship issues and drug use. ...
In addition, researchers find, the harm of many teen drug-treatment programs may come not only from the negative influence of new relationships but also from the degradation of positive bonds with family. In a 2003 paper, Jose Szapocznik, chair of the epidemiology and public-health department at the University of Miami, found that teens who used marijuana but still had healthy relationships with their families saw those relationships deteriorate — and their drug habits increase — when they were assigned to peer-therapy groups. Among these teens, who were in treatment for a minimum of four weeks, 17% reduced their marijuana habit, but 50% ended up smoking more. "In group, the risk of getting worse was much greater than the opportunity for getting better," Szapocznik says, adding that in contrast, 57% of teens who were assigned to family therapy showed a significant decrease in drug use, while 19% used more.
Maybe the problem with TYC's drug treatment program wasn't a bad curriculum. Perhaps, if these assessments are accurate, intensive drug treatment may be a misguided approach for juveniles altogether, however successful the tactic may be for seriously addicted adults.
Posted by Gritsforbreakfast at 1:59 PM 10 comments
Labels: drug policy, TYC
Arbitrator reinstated cop so lacking in credibility the DA won't use his testimony
Remember the San Marcos cop who an arbitrator reinstated after he was fired for lying and excessive force? Well he's back in uniform, but the Hays County District Attorney says he's no longer a credible witness and shouldn't be assigned to police work. Reports Patrick George at the Austin Statesman:
A San Marcos Police Department terminated for not being truthful on two occasions and a use-of-force violation remains back on the force, but is effectively unable to perform police duties after a decision by Hays County District Attorney Sherri Tibbe.
Officer Paul Stephens was indefinitely suspended last October over an incident where he used a baton against a woman who was not resisting and was not a physical threat, and for later making a false statement about the encounter in his report. However, an independent arbitrator ruled in June that the charges of charges of dishonesty and excessive force could not be substantiated, and Police Chief Howard Williams was bound by law to re-instate him.
But a June memo from Tibbe to Williams says that due to Stephens' "history for dishonesty," her office will be unable to call Stephens as a witness in any case and cannot prosecute any case in which he is an investigating officer. Stephens' credibility problems could endanger cases when they go to trial, Tibbe argued, because her office is bound to disclose his history to defense attorneys.
Williams, who said today that he agrees with Tibbe's decision, said that this means Stephens will remain on the force but can't enforce the law or make arrests.
"She can't put him on the stand," Williams said. "A defense attorney would tear him up."
This is the inevitable result when police chiefs are denuded of power to fire bad cops by civil service laws and arbitration requirements. This arbitrator reinstated a cop the District Attorney says so lacks credibility he can't testify in criminal cases any longer.
How much sense does it make for San Marcos to continue to pay a police officer who can't enforce criminal laws? But the arbitrator says he can't be terminated. So what's he supposed to do with his time every day? (A commenter at the Statesman suggested he "should be on permanent assignment to the Hays County animal shelter as the sole individual who cleans out the kennels.") As I wrote earlier about this case, this incident shows how "in Texas civil service cities, in most instances it's nearly impossible to fire bad cops no matter how badly they screw up. This guy's a statewide poster boy for that fact."
Posted by Gritsforbreakfast at 7:53 AM 44 comments
Labels: civil service code, Hays County, Police
TX Supreme Court to review "lawless" leniency for Keller by Judicial Conduct Commission
No favor done for Judge Sharon Keller, apparently, goes unpunished. I described last week how the State Judicial Conduct Commission afforded her special treatment by applying a sanction more lenient than the ones seemingly required under the Texas Constitution. The given reason: If they'd gone with the harsher, constitutional penalty, Keller could not later sit as a visiting judge after she leaves office.
To thank them for that leniency, Keller's lawyer filed a petition with the Texas Supreme Court yesterday, reports the Statesman's Chuck Lindell, alleging "that the commission acted in a 'lawless' manner" by applying the lesser sanction. (See the full petition.) "The order violates the constitution and is void. At the very least, it is a gross abuse of discretion," wrote Keller's attorney Chip Babcock. Chuck Lindell reported last Sunday:
"I don't think (public warning) is an option they have under the Texas Constitution," said Keller's lawyer, Chip Babcock. "The question is: How do you raise that (challenge), and who do you raise that with? It has got us scratching our heads."
Even the commission's director, Seana Willing, was caught off guard.
"In my opinion, the constitution requires that they do either a censure or a recommendation for removal, and they didn't do that," said Willing, who did not advise commissioners or sit in on their deliberations because she was, by law, a co-prosecutor in the Keller case.
First warning in 96 judges' proceedings
The unexpected action has left Keller and her prosecutors scrambling to adjust to a new playing field.
Had Keller been censured, her appeal would have been handled by a special three-judge panel that would base its decision on a review of the record, including testimony during last year's four-day hearing, transcripts of depositions and the many documents and motions generated by both sides. Like other appellate courts, the panel would hear oral arguments and issue an opinion at a future date.
But state law defines a public warning as a "sanction" — and sanction appeals are reviewed "de novo," Latin for "anew." A similar three-judge panel would disregard all earlier proceedings, and both sides would have to present their cases all over again — a process that took more than 30 hours at last year's hearing.
Neither side welcomes the prospect of plowing the same ground.
"If the appeal is de novo, it will of course wipe out what the commission has done, but it will also put Judge Keller through the unnecessary expense of a second trial," Babcock said.
Willing, presiding over a small agency with a limited budget for travel and other trial-related expenses, would have preferred censure as well. "It makes sense. We've already tried the case; we just need a record review," she said.
Keller might well be right that the SCJC abused its discretion by not doling out a harsher punishment: Even the director of the agency agrees they acted outside its purview. But I doubt seriously the Supreme Court will "issue a writ of mandamus ordering the commission to expunge the warning from all records and to drop its charges against Keller," as she's requesting. At most, I suspect they might order the SCJC to reconsider its punishment in light of the more limited range of options afforded them by the Constitution, but I'd be surprised (and rather scandalized) if they ordered dismissal in response to this writ. Time will tell.
MORE: From Kuff, the Texas Lawyer Blog, and the Supreme Court of Texas Blog.
Posted by Gritsforbreakfast at 7:16 AM 4 comments
Labels: CCA, Judicial Conduct Commission, Sharon Keller
DRP amnesty, indigence rules featured at Texas Tribune
I failed to mention that Brandi Grissom at the Texas Tribune this week had a feature on the DPS Driver Responsibility Program, new indigency and amnesty rules for which are due to be published as early as tomorrow in the Texas Register. Yours truly was quoted briefly in the article.
Labels: Driver Responsibility Fee
The Future of Juvenile Parole and Re-entry
The Texas Public Policy Foundation has announced a upcoming event that may interest Grits readers:
POLICY PRIMER - The Future of Juvenile Parole and Re-entry
How can Texas enhance its approach to parole and reentry to break the cycle of youth crime so there are fewer victims and taxpayers pay less to re-incarcerate the same youths? Featuring:
* The Honorable Jim McReynolds
Chairman, House Corrections Committee
* The Honorable Robert Eckels
Former Harris County Judge
* Cheryln Townsend
Executive Director, Texas Youth Commission
* David Reilly
Chief, Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department
Texas Public Policy Foundation Offices - 900 Congress, Ste 400 - Austin, TX 78701
For direct inquiries email Mike Joyce or call 512-472-2700.
Labels: juvie corrections, Parole, reentry
What trick, what device, what starting-hole canst thou now find out?
Rodger Jones at the Dallas News sent Forensic Science Commission Chairman John Bradley a set of written questions - some of them pretty good ones, IMO - to which Bradley responded by saying Jones sounded like a "New York lawyer" and refusing to answer them. While Jones may be rightly faulted for the extra "d" in his name, the New York lawyer charge, he says, is unfounded: "I am neither a lawyer nor from New York. I neither sought nor got help from Barry Scheck's group in formulating my questions." Even so, no dice.
I thought then, since JB wasn't so inclined, I'd take a stab at guessing some of Bradley's likely answers, at least if one were to catch him in a particularly candid mood (Rodger's questions are in italics):
1. Your handling of the Cameron Todd Willingham case has been faulted as heavy-handed and politically motivated. What do you say to your critics?
JB: You say "heavy-handed," I say "dictatorial." But let's not mince words: I'm doing the job the Governor brought me in to do.
2. Draft recommendations to the Texas Forensic Science Commission appear to have reached a foregone conclusion of no negligence by arson investigators in the Willingham case. Will the final report go beyond this finding?
JB: Yes, I'm pushing the commission to enact a "good intentions" standard where, so long as the expert witness believes the testimony they're giving, it will still be admissible in court even if it contradicts basic scientific tenets. I believe such a change would put this whole arson issue to bed once and for all.
3. The law says the commission's final report on a negligence case must address "corrective action required by the laboratory, facility or entity" involved. Is the commission obligated to assess whether the State Fire Marshal's Office has upgraded standards?
JB: Hahahahahahahahaha!
4. The recommendations clear Willingham investigators of negligence because they used forensic techniques accepted at the time. Yet the commission's paid expert said investigators didn't meet even that standard. How do you square the two?
JB: It's simple, really. When experts say things you don't like, you ignore them and make up findings to say whatever you want. You non-lawyers wouldn't understand but we do it all the time in court.
5. Experts say hundreds of arson defendants have been convicted based on similarly outmoded standards. How should the commission or state fire marshal address that claim?
JB: With smirks, sarcasm and derision. As far as I'm concerned, if they were convicted, they're guilty. Post-conviction exonerations are for pussies.
6. Why did the committee of four commissioners working on the Willingham case meet in private? Shouldn't the public be aware of factors that members weighed in recommending no negligence?
JB: Duh! Because if we meet in secret we can't be held accountable for anything we say or do. Are you new?
7. Will the committee draft the final report in public?
JB: There will be a final report released at some point in the future - an extremely distant point. I intend to provide instructions regarding its release in my last will and testament, and historians can see it after I pass.
8. What is your opinion of the role of Barry Scheck and the Innocence Project of New York in the Willingham case?
JB: Are you kidding? I despise that truculent little gnome. For that matter, I don't think too highly of you, either.
What a friggin disgrace for a public official to refuse to answer questions on the grounds that a reporter from Dallas sounds like a "New York lawyer." Going forward, as he seeks answers directly from the source, perhaps Jones should add one more question to his list, echoing the prince in Shakespeare's Henry IV to inquire, "What trick, what device, what starting-hole canst thou now find out to hide thee from this open and apparent shame?"
Relatedly, here's a bit more coverage on latest from the FSC:
Rick Casey, "Of science, witches and arson trials," Houston Chronicle
Jordan Smith, "Who to blame for faulty fire science," Austin Chronicle
Labels: arson, Forensic Errors, Forensic Science Commission, Media, Todd Willingham
A stolen life: Latest DNA exoneree did 27 years for rape he didn't commit
Several readers emailed to inform me of yet another DNA exoneration out of Harris County. Reports the Houston Chronicle ("DNA clears man 27 years after rape conviction," July 28):
A Houston man prosecutors now say is innocent is expected to be freed this week after serving more than 27 years in prison — the longest time behind bars of any Texan who has been exonerated — for a rape he did not commit.
Michael Anthony Green, 45, is expected to be in court Thursday where his attorney, Bob Wicoff, will ask that he be freed on bail while the case moves forward.
If freed, Green would be the eighth local man let out of prison in recent years, and the second in a week, after serving time for a crime he did not convict.
"He is innocent," Wicoff said. "We've got the bad guys too. We've pegged the bad guys."
Green was sentenced to 75 years in prison for the 1983 rape of a Houston woman based on faulty eyewitness identification, Wicoff said.
Wicoff credited attorneys and investigators in the Post Conviction Review Section of the Harris County District Attorney's office, created by District Attorney Pat Lykos, with finding clothing stored in a warehouse that had been worn by the victim during the crime, then testing it for DNA evidence. The results excluded Green.
The Harris DA's "Post Conviction Review Section" sounds a lot like the Conviction Integrity Unit Craig Watkins set up in Dallas. Lykos clearly is taking the issue of false convictions much more seriously than her predecessor, who tended to fight such claims tooth and nail. Her first assistant made that point:
In a press release, Lykos' First Assistant Jim Leitner appeared to slam prior administrations for the length of time the case stalled.
"The evidence in this case had been sitting in the District Clerk's Office for 27 years, and no one had taken the initiative to do anything with it in the past," Leitner said. "The difference now is that you've got the Post Conviction Review Section looking into it — and that made all the difference in the case of Mr. Green."
Good for Pat Lykos. But even more to the point, good for Mr. Green! Imagine going to prison for a crime you didn't commit at 18 and being exonerated at 45! Unfathomable. I also feel terrible for the poor gal whose testimony put Green behind bars. First she was a crime victim, then her confused error inadvertently helped victimize someone else in a profound and dreadful way. Anybody would feel awful at learning of such a mistake.
Two quick takeaways from this story: 1) Police departments need to update their eyewitness ID procedures, pronto, to keep this from happening again, and 2) it doesn't make a DA weak to admit past mistakes, it enhances her credibility.
Labels: District Attorneys, eyewitness testimony, Harris County, Innocence
'Harris County sweetens public defender proposal'
The title of this post is the headline to a Houston Chronicle article published yesterday bringing news that Harris County has altered its proposal for a public defender office to include more courts after the Task Force on Indigent Defense balked at funding a more limited plan:
Seeking to strengthen its bid for state funding to open a public defender office, Harris County has changed its application to ask for less money and to propose public defenders in more courtrooms.
If the state Task Force on Indigent Defense approves the county's request for $4.1 million on Aug. 25, the county will launch a hybrid system of a public defender and court-appointed attorneys in February. The county's indigent defendants currently are represented by court-appointed attorneys selected from a pool of private practitioners.
Today, Commissioners Court will consider reducing the amount of grant money sought from $4.4 million to $4.1 million in response to concerns from the Task Force that the county was not covering enough of the administrative costs of running an office. It also will consider authorizing the county's purchasing agent to start looking for a chief public defender to run the office.
The county's previous version of the application received criticism from academics, local ministers, defense advocacy groups and the local state senator who authored the law authorizing the creation of public defender offices in Texas counties. Among the criticisms were that not enough judges planned to participate, that the office would not serve high-level felony defendants and that the office was subject to control by the judiciary and Commissioners Court.
Originally, 11 of 22 district court judges had volunteered to use a public defender on felony trial cases and only three agreed to the new office's use on appellate cases. Now, 20 judges have bought in on felony trials and 18 on appeals.
Labels: Harris County, Public defender
US House votes to reduce crack/powder disparity
I just finished watching the US House floor debate on S1789 reducing the crack/powder disparity in federal sentencing guidelines from 100-1 to 18-1 and am pleased to see the bill is now headed to the President in a rare bipartisan moment for Washington. I'd prefer they equalize it - the issue is the quantity of drugs required to trigger federal mandatory minimum sentences - but this is a substantial improvement. The bill raises from 5-28 grams the amount needed to trigger mandatory minimums.
During the debate, Texas Congressman Ron Paul quipped that instead of the "Fair Sentencing Act" the bill should be called the "Slightly Fairer Sentencing Act" because they didn't reduce it to 1:1, calling to repeal the entire war on drugs. Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee made some strong comments in favor of the legislation, and even authors of the original 1986 legislation said they couldn't justify the 100-1 disparity.
Texas Congressman Lamar Smith opposed the bill, saying Congress shouldn't reduce penalties for any drug crimes. The bill "sends the wrong message to drug dealers," he said, warning that the law would wreak havoc, using bombastic language about crack "ravaging" communities. It turned out not to matter; the legislation passed on a voice vote.
FWIW, in an era when everyone says Congress spends too much and never cuts the budget, the Congressional Budget Office says "S. 1789 would lead to reduced spending for the federal prison system totaling $42 million over the 2011-2015 period," likely much more in the out years.
President Obama has said he'll sign this landmark legislation if it reaches his desk, so congrats to everyone who worked on it for what appears to be a substantial, if decidedly incremental victory.
MORE: Via press release from Families Against Mandatory Minimums:
While S. 1789 will not eliminate the mandatory minimum for trafficking crack cocaine, it will substantially reduce racial disparity in cocaine sentencing. The infamous 100-to-1 sentencing ratio will be reduced to 18 to 1. Moving forward, 28 grams of crack cocaine will trigger a five-year prison sentence and 280 grams of crack will trigger a 10-year sentence. Once enacted, the law could affect an estimated 3,000 cases annually, reducing sentences by an average of about two years and saving an estimated $42 million over five years. The bill does not provide any relief for people in prison serving crack cocaine sentences because it does not provide for retroactivity. The bill also provides for enhanced sentences for drug offenses involving vulnerable victims, violence and other aggravating factors.
For more detailed information about the history of the federal crack disparity and the changes that will result for S. 1789, click here.
The bill passed out of committee 16-9. See additional commentary from Sentencing Law and Policy, the Sentencing Project, AP, Stop the Drug War, and Huffington Post.
Labels: drug policy, federal sentencing guidelines
Civil litigation over completely corrupt jail on OK border
An array of civil litigation has arisen related to the outrageous scandal at the Montague County jail last year, where the Sheriff and other leos allegedly took a cut from drug dealing and coerced sex from inmates. Reports the Wichita Falls Times Record News ("Four women file suit in sheriff scandal," July 28):
As a long list of criminal complaints related to the Montague County Jail scandal works out of the courts, a spate of civil cases related to the scandal are working their way in.
Four women have filed suit in federal court in Wichita Falls in July. Shelley Wrea Lemon, Lashana Dykes and Dawnita Knight filed suit jointly on Thursday. Dee Ann Green filed suit July 15.
Lemon claims former Sheriff Bill Keating came to her home in July 2008 requesting sexual favors in exchange for keeping her invalid husband out of the jail on probation violation warrants. She claims Keating told her he had a lot of power and "could be her best friend or her worst nightmare," and if she made the wrong decision, he would "bust her entire family." Lemon claims she had to move away from Montague County to get away from Keating.
Dykes claims within an hour of being arrested on warrants in 2008, Keating drove her to a remote location in his patrol car and suggested she perform oral sex on him. She says he told her he would make her life "a living hell" if she did not cooperate. Dykes claims she was routinely required to go to Keating's office and display her breasts for him and on one occasion was handcuffed while Keating attempted to rape her. She said a jailer knocked on the door and interrupted the assault.
Knight claimed that while she was incarcerated, she was required to perform massages on the sheriff and view pornographic photos on his office computer. She claims on two occasions she was required to have sex with a male jailer.
In her separate suit, Green claims during her incarceration in 2008, Keating demanded she perform oral sex in exchange for medications she required and that Keating tried to persuade her to have sex with another inmate.
The July lawsuits follow a suit filed in January by former jail inmate Luke Bolton, who claims that in summer 2007 he was required by jail guard Darlene Walker to have sex with her in a shower stall. He also claims Walker sometimes recorded their sexual activities on videotape. Bolton's suit claims sexual predation of inmates was a common custom and done with jail administrators' knowledge and that Keating "followed a custom of sexual congress with prisoners." His suit also describes drug dealing within the jail from which the sheriff was paid a percentage. He claims he was required to become an "enforcer" and perform "hits" on other inmates with whom Keating was dissatisfied.
In all of the civil lawsuits, the plaintiffs ask for unspecified monetary damages from Montague County.
See related Grits posts:
Montague jail flooded with contraband, closed after FBI raid
More border sheriff criminality, this time on the Red River
Questions regarding a completely corrupt jail
Inmate used as enforcer by corrupt Montague Sheriff
When did rape become just a civil rights violation?
Labels: contraband, County jails, Montague County
ACLUTX on truancy, youth rights
The ACLU of Texas filed a lawsuit in Hidalgo County related to how truancy cases are handled in Hidalgo County, according to Valleycentral.com:
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a class action lawsuit against all nine justices of the peace regarding the way they handle truancy cases.
The lawsuit against the JPs, Sheriff Lupe Treviño and Hidalgo County was filed in McAllen federal court late Monday afternoon.
The ACLU asserts that teens, who were over the age of 17 and cited in truancy cases, had to spend up to a week with adults in the Hidalgo County Jail.
The civil rights group claims many of the teens were ticketed for truancy and other school-related offense before their 17th birtndays.
The ACLU claims Hidalgo County has created a "school to prison pipeline" burdening teens from poor families with heavy fines that they can't pay resulting in jail time.
See their press release and additional background on the case. MORE: From the McAllen Monitor and the Houston Press.
Relatedly, ACLUTX will be holding a one-day conference this weekend in Austin titled "Youth Rights in Texas: Sensible School Discipline" in conjunction with the group's annual meeting.
Labels: juvie corrections, schools
Cuts to state mental health treatment would shift costs to local jails
As we approach an 82nd Texas Legislature that will be dominated by big-picture budget decisions, arguably cuts to mental health spending may be the biggest looming crisis for the justice system at all levels. Lillian Aguirre Ortiz of Mental Health America of Greater Houston recently outlined the effects of proposed cuts to mental health services in a column in the Houston Chronicle:
While legislators are expected to face a difficult financial situation during the 82nd Texas Legislature, our state's leadership needs to fully understand and consider the ramifications of the proposed $134 million in cuts. Untreated mental illnesses lead many individuals to cycle in and out of homelessness as well as our emergency rooms, jails and prisons. Lack of treatment also leads to an increase in the utilization of police man-hours since law enforcement personnel are often called in to deal with individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. Any further erosion of the limited services currently provided to the state's most vulnerable mental health patients will exacerbate what should already be considered a serious public health and public safety issue.
The proposed cuts include $80 million that would be taken from the state's 39 publicly supported community mental health centers, which provide psychiatric care for poor or uninsured people. The cuts would also eliminate services to 11,000 adults and 2,000 children across Texas. As it is, more than 900 adults are on a waiting list each day for mental health services from the Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County (MHMRA), our area's public mental health center, for treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and severe depression. The approximately 400,000 adults in our area with other mental illnesses have to try and find services elsewhere regardless of their ability to pay for treatment.
In addition to the adults waiting for care, 75 percent of our community's children in need of help from the public mental health system do not receive treatment services. Perhaps this is why half of the children in the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department have a diagnosable mental illness and 55 percent have been diagnosed with a substance abuse and/or chemical dependence problem.
An additional $44 million in proposed cuts would eliminate 183 beds, or 12 percent of their total capacity, from five state psychiatric hospitals. These facilities are already unable to take many of the state's sickest individuals due to a lack of available beds. As a result, the Harris County Jail houses an estimated 80 inmates each day who are simply waiting for one of these beds, a scenario repeated throughout the state. Eliminating the 183 beds, which have the potential to serve thousands of individuals, will further contribute to the fact that the Harris County Jail is now the largest provider of mental health services in Texas.
To make matters worse, a $10 million reduction to psychiatric crisis services, which would cut care to 6,000 people statewide, is also included in the proposal. An overall lack of community based mental health services, which help keep people stabilized and out of expensive crisis care, has led Texas to rely heavily on its mental health crisis system. Cutting this safety net for the sickest individuals is not only irresponsible, it's inhumane.
Such cuts would inevitably, inexorably create further crises down the line: For example, cutting the number of state hospital beds will increase the backlog of mentally ill people warehoused in county jails awaiting competency restoration. Indeed, county jails are already packed with mentally ill inmates due to a lack of community based services. The FOX station in El Paso reports that 4 in 10 jail inmates there have been diagnosed with a mental illness. Not only does cutting state mental health funding shift costs to locals, dealing with them at the jail is a lot more expensive than community-based mental health treatment, so such cuts would be a de facto decision to treat these offenders in a more expensive, less therapeutic fashion, and then only after they've harmed the community enough to warrant incarceration. That's just not smart policy.
In addition to cuts at the Department of State Health Services, the Department of Criminal Justice has suggested that if it's required to make deep spending cuts it will slash mental health spending, drug treatment and diversion programming first. All told, mental health funding appears to be a likely first choice for the chopping block across the board.
On the corrections budget, I'm reasonably confident it's possible to cut costs safely if the state closes prisons and sustains or preferably doubles down on diversion and community supervision funding. However I'm not nearly so sanguine it would be safe to dramatically slash mental health spending, and my suspicion is that doing so would radically increase costs in other areas, particularly local jails and courts.
For those concerned that state budget cuts next year might harm public safety, don't worry about closing prisons. Worry about the consequences of reduced access to mental health treatment.
RELATED: See "Closing the Barn Doors" from Murray at Life at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center.
Labels: Competency, County jails, Mental health, TDCJ
Preoccupying food question requires reader input
I have an off-topic food-related question I'm going to throw out to readers just on the off chance somebody has special insight, even though doing so requires me to apologize for self-indulgently straying far from the usual subjects covered on this blog.
My query concerns what to do with fresh peaches. There's a peach tree in my front yard that's about 10 years old, and which is fruiting spectacularly for the first time this year thanks to all the extra rain we're getting. Over the last decade during the drought, its fruit would never quite ripen and squirrels would pick off any promising candidates prematurely, often taking one bite then throwing the peach on the ground. This year our tree has been overloaded to an amazing, ridiculous degree. We've probably harvested more than 200 peaches so far (and likely lost a similar amount to squirrels, bugs and neglect), and even so the limbs are still sagging under the weight of those that remain - the next few days promise a whole bunch more, though we seem to be on the downward slope of the cycle. They taste spectacular and it's really been a wonderful, summer surprise from a tree that we'd resigned ourselves would provide more shade than edibles. There are also two fig trees in the back yard that have produced far more figs than we've remotely known what to do with.
My question: I've got a decent cobbler recipe, but what else besides fruit salad am I supposed to do with this overwhelming quantity of peaches? We've eaten them at every meal, given away a boatload and still have multiple bags of sliced, fresh peaches completely filling up a large freezer, with more coming every day. I'm the house cook so it falls on me to figure this one out. Send via email or post in the comments any recipes or suggestions along these lines. Ditto for figs, which I've tried relatively sparingly but only because I simply know few techniques to use them, (though they're quite plump, wonderful, and delicious just consumed raw). The dilemma stems from the quantity - I need more options to use them up without making the same couple of dishes over and over.
Labels: Off topic
The wish list, an empty, overbuilt jail, and the irony of short-sighted NIMBYism
A few blogworthy odds and ends:
Law enforcement wish list
Law enforcement interests gathered in North Texas this week to hash out their collective legislative wish list.
Jail pitched as paying for itself losing contracts
Add Dickens County to the list of places that overbuilt their local jails aiming to lease extra space for a profit, only to find taxpayers saddled with sizable debt for a mostly empty facility now that demand for beds is dropping.
Can someone please audit metal detectors at juvie detention centers?
A teenager somehow got a gun through intake at the juvenile detention facility in Tyler and opened fire on a juvenile detention officer (who thankfully escaped uninjured), an incident reminiscent of the one last year in Harris County where a juvenile got a gun through a metal detector and strip search at the juvenile detention facility there. Once may be a quirk; twice is a pattern and I'm guessing these may not be the only examples of lax security procedures at juvie detention intake.
NIMBYism short-sighted, counterproductive
NIMBYism, this time in Dallas, remains the biggest obstacle to creating much-needed supportive housing for the mentally ill. Poor, mostly minority neighborhoods complain the facilities shouldn't be predominantly located in their area, but the irony is, if they're not built, ex-offenders will predominantly return to their neighborhoods, anyway - they'll just be more likely to be homeless and desperate.
Ex-TYC staffer charged with sexual assault
Another (former) TYC employee, this time from the Evins Unit in South Texas (he was fired last year in 2003 over separate allegations that he tried to attack one of his detainees), faces allegations of sexual assault against three teenagers. I normally wouldn't mention the case at this stage if TYC hadn't had such a tumultuous recent episode requiring sexual abuse of youth under its care, but in that light perhaps it's worth keeping the case on our radar screen.
Official Voyeurism: Open record exemptions leave only voluntary disclosure of camera abuses
A Dallas area TV station last week reported:
A Dallas County Sheriff's Lieutenant is out of a job after the department says he used jail cameras to watch female inmates in the shower.
Lt. Steven Gentry, an 18-year veteran of the department, violated departmental policy, according to Sheriff's spokesman Kim Leach.
An internal affairs investigation found his conduct unbecoming.
Gentry was fired Monday.
Back in May, he was an instructor for a class called "Ethics in a Correctional Setting" at the sheriff's training academy.
The ubiquity of modern surveillance apparatus raise this question wherever anyone might get undressed, be it the changing room at the mall or the local swimming pool, but particularly in correctional environments. As Grits lamented recently, the Legislature after 9/11 eliminated all requirements for transparency and open records regarding all types of government camera surveillance, completely deregulating camera use and leaving the details to individual state and local agencies. In the case of the Dallas jail, at least there are apparently policies in place forbidding misuse of cameras, and some willingness by the Sheriff to enforce them. That's not universally true, though, and thanks to a near-complete exemption under the Public Information Act, there's no way (besides this kind of laudable self-disclosure) for the public to investigate when or how government surveillance cameras are abused. Sheriff Valdez deserves credit, to be sure, but especially because if she'd decided to cover up the incident, there's no way anyone would ever know.
Posted by Gritsforbreakfast at 10:43 AM 5 comments
Labels: County jails, Dallas County, Surveillance Society
Authors explore stories of Texas exonerees
This press release (pdf) notifies us of the upcoming publication of a new book telling the stories of a dozen Texas exonerees.
Reverend Dorothy Budd rejoiced at the recent announcement that deaf inmate Stephen Brodie may become the latest Texas prisoner to win his freedom after being wrongfully convicted.
Budd, a former child-sex-crimes prosecutor for the Dallas County District Attorney's office, wants the voice of Brodie, along with men who have already been exonerated in Dallas County, to be heard. She and her daughter Peyton share the men's experiences in the upcoming book Tested: How Twelve Wrongfully Imprisoned Men Held onto Hope, to be published this October by Brown Books Publishing Group.
In 2009, the Budds became interested in the plight of these wrongly convicted men and requested a meeting with Dallas County DA Craig Watkins where they learned that of the cases his office selected with DNA viable for testing, about half of the tests went on to prove the men's innocence. Dorothy and Peyton became convinced that their stories must be told. With DA Watkins' assistance, the Budds interviewed the men and from these conversations Peyton wrote their stories and the book Tested was born.
"Every one of these men has lost something that can never be restored," said Dorothy Budd. "We hope that the powerful stories in Tested cause readers to reexamine and reevaluate prejudices and preconceptions."
By allowing each of the men to tell his story in his own words, Tested runs the emotional gamut from deep despair to final vindication. Along the way, the authors discovered how the men kept their faith and hope during their years of incarceration.
"When you get convicted for something you didn't do, and hear that gavel hit along with the words 'we find this man guilty,' and you do time," says exoneree Billy Smith. "Whether it's a day, a week, a year, or twenty years…that takes something. It takes a bite out of you."
Dallas leads the nation in exonerations of wrongfully convicted men. To date, more than twenty men have been released. These men were not just "released" but freed from prison with their convictions expunged, with a pardon from the governor and an apology from the DA.
For more information and to schedule an interview with the authors, please contact Cathy Williams, Brown Books Publishing Group at 972.381.0009 or via email cathy(dot)williams(at)brownbooks(dot)com. Additional information can be found at www.testedthebook.com.
Relatedly, the Lubbock Avalanche Journal brings word of a new book on Timothy Cole's posthumous exoneration: Fred McKinley's "A Plea For Justice: The Timothy Cole Story." From the Avalanche Journal:
Cole's brother Cory Session said the book should be required reading for law officials to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
"This book was put out because it's a blueprint for wrongful convictions," he said.
Ruby Session, Cole's mother, said the book is an accurate portrayal of the situation that occurred to her son and provides readers with an opportunity to see how all of the events unfolded from the beginning.
"I hope the average person knows it could happen to them," Ruby Session said. "We don't want this to happen anymore."
One should never underestimate the impact of storytelling, and these stories supply a powerful counternarrative to the typical Law & Order-style portrayal of prosecutors in white hats and criminal defendants as scum seeking to somehow wiggle out of justice. The Kafkaesque nightmare endured by Cole and the other exonerees can't be adequately described using the terms and means of the policy wonk, so these stories fill an important gap in the debate. It's impossible to fix a problem if one never examines in detail what went wrong.
Labels: Arts, Innocence, Timothy Cole
States seek to fix broken probation systems
Looking outside Texas' borders for just a moment, let me point out a couple of notable stories from other states on the usually sleepy subject of community supervision.
An investigative report from the Boston Globe on the Massachusetts probation department found cronyism in hiring, dramatically inflated caseloads aimed at boosting state allocations, and a GPS monitoring program that was expensive and failed at most of its fundamental goals. Their risk assessment instrument labels 2/3 of defendants as "maximum" threats, far above the rates found elsewhere. An independent counsel has been appointed to investigate a situation that sounds like a complete clusterf&%k..
Meanwhile, AP has a story, "Study finds Ohio probation system fragmented," citing a study by the Council of State Government Justice Center which found that "offenders who commit minor drug and property crimes are often supervised for years, while inmates who pose a high risk to public safety are released from prison without supervision." Says AP:
California is trying to slow the so-called "churning" of inmates by better managing minor parole violators in hopes of reducing the prison population by 6,500. In Texas, parole and probation violators are sent to detention facilities outside the prison system rather than re-imprison them.
The Ohio study, to be unveiled at a daylong symposium, found that four of every 10 inmates serving short sentences have a low risk of re-offending. Two of every three committed property crimes or were drug offenders, and have two or fewer prior convictions.
The issue of estimating risk for low-level drug and property offenders is a recurring theme in both these stories, which reminds me I still need to read (and then post on) Marc Levin's latest report (pdf) on the use of risk-assessment tools in community supervision. For such a technical subject, it's a particularly important one.
Labels: Massachusetts, Ohio, Probation
"Never in the civilised world have so many been locked up for so little"
I should reference this notable Economist piece on US incarceration policies, "Too many laws, too many prisoners: Never in the civilised world have so many been locked up for so little," which touches on many themes common to this blog. Here's a taste:
Justice is harsher in America than in any other rich country. Between 2.3m and 2.4m Americans are behind bars, roughly one in every 100 adults. If those on parole or probation are included, one adult in 31 is under "correctional" supervision. As a proportion of its total population, America incarcerates five times more people than Britain, nine times more than Germany and 12 times more than Japan. Overcrowding is the norm. Federal prisons house 60% more inmates than they were designed for. State lock-ups are only slightly less stuffed.
The system has three big flaws, say criminologists. First, it puts too many people away for too long. Second, it criminalises acts that need not be criminalised. Third, it is unpredictable. Many laws, especially federal ones, are so vaguely written that people cannot easily tell whether they have broken them.
Definitely read the rest. I agree with most of what's written here, and most of it goes double for Texas, where one adult in 22, as opposed to one in 31, is under the control of the criminal justice system. An excellent macro-analysis; the comments were interesting as well.
'Punishment at jail for families, too?' Might web video solve visitation access?
The part of the title in quotes is the headline of a San Antonio Express-News story yesterday about Bexar County Jail visitation that opens thusly:
Some days Sylvia Gomez thinks it is harder for her to get inside the Bexar County Jail to visit her son than it would be for him to break out and come to her.
It's not the strict dress code, invasive security measures or even the agitated and sometimes unruly residents of the imposing red-brick fortress.
For Gomez, 62, and thousands of other visitors, the obstacle is far more mundane: marathon waits in long lines in the summer sun.
Apparently there's a dispute regarding whether all the visitors possible are let inside to wait for visitation hours:
A lobby with a seating capacity for 80 people is just inside the jail entrance, but most days guards allow a fraction of that number inside at a time — often as few as 20 people, agreed numerous visitors interviewed over several weeks.
"They treat us worse than the criminals. It's degrading," said Connie Torres, 62, who is diabetic and suffers from a joint condition called fibromyalgia, which makes it difficult for her to sit or stand for long periods.
Jail officials say they let 80 people at a time wait in the lobby. Tomasini said that policy has been in place for months. "Elderly and handicapped are given priority," she said.
Visitors flatly deny it, saying guards only began allowing that number as recently as a week ago, when a reporter was there.
This story made me think: Some jails are switching to video visitation, though in most cases families must still come down to the jail to use it. That seems unnecessary, inviting this kind of problem to fester. Once video visitation becomes common, I wonder if there's a need in the era of cheapo webcams for families who won't get contact visits to come down to the jail at all? Certainly that would help resolve this situation, and could also boost inmates' connections to family and others in their lives trying to help them. (It might be an even more appropriate suggestion for TDCJ, where many families face long drives for visitation.) It should be possible to create user accounts to access the system that could monitor record conversations just like they do now. I've thought for a long time jails and prisons should make it easier for folks to visit; maybe that's the way to do it? OTOH, perhaps there's some intangible extra benefit from an in-person visit, particularly for kids, that justifies lamenting a shift to video.
I don't yet have an opinion on replacing in-person visitation with video, though it's commonly part of new jail construction these days and appears to have become the wave of the future without really much stakeholder debate. At the state level, if UTMB can deliver medical care via video, TDCJ could probably do the same for visitation if the Lege directed it. But is it a good idea? What do folks who participate in such visits think of the video option? What are the benefits and drawbacks? And are there good arguments for requiring video visitors to come to the jail, or might it be possible to provide secure online access?
Labels: Bexar County, County jails, TDCJ, visitation policies
Corpus police won't chase traffic violators or non-DWI misdemeanants
The Corpus Christi PD implemented a new high-speed chase policy this week, reports the Caller-Times ("Corpus Christi police update pursuit policy," July 24): "It is now the department's official policy not to pursue motorists for traffic violations or misdemeanors other than driving under the influence, Cmdr. Steve Mylett said." The chief explained the reasoning behind the change:
"We can't get into a situation where we're endangering the public more than the individual, if left on the streets, would endanger the public," Police Chief Troy Riggs said. "The first thing is to protect human life."
Last year, the department's officers were involved in 76 high speed chases, Riggs said. About 80 percent of those were with traffic violators who didn't necessarily need to be pursued at speeds of 80 to 100 mph, he said.
Further:
Before changing the policy, officials talked to other departments that had increased their requirements to start or continue a pursuit. They were told that the number of people fleeing from officers did not increase and that most of the people who did were caught eventually, Mylett said.
With the number of on-the-job officer deaths up so far this year, this is a wise move to protect both officers and the public. About 2/3 of on-the-job police deaths occur during traffic accidents, many during high-speed pursuits.
Dozen Dallas officers disciplined for high-speed chase violations
Officer death contradicts Houston PD claims that all its cops wear seat belts
Accidents mount in face of Dallas sheriff, constables' outdated pursuit policies
Houston PD high-speed chase policy injures dozens every year
A suggestion for reducing life threatening risks to police officers
Texas leads nation in 2007 officer deaths
Blogversation on high-speed police pursuits
Labels: Nueces County, Police, pursuits
If arson science in Willingham case was 'flawed,' what about other, similar cases?
Two pieces of news from yesterday's Forensic Science Commission meeting in Houston stand out: 1) John Bradley's new, unilateral legal interpretation declaring the FSC couldn't investigate the Todd Willingham case was unanimously rejected, and 2) a committee examining the case said in an interim finding that "flawed science" was presented in the Willingham case, but no negligence or misconduct by investigators occurred. Kuff doesn't mince words about his opinion of the proceedings.
The bombshell here is the finding that the Willingham case was based on "flawed science." As for whether there was negligence or misconduct by investigators, Jeff Gamso gets it right: "Excuse me, but who cares about that? I mean, sure, we don't want negligent or dishonest investigations. But this isn't about placing blame. It's about figuring out what went wrong and how to do better." Reported AP:
Patricia Cox, Willingham's cousin, told commission members she appreciates the group's acknowledgment the forensic evidence used to convict her loved one was flawed.
"Even though there may not have been any malice or intent by fire investigators about not being informed on current standards, that doesn't excuse the fact that based on this misinformation, Cameron Todd Willingham was executed and that can't be corrected," said a tearful Cox.
If the fire science used to convict Willingham was flawed, it hardly matters whether the error was intentional; it sets off major alarm bells: The same fire science was used in hundreds if not thousands of other arson convictions across Texas. CNN quoted state Sen. Rodney Ellis making that point:
On Friday, he said he was "happy" to hear the investigation would continue, but concerned that the investigation was looking for misconduct and negligence in the wrong place.
"Unfortunately, the commission is off-track in terms of what it should be investigating," he said in a statement. "It was painfully apparent that many FSC members believe that flawed science was used in the Willingham conviction, but the FSC does not seem interested in looking at the bigger picture: When did the State Fire Marshal start using modern arson science and did the State Fire Marshal commit professional negligence or misconduct when it failed to inform the courts, prosecutors, the Board of Pardons and Parole, and the Governor that flawed arson science had been used to convict hundreds of defendants?"
The idea that potentially hundreds of others were falsely convicted of arson based on the same junk science has yet to be widely discussed, but it's almost certain there are many other, similar cases out there, including some people still in prison, some on parole, and some entirely off paper. All deserve to have their names cleared.
In Willingham's case in particular, perhaps it was perhaps excusable not to know back in 1992 that the testimony concluding he committed arson was wrong. But it was inexcusable for the courts and the Governor's office to allow the man's execution to go forward based on junk science in 2004, when the standards for arson investigation had (supposedly) long since formally changed.
Of course, that's precisely the conclusion the Governor was hoping the Commission would formally put off until after the November election when he appointed its new, obstructionist chairman and gave him his marching orders (or more accurately, his stalling orders). It's a tribute to the fact that Mr. Bradley is receiving pushback from his fellow commissioners that even this tepid, interim conclusion was publicly released.
Labels: arson, Forensic Science Commission
Latest exoneration out of Houston based on false eyewitness ID
Allen Porter walked free an innocent man in Houston yesterday after DNA and fingerprint evidence convinced Harris County DA Pat Lykos to reopen the case after 19 years. Allan Turner at the Houston Chronicle described the emotional scene in court:
Dabbing at her teary eyes, state District Judge Joan Campbell said Thursday she will recommend that authorities free a Houston man who has served 19 years — almost half his life - in prison for a sexual assault he did not commit.
As members of his family jumped from their seats in tearful ecstasy at the judge's decision, the prisoner, Allen Wayne Porter, 39, first shed tears, then smiled broadly.
Campbell advised lawyers to return to her court today to explore ways Porter can be released on bond pending a final decision in the case by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
"Good news!" said Porter's court-appointed lawyer, Casey Garrett, at the end of the day-long hearing. "I am confident the CCA will agree with Judge Campbell. … It is really hard to wrap your mind around the fact that someone spent 20 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit."
This morning Campbell set Porter's bond at $30,000. His lawyer said Porter could be released later today.
If the court accepts her recommendation, it will order a new trial. Bob Loper, the special prosecutor, said today that he would move to dismiss the case, so he would not be retried.
According to the Chronicle, "Porter was arrested at the courthouse while attending [his nephew's] trial with other family members after one of the rape victims identified him as her attacker." Can you imagine! I wish Mr. Porter luck: Congrats to him and to everybody involved on this belated victory.
Labels: District Attorneys, Harris County, Innocence
Tulia documentary nominated for Emmy
Following news that the "Tulia law" requiring corroboration for informants in undercover drug stings is still working as intended to prevent drug convictions without adequate evidence, I'm pleased to learn from Rev. Alan Bean at Friends of Justice (a group founded in 1999 to fight the Tulia raids) that the documentary film "Tulia, Texas" has been nominated for an Emmy. He writes:
Kelly Whalen and Cassandra Herrman invested years of their lives making "Tulia, Texas" and their dedication is being recognized. The piece they created for the PBS program Independent Lens was recently nominated for an Emmy.
According to the folks at Independent Lens, "TULIA, TEXAS shows how America's war on drugs and its over-zealous law enforcement, combined with racial divisions, have exposed deep-seated animosities and even starker injustices."
But Whalen and Herrman dealt with a painful subject in a compassionate and understated way. The Independent Lens website now features a "Tulia talks back" section with comments from folks on both sides of the drug sting controversy. The program comes in for some criticism from those who didn't like seeing their community branded as uniquely racist; but the comments are generally appreciative, even laudatory.
Page Lacey Heisser, a woman who grew up in Tulia, left this comment. "One of the strengths of the film is its plain explanation of how rural economics, politics and small town justice converge to influence decent citizens of a town towards making such bad decisions. I think Tulia—like other small towns—is made up of women and men who are focused on their families, their jobs, local sports, church events and keeping their heads above water."
Page wishes "Tulia, Texas" was a mandatory part of the school curriculum in her home town.
I was pleased to meet and dine with Whalen and Herrman after their film premiered at SXSW, and I join Alan in wishing them luck on their Emmy quest. It's amazing how reverberations from that episode more than a decade later continue to influence drug policy debates and, increasingly, American culture.
Labels: Arts, drug task forces, Tulia
Reversed and aquitted: 80-year drug sentence overturned based on 'Tulia law'
Liberty and Justice for Y'all brings word of a case out of the 11th Court of Appeals where the appellate court overturned a guilty verdict and an 80 year sentence over 3.7 grams of cocaine, ordering acquittal because an informant's testimony in a drug case wasn't corroborated. (See the opinion.)
The snitch in the case had "agreed to buy drugs in exchange for an agreement that, if he made three cases, he would not be prosecuted for his offense," said the court. But in the instant case, even though there was a recording of the supposed drug deal, only the confidential informant could independently identify who was speaking or what they were talking about. The court ruled the evidence presented did not independently corroborate the informant's testimony.
I mentioned in the comments at LJ4Y that I was deeply involved in the inception of then state-Rep and now-state Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa's "Tulia" legislation back in 2001 (along with many, many others, notably including frequent Grits commenter Rev. Charles Kiker), so it's good to see it actually still has some teeth so many years after implementation. You don't see appellate courts reverse jury verdicts to acquit defendants too frequently in Texas criminal cases.
MORE: Just for kicks, or perhaps more out of nostalgia, I pulled this somewhat notorious flyer out of my files which was distributed at the Texas Lege back in 2001 among religious conservatives, in support of the Tulia legislation. (There was also a more mainstream flyer that most legislators received.) Though it seems quirky on its face, the religous angle turned out to be a far more effective approach than we could have anticipated. The headline announced, "The Bible and the ACLU Agree: Require Corroboration for Drug Sting Testimony!," and it went on to quote Moses, Jesus, and Rev. Charles Kiker in support of the legislation. (The Apostle Paul, FWIW, also backed requiring corroboration for any witness to support a criminal allegation - pretty good company for Rev. Kiker.) State Rep. John Shields from San Antonio read the Bible quotes aloud from the flyer on the House floor, and his support sealed a lot of other Republican members' votes who held similar views. WWJD, baby!
Labels: Snitching, Texas Legislature
Education vs. Prisons
A construction I've seen quite frequently recently during budget debates at all levels of government has been how to relatively prioritize jails and prisons vs. schools. KLTV out of Tyler has a story titled "New jails vs. new schools an ongoing battle" (7/22), in which members of the commissioners court declared one reason they don't want to take jail bonds to voters is the likelihood that Tyler ISD will put additional bonds on the November ballot and voters would choose schools over a jail.
The, seemingly age-old Smith County battle could wage on again come election time: new schools versus new jail.
Battle lines are already being drawn... ...and early... ...from the bench...
"If TISD puts on a bond election at the same time, then I see the jail failing," said Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton.
"Those cute little rosy-cheeked kids, or a bunch of people in our jail house? I know who they're going to vote for and so do you," said Precinct 2 Commissioner Bill McGinnis.
"They're going to win every time," said voter, Charles Smart. "They have so far."
Smart says if the last $60,000,000 jail plan was not up against Tyler ISD's nearly $125,000,000 plan, it may have passed.
The idea of another ballot face-off is weighing heavy.
Meanwhile, Newsweek had a recent story focused on California and other states struggling to balance prison spending and higher education ("Classrooms or prison cells," June 28). According to Newsweek the issue is being raised by (among others) a prominent transplanted Texan:
It may seem odd that state funding for college kids often competes with money for prisoners, but if you track spending in California over the past 30 years, you'll see evidence of a long-standing tug of war between these two very different constituencies. Over much of the past decade, funding for corrections has gone steadily up, while spending on state colleges has tumbled. "The state seems to be saying we have more of a future in prisons than in universities," University of California president Mark Yudof said in a recent speech.
Newsweek included this extraordinary graphic outlining the near-explicit tradeoff in California:
It would be quite a chore to compile the data, but given the expansion of Texas prisons in the past 30 years, plus the fact that Texas universities have become so much more tuition-reliant, I would be surprised if a comparable chart for Texas failed to display essentially similar trends.
Education, particularly higher ed, is an economic investment in human capital, while prisons remove workers and money from the economy and reduce overall consumption and production. So the question arises, when money is tight, where should the state prioritize its spending? Mass incarceration is a rich nation's game. When money is scarce and the tradeoff becomes explicit, investing in education over prisons makes a lot more sense.
Posted by Gritsforbreakfast at 10:56 AM 16 comments
Labels: California, County jails, schools, Smith County
Special treatment for Keller may create "bad law" around judicial misconduct
Reacting to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct's "public warning" regarding Judge Sharon Keller, I said on Wednesday that " I don't understand how the "warning" option jibes with earlier reports that the only options available were removal, censure, or exoneration." Now, Mary Alice Robbins at Texas Lawyer has an extended piece exploring that question ("Judicial Conduct Commission Examiner Questions Basis for Public Warning in Keller Case," June 22). She reports that:
Seana Willing, the commission's examiner, contends in an e-mail that the order is based on a rule that does not comport with the Texas Constitution. As examiner in judicial misconduct cases, Willing acts as a prosecutor does in a criminal case, gathering and presenting evidence, often assisted by a private attorney.
Willing says, "I'm not criticizing the commission for what they did, but I don't understand why they did what they did." But Willing is concerned that the commission's public warning in Keller could result in "bad law" and cost taxpayers more money.
The Commission's rules haven't been updated to reflect conflicting constitutional changes, Robbins reports, and the Commission has publicized in its own materials that there are just three options if a case goes to a public trial - dismissal, censure, or removal. Thus it's possible that if the commission changed up the verdict, the argument goes, one might not have given:
fair notice to a judge of what sanctions he or she could face. Houston solo Lillian Hardwick, a judicial conduct expert, says the commission's annual reports before and after the adoption of Rule 10(m) — including the 2009 report posted on the commission's website — feature charts showing that the options after the commission opens formal proceedings are to dismiss the charges, issue an order of public censure, or recommend the removal or retirement of the judge.
"I don't see how it's giving notice to judges of anything other than that, including a public warning," Hardwick says.
Willing also thinks the ruling will impact the commission's future ability to bargain with judges: "Willing believes the commission's public warning in Keller could result in bad law. She says judges have resigned in lieu of discipline after the commission began formal proceedings against them. But now, judges might not agree to accept resignation if they are facing a lesser sanction."
Further, the confused outcome may be confusing whether Judge Keller has a right to appeal the commission's ruling as she's said she will do:
When the commission issues a public warning to a judge in informal proceedings, that judge has the right to ask the state Supreme Court to appoint three appellate justices to a special court of review to hear the appeal. Willing says in an interview that in such appeals, the three-justice panel reviews the evidence de novo, amounting to a new trial.
But because the commission initiated formal proceedings against Keller, Keller already has had a trial — before the special master. Willing says a new trial would be a waste of resources. She is concerned about Keller getting what amounts to a second trial on the taxpayer's dime.
"This is taxpayers' resources being expended for a second trial," Willing says. "I have a problem with that."
Willing says that even though the commission does not pay Graves Dougherty legal fees for [attorney Mike] McKetta's work as special counsel, it had to pay for the firm's expenses in Keller, which totaled about $20,000 so far. "Are we going to have to do that again?" Willing asks.
What a fascinating development. I claim no insight on the merits of the dispute over what punishments should be allowed, but pretty clearly the commission went out of its way to handle Judge Keller with kid gloves. Now the question becomes, was that special treatment just a one-off or will it set more lenient precedents ("bad law," in Willing's terminology) for future judges accused by the Commission of misconduct?
Labels: CCA, Judicial Conduct Commission, Judiciary, Sharon Keller
Orwellian-named immigration policy massively subsidizes private prisons in Texas
Bob Libal at Texas Prison Bidness has authored a "green paper" (pdf) on behalf of the group Grassroots Leadership critiquing the Orwellian-named "Operation Streamline," which is the Bush-initiated practice of layering criminal charges for illegal entry on top of civil detention prior to deportation. Libal says:
The result has been a mess. In Texas alone, 135,000 immigrants now have criminal records and many have done real prison time under the Streamline before being deported (far from streamlining the process, the policy adds another layer of incarceration on top of the existing civil detention system).
While most researchers believe that the program hasn't deterred unauthorized immigration, the program has affected the judicial system in serious ways. The federal court system is horrendously over-booked. 54% of 2009's federal prosecutions across the country were for immigration violations. In the Southern District of Texas, a district that includes Houston, a full 84% of April prosecutions were for two immigration violations - unauthorized entry (1325) and unauthorized re-entry (1326). With a mandated focus on prosecution of immigration violations, diligence to other prosecutions has fallen off dramatically.
Grits has described previously the dropoff in white-collar and drug prosecutions resulting from Operation Streamline, but Libal adds to that critique the observation that the policy amounts to a massive subsidy of the private prison industry. Says the report:
Operation Streamline has funneled more than $1.2 billion into the largely for-profit detention system in Texas, driving the expansion of private prisons along the border. Operation Streamline has significantly increased the caseload of public defenders and federal judges while radically increasing the number of individuals incarcerated for petty immigration violations in for-profit private prisons and county jails throughout Texas.
The paper also documents the growth in US Marshalls and federal Bureau of Prison's leased detention beds in Texas, which together expanded by 17,249 between 2000 and 2009, according to an appendix.
Two takeaways from this paper: 1) Larding criminal prosecution onto deportation proceedings makes us less safe by reducing federal prosecutors' focus on more serious crimes, especially in Texas' Southern and Western Districts. And 2) If the feds were to rescind that policy, which seems not just wise but necessary, the bottom will drop out of the private prison market in Texas. When that happens, all the counties who overbuilt their jails imagining they'd fill them with immigrants are going to find themselves SOL.
Labels: Immigration, Private prisons, USDOJ
Driver responsibility program up for debate in House, not Senate
I neglected to mention that new Texas Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Chairman Tommy Williams canceled the August 3 hearing that would have included discussion of the Driver Responsibility Program, though I understand the DRP had nothing to do with the cancellation. Disappointing, but it saves me a drive to Plano
Meanwhile, on August 10 the "House Public Safety Committee will hold an interim hearing on August 10, 2010 to discuss charge #3 relating to the drivers responsibility program," I'm informed via email."The hearing will take place in E2.014 at 10:00 a.m. and the public is invited to come testify," says the notice. "We do ask that testimony be kept to under five (5) minutes. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the committee at 512-463-0133."
Labels: Driver Responsibility Fee, House Public Safety
Harris DA Pat Lykos describes detox center idea
In response to a query from Grits, Harris County DA Pat Lykos emailed me today with a little more detail on the idea she proposed at the House Corrections Committee hearing last month to create detox centers where police could take intoxicated people instead of jail. She writes:
Detoxification Centers:
When a person is intoxicated in public, that individual is vulnerable and endangered and can be a danger to others; it is also a quality of life issue in our neighborhoods. The offense is under 49.02 PC. Currently, such individuals are subject to arrest and jail. This consumes enormous resources in arresting, transporting, booking, jailing and releasing them. Officer time out of service leaves our communities unprotected. Leaving such person on the streets where they can come to harm often engenders ambulance calls and emergency room treatment.
I propose a center, where an officer can transport such individuals, where EMTs monitor them until they are sober and free of symptoms. Personnel can work with those with more serious problems and assist in moving them into recovery and treatment programs or facilities.
This is a cost-effective, humane remedy that will increase public safety and health, and perhaps transform lives in a positive way.
Please be advised that the persons described above are not operating a motor vehicle. DWIs are specifically excluded.
It'd be interesting to get a count of how many such offenders are presently arrested and taken to jail each day, but I'll bet on Saturday night in Houston it's a not insignificant number. (In my mind's eye, I think they should call it the Otis Campbell Detox Center - giving Mayberry's town drunk a safe place to dry out seems to be sort of the model.) It's a good idea, keeping petty cases out of the courts and giving officers an option to take folks someplace besides jail that won't result in their prosecution.
I wonder: What besides funding are the barriers to such an idea? Clearly the commissioners court would be required to pay for such a center and related health services, though that'd likely be cheaper than adding a new jail wing. Are there any legal barriers to police taking someone into custody if they're not arrested pending adjudication? I don't know the answer to that, though at the hearing Chairman Jim McReynolds told Lykos the Corrections Committee would work her on the suggestion.
I'd link to other press coverage on this, but besides earlier Grits posts here and here, there hasn't been any. The idea deserves wider discussion.
Labels: County jails, detox centers, District Attorneys, Harris County
Parking case study: Promoting obedience to law through less enforcement, greater facility
A story by Marty Toohey in the Austin Statesman ("Parking pay stations bring in more cash for Austin," July 22) shows how the goals of law enforcement may sometimes be better met by facilitating legal behavior than simply punishing the illegal. The article opens:
A year after Austin started replacing its worn-out parking meters with new pay stations, the city says it is issuing significantly fewer tickets while collecting more money.
The pay stations — solar-powered yellow-and-gray machines that spit out receipts for drivers to stick to their windshields — were responsible for a 26 percent increase in parking-meter revenue, according to the city, which is planning to replace the rest of its old meters during the next year.
The new pay stations break down less often than the old meters did. They also take credit card payments, so people do not have to have change handy or buy prepaid meter cards.
End result: The city is issuing about 36 percent fewer tickets since it started installing the pay stations.
"What we've seen is that people have been willing to pay if we make it easier for them, as opposed to taking their chances with a ticket," said Rob Spillar , the city's transportation director.
It fascinates me that people were more willing to comply with the law than you'd have guessed by the number of parking tickets given out in years past. It's an example of how, in an era of over-enforcement - where politicians aim to solve seemingly every social problem through criminal laws or new rules forbidding unwanted behavior - there's frequently a lot more utilitarian bang for the buck from facilitating and incentivizing obedience to the law than from larding on more and more penalties.
The same observation can be made of high surcharges in Texas' Driver Responsibility Program, which has boosted the number of unlicensed, uninsured Texans in the state by more than a million people thanks to large civil surcharges in addition to criminal penalties, though its proponents said the opposite would happen. Sure, there are scofflaws who just won't pay, but the program's greatest failure is that it makes it too difficult for those who want to do the right thing to comply with the law. (Hopefully the proposed Amnesty and Indigency rules will in part assuage that problem.)
The lesson applies most especially to economic "crimes" committed by average people. In the case of parking tickets, "offenders" turned out to be willing to pay more if the city made it easier for them. (I can say from personal experience I'm more likely to add enough time on the meter using a credit card than I am using whatever random amount of change happens to be in my pocket.)
Another good example is criminalizing failure to carry auto liability insurance. I've suggested a "pay at the pump" scheme mostly because I think you'll never get every driver to individually purchase insurance, no matter how much you punish them. It's just not practical to force that many individuals against their will to enter into private commercial transactions, which is why after years of increasingly harsh enforcement tactics, the statewide uninsured motorist rate still hovers around 22%. Pay at the pump would make it not just easy for drivers to comply but impossible not to, using "coercion" that's more subtle than a cop with a gun and a badge.
Enforcement has its place, it's just often not the only or always the most effective solution. I chatted briefly the other day with Chief Art Acevedo of the Austin PD about graffiti and he readily agreed with me that rapid cleanup is far more effective as a deterrent than the threat of arrest, which in practice for most graff writers is relatively small. However, I also think it's worth exploring other non-enforcement approaches to diverting graff writers into productive and even economically beneficial pursuits.
The theme here: When criminal law is inadequate to solve a problem, or when it's being asked to solve social problems that should be beyond its purview, solutions should be more frequently sought outside the comfortable paradigm of criminalizing and punishing unwanted behavior. And such solutions will work better if they focus on aligning themselves with how people actually behave (e.g., allowing credit-card use for parking) than maximally punishing them for failing to comply with unreasonable demands by the state (requiring coinage in an age when they're becoming anachronisms).
Labels: Driver Responsibility Fee, graffiti, parking
Commissioners sending a message on Smith County Jail
Judging from statements in this KLTV-Tyler story, you can already count 3 of 5 votes on the Smith County Commissioners Court who are sold on bypassing voters to expand the county jail. "Commissioners say after four defeats, the jail's need for growth is so important, they are considering certificates of obligation," reported the TV station.
We already knew Smith County Judge Joel Baker is for building a jail by hook or by crook, and it was Commissioner Jeff Warr who proposed using "certificates of obligation" instead of voter approved debt. KLTV quotes a third commissioner agreeing up front that voters need only be informed, but their permission need not be requested: "'Really and truly, if it came down to issuing CO's, I would vote with Co's in a minute, but I would still make sure the public knew what was going on,' said Precinct 4 Commissioner JoAnn Hampton."
Earlier this week, Smith County released its "Comprehensive Plan to Alleviate Jail Overcrowding" (pdf) which amounts to nothing but a $33 million jail expansion. That's not a "comprehensive" plan at all: It focuses only on capacity and not reducing inmate numbers. This smaller jail expansion is surely more appropriate than the massive "Taj Majal" versions proposed in the past. But it's pointless if not coupled with measures to reduce the county's astronomical incarceration rate, which is by far the highest among Texas counties with more than 150,000 population. And it flies in the face of repeated refusals by voters to issue new debt for the jail.
I hear politicians yammering all the time that their legislation "sends a message." So what message does it send if, when voters continually deny them permission to build a jail, commissioners just quit asking and do it anyway?
Labels: County jails, Smith County
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Angel Olsen Shares Cover of 'Mr. Lonely' for 'Kajillionaire' Soundtrack
Angel Olsen. Credit: Press
Angel Olsen has shared a cover of Bobby Vinton's 1962 classic 'Mr. Lonely', which appears on the soundtrack for Miranda July's upcoming film Kajillionaire. A snippet of the cover, which was recorded with the film's composer Emile Mosseri, was originally featured on the film's trailer, but has now been released in full. Listen to it below.
"Suddenly there she was," Olsen said in a statement about her involvement in the film. "THE MIRANDA JULY in my text messages. She was working on songs with Emile for the upcoming film Kajillionaire, which at the time I knew nothing about. I just so happened to be in Los Angeles. So I met with them both, and we talked about cadence and we talked about life and we talked about the film."
"Miranda directed me to sing the cover in the way she and Emile thought it would represent the feelings behind the film," she added. "It was a lovely experience. Later, Miranda and I went outside for a little break and we did a little improv with each other. Just us."
Both the film and its soundtrack are set for release on September 25. Olsen's latest studio album, Whole New Mess, came out last month. The singer-songwriter also recently covered George Harrison's 'Beware of Darkness'.
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The Vuelta a Burgos is currently held in early August. The first edition in 1946 was a professional race. The 1947 race is listed a "Professional (Open)". It was not run again until 1981, and from then until 1986 it was classed as an open race.
Since 1986 it has been a professional race and was given the HC designation in 2005. In 1946 and 1947 the race had 4 stages. Since then it has fluctuated between 5 and 6 stages.
With its early to mid-August place on the racing calender, the Vuelta a Burgos is used by some riders as a pre-Vuelta tune-up.
Recent editions have more results data, just click on the year in the left-hand column.
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At Pure Indulgence, the staff and clients just love everything about BENEV. The Growth Factor DNA Serum is perfect for post-laser treatment. We recommend the GF-DNA to all our clients as they are always looking for that perfect product, and we think we found it. It encourages new skin cell generation to replace the dull and aging skin and leaves you with a youthful, more smooth complexion.
We are delighted to provide BENEV skin care products to our patients. BENEV has provided excellent customer service support and staff training to allow us to provide professional grade skin care to the patients. We have cultivated quite a loyal following for the BENEV products, not just from our patients but also our own staff. It's been a pleasure to work with BENEV Company, and we look forward to their new and improved skin care products.
quality product line that delivers great results. Not only do I use it as an esthetician, I recommend it to all of my clients as well.
BENEV stays on the cutting edge of the industry by utilizing today's technology to reinvent their products! Their customer service and care in the packaging and arrival of product is the best.
BENEV products and back bar supplementation have become an intricate part of our skin care program at this practice. We specialize in multiple laser procedures, which are extremely compatible with the BENEV line pre- and post-care. The cultural chemical peels were the missing link in our professional services, and our patients have noted efficacious results. I especially have found the ability to layer peels by custom diagnosis to be both stable and highly receptive from day one for our patients.
I had the privilege of training at BENEV and visiting the entire facility, which was most impressive, and the training was of the highest professionalism. BENEV staff offers exceptional support to practices. I highly endorse both the products and the company.
My patients are sophisticated and look to me for advice that is rooted in medical facts, not marketing or optimism. BENEV products, supported by clinical and basic science, have created an extensive line of cosmeceuticals that allow me to address the needs of my specific patient demographic. The BENEV SkinStamp, a variation of the well known process of skin needling, has provided patients with a non-laser, low-tech but nonetheless effective cosmetic skin treatment. Finally, I educate patients to realize all "cosmetic" creams are typically not manufactured as stringently as BENEV, i.e., in a USA based FDA registered facility regulated and inspected by the FDA.
We have two businesses: a high-risk OB practice as well as a Wellness Center. We chose the BENEV line after extensive research because of the safety of the products for pregnant women and the outcomes they achieve. We have been extremely pleased with the line. BENEV staff educated our staff, both those who had used BENEV for awhile and were familiar with the line, as well as those who were not. Thank you for the excellence you have achieved in both product and personnel.
We see consistent improvement in patients' skin after treatments with BENEV GF Rejuvenating Complex. It is a simple, inexpensive, and effective procedure. BENEV GF-DNA Serum is an excellent post-treatment home care product. The BENEV growth factors line has been designed with scientists from the University of California, Irvine and compounded at their own FDA-registered drug manufacturing facility under exact scientific principles and conditions.
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addCommandHandler("createdevcar",
function(player,cmd,model)
if model then
local x,y,z = getElementPosition(player)
local rx,ry,rz = getElementRotation(player)
local int = player:getInterior()
local dim = player:getDimension()
local vehicle = player:addPlayerCar(model,x,y,z,rx,ry,rz,int,dim,player:getName())
warpPedIntoVehicle(player,vehicle)
else
outputChatBox("Kein Model angegeben!",player,255,0,0)
end
end)
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This is Bj�rk's "Icelandic" album - made with the Icelandic String Quartet and full of raw backing electronic beats that she feels describe audially what Iceland's landscape looks like with its rugged mountains, volcanoes, and geysers.
The songs are very personal and yet universal at the same time, with very simple but deep lyrics. The best two examples of that are my two favorite songs on the album, which appear one after another, J�ga and Unravel. J�ga is perhaps one of the prettiest songs Bjork has done, the strings are almost classical sounding, but also passionate sounding at the the same time, the vocals are pretty but even more passionate, and all of this is on top of a great backing beat. J�ga is the name of her best friend who she wrote the song for, and she says "coincidence makes sense only with you...you don't have to speak I feel emotional landscapes" and that her friend brings her to a "State of emergency...how beautiful to be" Great lyrics. And you can hear the excitement in her voice when she says "how beautiful to be"
we'll have to make new love"
so simple and yet it's defintely some of the best poetry I've ever heard. This whole song is simple, but it is very powerful and soothing.
Soothing is a theme on the album, as in "All Neon Like" she sing "Don't get angry with yourself, I'll heal you" People may think overly emotional people can be weak, but Bjork shows the power in that kind of person to be able to heal.
And at the end of the album is "All is Full of Love" - one of most people's favorite Bjork songs once they hear it with a great message for anyone who's ever felt unloved- which I'm guessing is everyone.
Check this album out if you want to hear some of Bjork's best work, because it's simple, direct, heartfelt, and beautiful.
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Interpreter from Trump-Putin summit may be forced into congressional spotlight
ABC News,
(ABC News)- Only one American was a firsthand witness to President Donald Trump's summit last summer with Russian President Vladimir Putin: veteran State Department translator Marina Gross.
Gross' job is to blend into the background and seamlessly help two leaders communicate. But now there is mounting interest in seeing Gross step into the spotlight, as Democrats on the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees seek an explanation for what exactly transpired behind closed doors in Helsinki.
"It may be unprecedented to subpoena a translator to reveal the details of a private meeting between the president and another world leader," wrote Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-N.J., in a letter last summer, when the idea of debriefing her was first raised. "But Trump's actions are unprecedented in a way that harms our national security."
Lawyers for the two committees are planning to meet Monday to evaluate their legal options for subpoenaing both Gross and another interpreter, who was present during a meeting in Hamburg, Germany, between Trump and Putin that occurred without aides present.
When Democrats took control of the House earlier this month, some members voiced concerns that interviewing interpreters would be a significant break in protocol. They argued the precedent could be problematic for future administrations by making it more difficult to conduct face-to-face diplomacy. They also raised concerns they could face objections from White House lawyers, who could mount a legal argument that the president's executive privilege extends to the interpreter.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin attends the G20 Leaders' Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Nov. 30, 2018.
But a senior Democratic aide on the House Foreign Affairs Committee said a new report in The Washington Post has "changed the calculus." It describes the president going to extraordinary lengths to conceal details of his conversations with Putin, including moves Trump allegedly took to seize notes from the interpreter at a meeting he held with Putin in Hamburg.
"This raises a new host of questions," the aide said. "We're looking into the legal implications of that and we'll discuss our options. Our lawyers are sitting down with intel committee lawyers to hash it out."
Trump denied Saturday that he was trying to conceal details from the meeting.
"I'm not keeping anything under wraps," Trump told Fox News. "Anybody could have listened to that meeting, that meeting is up for grabs."
Brett Bruen, who served as the White House director of global engagement from 2013 to 2015, said the move to interview Gross would be unusual but is within the scope of Congress' oversight authority.
"I don't ever recall an interpreter being subpoenaed — I don't see how they wouldn't be subjected like anyone else who is a government employee or contractor," said Bruen, who served on President Barack Obama's National Security Council staff.
Russian President Vladimir Putin looks through a binocular as he visits the training ground "Telemba", during the military exercises Vostok 2018 in Eastern Siberia, Russia, Sept. 13, 2018.
Russian President Vladimir Putin looks through a binocular as he visits the training ground "Telemba", during the military exercises Vostok 2018 in Eastern Siberia, Russia, Sept. 13, 2018.
"You can't make the argument that it's part of internal deliberations that's part of the executive privilege. It's a meeting with a foreign leader that has broad implications for America's national security, so Congress has the right to oversee that," he said.
House Democrats are not drafting subpoenas, another committee aide cautioned, but instead are reviewing the best way forward and which committee would submit the request should they decide to make it. The source said a committee vote is weeks away.
In the days following the Helsinki summit in July, Democrats on the House Intel Committee filed an initial motion seeking a subpoena to interview Gross but it was quickly shot down by Republicans.
House Intel Chairman Adam Schiff tweeted his interest on Sunday in reopening those efforts.
"Last year, we sought to obtain the interpreter's notes or testimony, from the private meeting between Trump and Putin," Schiff said in a tweet. "The Republicans on our committee voted us down. Will they join us now? Shouldn't we find out whether our president is really putting 'America first?'"
His spokesperson declined to comment.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel of New York recently announced that he's forming a separate investigative subcommittee to investigate Trump's interactions with Putin.
President Donald Trump (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin arrive for a meeting in Helsinki, July 16, 2018.
"Every time Trump meets with Putin, the country is told nothing," Engel said in a statement. "We will be holding hearings on the mysteries swirling around Trump's bizarre relationship with Putin and his cronies and how those dark dealings affect our national security."
The foreign affairs committee aide said subpoenaing the interpreter was previously seen as a nuclear option but Democratic members have warmed to the idea because of the new argument that documents may have been removed from the public domain.
Even though Congress will issue the subpoena to the State Department, the White House can step in to slow or block the request.
Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said Sunday it's "premature" to be subpoenaing interpreters.
"I've seen the allegations," Cruz said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "I want to find out a little bit more about what happened there. I want to learn more than just the allegations in the press."
A State Department spokesperson declined to comment.
Tags: putin, translator, Trump
Boston, Henderson help No. 1 South Carolina beat Arkansas
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What do you need to get pre approved for getting a USDA Rural housing loan in Ocoee?
It's definitely still reasonably easy taking into account all the new changes that have occurred in the mortgage sector during the last 5 years. Mortgage loans in 2013 will be "back to basics" most of the time. Gone are the days of qualifying for a mortgage loan without having any income, below-average credit, etc. Homebuyers at present with good credit, reliable documentation of earnings and acceptable debt usually have no trouble obtaining pre-qualification for a mortgage right away.
All Govt mortgages (VA, USDA and FHA) essentially need the same things to get pre-approval.
Let's consider a few main points to take into consideration when choosing a government loan.
Most of the time a 640 FICO score is required to get pre approved for any of the federal home mortgages today, including USDA, FHA and VA. Still take into account that a 640 credit rating doesn't assure you mortgage agreement as almost all banks and lenders have even more waiting specifications in terms of home buyers because of any past personal bankruptcy, real estate foreclosure, or short sales. More time is also needed for USDA Rural loans. A clear 12 month payment history on any other consumer credit trade lines is important to look after.
It needs to be reliable and documented in 2013. The era of said income or loans without documentation are gone forever. Revealing source of income properly can cause an issue with independently employed or 1099 labor, specially those which have not been self employed for not less than two years. Banks and lenders usually need to see a Two year history of employment. Minor holes in your personal employment history might be alright, just as long the space isn"t too lengthy, or unexplainable. Recent college graduates are normally exempt from a Two year employment history rule.
Choices are available to any home buyer thinking about buying a dwelling in a rural defined geographic location. Click here for the USDA eligibility map. USDA loans have got earning limitations depending on number of people in the home, region, etc. Please click here for more information on Florida USDA income limitations. USDA, as well as the VA, are definitely the only home mortgages in Florida that have 100% financing with Zero down payment.
These loans are accessible throughout Florida for any homebuyer that is approved. FHA home mortgages need a minimum 3.5% down payment, there are no earnings limitations, boundaries or location policies. Contact us to learn learn more about FHA mortgage loan conditions in the state of Florida.
Accessible to all eligible prior and current military service members. Please contact us to get more information on VA home mortgages in Florida.
Home-owners that presently have a FHA, VA and USDA loan should look into the wide variety of simplified home refinance choices available on the market now. These kinds of options will allow household owners to re-finance REGARDLESS of the mortgage to value relative amount. If you currently have a USDA Home loan, contact us to learn about the Pilot program. Interest rates are presently at all time low levels!
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Here are our currently listed Workshops for the coming year. This calendar is updated constantly so please check back! Click the workshop text for more information about the training (as information becomes available) or click the link below to register! Click here to see a summary of the daily schedule of events! To avoid late registration fees (and to guarantee availibility), register before two weeks prior to the start date of the workshop you would like to attend.
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Using Public Records to Identify People and Related Information Online
According to the latest report, more consumers are turning to vital records to find comprehensive people-related data. Millions of consumers have found that information that is included in these records can often be a little more comprehensive, informative and targeted than doing traditional people searches through general purpose search engines, white page listings or https://www.smore.com/zs9gm-arizona-background-public-records social networking web sites.
Online public record search sites offer access to an aggregated, comprehensive report on both offline and internet-based resources making records easier to appear. In the case of 1 free records site, it offers consumers the ability to search for records from around the world. Information found in public places records can help consumers, employers and business associates assess a person's reputation, find assets, identify affiliations or relationships, uncover evidence of legal problems or conduct research on just about anything that pertains to that individual.
As government entities still provide as well as more vital records online, it users both a tremendous opportunity and challenge. On United States, there is not centrally available database where all of these records are integrated. Most of the details sought is recorded in a variety of public records that are maintained many databases across countries, agencies, states and cities, and includes information such as:
Marriages and divorces
Previous and current addresses
While many users are able to use search engines to find sources for that billions of records that are available in federal, state and local databases, strategy could have a lot of their time and effort to get results might possibly or could not be accurate, comprehensive or up to date. Online criminal record sites help simplify the search process by listing hundreds of public record sources and both are updated weekly.
Public records are government records and customarily include marketplace records, court records, including bankruptcies, liens and judgments, professional licenses, intellectual property filings and business records, such as business filings, public company filings and UCCs. Federal or state regulations determines what is a public record. Because the laws in the 50 states vary, just how public in a single state perhaps might not be an additional. For example, under Maine law, voter registration records may double to get a missing heir. But records cannot be accessed for this, or another non-political purpose, in different states. Similarly, records could be searched for misdemeanors or felonies, but a state's criminal repository – the company responsible for maintaining criminal histories – may bar access to official rapsheets.
Information the actual reason not a part of a public record might become public through several legitimate means. Specific might volunteer it. Individuals with a public telephone number choose (by accepting a public listing) to publish it. One particular of the tend to be ways private information becomes public, though, via disclosure in a public information. Bankruptcies and divorce filings typically contain information that is personal. Vehicle accident reports sometimes provide vehicle identification numbers (VIN), license plate numbers.
Why Instagram Is So Powerful for Your Business and Brand
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Lombardy, a division of northern Italy, lying between lat. 44° 54' and 46° 37' N., and lon. 8° 32' and 10° 50' E., and bounded N. by the Alps, which separate it from Switzerland and Tyrol, E. by Venetia, S. by Parma, Pia-cenza, and Liguria, and W. by Piedmont; area (inclusive of portions of Piedmont comprised in the province of Pavia), 9,085 sq. m.; pop. in 1872, 3,460,824. It is divided into the provinces of Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona, Milan, Pavia, and Sondrio. The province of Mantua, formerly part of Lombardy, has been lately added to Venetia, reducing the area to about 8,000 sq. m. and the population to 3,104,838. The greater part of the country is a plain sloping southward from the Alps toward the river Po, and which, being profusely watered and highly cultivated under a genial climate, is one of the richest and most productive regions in the world. Sondrio and the greater part of Como and Bergamo are mountainous, lying on the southern slope of the Alps. Among the most celebrated summits on the borders of Lombardy is the Splu-gen. Immediately S. of the mountain region is a sub-alpine or hilly district, beyond which spreads the great plain.
The principal rivers are the Po and its tributaries, the Ticino, Olona, Adda, Oglio, Chiese, and Mincio. The lakes are large and important, and renowned for their picturesque beauty. The most remarkable are the Lago Maggiore and Lake Lugano, which are partly in Switzerland, the lake of Como, and the lake of Garda, the largest and one of the most beautiful of Italian lakes, separating Lombardy from Venetia on the east. The climate is healthy except in the marshy districts, and mild except among the mountains of the north. The winter lasts about two months, and on the plains snow scarcely ever remains on the ground. In the mountain region are forests of fir, oak, larch, birch, and chestnut. The southern declivities of the mountains produce the vine, the mulberry, and a variety of fruit trees common to the temperate zone. The sub-alpine region and the great plain produce silk, wine, maize, millet, chestnuts, orchard fruits, and vegetables. The mineral products of Lombardy, comprising iron, copper, lead, alabaster, etc, are unimportant. - The Lombards are fine types of the Italian nation, blending the most attractive qualities common to all their countrymen with some of the characteristics peculiar to the Teutonic races.
They are generally intelligent and amiable, and fine specimens of physical beauty abound among both sexes. Education is widely diffused. The dominant religion is the Roman Catholic, but the number of Protestants is increasing; that of Jews hardly exceeds 3,000. More than two thirds of the population are employed in agriculture. The country is better cultivated than any other in Europe. Irrigation, for which the streams afford ample facilities, is universally and skilfully employed. The water of the rivers is so distributed by canals that there are few farms without a copious supply. The purchase and sale of water for irrigation forms a business of much importance, and is conducted with great strictness, the volume of water being accurately measured and paid for at a high rate. Great attention is bestowed upon meadows, and the maintenance of live stock in the best possible condition. The chief labor of ploughing is performed by oxen. The live stock is fed entirely in stalls on grass, which can be cut from the meadows all the year round. Pigs are fattened on Indian corn. Horses, mules, and asses are employed for draught. The dairies are extensive, and are managed with great care and with the most scrupulous cleanliness.
They produce immense quantities of excellent cheese, known throughout Europe as Parmesan from having been originally exported from Parma. The farms are generally small, most of them varying in size from 7 to 25 acres. The most numerous class of cultivators, called coloni or colonists, occupy cottages with less than three acres of land. Silk is the staple production. Rice was introduced from the East as early as the 10th century, but its cultivation is restricted by the government on account of its insalubrity.
Maize is the grain most extensively raised, one third of the arable land being devoted to it. The average product per acre is said to be 25 bushels, and on the richest lands from 50 to nearly 80 bushels. Wheat is chiefly raised in the alpine region. The grape vines are trained upon trees, and extend in graceful festoons from one tree to another. Wine is abundant, but generally of inferior quality. Potatoes are little cultivated, and their production is almost exclusively confined to the alpine region; they are not relished by the people, and most attempts to extend their cultivation have failed. The chief manufacture is that of silk, but cotton, woollen, and flax manufactures are likewise extensive; and there are considerable iron works in various parts of the country. - Lombardy was anciently a part of Cisalpine Gaul. It owes its present name to the Lombards, Longobardi, or Lango-bardi, an ancient Germanic people of Suevic race, whose name is derived in some of their national writings from their habit of wearing long beards, while some modern critics derive it from Ger. lang, long, and Barte, in Old German a battle club, or from lang and Borde, in Low German a bank of a river.
The last refers to the banks of the Elbe, where they first appear in history in the time of the emperor Augustus. Having figured for some time in the history of Arminius and Marbo-duus, they soon after disappeared, and in the 5th century reappeared in Hungary on the northern bank of the Danube, which they crossed in the following century after a successful war of extermination against their former masters, the Heruli. South of the Danube, in Pannonia, they carried on a protracted war against the Gepidae; and after the final annihilation of their enemies they crossed the Julian Alps under their victorious king Alboin, and in northern Italy founded, in 568, a powerful state, with feudal institutions. Their kingdom lasted for more than 200 years, their most remarkable monarchs being Autharis, who embraced Christianity; Rotharis, who promulgated a code of written laws in 643; Grimoald, who reformed the laws of the preceding; Luitprand, who conquered Ravenna in 728; Astolphus, who attempted the conquest of Rome; and Desiderius, with whom the kingdom ended, being conquered by Charlemagne in 774. Under the successors of the latter the Lombard cities, with Milan at their head, grew prosperous and powerful, and adopted republican institutions.
After a long struggle with the emperors, these cities became independent by the treaty of Constance in 1183. The family of the Visconti soon afterward became powerful in Milan, of which city Giovanni Galeazzo Visconti became duke in 1395, with an extensive territory. His daughter Valen-tina married Louis, duke of Orleans, whence arose in the early part of the 16th century a claim on the part of France to the duchy, which was then in possession of the house of Sforza. The emperor Charles V. supported Francesco Sforza against the French, and in 1540, after Francesco's death, bestowed Milan as a vacant fief of the empire on his son Philip II.; and it continued to be a possession of the Spanish crown till 1706, when it was annexed by Austria. In 1796 Bonaparte conquered Lombardy, and it became successively a part of the Cisalpine republic, of the Italian republic (1801), and of the kingdom of Italy (1805). It was restored to Austria after the downfall of Napoleon by the treaties of 1815, and was united with Venice to form the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom of the Austrian empire.
By the treaty of Zurich, Nov. 10, 1859, the whole of Lombardy, with the exception of the fortresses of Mantua and Peschiera, was added to the dominions of Victor Emanuel, to which these fortresses with all Venetia were also annexed by the treaty of Vienna of 1866.
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Christ at the Checkpoint 2012 organiser Alex Awad has a track record of preaching anti-Zionism around the world. Most notoriously, in May 2008, Awad attended the Voice of Palestine 60th Nakba Conference hosted in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Here is a picture of Awad (far-right) with Holocaust denier Fred Tobin (second-from-left):
You can read conference-attendee and Holocaust-denier Fred Tobin's account of events in Jakarta here. You can see the aims of the Voice Of Palestine conference here. According to Tobin's report, Awad advocated a one-state solution, as did others at the event.
Also in attendance was Ayatollah Khomeini's daughter Zahra Mostafavi from Iran, who has previously urged children to become suicide bombers. Fellow Checkpoint 2012organiser Stephen Sizer also spoke at this conference.
You can see a list of speakers, including representatives from Hamas and Hezbollah, here. You can see photos of Awad at the conference here and here alongside, among others, Neturei Karta Jews Dovid Weiss and Aharon Cohen.
According to the Voice of Palestine website, Awad was representing the Bethlehem Bible College at this event.
The website Kesher Talk has previously highlighted the controversy surrounding Bethlehem Bible College and the Awad family, and cites Alex Awad and brother Bishara (himself President of the college) as having said:
"Palestinian Christians view Israel, and not Arafat, as the problem."
And here for more about the Awad family's views on Arafat.
It is worth noting that Alex Awad blames Israel for suicide bombings, and claims:
"When we fight for a piece of land, we use religion to rally people, to excite people to build zeal among the people so they will help accomplish a goal. Religion is used in the conflict, but it's about land. The Muslim is fighting the Jew because of what the Jew took by force."
One blogger reviewing Alex Awad's book Palestinian Memories wrote:
"While Alex Awad has no problem detailing many instances of injustice committed by Israelis against Christians, he completely denies that there are any injustices committed by Muslims. Alex Awad has allowed his hate of Israelis to affect biblical worldview."
Awad's writing is used approvingly by the Amos Trust, who were recently criticised in the press for manipulating Christmas to advance a political agenda. Awad himself frequently writes articles critical of Israel and Zionism.
Whilst the faculty at Bethlehem Bible College are busy asking questions of Israel, it seems they have a lot to answer to themselves.
Tagged as Alex Awad, Christ at the Checkpoint
Here is Palestinian Lutheran priest Mitri Raheb speaking at Christ in the Checkpoint 2010:
Actually, Israel represents Rome of the Bible, not the people of the land. And this is not only because I'm a Palestinian. I'm sure if we were to do a DNA test between David, who was a Bethlehemite, and Jesus, born in Bethlehem, and Mitri, born just across the street from where Jesus was born, I'm sure the DNA will show that there is a trace. While, if you put King David, Jesus and Netanyahu, you will get nothing, becauseNetanyahu comes from an East European tribe who converted to Judaism in the Middle Ages. I said that I would be pushing a bit the envelope but so far you are surviving. I'm glad for that.And being born just across the street from where Jesus was born, I always loved to say that most probably one of my grand, grand, grand, grandmas used to babysit for Jesus.
It is a myth that Jews aren't really Jews by blood, and it is absurd to suggest Palestinian Arabs have more common DNA with the Biblical Israelites than Israeli Jews today do.
So why does Raheb make this unsubstantiated claim?
I think we know why.
I wonder how the Messianic Jews attending Christ At The Checkpoint 2012 will respond to these outrageous claims. I hope they will respond assertively.
Tagged as Christ at the Checkpoint
What is the value of this statement?
Anti-Zionist author Colin Chapman speaking in 2010, at Christ at the Checkpoint:
The early biographies of the Prophet show that he had a very difficult relationship with the three large Jewish tribes in Medina. He probably hoped and expected that they would recognize him as a prophet in the line of the OT prophets and was no doubt disappointed when they refused to recognize him and actively plotted against him, even siding with the pagan Meccans. Some of the harshest verses in the Qur"an are directed towards the Jewish people; for example: "You will find the most hostile people to the believers to be the Jews and the polytheists …" (3:64; cf 4:155; 5:64; 5:82-83). For centuries Jews and Christians lived relatively peacefully under Islamic rule throughout the Middle East and North Africa as dhimmis. But what seems to have happened is that the bad experience of Palestinian Muslims with Zionist immigrants after 1880 has reminded them of Muhammad"s bad experience with the Jews of Medina, encouraging them to apply the harsh verses about Jews in the Qur"an to Israeli Jews today. It must seem to Palestinian Muslims as if Jews of the modern period were simply repeating the hostile behaviour of Jews many centuries earlier towards the Prophet.
Tagged as Christ at the Checkpoint, Colin Chapman
The yeshiva massacre of 2008 at Mercaz HaRav:
The 8:45 p.m. shooting at the yeshiva in the Kiryat Moshe neighborhood broke a two-year lull in terror in the capital and sent students scurrying for cover from a hail of gunfire – a reported 500-600 bullets – that lasted for several minutes.
"There were horrendous screams of 'Help us! Help us!'" recounted Avrahami Sheinberger of the ZAKA emergency rescue service, one of the first to respond to the scene. "There were bodies strewn all over the floor, at the entrance to the yeshiva, in various rooms and in the library."
The teenage victims:
Arabs believe the act was planned by Mohamed Shehadeh:
IDF forces located and killed terrorist Muhammad Shehadeh and three other senior terrorists, aged 35 to 48, in the Palestinian Authority-controlled city of Bethlehem Wednesday.
Arab sources said Shehadeh was the mastermind behind the deadly terror attack on the Merkaz HaRav Yeshiva in Jerusalem a week ago. Israeli security officials flatly denied the claim.
When Shehadeh was assassinated, Christ at the Checkpoint 2012 organiser Sami Awad said:
'People admired Shehadeh's ability to stand up to the Israelis,'
Is planning the murder of teenagers, something that Sami Awad considers "standing up to the Israelis"?
Why does Awad not comment on the "peace" and "justice" of murdering eight teenagers, instead dwelling on how he was popularly "admired"?
I find it incredible, that Christian and Messianic leaders are willing to participate in the Christ at the Checkpoint conference, without a greater awareness of who is organising proceedings.
Tagged as Christ at the Checkpoint, Sami Awad
This is Gary Spedding:
Spedding heads up the Palestine Solidarity Society at Queen's University in Belfast. He also works for the Holy Land Trust charity, whose founder Sami Awad likes to defend and spend time with antisemites.
Sami Awad is an organiser of the controversial Christ at the Checkpoint conference.
Spedding writes, in response to my article on Awad:
What is so funny about this blog is that it holds zero truth to it and uses a fanatical attempt at discrediting three men who work for justice and peace with zero evidence.
Zero evidence that Awad likes to hang around with antisemitic priest Atallah Hanna, of course:
How is Atallah Hanna or Raed Salah committed to "peace" or "justice"?
Tagged as Atallah Hanna, Christ at the Checkpoint, Gary Spedding, Holy Land Trust, Raed Salah, Sami Awad
Protestant Church in the Netherlands: "We see no point in a public boycott of a country"
In May, following a meeting with leading members of the Jewish community, the Protestant Church in the Netherlands produced this statement:
Jews and Christians share the scriptures of the First Testament. Christians do not replace the Jews in the Salvation history of God with mankind. The bond God made with the Jewish people has not been suspended; in Christ, Christians of all nations share in the blessing of the God of Abraham. The bond means that replacement theology is being rejected, and that the Protestant Church will always declare herself against antisemitism.
In the self-understanding of the Jewish people land and state of Israel play an important part. For the Jewish people, the Holy Land is also the Promised Land. The Protestant Church acknowledges the right of the Jewish people to live safely in the land of Israel. The present state of Israel has a starting point of international law, which is also entirely, and gratefully acknowledged by the Protestant Church. Wherever the continued existence of the state of Israel is on the line or is denied or where the fundamental safety of the inhabitants is an issue, the Protestant Church feels herself to be called upon to speak out against this and to talk to her partners about this. The sense of insecurity Jews in the Netherlands often experience, shows a parallel to the concern regarding the safety of the state of Israel in the region, and indeed in the global community.
On the other hand, the Protestant Church is aware of the appeal of the Palestinian Christians and is called upon to be critical towards the actions of the state of Israel where the rights of Palestinians are concerned. The disunity which is sometimes experienced in this remains undiminished. Standing for the rights of the Palestinians is no abatement from the emphasis on the safety of the state of Israel and vice versa.
Pajamas Media has since reported:
Then a group of clerics and members from the Protestant Church in the Netherlands (PKN) organized a petition demanding an end to ties between the Protestant NGO Kerk in Actie and Sabeel after it was shown that officials of Kerk in Actie collaborated with Sabeel — an Arab-Christian group — in propagating blatant lies about Israel.
Although the petition was unsuccessful in separating Sabeel from the PKN, the PKN still considering Sabeel to be a voice of the Palestinian Christian people, the PKN nevertheless said this:
The Protestant Church does not support the aims of the flotilla. We think this is counterproductive. We see no point in a public boycott of a country.This disqualify a nation as a whole. That should not be in the case of Israel and not in the case of Gaza.
Ben White, the riot clean-ups and "broadly white" "popular fascism"
Ben White is a journalist and poet who writes things like:
I do not consider myself an anti-Semite, yet I can also understand why some are.
He likes to write about "resistance" in the Middle East – particularly in Palestine – and thinks violent resistance and non-violent resistance are"two sides of the same coin".
Here he is tweeting about the London riots:
The article he links to is written by Dr. Sofia Himmelblau. She claims:
By the symbolic cleaning, cleansing and casting out of the rioters from the community, the sweepers appear to enact the closest thing to popular fascism that we have seen on the streets of certain 'leafy' bits of London for years.
The idea that people cleaning up after riots, are like fascists in any way, is obviously absurd. Moreover, when you're thinking around the subject of fascism, Ben White isn't the best person to trust. White recommends the writing of a Holocaust denier, in his book about the Middle East.
In the article that White thinks is "brilliant", Dr Himmelblau claims that:
The strikingly middle-class, broadly white efforts to sweep issues of inequality under the carpet of a simulated big-society photo-op has been a telling, if little discussed, aspect of the recent rioting, making little headway in the scramble of blogposts and tweets attempting hasty analyses of the unfolding turmoil.
To illustrate her point about these "broadly white", Oswald Mosley-type fascists, Himmelblau posts this image:
But what's this?
Blabber Drive has uncovered something interesting!
Click the image below, to enlarge it:
It seems that Dr. Himmelblau edited out black people from her image, so she could portray the riot clean up as "broadly white". She thinks this point strengthens her argument about the riots being close to "popular fascism".
This is the kind of racist trash that Ben White swallows as serious political analysis.
Sorry Ben, stick to the poetry mate.
Islamic Republic and Peter Rushton
Important post from Potkin, an Iranian liberal blogger, about further connections between the neo-Nazi Far Right and Iran's Press TV – this time concerning the white supremacist Peter Rushton.
Sami Awad on nutty priests and Swastika-lovers
This is Sami Awad a BDS activist, who heads up the Holy Land Trust:
Awad talks about "nonviolent" resistance, but he's not too hung up on the point, saying:
Our goal is to involve all people in the popular resistance. I call for every person to ask themselves each day when they wake up what they can do that day to resist the occupation, whether it is coming up with a new slogan or music, writing something, it doesn't matter what. What does matter, what is crucially important, is that all people are engaged in this popular struggle.
This is not a substitute for the armed struggle. This is not a method for normalization with the occupation. Our goal is to revive the popular resistance until every person is involved in dismantling the occupation."
Awad will be talking at the Christ at the Checkpoint conference 2012, alongside various Christian antizionists who have been associated with terrorists, and recommend the writings of Holocaust deniers.
Ben White has been pushing this conference on the Methodist blog Connexions.
Sami Awad presents himself as a moderate, but he is not quite so moderate as he appears.
Certainly Awad doesn't help his own credibility much, by hosting the crazy antizionist Greek Orthodox priest Atallah Hanna at the Holy Land Trust:
According to reports in popular evangelical magazine Christianity Today, Atallah Hanna supports suicide bombings – a position that drew outrage from the paper. Hanna apparently said this:
As you know, political parties in Palestine agree to the continuation of the intifada, which includes different approaches of struggle. Some freedom fighters adopt martyrdom or suicide bombing, while others opt for other measures. But all these struggles serve the continued intifada for freedom. Therefore, we support all these causes.
We are part of the intifada, so you don't expect us to keep distance and watch. We are in the struggle, whether it's martyrdom or any other means, we are part of it.
Hanna has since denied these things, although mpac-UK report he has. Here you can see Hanna ranting about "Satanic" and diabolical Zionism, and promising that Palestine will be free "from the river to the sea":
Both Sami Awad (RTing Sizer) and Atallah Hanna have been defending theantisemite and Swastika fan Raed Salah, in public.
I hope other speakers at Christ at the Checkpoint 2012 will challenge Awad on his ties to Hanna and his defence of Salah, which ought to cause great concern about his ministry.
Tagged as Holy Land Trust, Sami Awad
Sami Awad compares Palestinian terrorists with Jesus, and Israel with Herod
Sami Awad, writing in Independent Catholic News:
Troops who passed the Holy family in vigour entering Bethlehem from all corners in order to search for and kill the potential baby 'terrorist' who was some day to lead a revolt against oppression, become King and put an end to the reign of Herod. I was not able to take this story out of my mind as we were driving on dirt roads around Bethlehem and Beit Jala trying to leave Bethlehem slowly in a car with big TV letters (Press) taped to it, passing by big Israeli army tanks and army personnel carriers each pointing their guns at us. Israeli army troops were being brought from all corners into Bethlehem like Herod's soldiers. Herod had lied to the Wise Men when he said that he wanted to find the baby Prince of Peace in order to honour him. Sharon lies to the world when he says that he wants to enter Bethlehem (and other Palestinian cities) in order to bring peace to the Palestinians and Israelis by rooting out "terrorist" cells and destroying them.
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The Realm of Souls expansion continues in beta over on Steam, and the time is ticking down to release, and to help pass the time while we wait for the release I have another image for you to ponder over!
This time around it is Remnant of the Other Side, one of the new Spells that comes with the expansion, that allows you grab a Soulbound card from somewhere on the board. If you are unfamiliar with the term Soulbound, it is used for an Object or Follower who stays with you when you pass through the veil to the Realm of Souls (or vice versa).
Hopefully we'll find out a little more in the coming weeks from Nomad Games and Asmodee Digital, but in the mean time I have a few more sneak peeks to show you, so come back soon!
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When we have friends or family stay at Promhills, we like to take them for breakfast at Shallow Inlet Beach, Sandy Point. It really sets the tone for the rest of the day, and if the sun is shining and the tides are mid-tide, that's a bonus. Be sure to check the tides before heading here - at high tide it's often not possible to drive on to the beach, where at low tide you can drive right around the sand bar. Next time you're staying here, be sure to ask for directions and a map.
We occasionally sneak over with a takeaway for dinner too! No better way to relax after a hard day than watching the sunset over the water with an ice cold beer and a pizza! Pizza courtesy of the Sandy Point Cafe.
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INFLUENCE & POLICY
ATBLOG
Alabama Today
Home 2017 Ted Cruz, Bernie Sanders emerge victorious in Wisconsin primaries
Ted Cruz, Bernie Sanders emerge victorious in Wisconsin primaries
Republican Ted Cruz stormed to a commanding victory in Wisconsin Tuesday, denting front-runner Donald Trump's chances of capturing the GOP nomination before the party's convention. Democrat Bernie Sanders triumphed over Hillary Clinton but still faces a mathematically difficult path to the White House.
Trump's defeat capped one of the worst periods of his campaign, a brutal stretch that highlighted his weaknesses with women and raised questions about his policy depth. While the billionaire businessman still leads the Republican field, Cruz and an array of anti-Trump forces hope Wisconsin signals the start of his decline.
"Tonight is a turning point," Cruz told cheering supporters at a victory rally. "It is a call from the hardworking people of Wisconsin to America. We have a choice. A real choice."
Cruz, a Texas senator with a complicated relationship with Republican leaders, also cast his victory as a moment for unity in a party that has been roiled by a contentious primary campaign.
But Trump was unbowed. His campaign put out a biting statement: "Ted Cruz is worse than a puppet— he is a Trojan horse, being used by the party bosses attempting to steal the nomination from Mr. Trump."
Sanders's sweeping win in virtually every county in Wisconsin, except Milwaukee, gives him greater incentive to keep competing against Clinton. But he still trails her in the pledged delegate count and has so far been unable to persuade superdelegates— the party officials who can back any candidate — to drop their allegiance to the former secretary of state and back his campaign.
At a raucous rally in Wyoming, Sanders cast his victory as a sign of mounting momentum for his campaign.
"With our victory tonight is Wisconsin, we have now won 7 out of 8 of the last caucuses and primaries," he declared.
The results in Wisconsin make it likely both parties' primaries will continue deep into the spring, draping front-runners Trump and Clinton in uncertainty and preventing both from fully setting their sights on the general election.
With an overwhelming white electorate and liberal pockets of voters, Wisconsin was favorable territory for Sanders. In a sign of Clinton's low expectations in the Midwestern state, she spent Tuesday night at a fundraiser with top donors in New York City.
Clinton congratulated Sanders on Twitter and thanked her supporters in Wisconsin. "To all the voters and volunteers who poured your hearts into this campaign: Forward!" she wrote.
Sanders' win will net him a handful of additional delegates, but he'll still lag Clinton significantly. With 86 delegates at stake in Wisconsin, Sanders will pick up at least 44 and Clinton will gain at least 28.
That means Sanders must still win 67 percent of the remaining delegates and uncommitted superdelegates in order to win the Democratic presidential nomination.
While Trump has been the dominant force in the Republican race, he battled a series of campaign controversies in the lead-up to Wisconsin, including his campaign manager's legal problems following an altercation with a female reporter and his own awkward stumbles in clarifying his views on abortion. Wisconsin's Republican establishment, including Gov. Scott Walker, has also campaigned aggressively against the businessman.
Exit polls in the state underscored the concerns about Trump that are surging through some corners of the Republican Party. A majority of Republican voters said they're either concerned or scared of a potential Trump presidency. More than a third said they were scared about what Trump would do as president, and about 2 in 10 said they were concerned, according to surveys conducted by Edison Research for The Associated Press and television networks.
The Texas senator was poised to collect most of Wisconsin's 42 Republican delegates.
Trump still has a narrow path to claim the nomination by the end of the primaries on June 7. But by losing Wisconsin, the real estate mogul has little room for error in upcoming contests.
Complicating the primary landscape for both Cruz and Trump is the continuing candidacy of John Kasich. The Ohio governor's only victory has come in his home state, but he's still picking up delegates that could otherwise help Trump inch closer to the nomination or help Cruz catch up.
To win a prolonged convention fight, a candidate would need support from the individuals selected as delegates. The process of selecting those delegates is tedious, and will test the mettle of Trump's slim campaign operation.
Cruz prevailed in an early organizational test in North Dakota, scooping up endorsements from delegates who were selected at the party's state convention over the weekend. While all 28 go to the national convention as free agents, 10 said in interviews they were committed to Cruz. None has so far endorsed Trump.
Despite the concern among some Wisconsin Republicans about Trump becoming president, nearly 6 in 10 GOP voters there said the party should nominate the candidate with the most support in the primaries, which so far would be Trump. Even among voters who favored Cruz, 4 in 10 said the candidate with the most support going into the convention should be the party's nominee.
Republished with permission of the Associated Press.
2016 presidential race
Wisconsin primary
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Condemn Donald Trumps tweets? Here's a round-up of what the Alabama delegation thought about it
PhilAmmann April 5, 2016 at 10:35 pm
.TedCruz, BernieSanders emerge victorious in #Wisconsin primaries https://t.co/cRWI5DtQLP #ALPolitics AlabamaToday #ALToday
veri_fied_17 April 5, 2016 at 10:42 pm
RT @PhilAmmann: .TedCruz, BernieSanders emerge victorious in #Wisconsin primaries https://t.co/cRWI5DtQLP #ALPolitics AlabamaToday #ALToday
Condemn Donald Trumps tweets? Here's a round-up of what the Alabama...
Fundraising heats up in the congressional race to replace Bradley Byrne
Alabama Today will be the first place Alabamians of influence go for an inside look at breaking statewide, political and business news. Led by Apryl Marie Fogel, a political activist with over a decade of experience, the Alabama Today team includes freelance news reporters, as well as guest columnists from around the state.
Contact us: [email protected]
Hillary Clinton on track to capture Democratic nomination
Republican Convention: what to watch for on Day 3
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campbell women's lacrosse roster
He was six inches taller than your run-of-the-mill second row forward, meaning that it was always an intimidating experience going up against him. Despite his immense size, Richie is equally capable on the field. Taylor, Shae She can owe a lot of thanks to her father, who coached her through the hardest of times. "It's not one of those deals where he's overly fat," Coach Steven Smith said. Hanson, Olivia Strickland, Katie It is no wonder then how the Miami Dolphins held on to his services for six years since his drafting in 2007. She had suffered a heart attack a week beforehand and was in the early stages of pregnancy with her third child. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A GREAT SEASON. View Full Bio, Kirsten As swimmers go, Michael Phelps stands out because he is not only the most talented and accomplished of his generation but also one of the biggest. The most comprehensive coverage of Virginia Cavaliers Women's Lacrosse on the web with highlights, scores, game summaries, and rosters. Fitzgerald, Mia Please note that rosters are subject to change throughout the season. When he was entering his final season in the NBA, Chinese basketball player Yao Ming was officially the tallest player in the division, coming in at a staggering 7'6″! Rory holds the lock position, or as many would like to think, the engine room for any scrum. Bjornsson has obviously use his home gym equipment a lot! She took after her mother, who also spent a lot of time getting fit in the gym. Mellen, Kathleen Richie Gray is a goliath of a rugby player. However, before his character had numerous moments of sheer horror and violence on the show, Bjornsson actually starred in World's Strongest Man. Standing at a towering 6ft, Laura Dijkema is a giant compared to most of her volleyball teammates. So for Russian Aleksey Kazakov, he certainly did a lot of stretches in the gym in service of his country. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. The 27-year-old towers over his teammates at 7'5″. For a start, look at those arms! In his heyday, the Czech player was a talented goalscorer, netting for the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, and Anderlecht. The official 2021 Women's Lacrosse Roster for the Newberry College Wolves ... Kelsey Campbell. Since then though, Show has lost a considerable amount of weight and currently sits at a respectable 383lbs. The official 2021 Women's Lacrosse Roster for the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears. His gigantic frame sends shivers down opponent spines and rightly so. During his high school days, Dondre tipped the scales at 450 lbs and stood at an impressive 6'10". During the infant stages of the UFC, Eric Esch was one of the most recognized and biggest athletes to step into the ring. 2021 Women's Lacrosse Roster # Full Name Academic Year Pos. That's not all though. Sun Mingming emerges as the tallest professional basketball player in the world. Hanbury, Dawn Campbell has led UC to a 46-21 (19-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) record in his first five seasons, including posting a program-best 13-5 record during 2018 and 2019. She won the ultimate honor for her position in 2017, being award the 2017 European Championship "Best Setter.". His reach spanned seven feet, making him a lethal challenger. Manute Bol's center position was significantly boosted by his boundless reach and height as well. Although taller players have come along since Rik Smits' time, there is no denying that "The Dunking Dutchman" was a towering force to be reckoned with. UFC fighter Stefan Struve has been nicknamed the Skyscraper, and for a good reason. Luby, Chandler Bellucco, Julie She has continued to work out consistently to be in the prime of her career, playing for Dresdner SC. 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The official 2021 Women's Lacrosse Roster for the Limestone University Saints. Not only is Kerri Lee Walsh Jennings one of the tallest volleyball players of all time, but she is also one of the most successful. Morse. His last fights, both in 2003 and 2004, were all against boxing's all-time greats, Mike Tyson and Vitaly Klitschko; he won both fights. The further down you scroll the older the updates. 2019: ... Women's Lacrosse Schedule Roster Statistics Archived Stories Additional Links. Haverhill: 2: Nikki Norton: A: 5-5: So. Play Together. Johns, Rasa Lee, Olivia Unfortunately, Metcalfe retired after a long-term knee injury. Muresan is officially the tallest human being in the whole of the E.U. Not only is he one of the tallest cricketers on the planet, but he is also extremely quick after listening to his fitness instructor. In his boxing career, Butterbean has proved his personal trainer wrong, after winning a staggering 77 of his 91 matches, with 58 by knockout. His nickname is undoubtedly misleading to Emmanuel Yarbrough's commanding stature. Primo racked 100 matches, taking 89 wins. Don't be fooled though. Hamilton-Wenham: 3: Ellie Smith: Sr. D: 5-5: Dover, Mass. Krahn is a high school football player with the potential to make into the big time if he carries on working hard. Shaun Rogers is as big as NFL players come, only a little on the heavy side of things. The official Women's Lacrosse page for the Campbell University Camels To this day, Alexander has won four gold medals in international tournaments. Coaches aim to get Krahn down to 360lbs. Looking for 2019 info? She has also appeared on the cover of Australia magazine, Zoo Weekly. He is no regular athlete by any measure. Danny Jones from Southern California must be thoroughly happy with his recent publicity. Campbell Women's Lacrosse, Buies Creek, North Carolina. However, it seems like his long legs give him a stride that has never been seen before in athletics. Choose a Player: Go. Ochall, Mattie Originally a nanny by profession, Alexander did a tone of exercise before starting sumo wrestling professionally fairly late, at 41 years of age. For a sport that doesn't require too many yoga classes or gym memberships, you would expect there to be more heavyweight golfers. The official 2021 Women's Lacrosse Roster for the Longwood University Lancers For six years in a row, the man from Reykjavik, Iceland has finished in the top three. Goes to show just how devastating Primo's fists were. He took home medals after competing in both the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, as well as the 2004 Olympics in Athens. You wouldn't miss these two anywhere. And these athletes win on sheer size alone. Roche adds nine to class of 2025 November 12, 2020 SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Head coach of the Bryant University women's lacrosse program Brianna Roche announces nine signees for the class of 2025. Braintree, Mass. He originally played college basketball for UC Irvine before his NBA draft in 2016. 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Sarah Campbell (24) D - Junior: Played in 7 games … Caused a turnover in a win vs. Slippery Rock (3/30) ... Women's Lacrosse 2020 Schedule 2020 Roster Coaching Staff 2020 Statistics Archives Additional Links. He was also an actor, starring in Federico Fellini's Fellini Satyricon. Emmanuel tried his hand in mixed martial arts and even judo. Still going to this day, Aaron Sandilands is one of the most towering figures in Australian rules football. In a career that spans nearly two decades, "Crouchy," as his teammates call him, has played for many clubs, including Southampton, Liverpool, Portsmouth, and Tottenham Hotspur, to name a few. Campbell Haller (15) Attack - 2020: Played in one game as a reserve…Took one shot. At one point, he was officially the tallest and heaviest player in the Australian Football League (AFL). Since then, he has lost half the weight. NBA has produced plenty of towering athletes, and Hasheem Thabeet is one such example. Azzato, Megan He was part of the winning side playing against Australia with the British Lions. into his tall frame. Tampa, Fla. Robinson HS. The 6'7 skeleton-like figure defies the expectations that all athletes should be toned and muscular. At 7 foot and 4 inches, he didn't need to train on the treadmill to much to capture the hearts of millions. No one stood in the way of this giant. Booster Club. He also starred alongside Johnny Knoxville in Jackass: The Movie and a variety of other shows. The wrestler will be best remembered for bursting onto the scene in the late 90s when he became part of WWE's Attitude era, sparring with the likes of Kane and The Undertaker. Ht. Granted, he was not as heavy as others listed in this article. Sim's parents are a tall pair, with his dad standing at 6'3″ and his mom rising to 5'8″. Hometown High School; 1: Kirsten Murphy: R-Fr. The Sudanese are a pretty tall group of people, and Manute Bol doesn't deviate from this trend. Roster will be updated with player numbers once jerseys have been distributed. The man from Torrance, California has played for huge MLB teams such as the Tampa Bay Rays and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. Take Andy Fordham, for example. Record 174 Bulldogs named to NEC Academic Honor Roll June 18, 2020 SOMERSET, N.J. Although he has come under scrutiny in recent times, especially after being suspended in 2017 after accusations of corruption, Irfan was praised back in 2013 when he took it to South Africa with his fast bowling skills. In an industry full of tall and heavy individuals, boxing saw its records shattered once again when Nikolai Valuev burst onto the scene. The official 2021 Women's Lacrosse Roster for the University of Vermont VCats An indoor world champion, Vlasic has worked wonders for her home nation, Croatia. 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Women 's Lacrosse Roster for the heaviest athlete alive such acclaim, Dondre tipped the scales 828! Superb physique and immense strength Seattle Mariners and the world passed away on May 27 2011. The football field with such a towering 6ft, Laura Dijkema is a goliath a. Jorge Gonzalez, who coached her through the hardest of times starring in Fellini. A stride that has never been seen before in athletics second row forward, meaning that it takes to at. Only reached 7 ' 7″, and the world of tennis FIVB world Grand Prix, respectively legs give a... The 2001 European Championships, which has numerous tall competitors, there is no question of who the Romanian. A considerable amount of weight and currently sits at a towering frame, is! Impressive 6 ' 7 skeleton-like figure defies the expectations that all athletes should be toned and muscular for Dresdner.! Arnold, a professional rugby player successful left-hander ever to grace the court a quick player despite his towering.. 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COLLECTION
FOLIO THÉÂTRE
Jean Giraudoux
La guerre de Troie
n'aura pas lieu
Édition présentée,
établie et annotée
par Jacques Body
Gallimard
PRÉFACE
Il parlait fort peu des pièces auxquelles il travaillait. Quelques mots de temps en temps. Un jour il me demandait : « – Que pensez-vous d'une pièce sur l'Iliade ? – Bonne idée. – La Guerre de Troie, croyez-vous que ce soit un bon sujet ? – Certainement. » Quelques jours après, il me disait encore : « – J'ai trouvé mon titre. – Quel titre ? – Celui de la pièce dont je vous ai parlé. Elle s'intitulera : La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu. Qu'en pensez-vous ? – Excellent. » Puis c'était moi qui lui demandais : « – Et votre pièce, elle avance ? – Quelle pièce ? – Votre pièce sur l'Iliade. – Ah ! Oui. J'ai déjà trouvé la première réplique. C'est Cassandre qui dit à Andromaque : "La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu." – Très bien. » Un peu plus tard, il me dit : « – J'ai trouvé la dernière réplique de ma pièce. – Qu'est-ce que c'est ? – Elle n'aura pas lieu 1. »
Ainsi parlait Louis Jouvet le 18 décembre 1945, dix ans après la création de la pièce (22 novembre 1935), basculant de l'après-guerre à l'avant-guerre. Les quatre années de l'Occupation, il les avait passées en Amérique latine, faisant notamment « tourner » cette Guerre de Troie. Il était heureux de retrouver Paris libéré, triste de le retrouver sans Giraudoux, disparu le 31 janvier 1944, mais fier de renouer leur « attelage dramatique » avec une pièce posthume, La Folle de Chaillot, féerie politique prophétiquement conçue en parfaite consonance avec l'esprit de la Libération. Elle allait être créée quatre jours plus tard en présence du général de Gaulle lors du Gala des « Résistants de 1940 », au nombre desquels le fils et le beau-fils de Giraudoux 2.
Le journaliste qui l'interviewait pouvait penser que Giraudoux avait accouché de ce chef-d'œuvre en se jouant, en marchant « le nez levé » comme Pâris, et que le fameux titre lui était tombé du ciel, un titre qui lui soufflait le lieu, la date, les personnages et toute l'intrigue, de la première à la dernière réplique.
C'était alors la sixième pièce de Giraudoux montée par le Théâtre Louis-Jouvet. Le grand acteur-metteur en scène-directeur de théâtre avait conclu avec Jean Giraudoux, romancier original devenu grâce à lui auteur dramatique à succès, un pacte de modestie et d'admiration réciproque.
« C'est NOUS qui l'avons joué, proclamait Jouvet. N'aurais-je d'autre titre de gloire, dans l'exercice de mon métier et de ma carrière, que d'avoir joué ses œuvres, celui-là me suffirait 3. »
Et Giraudoux :
« L'acteur n'est pas seulement un interprète, il est un inspirateur ; et le grand acteur, un grand inspirateur. (...) À tel point que cet ami merveilleux et ce comédien génial se dédouble pour moi, même en sa présence, et devient lui-même un personnage 4. »
La facilité de Giraudoux était légendaire, évidente même, aux yeux de Jouvet qui l'avait vu récrire sur son genou, en cours de répétition, une réplique ou même une tirade qui passait mal. Mais Jouvet avait aussi intérêt à entretenir cette légende. En fait, ils étaient l'un et l'autre de la même race, des surdoués et des bourreaux de travail, épris de perfection, avides de conquête.
Jouvet ne pouvait pas ignorer qu'en amont de cet accouchement facile une longue histoire s'inscrivait, ni qu'en cette année 1935 l'Histoire avec un grand H avait cheminé parallèlement à la plume de Giraudoux. Il admirait toujours le subtil dosage de cette œuvre grave et gaie, légère et profonde. Il en connaissait la polysémie, ayant lu maints commentaires, il n'aurait pas imaginé les contresens et les accusations qui menaçaient l'interprétation de l'œuvre. Mais il ne doutait pas que la pièce, passant outre à toutes les critiques, aurait un grand avenir, puisqu'il plaçait Giraudoux dans la lignée des « Eschyle, Sophocle, Euripide, Shakespeare, Racine, Schiller, Goethe ».
Les sources
La ville de Troie, et Ilion, sa citadelle, plantée sur la rive asiatique de la mer Égée, fut-elle réellement assiégée pendant dix ans par une armada de cités grecques coalisées avant d'être prise, pillée, incendiée, comme le raconte le légendaire Homère dans l'Iliade ? Et ce au motif qu'un prince troyen, le trop beau Pâris, aurait enlevé la belle Hélène, épouse de Ménélas, roi de Sparte ? Les archéologues, sur le site de Troie, ont retrouvé plusieurs villes superposées au fil du deuxième millénaire av. J.-C. tandis que les historiens font vivre l'aède Homère vers le VIIIe siècle av. J.-C. Mais fi de la vérité historique ! La force du poème homérique a traversé les millénaires.
Comme les petits écoliers grecs depuis vingt-cinq siècles, comme les collégiens de France et d'Europe depuis la Renaissance, le petit Jean Giraudoux, dans son uniforme râpé d'élève boursier, a étudié le grec et Homère au lycée de Châteauroux jusqu'en 1900, puis, brillant bachelier, s'orientait vers une carrière d'helléniste : second prix de version grecque au concours général en 1902, admis à l'École normale supérieure 5, et licencié ès lettres (classiques, bien sûr, avec l'Iliade au programme) en 1904. « Alcmène, Électre, Hélène, ce sont ses amies d'enfance 6. »
L'appel de l'étranger, un désir d'évasion lui ont ouvert de nouvelles carrières – de germaniste, avortée ; de diplomate, très parisienne ; et surtout d'écrivain, multiforme. Mais le jeune romancier qui séduisit Gide, qui allait éblouir Proust, n'avait pas renié sa culture grecque, brodant des variations sur l'Odyssée 7, et même déjà prêtant à l'un de ses doubles le projet de changer le cours du destin, et... d'empêcher la guerre de Troie. C'était en 1911, dans L'École des indifférents, le faible Bernard s'imagine Ménélas. Assis sur le toit de son palais, il regarde s'enfuir Hélène : « Je ne la poursuivrai point ; elle filera en paix une laine étrangère. » Mais non : « Troie devait périr 8. » Avait-il lu dans Michelet que certains critiques ont prétendu que la guerre de Troie n'avait pas eu lieu ? Dans l'intervalle, la guerre a eu lieu, celle de 1914-1918, et il l'a faite aux premières lignes, blessé deux fois, en 1914 dans la bataille de la Marne, en 1915 aux Dardanelles, face au site de Troie 9, promu au feu, cité et décoré à l'ordre de l'armée. La « Grande Guerre » devait être la dernière, et la Société des nations saurait y veiller. Mais les échecs de la coopération internationale font renaître la crainte, surtout dans les années 1930, et les espoirs reposent désormais sur les conférences diplomatiques. Giraudoux, brièvement attaché au cabinet du ministre, accompagne ainsi le président Herriot à la conférence de Lausanne (1932).
Une ambassade pour éviter la guerre ? C'est exactement le sujet de la pièce. Giraudoux ne l'a pas inventée, elle est mentionnée deux fois dans l'Iliade. Ménélas, venu rechercher son épouse, aurait été mal reçu, malgré l'assistance du subtil Ulysse. Comment et quand vint à Giraudoux l'idée d'en faire une pièce, c'est une question compliquée qu'on traitera dans la Notice. Toujours est-il qu'à l'automne, Jouvet s'installant à l'Athénée, Giraudoux inaugurait brillamment la première saison avec Tessa et déclarait n'avoir pas d'autre pièce en chantier : « Une pièce, d'ailleurs c'est vite fait. J'y penserai au printemps prochain 10. »
Un titre problématique
Les traducteurs ont souvent reculé devant ce titre. Annette Kolb a préféré Kein Krieg in Troja (Pas de guerre à Troie), Christopher Fry Tiger at the Gates (Tigre aux portes de la ville), et même si l'on est revenu à des traductions littérales, ce titre n'a jamais été plagié par les journalistes anglais ou allemands comme en France, faute d'avoir trouvé semblable euphonie, semblable cadence (La guerr' de Troie n'aura pas lieu, soit un octosyllabe de quatre ïambes). La formule semble gravée dans le marbre. Elle a fait florès dans la presse française, elle reparaît quotidiennement, pour la guerre des Trois ou de Troyes, pour la guerre du Golfe et la guerre d'Ukraine, pour toutes les rivalités du commerce ou de la politique et même en tête d'une double page des Nouvelles littéraires signée René Marill Albérès : « La mort de Giraudoux n'aura pas lieu 11. »
Gage d'éternité ? Ce titre, à peine trouvé, posa problème. D'abord parce qu'il est trop long, et Giraudoux et Jouvet entre eux disent La Guerre de Troie, et mieux : Troie. Trop long aussi pour les usages du temps, et pour la mise en page : renvoyé à la ligne suivante sur l'affiche du théâtre, « n'aura pas lieu » peut signifier « Relâche » !
Le premier manuscrit soumis à Jouvet propose deux titres en balance : « Prélude des préludes » et « Préface à l'Iliade », qui à l'automne se réduisent à « Prélude ». « J'ai voulu faire une modeste post-préface à l'Iliade 12 », dit-il aussi.
Comme d'un simple gland peut sortir un grand chêne, chacun de ces titres contient toute la pièce. « Prélude », « préface », ou verbe au futur (n'aura pas lieu), dans tous les cas l'action se situe dans la première des avant-guerres, et du coup le dénouement est lui aussi « donné », ou bien tragique ou bien ironiquement heureux. Giraudoux a hésité, ses manuscrits le prouvent, et finalement il a conservé les deux fins. Au milieu de la scène dernière, « La guerre n'aura pas lieu, Andromaque ! » clame Hector, mais par un bel effet de théâtre, le rideau qui avait commencé de tomber 13 se relève peu à peu : « Elle aura lieu » et le rideau tombe définitivement. « La parole est au poète grec » (II, XIV, p. 223).
En somme, en découpant dans cet avant-guerre de Troie un espace de liberté et de création, Giraudoux inscrivait aussi, au-dessus de ses personnages, un fatum : « C'était écrit »... dans Homère.
Rien à voir avec le Destin qui régnait dans l'Antiquité au-dessus des dieux eux-mêmes, lesquels d'ailleurs se contredisent comme de vulgaires humains. Aucune transcendance dans cette idée du destin. Giraudoux s'en explique dès la première scène : c'est « la forme accélérée du temps » (I, I, p. 47). Et en effet, en l'espace de deux heures, la tragédie va se jouer en temps réel.
Un texte polyphonique
« Tous les spectateurs, ou du moins presque tous, sauront d'avance comment l'histoire se termine, et aussi que la plupart des personnages vont être tués dans peu de temps 14 », note Giraudoux, « une sorte d'ombre plane sur eux 15. » Mais il ne néglige pas ceux des spectateurs qui n'ont pas lu l'Iliade, ou qui l'ont oubliée. En auteur avide de succès, et qui rêve de théâtre populaire, il livre un texte qui se lit à plusieurs niveaux pour des publics différenciés.
Ainsi, son Hélène a le don de voir l'avenir coloré. Elle voit la fin de l'Iliade, la bataille, la ville en flammes – « c'est rouge vif » –, avec des approximations et des blancs que les spectateurs cultivés savoureront comme un plaisir réservé : traîné dans la poussière le cadavre de Pâris – de Pâris ou d'Hector ? –, Andromaque pleurant sur le corps d'Hector, leur fils jouant avec les boucles de son père, sans dire son nom – Astyanax bien sûr ! (I, IX, p. 113).
Autre exemple : quand Hélène, devant les vieillards qui la regardent, « rajuste sa sandale, debout, prenant bien soin de croiser haut la jambe » (I, IV, p. 72), certains spectateurs reverront un haut-relief du Parthénon ; d'autres remarqueront surtout que « les plus malins regardent d'en bas »... Cassandre note encore qu'« elle met un certain temps à rajuster sa sandale », et Pâris l'excuse (I, VI, p. 78) :
Je l'ai emportée nue et sans garde-robe. Ce sont des sandales à toi. Elles sont un peu grandes.
Autant de niveaux de lecture, cumulables certes...
Tragédie bourgeoise
L'action fixée dans Troie, Giraudoux récupère des lieux emblématiques : les célèbres « portes Scées » où les vieillards regardent passer Hélène, béats ; le palais où s'affairent les femmes et leurs servantes. Il en tire le décor de ses deux actes, un empilement de ces « terrasses » qu'il affectionne, pour l'un, un « square clos de palais » pour l'autre. Traduisons : un lieu ouvert (à l'espoir) puis un lieu fermé, encore qu'à chaque angle ce « square clos de palais » comporte une « échappée sur la mer ».
Ainsi, le spectateur voit des personnages qui voient pour lui : la plaine fertile et dans ce vaste espace le retour d'Hector avec son armée victorieuse, ainsi commence la pièce ; et à la fin le chemin du port, long de quatre cent soixante et un pas, par où l'ambassade grecque repartira en paix – sauf incident à la dernière scène.
L'Iliade fournit aussi la liste des personnages (Dramatis personae). En choisissant des sujets légendaires, Giraudoux s'épargne la peine de créer des caractères, comme il l'a lui-même proclamé. Toutefois, dans le personnel homérique, il fait le tri. De l'ambassade grecque, il a exclu Ménélas, laissant les maris trompés à l'opérette et au boulevard. Des cinquante fils de Priam, il n'a gardé qu'Hector, Pâris et un adolescent, Troïlus ; des douze filles, seulement Cassandre, plus la petite Polyxène. D'une famille mythique, il a fait une belle famille d'aujourd'hui, trois garçons deux filles, et deux brus antithétiques : à main droite, la tendre Andromaque, épouse d'Hector, enceinte, le parfait modèle de l'épouse-et-mère ; par la main gauche, la trop belle Hélène, cette femme à histoires que le bellâtre Pâris a ramenée d'une aventure en Grèce. Tous encore jeunes, encore « inemployés 16 » et malléables quoique déjà « parés d'un rayonnement 17 », y compris l'enfant dans le ventre de sa mère... De simples humains sans passé mais déjà prisonniers de leur avenir.
L'épopée souvent tourne à la querelle de famille. Cassandre parie contre Andromaque, Hélène « conseille à Andromaque de faire ses commissions elle-même », d'où scène d'« explication » entre belles-sœurs (II, VI et VII). De même entre frères : « Tu as fait aussi un beau coup ce jour-là ! » dit Hector à Pâris qui réplique : « Ce que tu es frère aîné ! » (I, VI, p. 74). Une comédie bourgeoise ?
En fait, Giraudoux rêve d'être le Racine de son siècle. Sa Judith (1931), sous-titrée « tragédie », a été mal reçue, et il n'a pas accepté ce demi-échec. Avec Troie il cherche une demi-revanche. Avant la création, il présentait sa pièce comme « une comédietragédie 18 », « une comédie dramatique, une tragédie bourgeoise 19 », et c'est même écrit dans le texte :
Cette tribu royale, dès qu'il est question d'Hélène, devient aussitôt un assemblage de belle-mère, de belles-sœurs, et de beau-père digne de la meilleure bourgeoisie (I, VI, p. 96).
Après le succès des premières représentations, il ose le dire :
C'est une tragédie que j'ai voulu écrire. Une tragédie, bien entendu, à ma manière, mais une tragédie, c'est-à-dire un ouvrage dominé par une fatalité 20.
Une menace de guerre, voilà quelle est cette fatalité. Enclenchée par l'arrivée imminente d'un envoyé grec, dès la troisième réplique, cette fatalité se trouve contrebattue dès la cinquième réplique par le retour d'Hector.
La conversion d'Hector
Il était le rempart de Troie dans la guerre. Le voici rempart contre la guerre. Le guerrier pacifiste ! Giraudoux innove doublement. Il invente une guerre avant la guerre, et de cet Hector bien connu d'Homère, il fait un ancien combattant. En partant il avait juré que cette guerre était la dernière. Il a aimé la guerre, il la hait désormais.
L'acte premier s'ouvre sur l'annonce de son retour triomphal. Il entre à la deuxième scène, en action dès le début : « Appelle-moi Pâris. » Avant même qu'il ait expliqué sa conversion au pacifisme, il a fixé son objectif : fermer les portes de la guerre, rendre Hélène à l'envoyé grec. Tout au long de l'acte, il maîtrise l'enchaînement des scènes, autant dire son agenda : après Pâris, Priam, puis Hélène elle-même. Les uns après les autres, il les convainc. Il a le soutien des femmes, de la reine jusqu'aux servantes, mais contre lui les vieillards, notables ou non, emmenés par Demokos, chef du sénat (II, X, p. 179), personnage inventé, qui se dit un « intellectuel », rimailleur et va-t-en-guerre impénitent. Un Déroulède.
À l'acte II, le but est de bien accueillir l'ambassade grecque et d'éviter tout incident, mais Hector n'a plus le contrôle des événements, des obstacles surgissent qu'il n'avait pas prévus : Busiris, « expert international » qu'il finit par retourner ; Oiax, un marin grec, débarqué ivre, qu'il se concilie à force de patience héroïque ; le témoignage croustillant de marins troyens sur les amours d'Hélène et de Pâris. « Je gagne chaque combat. Mais de chaque victoire l'enjeu s'envole », dit-il alors qu'il lui reste encore à rencontrer Ulysse (II, XI, p. 185). La tension est à son comble. Du moins, le tête-à-tête s'achève diplomatiquement, les Grecs vont repartir avec Hélène, et « la guerre n'aura pas lieu » (premier baisser de rideau) – quand Demokos et Oiax, les extrémistes des deux camps, pôles antagonistes, conjuguent leurs venins et poussent Hector à bout. De sa lance, d'abord dirigée vers Oiax, il abat Demokos. Le pacifiste a tué l'ennemi intérieur, et par un effet boomerang, « elle aura lieu » : avant de mourir, Demokos accuse Oiax. « Tuez Oiax ! » Façon de « rendre le jeu plus cruel, et d'introduire le destin – la mort – par où on ne l'attendait pas, par où l'on croyait lui échapper 21 ».
Non content d'avoir été le véritable acteur de l'intrigue, Hector par comparaison bénéficie de la veulerie de ses adversaires troyens – des vieillards qui trépignent du désir d'envoyer la jeunesse au combat –, de la médiocrité de leurs arguments, « leurs dieux, leur honneur », et face à l'ennemi grec, il sort grandi de son affrontement avec la brute avinée comme de son entretien avec le diplomate retors. Il a eu une très belle scène, pleine de tendresse humaine, avec son épouse ; une autre, très lucide, avec Hélène. Il plaide la meilleure cause, celle de la paix, y compris dans ce « discours aux morts » qu'on lui a imposé de faire avant de fermer les portes de la guerre. Le beau rôle, dans tous les sens, vraiment.
Jouvet promu Hector
Louis Jouvet y avait anxieusement contribué, mais pour lui une chose était sûre et certaine, Giraudoux lui avait fait un merveilleux cadeau. Car jusque-là, avec sa diction saccadée, bégaiement surmonté, un physique très marqué, Jouvet s'était voué aux personnages de composition. « Je suis un comique », disait-il, toujours un peu caricatural, increvable docteur Knock.
Madeleine Ozeray, la diaphane vedette qui partageait la vie de Jouvet depuis deux ans, connaissait la rengaine de l'« ancien combattant » : « On voit bien que vous n'avez pas fait la guerre. » Elle le persuada que le rôle était fait pour lui. Mais quand elle le suggéra à Giraudoux :
– Si vous voulez, Madeleine. Mais alors on coupera le discours aux morts.
– Oh, Monsieur Giraudoux... Jouvet peut le dire dix fois mieux qu'un tragédien, votre discours aux morts... Lui, au moins, pensera ce qu'il dit 22.
Car des morts, ils en avaient vus, ces deux anciens combattants, et des blessures atroces, et des agonies. Avec la mauvaise conscience d'avoir survécu à tant d'amis, de camarades, de connaissances, qui désormais flottaient, fantômes, dans l'ombre de leur souvenir !
Pour Giraudoux, le discours aux morts posait un double problème. Dans Bella (1926), sous le nom de Rebendart, il avait attaqué Raymond Poincaré, président de la République de 1913 à 1919, l'accusant, peut-être secrètement d'avoir été jusqu'au-boutiste en 1915 et 1916 et même d'avoir une part de responsabilité dans le déclenchement des hostilités, clairement d'utiliser maintenant les morts pour « prêcher la haine, la hargne et l'amertume » et s'opposer à la politique de Briand : la réconciliation, alors possible, avec la République allemande de Weimar.
Tous les dimanches [...], inaugurant son monument hebdomadaire aux morts, feignant de croire que les tués s'étaient simplement retirés à l'écart pour délibérer sur les sommes dues par l'Allemagne, il exerçait son chantage sur ce jury silencieux dont il invoquait le silence 23.
Giraudoux ne veut pas prendre le rôle de Rebendart. Faire à son tour un « discours aux morts » ? Par défi, et par conscience, il va tordre le cou de l'éloquence traditionnelle. Ses manuscrits prouvent qu'il s'y est repris à plusieurs fois, de deux façons : en faisant, par antiphrase, l'éloge de la vie, et en dénonçant les prétendues vertus guerrières. Finalement il met les deux versions bout à bout.
Jouant de profil 24, bas-relief égyptien, tous les soirs, dans l'émotion partagée puis les applaudissements unanimes, « acclamé pour ce qu'il disait, et pour sa façon de le dire 25 », Jouvet prononça cet anti-discours « sans inflexion, à voix contenue », sans aucun effet oratoire, et, selon la grande Colette, ce « Discours aux morts de la guerre pourrait bien devenir d'ici peu une Prière sur l'Acropole à la mesure de notre temps et de son inquiétude 26 ». Ainsi, « le rôle d'Hector marque une date dans la carrière de M. Jouvet 27 ». Il pouvait jouer Arnolphe, il pourra jouer Don Juan. Réciproquement, le jeu de Jouvet promeut le personnage.
D'où la tentation de prendre Hector pour le porte-parole de Giraudoux, et Giraudoux pour un pacifiste.
Pacifiste ?
Le succès de cette lecture « pacifiste » a un revers. Giraudoux n'a pas que des amis. Paul Claudel note dans son Journal : « Cette apologie de la lâcheté et de la paix à tout prix est répugnante 28. » Claudel, jaloux de n'être pas joué chez Jouvet, a pu aussi se reconnaître dans ces vieillards pressés d'envoyer la jeunesse se faire tuer 29. En sens inverse, Dominique Jamet jugera qu'« il fallait alors un sacré courage à Giraudoux et à Jouvet pour dire leur fait aux chercheurs de revanche, et faire l'apologie des signes extérieurs de la lâcheté 30 ».
« Les plus beaux livres de Giraudoux sont écrits sont le signe de la colombe », écrira Gide en mars 1944, donnant pour exemple cette phrase de Provinciales (1909) : « Chaque pensée que j'envoie vers toi me revient avec un rameau d'olivier 31. » Giraudoux avait fait la guerre, deux fois blessé, sur la Marne puis aux Dardanelles, promu au feu. On ignore trop qu'en 1916 – en pleine guerre –, Giraudoux avait émis – et même publié ! – la crainte d'une « seconde revanche », « dans vingt ans, dans trente ans 32 ».
Il aspirait à un monde pacifique, il n'était pas pour autant objecteur de conscience, ni membre des « combattants de la paix », quoique Hector utilise le mot de « combat », et qu'Andromaque plaide au nom de « toutes les femmes du monde ». Son Hector figure (préfigure, post-préfigure) ces cohortes d'« anciens combattants » qui jouent un grand rôle dans la France de l'entre-deux-guerres. Dans les partis, les associations, les ligues, ils répètent le mot d'ordre : « Plus jamais ça. » Et pourtant, en mars, Hitler a rétabli le service militaire obligatoire, ce dont Giraudoux s'est aussitôt alarmé. Les articles qu'il publie dans Le Figaro 33 en ce printemps 1935 le prouvent, il a vu une façon, et une seule, de tout à la fois éviter la guerre et tenir tête aux « régimes totalitaires » : faire « le poids ». Comme dans la pesée Hector-Ulysse (II, XIII, p. 206).
En 1935, Les cicatrices de la Grande Guerre n'étaient pas refermées : mutilés, gueules cassées, veuves de guerre, pupilles de la nation, dettes de guerre, faiblesse du franc, natalité négative. De même qu'Hector ne voulait surtout pas de cette guerre – dont il a eu préfiguration sur la prunelle d'Hélène –, Giraudoux, qui avait fait la Marne, doutait que les miracles se reproduisent. Il redoutait quelque chose comme ce qu'avait été Sedan, quelque chose comme ce que sera la débâcle du printemps 1940. Il ne voyait pas la France en état de l'emporter alors. Et nous tous aujourd'hui, avec le recul, nous ne pouvons que déplorer cette guerre mal engagée, dans l'ombre de laquelle Hitler a pu procéder à la destruction industrielle de populations entières.
« Le pain, la paix, la liberté » : ce mot d'ordre allait conduire le Front populaire au pouvoir l'année suivante. Jean Zay, ministre de l'Éducation nationale, coiffant les Beaux-Arts, décernera à Giraudoux la cravate de commandeur de la Légion d'honneur et lui offrira l'administration de la Comédie-Française, qu'il déclinera au profit de son ami Édouard Bourdet. En 1938, il ne sera pas de ces « Munichois » qui approuvaient les concessions faites à Hitler. En 1939, il ne se dérobera pas et assumera la charge de diriger le commissariat général à l'Information de la France en guerre contre Hitler alors l'allié de Staline. « Cassandre à la propagande », ironisera Aragon. Car elle a eu lieu...
Fatalisme ?
Rendre Hélène ? Les dieux viennent de se prononcer, de façon contradictoire, et tous avec la même alternative : « [...]. Ou il y aura la guerre » (II, XII, p. 205). Annoncé dès la troisième réplique, Ulysse fait son entrée trois scènes avant la fin – « Ulysse le subtil » selon Homère et même « le divin », ici supposé maître du dénouement. Hector redoute ce face-à-face : un combat de paroles pour ce qu'il croit son dernier combat... Et en effet : il attendait un belliciste, arrive un philosophe fataliste, un observateur sagace qui a reconnu en Hélène une créature du destin, un diplomate épris de géopolitique qui ne souhaite pas la guerre mais qui la croit inéluctable, et qui, déjà recherchant les causes de guerre, développe le diagnostic de Cassandre à la scène I :
Je tiens seulement compte de deux bêtises, celle des hommes et celle des éléments.
La place de ce tête-à-tête dans l'architecture générale, la mise en valeur du personnage d'Ulysse, la noblesse de sa parole et la hauteur de ses vues concourent à un renversement de perspective : Ulysse le fataliste ne serait-il pas le véritable porte-parole de Giraudoux ? Et par ses actes, Hector le pacifiste va lui donner raison en fournissant, in fine, le « casus belli ». À la scène I, Cassandre nous avait avertis. Après avoir défini le destin – « la forme accélérée du temps. C'est épouvantable » –, elle en a donné une métaphore : le tigre qui sommeille, qui s'éveille, qui monte sans bruit les escaliers : « C'est Hector ! », lui aussi créature du destin.
Hector, le « lion assoiffé de sang » dans la bataille de l'Iliade, va se montrer aussi dangereux assoiffé de paix. Lion repu au retour de la précédente guerre, l'envie de tuer le reprend peu à peu :
« Va pour la guerre ! À mesure que j'ai plus de haine pour elle, il me vient d'ailleurs un désir plus incoercible de tuer... » (II, XIII, p. 548).
Déjà, quand il tenait dans ses mains la petite « tête obtuse » d'Hélène, scrutant la rétine, cherchant à y lire cet avenir qu'elle voit coloré et qui est – déjà – l'Iliade, le désir l'avait pris de « vaincre l'obstination des miroirs », et il s'était difficilement contenu de les briser (I, IX, p. 117). Giraudoux se commente lui-même : « Un pacifiste est un homme toujours prêt à faire la guerre pour l'empêcher 34. »
Giraudoux fataliste ? Cette lecture s'imposait à l'époque. « Poème de désespérance », écrit Pierre Brisson 35. Fataliste ? Benjamin Crémieux s'en étonne, et interroge Giraudoux :
– La fatalité de la guerre ? [...] Je me demande s'il n'y a pas là une abdication de l'humaniste que vous êtes. Un Joseph de Maistre peut croire à des forces divines qui rendent la guerre inévitable, mais vous ? Dès lors, si la guerre n'est due qu'à des forces humaines obscures qui la déchaînent contre le gré des meilleurs et le vœu des humbles, ne peut-on vaincre ces forces ?
– Je m'attache à dénombrer ces forces obscures et à leur enlever ce qu'elles ont d'obscur, à les montrer en pleine clarté. Je fais mon métier : aux hommes qui m'écoutent, si je les ai convaincus, d'agir contre elles, de les briser 36.
La réponse de Giraudoux n'est qu'à moitié satisfaisante ? Il en a fait une autre, pour une classe de futures institutrices, dénonçant Ulysse :
Je l'ai fait jeune, député, séducteur, tendeur d'embûches, [...] infiniment plus redoutable que Demokos. Quand il dit qu'il croit à la fatalité de la guerre, ce n'est donc pas moi qui parle, c'est lui. Les grands hommes infatués d'eux-mêmes aiment beaucoup dire qu'ils ont pour camarade journalier le destin. [...] Mon amie, c'est Andromaque 37.
Ainsi, Ulysse pas plus qu'Hector ne serait le porte-parole de l'auteur, lequel a juste une « amie », « qui est la plus désespérée, mais aussi la moins pessimiste », façon de dire qu'il n'est pas nécessaire d'espérer pour entreprendre. Henri Gouhier, le philo-
sophe, avait déjà fait cette lecture :
On peut se demander si ce regard désespéré sur le monde actuel n'est pas une suprême ressource contre le désespoir 38.
Interprétation pour dames et jeunes filles ? Ou façon de suggérer qu'il peut y en avoir d'autres, en changeant de point de vue ?
Une pièce d'actualité ?
Les séances de la Société des Nations, installée à Genève, et toutes les conférences internationales, de Locarno (1925) à Lausanne (1932) et Stresa (avril 1935), se trouvent mises en abîme quand Ulysse, lui-même en pleine conférence internationale avec Hector, évoque ces « chefs de peuples » qui se rencontrent « sur la terrasse au bord d'un lac », puis se serrent la main et « se retournent de leur calèche pour se sourire » (II, XIII, pp. 208-209).
« Les dernières minutes d'entretien du président du Conseil français avec M. Mussolini ont été des plus cordiales », « Nous devons garder la porte de la paix ouverte », « Mais le public doit se garder de croire que la pièce est finie », voilà ce qu'on lit en feuilletant le Figaro du 15 avril 1935 39.
En cette année 1935, le fascisme italien inquiétait autant que le nazisme, Mussolini menaçait d'envahir l'Abyssinie, et il n'était qu'à moitié rassurant quand il déclarait : « Il n'y aura pas de guerre cette année 40. » D'autant qu'il la déclencha à l'automne. La Société des Nations a désigné alors un arbitre neutre, qui inspire à Giraudoux le personnage de Busiris, « le plus grand expert vivant du droit des peuples », héros d'une scène nouvelle (II, V, p. 145) ajoutée au cours des répétitions.
Charles Maurras, Léon Daudet, Robert Brasillach, Drieu La Rochelle et d'autres avaient lancé un manifeste des « intellectuels 41 » – le mot est dans la pièce (II, IV, p. 133) – en faveur de l'Italie. En tant que fonctionnaire des Affaires étrangères, nouvellement nommé inspecteur général des Postes diplomatiques et consulaires, Giraudoux ne pouvait pas signer la réplique aux côtés de Gide, de Malraux, de ses amis Beucler et Jouvet. Mais en signant La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, il signait à sa façon, et même L'Humanité le comprit :
Si, comme certains l'avaient regretté, Jean Giraudoux s'est abstenu de participer aux manifestations qui ont eu lieu pour ou contre la paix, pour ou contre la culture, c'est peut-être que l'écrivain se réservait d'agir à sa manière 42.
Néanmoins, il se défendit d'avoir écrit une pièce d'actualité. Assez actuelle certes, mais d'un intérêt « ne disons pas éternel, mais assez permanent » puisqu'« il est question de la guerre et de la paix 43 ». Quand par la bouche d'Ulysse les Grecs se jugent « à l'étroit sur du roc », on pense à « l'espace vital » revendiqué par Hitler. Mais ces marqueurs sont faibles au point que Jean Vilar, jouant Ulysse en Avignon (1963), se fit une moustache à la Hitler mais y renonça à Paris, et qu'en 1983-1984 un autre Ulysse pouvait arborer une cocarde bleu-blanc-rouge au festival de Schwäbig Hall tandis qu'à Bellac en 1985 il avait l'accent germanique.
Anachronismes et philosophie de l'histoire
Giraudoux mêle la géographie antique (Phrygie, Hellespont, Tauride) et la moderne (Russie, Caspienne, Astrakhan), il associe la cantate (italienne) à l'hymne (grec), son géomètre parle de baromètre, d'anémomètre. Délibérément, il a parsemé son texte d'anachronismes.
Les uns pour faire sourire, voir la scène de la « photographie » (II, III, p. 130). Plaisanteries de potache attardé ? Ou plutôt modestie. Tout plutôt que de paraître un prétentieux donneur de leçons.
D'autres plus signifiants. Il s'agit de la guerre de Troie, et aussi de toutes les guerres, celle des « hoplites » et celle des « cuirassiers », celle de 1914 comme celles de Napoléon puisqu'à l'époque Giraudoux lisait ou relisait La Guerre et la Paix de Tolstoï 44, qui démontre l'impossibilité de maîtriser les événements. Il s'agit du vain combat de la raison renanienne pour réduire l'agressivité humaine et, sous le nom d'Antistius ou d'Hector, le sage « renaîtra éternellement pour échouer éternellement », et, en définitive, il se trouvera que la totalité de ses échecs vaudra une victoire 45.
On n'en finirait pas de chercher les arrière-plans philosophiques de cette pièce riche et complexe, souvent déconcertante.
Guerre aux symboles
Quand Demokos lui dit qu'il a « l'air de détester autant la poésie que la guerre », Hector répond : « Ce sont les deux sœurs ! » (I, VI, p. 99).
DEMOKOS : Un symbole, quoi ! Tout guerrier que tu es, tu as bien entendu parler des symboles ! Tu as bien rencontré des femmes qui, d'aussi loin que tu les apercevais, te semblaient personnifier l'intelligence, l'harmonie, la douceur ? [...]
HECTOR : Je m'approchais et c'était fini... (I, VI, p. 80).
Priam raisonne comme Demokos et tous les vieillards qui crient « Vive la Beauté » avec B majuscule. Hector non. « Le rubis personnifie le sang » mais « pas pour ceux qui ont vu le sang ». Il s'en tient aux « choses concrètes et singulières 46 », il refusera, dans son fameux Discours, de considérer que tous les morts se valent.
Dieux, Beauté, Honneur, autant de mots meurtriers ou, comme il était écrit dans Bella, de « mots divins, qui amenèrent à la mort, en mots divins qu'ils étaient, les vagues de dix de nos classes 47 ».
Ainsi, de cette pièce si subtile, si riche, si polyphonique, on peut tirer une stylistique de la paix, qui est aussi une morale du citoyen-diplomate. La paix n'est jamais acquise, elle est une avant-guerre que l'on prolonge. Rester vigilant, éviter les grands mots, traquer les plus « imperceptibles impolitesses »...
Giraudoux en procès
1935, c'était une époque difficile, que seul un regard rétrospectif, mais anachronique, a pu éclairer. Du fait de la menace hitlérienne, écrit Christian Mégret en 1962, « tout le crédit que la guerre des patries avait perdu, la guerre antifasciste le retrouva 48 ». Ironie de l'histoire : en 1935, après le voyage de Laval à Moscou, les communistes votèrent les crédits militaires ; en 1962, ils soutiendront la campagne du « Mouvement de la Paix » pour l'interdiction des armes atomiques, et Jean Vilar, en fidèle compagnon de route, montera Troie dans la cour d'Honneur d'Avignon puis à Chaillot, vastes espaces archicombles 49, afin de rappeler au public du T.N.P. les horreurs de la guerre, façon de participer à la campagne internationale du « Mouvement de la Paix ».
Mais bientôt le vent tournait. Les choses basculent vers 1980, après que des historiens américains ont commencé à chercher des responsables du génocide en France 50, et, dans leur sillage, des non-historiens. Moyennant contresens et lectures anachroniques, une vulgate se répand qui fait de Giraudoux un antisémite pur et dur au mépris de son rôle historique, et même un inspirateur du vichysme, un programmateur de l'holocauste 51. Son engagement comme commissaire général à l'Information (de juillet 1939 à mars 1940) au service du gouvernement qui a déclaré la guerre à Hitler, on le transfère au service de Pétain 52 ! Le pacifisme devient une volonté de servir Hitler, et La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu une anticipation des accords de Munich. Cette damnation l'exclut de maints conservatoires où il régnait en vrai classique, le chasse des grands théâtres subventionnés et compromet sa carrière en Amérique. Au point de provoquer l'indignation de Philippe Tesson en 2006 :
La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu n'est pas sitôt à l'affiche que déjà et encore la mauvaise querelle se rallume autour de Giraudoux. Giraudoux le Munichois, Giraudoux le pacifiste, Giraudoux-Hitler même combat 53 !
En vain. L'antienne revient en 2013 : Francis Huster serait coupable de s'être mis au service du point de vue qui, au moment de la création de la pièce, en 1935, au théâtre de l'Athénée, faisait dire : « Tout, absolument tout, vaut mieux que la guerre à Hitler et à l'hitlérisme. [...] Ce pacifisme de principe n'est-il pas le message qu'entendait porter l'auteur de Pleins pouvoirs et, bientôt, de Sans pouvoirs ? Je n'aime pas Giraudoux. Je n'aime pas ce mélange de républicanisme bon teint et d'antisémitisme bon chic bon genre 54. »
Voilà qui est bien éloigné de la doctrine de Giraudoux selon laquelle « le théâtre n'est pas un théorème, mais un spectacle, pas une leçon, mais un filtre 55 ». Et bien éloigné de la conclusion de Benjamin Crémieux :
Votre pièce, quelle que soit sa valeur d'avertissement, est aux antipodes d'une œuvre de propagande. Et c'est là ce qui montre qu'on peut aborder les problèmes les plus délicats, les plus brûlants, les plus terribles, en gardant son entière liberté d'esprit et aussi en n'abdiquant pas toute cette part de « joie » qui est indispensable à l'œuvre d'art.
Conclusion
La pièce de Giraudoux n'a pas empêché la guerre d'avoir lieu. La guerre n'a pas empêché la pièce de Giraudoux d'avoir cours sur toutes les scènes du monde. Les critiques, qui ne lui ont pas manqué, ne l'étoufferont pas. Elle rappelle les hommes à leurs devoirs d'humanité. Elle les invite à la réflexion, la polémique n'en est que l'écume. Et puisqu'elle ne s'arrêtera pas d'un coup, nous versons au dossier l'étonnant compte rendu signé Alfred Kerr, l'un des plus illustres critiques de théâtre de son temps 56.
De tant de représentations surnagent de grands moments de bonheur, des joutes verbales, phrase à phrase ou mot à mot, et aussi bien de vrais couplets incantatoires qu'un interlocuteur découpe et relance, chacun parlant sur le silence de l'autre – sur la beauté de la femme idéale et celle de la forêt de bouleaux, sur la navigation amoureuse d'Hélène et Pâris –, morceaux d'anthologie, entremêlés de jeux de mots, de mots d'esprit, d'esprit gamin.
On n'oubliera pas les paroles sobres et fortes qu'échangent Hector et Andromaque, couple exemplaire, ni l'anti-discours aux morts, ni le dialogue biaisé d'Hector et d'Ulysse. Persistent le refus du désespoir, et d'une pirouette de la pensée, cet élixir de sagesse : « Tu as vu le destin s'intéresser à des phrases négatives ? »
Pour que la guerre n'ait pas lieu, peut-être faut-il plus que la volonté toute négative de l'empêcher : une volonté positive, des grands travaux, des projets plus grands qu'elle, et aussi, dans l'humilité, les petits actes quotidiens qui fondent la justice et la paix.
JACQUES BODY
1. Interview par Didier Daix, Les Nouvelles du matin, 18 décembre 1945.
2. Jean-Pierre Giraudoux (1919-2000) a rejoint Londres en juillet 1940 pour s'engager dans les Forces navales françaises libres. Christian Pineau (1904-1995), attaché au cabinet de son beau-père en 1939-1940, fondateur de Libération-Nord en octobre 1940, ancien déporté, Compagnon de la Libération, ministre du gouvernement de Gaulle.
3. Louis Jouvet, Réflexion du comédien, éd. de la Nouvelle Revue critique, 1938, p. 38.
4. Jean Giraudoux, Visitations, Grasset, 1952, pp. 23 et 25.
5. Admis au concours de 1902, il fait son entrée rue d'Ulm en 1903 après un an de service militaire.
6. Jean-Louis Vaudoyer, « Jean Giraudoux, le Limousin », Cahiers Renaud-Barrault, X, Gallimard, 1955, p. 7.
7. « Le Cyclope », publié sous le pseudonyme de J.-E. Manière dans la rubrique du Matin, 27 septembre 1908, et « Ulysse et les sirènes », Paris-Journal, 1er janvier 1912 seront repris et amplifiés dans Elpénor, Émile-Paul, 1919, prolongé par les Nouvelles morts d'Elpénor, 1926. Voir la notice de Jean-Yves Tadié dans les Œuvres romanesques complètes (désormais ORC), Gallimard, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade, t. I, 1990, p. 1507.
8. Jean Giraudoux, L'École des indifférents, ORC I, p. 221.
9. Jean Giraudoux, Carnet des Dardanelles, introduction et notes de Jacques Body, Le Bélier, 1969, p. 63.
10. Interview par Yvon Novy, Le Jour, 21 octobre 1934, recueillie dans les Cahiers Jean Giraudoux, no 19, Grasset 1990, (désormais CJG 19), p. 144.
11. Les Nouvelles littéraires, 18 décembre 1969.
12. Interview par Roger Lannes, La Liberté, 21 novembre 1934, CJG 19, p. 184.
13. En pratique, on renonça au premier baisser de rideau de peur que le public ne commence trop tôt d'applaudir et de se lever.
14. Interview de Jean Giraudoux par Almaviva, Le Figaro, 21 novembre 1935, CJG 19, p. 189.
15. Interview par Roger Lannes, La Liberté, 21 novembre 1934, CJG 19, p. 185.
16. Interview de Jean Giraudoux par Almaviva, Le Figaro, 21 novembre 1935, CJG 19, p. 189.
17. Interview de Jean Giraudoux par Annie de Méredieu, Paris-soir, 21 novembre 1935, CJG 19, p. 188.
18. Interview de Jean Giraudoux par M. A. Dabadie, L'Écho de Paris, 6 novembre 1935, CJG 19, p. 184.
19. Interview de Jean Giraudoux par Almaviva, Le Figaro, 21 novembre 1935, CJG 19, p. 184.
20. Interview de Jean Giraudoux par Benjamin Crémieux, Le Figaro, 7 décembre 1935, recueillie dans Pierre-Marc de Biasi, Jacques Body, François Hincker, L'Histoire [...] La Guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, Belin, Prépas scientifiques, 1989, p. 227.
21. Gérard Genette, Palimpsestes. La littérature au second degré, Le Seuil, 1982, p. 432.
22. Madeleine Ozeray, À toujours, Monsieur Jouvet, Buchet-Chastel, 1966, p. 117.
23. Jean Giraudoux, Bella, chap. II, ORC I, pp. 896 et 893.
24. Bernard Barbey, Les Spectacles, La Revue historique, 30 novembre 1935.
25. Fortunat Strowski, Paris-Midi, 22 novembre 1935.
26. Colette, Le Journal, 24 novembre 1935.
27. Bernard Barbey, Les Spectacles, La Revue historique, 30 novembre 1935.
28. Paul Claudel, Journal, t. II (1933-1955), Gallimard, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade, 1969, p. 115, à la date du 26 novembre 1935.
29. Après la « Grande Guerre », Claudel a eu le malheur de présenter quasiment comme des états de service le fait d'avoir négocié, étant en poste en Argentine, de gros achats de porcs. Les surréalistes n'avaient pas laissé passer.
30. L'Aurore, 17 novembre 1975.
31. André Gide, « Tombeau de Jean Giraudoux », L'Arche, Alger, mars 1944, p. 106. Il avait déjà cité à l'époque (N.R.F., 1er juin 1909) cette phrase « plus merveilleuse et émouvante » qu'aucune autre.
32. Jacques Body, Jean Giraudoux, Gallimard, coll. Biographies NRF, 2004 (désormais JBJG), p. 322.
33. Jean Giraudoux, « Sécurité et peuplement », Le Figaro, 26 avril 1935 ; « Politique raciale », 3 juin ; « Le Seul Ennemi », 14 octobre 1935. Pour corriger le déséquilibre démographique entre France et Allemagne, il prône une politique d'immigration et de naturalisation, et pour la faire accepter par un pays « terriblement xénophobe », il précise : sélective. S'agissant des nombreux réfugiés juifs auxquels les pays anglo-saxons refusaient tout visa, il s'alignait sur la position de ses amis israélites (qui était aussi celle du consistoire) : terre d'asile, la France n'a pas vocation à les garder tous. Au point de commettre quelques très malheureuses pages qui, sorties de leur contexte, lui valent une réputation abusive d'antisémite.
34. Jean Giraudoux, interview par Benjamin Crémieux, Je suis partout, 7 décembre 1935.
35. Pierre Brisson, « Chronique des spectacles », Le Figaro, 24 novembre 1935.
36. Voir ci-dessus la n. 1.
37. Jean Giraudoux, Lettre à Mme Prévost, CJG 10, Grasset, 1981, p. 7-8.
38. Henri Gouhier, La Vie intellectuelle, 11 décembre 1935.
39. Voir Gunnar Graumann, La Guerre de Troie aura lieu, La préparation de la pièce de Giraudoux, Lund, W. K. Gleerup, 1979, p. 139.
40. Le Figaro, 21 avril 1935.
41. Le Figaro, 4 octobre 1935. La réplique paraît dans L'Œuvre dès le 5.
42. Léon Moussinac, L'Humanité, 1er décembre 1935.
43. Jean Giraudoux, interview par B. Crémieux, Je suis partout, 7 décembre 1935 ; interview par Almaviva, Le Figaro, 21 novembre 1935, CJG 19, p. 190.
44. René Marill Albérès, Esthétique et morale chez Jean Giraudoux, Nizet, 1957, pp. 394-396.
45. Ernest Renan, Le Prêtre de Nemi. Drames philosophiques, cité par H. J. G. Godin en introduction à son édition de La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, University of London Press [1936], 1958, p. 20. Déjà Fortunat Strowski avait intitulé son compte rendu (Paris-Midi, 22 novembre 1935) : « Où l'on voit que M. Jean Giraudoux a hérité pour notre enchantement du don dramatique de Renan. » Il évoquait ces « drames fantaisistes et charmants » où « l'homme le plus intelligent du monde [...] montrait la vanité de toute philosophie et de toute destinée ».
46. Jean-Louis Backès, Le Mythe d'Hélène, Clermont-Ferrand, Adosa, 1984, p. 129.
47. Jean Giraudoux, Bella, ORC I, p. 890.
48. Christian Mégret, « La Guerre de Troie en Avignon. Une très ancienne guerre déjà », L'Express, 25 juillet 1962.
49. En Avignon, « la moyenne des huit représentations a été de 3 063 spectateurs ; or, la jauge de la salle est de 2 900 places ».
50. N'oublions pas que les pays anglo-saxons, dans les années 1930 et 1940, refusaient tout visa aux juifs, sauf élite soigneusement triée.
51. Bernard-Henri Lévy, L'Idéologie française, Grasset 1986, livre jugé « méprisable » par Raymond Aron.
J. Mehlman, Legs de l'antisémitisme en France, Denoël, 1984 (Legs of Antisemitism in France, University of Minnesota Press, 1983). Ce n'est pas le lieu d'en discuter. On se reportera à JBJG, pp. 611-612, 679, 701, et à l'index pour les noms Bergner, Bove, Cain, Döblin, Einstein, Hessel, Kesten, Torrès... et aussi à Jean-Louis Crémieux-Brilhac, Les Français de l'an 40. T. I, La Guerre oui ou non ?, Gallimard, coll. La suite des temps, 1990, particulièrement au chapitre « Les Arcanes du Continental : justice pour Giraudoux ! », pp. 278-297.
52. Marie-Hélène Robinot-Bichet, La Guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, étude de l'œuvre, coll. Repères, Hachette, 1996, pp. 9 et 16 ; Dictionnaire du cinéma populaire français, Nouveau Monde, 2009, p. 140 (l'auteur s'en est excusé, voir le Bulletin des amis de Jean Giraudoux, 2009, pp. 49-50) ; Violaine Gelly, Paul Gradvohl, Charlotte Delbo, Fayard, 2013, pp. 49 et 203...
53. Philippe Tesson, Le Figaro, 15 décembre 2006.
54. « Le Bloc-notes de Bernard-Henri Lévy », Le Point, 8 août 2013.
55. Jean Giraudoux, L'Impromptu de Paris, scène III, Théâtre complet (désormais TC), Gallimard, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade, p. 708.
56. Le compte rendu d'Alfred Kerr est à lire plus loin, voir l'Annexe, p. 261.
La guerre de Troie
n'aura pas lieu
Pièce en deux actes
PERSONNAGES
ANDROMAQUE | Mmes | Falconetti
---|---|---
HÉLÈNE
| |
Madeleine Ozeray
HÉCUBE
| |
Paule Andral
CASSANDRE
| |
Marie-Hélène Dasté
LA PAIX
| |
Andrée Servilanges
IRIS
| |
Odette Stuart
SERVANTES ET TROYENNES | Lisbeth Clairval,
Gilberte Géniat,
Jacqueline Morane
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
| |
Véra Pharès
HECTOR | MM. | Louis Jouvet
ULYSSE
| |
Pierre Renoir
DEMOKOS
| |
Romain Bouquet
PRIAM
| |
Robert Bogar
PÂRIS
| |
José Noguero
OIAX
| |
Pierre Morin
BUSIRIS
| |
Auguste Boverio 1
LE GABIER
| |
Alfred Adam
LE GÉOMÈTRE
| |
Maurice Castel
ABNÉOS
| |
André Moreau
TROÏLUS
| |
Bernard Lancrey
OLPIDÈS
| |
Jacques Terry
VIEILLARDS 2 | Paul Ménager,
Henry Libéré,
Henri Saint-Isles
MESSAGERS
| |
Yves Gladine,
Jacques Perrin
La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu fut représentée pour la première fois au théâtre de l'Athénée le 22 3 novembre 1935, sous la direction de Louis Jouvet.
Décor de Mariano Andreu.
Costumes de Mlle Alix.
Musique de scène de Maurice Jaubert.
ACTE PREMIER
Terrasse d'un rempart dominé par une terrasse et dominant d'autres remparts.
SCÈNE PREMIÈRE
ANDROMAQUE, CASSANDRE
ANDROMAQUE 1
La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, Cassandre !
CASSANDRE 2
Je te tiens un pari, Andromaque.
ANDROMAQUE
Cet envoyé des Grecs a raison. On va bien le recevoir. On va bien lui envelopper sa petite Hélène, et on la lui rendra.
CASSANDRE
On va le recevoir grossièrement. On ne lui rendra pas Hélène 3. Et la guerre de Troie aura lieu.
ANDROMAQUE
Oui, si Hector n'était pas là !... Mais il arrive, Cassandre, il arrive ! Tu entends assez ses trompettes... En cette minute, il entre dans la ville, victorieux. Je pense qu'il aura son mot à dire. Quand il est parti, voilà trois mois, il m'a juré que cette guerre était la dernière.
CASSANDRE
C'était la dernière. La suivante l'attend.
ANDROMAQUE
Cela ne te fatigue pas de ne voir et de ne prévoir que l'effroyable ?
CASSANDRE
Je ne vois rien, Andromaque. Je ne prévois rien. Je tiens seulement compte de deux bêtises, celle des hommes et celle des éléments.
ANDROMAQUE
Pourquoi la guerre aurait-elle lieu ? Pâris 4 ne tient plus à Hélène. Hélène ne tient plus à Pâris.
CASSANDRE
Il s'agit bien d'eux !
ANDROMAQUE
Il s'agit de quoi ?
CASSANDRE
Pâris ne tient plus à Hélène ! Hélène ne tient plus à Pâris ! Tu as vu le destin s'intéresser à des phrases négatives ?
ANDROMAQUE
Je ne sais pas ce qu'est le destin.
CASSANDRE
Je vais te le dire. C'est simplement la forme accélérée du temps 5. C'est épouvantable.
ANDROMAQUE
Je ne comprends pas les abstractions.
CASSANDRE
À ton aise. Ayons recours aux métaphores. Figure-toi un tigre. Tu la comprends, celle-là ? C'est la métaphore pour jeunes filles. Un tigre qui dort ?
ANDROMAQUE
Laisse-le dormir.
CASSANDRE
Je ne demande pas mieux. Mais ce sont les affirmations qui l'arrachent à son sommeil. Depuis quelque temps, Troie en est pleine.
ANDROMAQUE
Pleine de quoi ?
CASSANDRE
De ces phrases qui affirment que le monde et la direction du monde appartiennent aux hommes en général, et aux Troyens ou Troyennes en particulier...
ANDROMAQUE
Je ne te comprends pas.
CASSANDRE
Hector en cette heure rentre dans Troie ?
ANDROMAQUE
Oui. Hector en cette heure revient à sa femme.
CASSANDRE
Cette femme d'Hector va avoir un enfant ?
ANDROMAQUE
Oui, je vais avoir un enfant.
CASSANDRE
Ce ne sont pas des affirmations, tout cela ?
ANDROMAQUE
Ne me fais pas peur, Cassandre.
UNE JEUNE SERVANTE,
qui passe avec du linge.
Quel beau jour, maîtresse !
CASSANDRE
Ah ! oui ? Tu trouves ?
UNE JEUNE SERVANTE, qui sort.
Troie touche aujourd'hui 6 son plus beau jour de printemps.
CASSANDRE
Jusqu'au lavoir qui affirme !
ANDROMAQUE
Oh ! justement, Cassandre ! Comment peux-tu parler de guerre en un jour pareil ? Le bonheur tombe sur le monde !
CASSANDRE
Une vraie neige 7.
ANDROMAQUE
La beauté aussi. Vois ce soleil. Il s'amasse plus de nacre sur les faubourgs de Troie qu'au fond des mers. De toute maison de pêcheur, de tout arbre sort le murmure des coquillages. Si jamais il y a eu une chance de voir les hommes trouver un moyen pour vivre en paix, c'est aujourd'hui... Et pour qu'ils soient modestes... Et pour qu'ils soient immortels.
CASSANDRE
Oui, les paralytiques qu'on a traînés devant les portes se sentent immortels.
ANDROMAQUE
Et pour qu'ils soient bons !... Vois ce cavalier de l'avant-garde se baisser sur l'étrier pour caresser un chat dans ce créneau... Nous sommes peut-être aussi au premier jour de l'entente entre l'homme et les bêtes.
CASSANDRE
Tu parles trop. Le destin s'agite, Andromaque !
ANDROMAQUE
Il s'agite dans les filles qui n'ont pas de mari. Je ne te crois pas.
CASSANDRE
Tu as tort. Ah ! Hector rentre dans la gloire chez sa femme adorée !... Il ouvre un œil... Ah ! Les hémiplégiques se croient immortels sur leurs petits bancs !... Il s'étire... Ah ! Il est aujourd'hui une chance pour que la paix s'installe sur le monde !... Il se pourlèche... Et Andromaque va avoir un fils ! Et les cuirassiers se baissent maintenant sur l'étrier pour caresser les matous dans les créneaux 8 ! Il se met en marche !
ANDROMAQUE
Tais-toi !
CASSANDRE
Et il monte sans bruit les escaliers du palais. Il pousse du mufle les portes... Le voilà... Le voilà...
LA VOIX D'HECTOR
Andromaque !
ANDROMAQUE
Tu mens !... C'est Hector !
CASSANDRE
Qui t'a dit autre chose 9 ?
SCÈNE II
ANDROMAQUE, CASSANDRE, HECTOR
ANDROMAQUE
Hector !
HECTOR
Andromaque !... (Ils s'étreignent.) À toi aussi bonjour, Cassandre ! Appelle-moi Pâris, veux-tu. Le plus vite possible. (Cassandre s'attarde.) Tu as quelque chose à me dire ?
ANDROMAQUE
Ne l'écoute pas !... Quelque catastrophe !
HECTOR
Parle !
CASSANDRE
Ta femme porte un enfant 10.
SCÈNE III
ANDROMAQUE, HECTOR
Il l'a prise dans ses bras, l'a amenée au banc de pierre, s'est assis près d'elle. Court silence.
HECTOR
Ce sera un fils, une fille ?
ANDROMAQUE
Qu'as-tu voulu créer en l'appelant ?
HECTOR
Mille garçons... Mille filles...
ANDROMAQUE
Pourquoi ? Tu croyais étreindre mille femmes ?... Tu vas être déçu. Ce sera un fils, un seul fils.
HECTOR
Il y a toutes les chances pour qu'il en soit un... Après les guerres, il naît plus de garçons que de filles.
ANDROMAQUE
Et avant les guerres ?
HECTOR
Laissons les guerres, et laissons la guerre 11... Elle vient de finir. Elle t'a pris un père, un frère 12, mais ramené un mari.
ANDROMAQUE
Elle est trop bonne. Elle se rattrapera.
HECTOR
Calme-toi. Nous ne lui laisserons plus l'occasion. Tout à l'heure, en te quittant, je vais solennellement, sur la place, fermer les portes de la guerre 13. Elles ne s'ouvriront plus.
ANDROMAQUE
Ferme-les. Mais elles s'ouvriront.
HECTOR
Tu peux même nous dire le jour ?
ANDROMAQUE
Le jour où les blés seront dorés et pesants, la vigne surchargée, les demeures pleines de couples 14.
HECTOR
Et la paix à son comble, sans doute ?
ANDROMAQUE
Oui. Et mon fils robuste et éclatant.
Hector l'embrasse.
HECTOR
Ton fils peut être lâche. C'est une sauvegarde.
ANDROMAQUE
Il ne sera pas lâche. Mais je lui aurai coupé l'index de la main droite 15.
HECTOR
Si toutes les mères coupent l'index droit de leur fils, les armées de l'univers se feront la guerre sans index... Et si elles lui coupent la jambe droite, les armées seront unijambistes... Et si elles lui crèvent les yeux, les armées seront aveugles, mais il y aura des armées, et dans la mêlée elles se chercheront le défaut de l'aine, ou la gorge, à tâtons...
ANDROMAQUE
Je le tuerai plutôt.
HECTOR
Voilà la vraie solution maternelle des guerres.
ANDROMAQUE
Ne ris pas. Je peux encore le tuer avant sa naissance.
HECTOR
Tu ne veux pas le voir une minute, juste une minute ? Après, tu réfléchiras... Voir ton fils ?
ANDROMAQUE
Le tien seul m'intéresse. C'est parce qu'il est de toi, c'est parce qu'il est toi que j'ai peur. Tu ne peux t'imaginer combien il te ressemble. Dans ce néant où il est encore, il a déjà apporté tout ce que tu as mis dans notre vie courante. Il y a tes tendresses, tes silences. Si tu aimes la guerre, il l'aimera... Aimes-tu la guerre 16 ?
HECTOR
Pourquoi cette question ?
ANDROMAQUE
Avoue que certains jours tu l'aimes.
HECTOR
Si l'on aime ce qui vous délivre de l'espoir, du bonheur, des êtres les plus chers...
ANDROMAQUE
Tu ne crois pas si bien dire... On l'aime.
HECTOR
Si l'on se laisse séduire par cette petite délégation que les dieux vous donnent à l'instant du combat...
ANDROMAQUE
Ah ? Tu te sens un dieu, à l'instant du combat ?
HECTOR
Très souvent moins qu'un homme... Mais parfois, à certains matins, on se relève du sol allégé, étonné, mué. Le corps, les armes ont un autre poids, sont d'un autre alliage. On est invulnérable. Une tendresse vous envahit, vous submerge, la variété de tendresse des batailles : on est tendre parce qu'on est impitoyable ; ce doit être en effet la tendresse des dieux. On avance vers l'ennemi lentement, presque distraitement, mais tendrement. Et l'on évite aussi d'écraser le scarabée. Et l'on chasse le moustique sans l'abattre. Jamais l'homme n'a plus respecté la vie sur son passage...
ANDROMAQUE
Puis l'adversaire arrive ?...
HECTOR
Puis l'adversaire arrive, écumant, terrible. On a pitié de lui, on voit en lui, derrière sa bave et ses yeux blancs, toute l'impuissance et tout le dévouement du pauvre fonctionnaire humain qu'il est, du pauvre mari et gendre, du pauvre cousin germain, du pauvre amateur de raki 17 et d'olives qu'il est. On a de l'amour pour lui. On aime sa verrue sur sa joue, sa taie dans son œil. On l'aime... Mais il insiste... Alors on le tue.
ANDROMAQUE
Et l'on se penche en dieu sur ce pauvre corps ; mais on n'est pas dieu, on ne rend pas la vie.
HECTOR
On ne se penche pas. D'autres vous attendent. D'autres avec leur écume et leurs regards de haine. D'autres pleins de famille, d'olives, de paix.
ANDROMAQUE
Alors on les tue ?
HECTOR
On les tue. C'est la guerre.
ANDROMAQUE
Tous, on les tue ?
HECTOR
Cette fois nous les avons tués tous. À dessein. Parce que leur peuple était vraiment la race de la guerre, parce que c'est par lui que la guerre subsistait et se propageait en Asie. Un seul a échappé.
ANDROMAQUE
Dans mille ans, tous les hommes seront les fils de celui-là. Sauvetage inutile d'ailleurs... Mon fils aimera la guerre, car tu l'aimes.
HECTOR
Je crois plutôt que je la hais... Puisque je ne l'aime plus.
ANDROMAQUE
Comment arrive-ton à ne plus aimer ce que l'on adorait ? Raconte. Cela m'intéresse.
HECTOR
Tu sais, quand on a découvert qu'un ami est menteur ? De lui tout sonne faux, alors, même ses vérités... Cela semble étrange à dire, mais la guerre m'avait promis la bonté, la générosité, le mépris des bassesses. Je croyais lui devoir mon ardeur et mon goût à vivre, et toi-même... Et jusqu'à cette dernière campagne, pas un ennemi que je n'aie aimé...
ANDROMAQUE
Tu viens de le dire : on ne tue bien que ce qu'on aime.
HECTOR
Et tu ne peux savoir comme la gamme de la guerre était accordée pour me faire croire à sa noblesse. Le galop nocturne des chevaux, le bruit de vaisselle à la fois et de soie que fait le régiment d'hoplites 18 se frottant contre votre tente, le cri du faucon au-dessus de la compagnie étendue et aux aguets, tout avait sonné jusque-là si juste, si merveilleusement juste...
ANDROMAQUE
Et la guerre a sonné faux, cette fois ?
HECTOR
Pour quelle raison ? Est-ce l'âge ? Est-ce simplement cette fatigue du métier dont parfois l'ébéniste sur son pied de table se trouve tout à coup saisi, qui un matin m'a accablé, au moment où, penché sur un adversaire de mon âge, j'allais l'achever ? Auparavant ceux que j'allais tuer me semblaient le contraire de moi-même. Cette fois j'étais agenouillé sur un miroir. Cette mort que j'allais donner, c'était un petit suicide. Je ne sais ce que fait l'ébéniste dans ce cas, s'il jette sa varlope, son vernis, ou s'il continue... J'ai continué. Mais de cette minute, rien n'est demeuré de la résonance parfaite. La lance qui a glissé contre mon bouclier a soudain sonné faux, et le choc du tué contre la terre, et, quelques heures plus tard, l'écroulement des palais. Et la guerre d'ailleurs a vu que j'avais compris. Et elle ne se gênait plus... Les cris des mourants sonnaient faux... J'en suis là.
ANDROMAQUE
Tout sonnait juste pour les autres.
HECTOR
Les autres sont comme moi. L'armée que j'ai ramenée hait la guerre.
ANDROMAQUE
C'est une armée à mauvaises oreilles.
HECTOR
Non. Tu ne saurais t'imaginer combien soudain tout a sonné juste pour elle, voilà une heure, à la vue de Troie. Pas un régiment qui ne se soit arrêté d'angoisse à ce concert. Au point que nous n'avons osé entrer durement par les portes, nous nous sommes répandus en groupe autour des murs... C'est la seule tâche digne d'une vraie armée : faire le siège paisible de sa patrie ouverte.
ANDROMAQUE
Et tu n'as pas compris que c'était là la pire fausseté ! La guerre est dans Troie, Hector ! C'est elle qui vous a reçus aux portes. C'est elle qui me donne à toi ainsi désemparée, et non l'amour.
HECTOR
Que racontes-tu là ?
ANDROMAQUE
Ne sais-tu donc pas que Pâris a enlevé Hélène ?
HECTOR
On vient de me le dire... Et après ?
ANDROMAQUE
Et que les Grecs la réclament ? Et que leur envoyé arrive aujourd'hui ? Et que si on ne la rend pas, c'est la guerre ?
HECTOR
Pourquoi ne la rendrait-on pas ? Je la rendrai moi-même.
ANDROMAQUE
Pâris n'y consentira jamais.
HECTOR
Pâris m'aura cédé dans quelques minutes. Cassandre me l'amène.
ANDROMAQUE
Il ne peut te céder. Sa gloire, comme vous dites, l'oblige à ne pas céder. Son amour aussi, comme il dit, peut-être.
HECTOR
C'est ce que nous allons voir. Cours demander à Priam s'il peut m'entendre à l'instant, et rassure-toi. Tous ceux des Troyens qui ont fait et peuvent faire la guerre ne veulent pas la guerre.
ANDROMAQUE
Il reste tous les autres 19.
CASSANDRE
Voilà Pâris.
Andromaque disparaît.
SCÈNE IV
CASSANDRE, HECTOR, PÂRIS
HECTOR
Félicitations, Pâris. Tu as bien occupé notre absence.
PÂRIS
Pas mal. Merci.
HECTOR
Alors ? Quelle est cette histoire d'Hélène ?
PÂRIS
Hélène est une très gentille personne. N'est-ce pas, Cassandre ?
CASSANDRE
Assez gentille.
PÂRIS
Pourquoi ces réserves, aujourd'hui ? Hier encore tu disais que tu la trouvais très jolie.
CASSANDRE
Elle est très jolie, mais assez gentille.
PÂRIS
Elle n'a pas l'air d'une gentille petite gazelle ?
CASSANDRE
Non.
PÂRIS
C'est toi-même qui m'as dit qu'elle avait l'air d'une gazelle !
CASSANDRE
Je m'étais trompée. J'ai revu une gazelle depuis.
HECTOR
Vous m'ennuyez avec vos gazelles ! Elle ressemble si peu à une femme que cela ?
PÂRIS
Oh ! Ce n'est pas le type de femme d'ici, évidemment.
CASSANDRE
Quel est le type de femme d'ici ?
PÂRIS
Le tien, chère sœur. Un type effroyablement peu distant.
CASSANDRE
Ta Grecque est distante en amour ?
PÂRIS
Écoute parler nos vierges !... Tu sais parfaitement ce que je veux dire. J'ai assez des femmes asiatiques. Leurs étreintes sont de la glu, leurs baisers des effractions, leurs paroles de la déglutition. À mesure qu'elles se déshabillent, elles ont l'air de revêtir un vêtement plus chamarré que tous les autres, la nudité, et aussi, avec leurs fards, de vouloir se décalquer sur nous. Et elles se décalquent. Bref, on est terriblement avec elles... Même au milieu de mes bras, Hélène est loin de moi.
HECTOR
Très intéressant ! Mais tu crois que cela vaut une guerre, de permettre à Pâris de faire l'amour à distance ?
CASSANDRE
Avec distance... Il aime les femmes distantes, mais de près.
PÂRIS
L'absence d'Hélène dans sa présence vaut tout.
HECTOR
Comment l'as-tu enlevée ? Consentement ou contrainte ?
PÂRIS
Voyons, Hector ! Tu connais les femmes aussi bien que moi. Elles ne consentent qu'à la contrainte. Mais alors avec enthousiasme.
HECTOR
À cheval ? Et laissant sous ses fenêtres cet amas de crottin qui est la trace des séducteurs ?
PÂRIS
C'est une enquête ?
HECTOR
C'est une enquête. Tâche pour une fois de répondre avec précision. Tu n'as pas insulté la maison conjugale, ni la terre grecque ?
PÂRIS
L'eau grecque, un peu. Elle se baignait...
CASSANDRE
Elle est née de l'écume, quoi ! La froideur est née de l'écume, comme Vénus 20.
HECTOR
Tu n'as pas couvert la plinthe du palais d'inscriptions ou de dessins offensants, comme tu en es coutumier ? Tu n'as pas lâché le premier sur les échos ce mot qu'ils doivent tous redire en ce moment au mari trompé ?
PÂRIS
Non. Ménélas 21 était nu sur le rivage, occupé à se débarrasser l'orteil d'un crabe. Il a regardé filer mon canot comme si le vent emportait ses vêtements.
HECTOR
L'air furieux ?
PÂRIS
Le visage d'un roi que pince un crabe n'a jamais exprimé la béatitude.
HECTOR
Pas d'autres spectateurs ?
PÂRIS
Mes gabiers 22.
HECTOR
Parfait !
PÂRIS
Pourquoi parfait ? Où veux-tu en venir ?
HECTOR
Je dis parfait, parce que tu n'as rien commis d'irrémédiable. En somme, puisqu'elle était déshabillée, pas un seul des vêtements d'Hélène, pas un de ses objets n'a été insulté. Le corps seul a été souillé. C'est négligeable. Je connais assez les Grecs pour savoir qu'ils tireront une aventure divine et tout à leur honneur, de cette petite reine grecque qui va à la mer, et qui remonte tranquillement après quelques mois de sa plongée, le visage innocent 23.
CASSANDRE
Nous garantissons le visage.
PÂRIS
Tu penses que je vais ramener Hélène à Ménélas !
HECTOR
Nous ne t'en demandons pas tant, ni lui... L'envoyé grec s'en charge... Il la repiquera lui-même dans la mer, comme le piqueur de plantes d'eau, à l'endroit désigné. Tu la lui remettras dès ce soir.
PÂRIS
Je ne sais pas si tu te rends très bien compte de la monstruosité que tu commets, en supposant qu'un homme a devant lui une nuit avec Hélène, et accepte d'y renoncer !
CASSANDRE
Il te reste une après-midi avec Hélène. Cela fait plus grec.
HECTOR
N'insiste pas. Nous te connaissons. Ce n'est pas la première séparation que tu acceptes.
PÂRIS
Mon cher Hector, c'est vrai. Jusqu'ici, j'ai toujours accepté d'assez bon cœur les séparations. La séparation d'avec une femme, fût-ce la plus aimée, comporte un agrément que je sais goûter mieux que personne. La première promenade solitaire dans les rues de la ville au sortir de la dernière étreinte, la vue du premier petit visage de couturière, tout indifférent et tout frais, après le départ de l'amante adorée au nez rougi par les pleurs, le son du premier rire de blanchisseuse ou de fruitière, après les adieux enroués par le désespoir, constituent une jouissance à laquelle je sacrifie bien volontiers les autres... Un seul être vous manque, et tout est repeuplé 24... Toutes les femmes sont créées à nouveau pour vous, toutes sont à vous, et cela dans la liberté, la dignité, la paix de votre conscience... Oui, tu as bien raison, l'amour comporte des moments vraiment exaltants, ce sont les ruptures... Aussi ne me séparerai-je jamais d'Hélène, car avec elle j'ai l'impression d'avoir rompu avec toutes les autres femmes, et j'ai mille libertés et mille noblesses au lieu d'une.
HECTOR
Parce qu'elle ne t'aime pas. Tout ce que tu dis le prouve.
PÂRIS
Si tu veux. Mais je préfère à toutes les passions cette façon dont Hélène ne m'aime pas.
HECTOR
J'en suis désolé. Mais tu la rendras.
PÂRIS
Tu n'es pas le maître ici.
HECTOR
Je suis ton aîné, et le futur maître.
PÂRIS
Alors commande dans le futur. Pour le présent, j'obéis à notre père.
HECTOR
Je n'en demande pas davantage ! Tu es d'accord pour que nous nous en remettions au jugement de Priam ?
PÂRIS
Parfaitement d'accord.
HECTOR
Tu le jures ? Nous le jurons ?
CASSANDRE
Méfie-toi, Hector ! Priam est fou d'Hélène. Il livrerait plutôt ses filles.
HECTOR
Que racontes-tu là ?
PÂRIS
Pour une fois qu'elle dit le présent au lieu de l'avenir, c'est la vérité.
CASSANDRE
Et tous nos frères, et tous nos oncles, et tous nos arrière-grands-oncles !... Hélène a une garde d'honneur, qui assemble tous nos vieillards. Regarde. C'est l'heure de sa promenade... Vois aux créneaux toutes ces têtes à barbe blanche... On dirait les cigognes caquetant sur les remparts.
HECTOR
Beau spectacle. Les barbes sont blanches et les visages rouges.
CASSANDRE
Oui. C'est la congestion. Ils devraient être à la porte du Scamandre 25, par où entrent nos troupes et la victoire. Non, ils sont aux portes Scées 26, par où sort Hélène.
HECTOR
Les voilà qui se penchent tout d'un coup, comme les cigognes quand passe un rat.
CASSANDRE
C'est Hélène qui passe...
PÂRIS
Ah oui ?
CASSANDRE
Elle est sur la seconde terrasse. Elle rajuste sa sandale 27, debout, prenant bien soin de croiser haut la jambe.
HECTOR
Incroyable ! Tous les vieillards de Troie sont là à la regarder d'en haut.
CASSANDRE
Non. Les plus malins regardent d'en bas.
CRIS AU-DEHORS
Vive la Beauté !
HECTOR
Que crient-ils ?
PÂRIS
Ils crient : Vive la Beauté !
CASSANDRE
Je suis de leur avis. Qu'ils meurent vite 28.
CRIS AU-DEHORS
Vive Vénus !
HECTOR
Et maintenant ?
CASSANDRE
Vive Vénus... Ils ne crient que des phrases sans r, à cause de leur manque de dents... Vive la Beauté... Vive Vénus... Vive Hélène... Ils croient proférer des cris. Ils poussent simplement le mâchonnement à sa plus haute puissance.
HECTOR
Que vient faire Vénus là-dedans ?
CASSANDRE
Ils ont imaginé que c'était Vénus qui nous donnait Hélène... Pour récompenser Pâris de lui avoir décerné la pomme 29 à première vue.
HECTOR
Tu as fait aussi un beau coup ce jour-là !
PÂRIS
Ce que tu es frère aîné !
SCÈNE V
LES MÊMES, DEUX VIEILLARDS
PREMIER VIEILLARD
D'en bas, nous la voyons mieux.
SECOND VIEILLARD
Nous l'avons même bien vue !
PREMIER VIEILLARD
Mais d'ici, elle nous entend mieux. Allez ! Une, deux, trois !
TOUS DEUX
Vive Hélène !
SECOND VIEILLARD
C'est un peu fatigant, à notre âge, d'avoir à descendre et à remonter constamment par des escaliers impossibles, selon que nous voulons la voir ou l'acclamer.
PREMIER VIEILLARD
Veux-tu que nous alternions ? Un jour nous l'acclamerons ! Un jour nous la regarderons !
SECOND VIEILLARD
Tu es fou, un jour sans bien voir Hélène !... Songe à ce que nous avons vu d'elle aujourd'hui ! Une, deux, trois !
TOUS DEUX
Vive Hélène !
PREMIER VIEILLARD
Et maintenant en bas !...
Ils disparaissent en courant.
CASSANDRE
Et tu les vois, Hector. Je me demande comment vont résister tous ces poumons besogneux.
HECTOR
Notre père ne peut être ainsi.
PÂRIS
Dis-moi, Hector, avant de nous expliquer devant lui tu pourrais peut-être jeter un coup d'œil sur Hélène.
HECTOR
Je me moque d'Hélène... Oh ! Père, salut !
Priam est entré, escorté d'Hécube, d'Andromaque, du poète Demokos 30 et d'un autre vieillard. Hécube tient à la main la petite Polyxène.
SCÈNE VI
PRIAM, HÉCUBE, ANDROMAQUE, CASSANDRE, HECTOR,
PÂRIS, DEMOKOS, LE GÉOMÈTRE,
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE,
UNE JEUNE SERVANTE
PRIAM
Tu dis ?
HECTOR
Je dis, Père, que nous devons nous précipiter pour fermer les portes de la guerre, les verrouiller, les cadenasser. Il ne faut pas qu'un moucheron puisse passer entre les deux battants !
PRIAM
Ta phrase m'a paru moins longue.
DEMOKOS
Il disait qu'il se moquait d'Hélène.
PRIAM
Penche-toi... (Hector obéit.) Tu la vois ?
HÉCUBE
Mais oui, il la voit. Je me demande qui ne la verrait pas et qui ne l'a pas vue. Elle fait le chemin de ronde.
DEMOKOS
C'est la ronde de la beauté.
PRIAM
Tu la vois ?
HECTOR
Oui... Et après ?
DEMOKOS
Priam te demande ce que tu vois !
HECTOR
Je vois une femme jeune qui rajuste sa sandale.
CASSANDRE
Elle met un certain temps à rajuster sa sandale.
PÂRIS
Je l'ai emportée nue et sans garde-robe. Ce sont des sandales à toi. Elles sont un peu grandes.
CASSANDRE
Tout est grand pour les petites femmes.
HECTOR
Je vois deux fesses charmantes.
HÉCUBE
Il voit ce que vous tous voyez.
PRIAM
Mon pauvre enfant !
HECTOR
Quoi ?
DEMOKOS
Priam te dit : pauvre enfant !
PRIAM
Oui, je ne savais pas que la jeunesse de Troie en était là.
HECTOR
Où en est-elle ?
PRIAM
À l'ignorance de la beauté.
DEMOKOS
Et par conséquent de l'amour. Au réalisme, quoi ! Nous autres poètes appelons cela le réalisme.
HECTOR
Et la vieillesse de Troie en est à la beauté et à l'amour ?
HÉCUBE
C'est dans l'ordre. Ce ne sont pas ceux qui font l'amour ou ceux qui ont la beauté qui ont à les comprendre.
HECTOR
C'est très courant, la beauté, Père. Je ne fais pas allusion à Hélène, mais elle court les rues.
PRIAM
Hector, ne sois pas de mauvaise foi. Il t'est bien arrivé dans la vie, à l'aspect d'une femme, de ressentir qu'elle n'était pas seulement elle-même, mais que tout un flux d'idées et de sentiments avait coulé en sa chair et en prenait l'éclat.
DEMOKOS
Ainsi le rubis personnifie le sang.
HECTOR
Pas pour ceux qui ont vu du sang. Je sors d'en prendre.
DEMOKOS
Un symbole, quoi ! Tout guerrier que tu es, tu as bien entendu parler des symboles ! Tu as bien rencontré des femmes qui, d'aussi loin que tu les apercevais, te semblaient personnifier l'intelligence, l'harmonie, la douceur ?
HECTOR
J'en ai vu.
DEMOKOS
Que faisais-tu alors ?
HECTOR
Je m'approchais et c'était fini... Que personnifie celle-là ?
DEMOKOS
On te le répète, la beauté.
HÉCUBE
Alors, rendez-la vite aux Grecs, si vous voulez qu'elle vous la personnifie pour longtemps. C'est une blonde.
DEMOKOS
Impossible de parler avec ces femmes !
HÉCUBE
Alors ne parlez pas des femmes ! Vous n'êtes guère galants, en tout cas, ni patriotes. Chaque peuple remise son symbole dans sa femme, qu'elle soit camuse ou lippue. Il n'y a que vous pour aller le loger ailleurs.
HECTOR
Père, mes camarades et moi rentrons harassés. Nous avons pacifié notre continent pour toujours. Nous entendons désormais vivre heureux, nous entendons que nos femmes puissent nous aimer sans angoisse et avoir leurs enfants.
DEMOKOS
Sages principes, mais jamais la guerre n'a empêché d'accoucher.
HECTOR
Dis-moi pourquoi nous trouvons la ville transformée, du seul fait d'Hélène ? Dis-moi ce qu'elle nous a apporté, qui vaille une brouille avec les Grecs !
LE GÉOMÈTRE
Tout le monde te le dira ! Moi, je peux te le dire !
HÉCUBE
Voilà le géomètre !
LE GÉOMÈTRE
Oui, voilà le géomètre ! Et ne crois pas que les géomètres n'aient pas à s'occuper des femmes ! Ils sont les arpenteurs aussi de votre apparence. Je ne te dirai pas ce qu'ils souffrent, les géomètres, d'une épaisseur de peau en trop à vos cuisses ou d'un bourrelet à votre cou... Eh bien, les géomètres jusqu'à ce jour n'étaient pas satisfaits de cette contrée qui entoure Troie. La ligne d'attache de la plaine aux collines leur semblait molle, la ligne des collines aux montagnes du fil de fer. Or, depuis qu'Hélène est ici, le paysage a pris son sens et sa fermeté. Et chose particulièrement sensible aux vrais géomètres, il n'y a plus à l'espace et au volume qu'une commune mesure, qui est Hélène. C'est la mort de tous ces instruments inventés par les hommes pour rapetisser l'univers. Il n'y a plus de mètres, de grammes, de lieues. Il n'y a plus que le pas d'Hélène, la coudée d'Hélène, la portée du regard ou de la voix d'Hélène, et l'air de son passage est la mesure des vents. Elle est notre baromètre, notre anémomètre ! Voilà ce qu'ils te disent, les géomètres.
HÉCUBE
Il pleure, l'idiot.
PRIAM
Mon cher fils, regarde seulement cette foule, et tu comprendras ce qu'est Hélène. Elle est une espèce d'absolution. Elle prouve à tous ces vieillards que tu vois là au guet et qui ont mis des cheveux blancs au fronton de la ville, à celui-là qui a volé, à celui-là qui trafiquait des femmes, à celui-là qui manqua sa vie, qu'ils avaient au fond d'eux-mêmes une revendication secrète, qui était la beauté. Si la beauté avait été près d'eux, aussi près qu'Hélène l'est aujourd'hui, ils n'auraient pas dévalisé leurs amis, ni vendu leurs filles, ni bu leur héritage. Hélène est leur pardon, et leur revanche, et leur avenir.
HECTOR
L'avenir des vieillards me laisse indifférent.
DEMOKOS
Hector, je suis poète et juge en poète. Suppose que notre vocabulaire ne soit pas quelquefois touché par la beauté ! Suppose que le mot « délice » n'existe pas !
HECTOR
Nous nous en passerions. Je m'en passe déjà. Je ne prononce le mot « délice » qu'absolument forcé.
DEMOKOS
Oui, et tu te passerais du mot « volupté », sans doute ?
HECTOR
Si c'était au prix de la guerre qu'il fallût acheter le mot « volupté », je m'en passerais.
DEMOKOS
C'est au prix de la guerre que tu as trouvé le plus beau, le mot « courage ».
HECTOR
C'était bien payé.
HÉCUBE
Le mot « lâcheté » a dû être trouvé par la même occasion.
PRIAM
Mon fils, pourquoi te forces-tu à ne pas nous comprendre ?
HECTOR
Je vous comprends fort bien. À l'aide d'un quiproquo, en prétendant nous faire battre pour la beauté, vous voulez nous faire battre pour une femme.
PRIAM
Et tu ne ferais la guerre pour aucune femme ?
HECTOR
Certainement non !
HÉCUBE
Et il aurait rudement raison.
CASSANDRE
S'il n'y en avait qu'une, peut-être. Mais ce chiffre est largement dépassé.
DEMOKOS
Tu ne ferais pas la guerre pour reprendre Andromaque ?
HECTOR
Andromaque et moi avons déjà convenu de moyens secrets pour échapper à toute prison et nous rejoindre.
DEMOKOS
Pour vous rejoindre, si tout espoir est perdu ?
ANDROMAQUE
Pour cela aussi.
HÉCUBE
Tu as bien fait de les démasquer, Hector. Ils veulent faire la guerre pour une femme, c'est la façon d'aimer des impuissants.
DEMOKOS
C'est vous donner beaucoup de prix ?
HÉCUBE
Ah oui ! par exemple !
DEMOKOS
Permets-moi de ne pas être de ton avis. Le sexe à qui je dois ma mère 31, je le respecterai jusqu'en ses représentantes les moins dignes.
HÉCUBE
Nous le savons. Tu l'y as déjà respecté...
Les servantes accourues au bruit de la dispute éclatent de rire.
PRIAM
Hécube ! Mes filles ! Que signifie cette révolte de gynécée ? Le conseil se demande s'il ne mettra pas la ville en jeu pour l'une d'entre vous ; et vous en êtes humiliées ?
ANDROMAQUE
Il n'est qu'une humiliation pour la femme, l'injustice.
DEMOKOS
C'est vraiment pénible de constater que les femmes sont les dernières à savoir ce qu'est la femme.
LA JEUNE SERVANTE, qui repasse.
Oh ! là ! là !
HÉCUBE
Elles le savent parfaitement. Je vais vous le dire, moi, ce qu'est la femme.
DEMOKOS
Ne les laisse pas parler, Priam. On ne sait jamais ce qu'elles peuvent dire.
HÉCUBE
Elles peuvent dire la vérité.
PRIAM
Je n'ai qu'à penser à l'une de vous, mes chéries, pour savoir ce qu'est la femme.
DEMOKOS
Primo. Elle est le principe de notre énergie. Tu le sais bien, Hector. Les guerriers qui n'ont pas un portrait de femme dans leur sac ne valent rien.
CASSANDRE
De votre orgueil, oui.
HÉCUBE
De nos vices.
ANDROMAQUE
C'est un pauvre tas d'incertitude, un pauvre amas de crainte, qui déteste ce qui est lourd, qui adore ce qui est vulgaire et facile.
HECTOR
Chère Andromaque !
HÉCUBE
C'est très simple. Voilà cinquante ans que je suis femme et je n'ai jamais pu encore savoir au juste ce que j'étais.
DEMOKOS
Secundo. Qu'elle le veuille ou non, elle est la seule prime du courage... Demandez au moindre soldat. Tuer un homme, c'est mériter une femme.
ANDROMAQUE
Elle aime les lâches, les libertins. Si Hector était lâche ou libertin, je l'aimerais autant. Je l'aimerais peut-être davantage.
PRIAM
Ne va pas trop loin, Andromaque. Tu prouverais le contraire de ce que tu veux prouver.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Elle est gourmande. Elle ment.
DEMOKOS
Et de ce que représentent dans la vie humaine la fidélité, la pureté, nous n'en parlons pas, hein ?
LA SERVANTE
Oh ! là ! là !
DEMOKOS
Que racontes-tu, toi ?
LA SERVANTE
Je dis : Oh ! là ! là ! Je dis ce que je pense.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Elle casse ses jouets. Elle leur plonge la tête dans l'eau bouillante.
HÉCUBE
À mesure que nous vieillissons, nous les femmes, nous voyons clairement ce qu'ont été les hommes, des hypocrites, des vantards, des boucs. À mesure que les hommes vieillissent, ils nous parent de toutes les perfections. Il n'est pas un souillon accolé derrière un mur qui ne se transforme dans vos souvenirs en créature d'amour.
PRIAM
Tu m'as trompé, toi ?
HÉCUBE
Avec toi-même 32 seulement, mais cent fois.
DEMOKOS
Andromaque a trompé Hector ?
HÉCUBE
Laisse donc Andromaque tranquille. Elle n'a rien à voir dans les histoires de femme.
ANDROMAQUE
Si Hector n'était pas mon mari, je le tromperais avec lui-même. S'il était un pêcheur pied bot, bancal, j'irais le poursuivre jusque dans sa cabane. Je m'étendrais dans les écailles d'huîtres et les algues. J'aurais de lui un fils adultère.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Elle s'amuse à ne pas dormir la nuit, tout en fermant les yeux.
HÉCUBE, à Polyxène.
Oui, tu peux en parler, toi ! C'est épouvantable ! Que je t'y reprenne !
LA SERVANTE
Il n'y a pire que l'homme. Mais celui-là !
DEMOKOS
Et tant pis si la femme nous trompe ! Tant pis si elle-même méprise sa dignité et sa valeur. Puisqu'elle n'est pas capable de maintenir en elle cette forme idéale qui la maintient rigide et écarte les rides de l'âme, c'est à nous de le faire...
LA SERVANTE
Ah ! le bel embauchoir !
PÂRIS
Il n'y a qu'une chose qu'elles oublient de dire : qu'elles ne sont pas jalouses.
PRIAM
Chères filles, votre révolte même prouve que nous avons raison. Est-il une plus grande générosité que celle qui vous pousse à vous battre en ce moment pour la paix, la paix qui vous donnera des maris veules, inoccupés, fuyants, quand la guerre vous fera d'eux des hommes !...
DEMOKOS
Des héros.
HÉCUBE
Nous connaissons le vocabulaire. L'homme en temps de guerre s'appelle le héros. Il peut ne pas en être plus brave, et fuir à toutes jambes. Mais c'est du moins un héros qui détale.
ANDROMAQUE
Mon Père, je vous en supplie. Si vous avez cette amitié pour les femmes, écoutez ce que toutes les femmes du monde 33 vous disent par ma voix. Laissez-nous nos maris comme ils sont. Pour qu'ils gardent leur agilité et leur courage, les dieux ont créé autour d'eux tant d'entraîneurs vivants ou non vivants ! Quand ce ne serait que l'orage ! Quand ce ne serait que les bêtes ! Aussi longtemps qu'il y aura des loups, des éléphants, des onces, l'homme aura mieux que l'homme comme émule et comme adversaire. Tous ces grands oiseaux qui volent autour de nous, ces lièvres dont nous les femmes confondons le poil avec les bruyères, sont de plus sûrs garants de la vue perçante de nos maris que l'autre cible, que le cœur de l'ennemi emprisonné dans sa cuirasse. Chaque fois que j'ai vu tuer un cerf ou un aigle, je l'ai remercié. Je savais qu'il mourait pour Hector 34. Pourquoi voulez-vous que je doive Hector à la mort d'autres hommes ?
PRIAM
Je ne le veux pas, ma petite chérie. Mais savez-vous pourquoi vous êtes là, toutes si belles et si vaillantes ? C'est parce que vos maris et vos pères et vos aïeux furent des guerriers. S'ils avaient été paresseux aux armes, s'ils n'avaient pas su que cette occupation terne et stupide qu'est la vie se justifie soudain et s'illumine par le mépris que les hommes ont d'elle, c'est vous qui seriez lâches et réclameriez la guerre. Il n'y a pas deux façons de se rendre immortel ici-bas, c'est d'oublier qu'on est mortel.
ANDROMAQUE
Oh ! justement, Père, vous le savez bien ! Ce sont les braves qui meurent à la guerre. Pour ne pas y être tué, il faut un grand hasard ou une grande habileté. Il faut avoir courbé la tête ou s'être agenouillé au moins une fois devant le danger. Les soldats qui défilent sous les arcs de triomphe 35 sont ceux qui ont déserté la mort. Comment un pays pourrait-il gagner dans son honneur et dans sa force en les perdant tous les deux ?
PRIAM
Ma fille, la première lâcheté est la première ride d'un peuple.
ANDROMAQUE
Où est la pire lâcheté ? Paraître lâche vis-à-vis des autres, et assurer la paix ? Ou être lâche vis-à-vis de soi-même et provoquer la guerre ?
DEMOKOS
La lâcheté est de ne pas préférer à toute mort la mort pour son pays.
HÉCUBE
J'attendais la poésie à ce tournant. Elle n'en manque pas une.
ANDROMAQUE
On meurt toujours pour son pays ! Quand on a vécu en lui digne, actif, sage, c'est pour lui aussi qu'on meurt. Les tués ne sont pas tranquilles sous la terre, Priam. Ils ne se fondent pas en elle pour le repos et l'aménagement éternel. Ils ne deviennent pas sa glèbe, sa chair. Quand on retrouve dans le sol une ossature humaine, il y a toujours une épée près d'elle. C'est un os de la terre, un os stérile. C'est un guerrier.
HÉCUBE
Ou alors que les vieillards soient les seuls guerriers. Tout pays est le pays de la jeunesse 36. Il meurt quand la jeunesse meurt.
DEMOKOS
Vous nous ennuyez avec votre jeunesse. Elle sera la vieillesse dans trente ans.
CASSANDRE
Erreur.
HÉCUBE
Erreur ! Quand l'homme adulte touche à ses quarante ans, on lui substitue un vieillard. Lui disparaît. Il n'y a que des rapports d'apparence entre les deux. Rien de l'un ne continue en l'autre.
DEMOKOS
Le souci de ma gloire a continué, Hécube.
HÉCUBE
C'est vrai. Et les rhumatismes...
Nouveaux éclats de rire des servantes.
HECTOR
Et tu écoutes cela sans mot dire, Pâris ! Et il ne te vient pas à l'esprit de sacrifier une aventure pour nous sauver d'années de discorde et de massacre ?
PÂRIS
Que veux-tu que je te dise ! Mon cas est international.
HECTOR
Aimes-tu vraiment Hélène, Pâris ?
CASSANDRE
Ils sont le symbole de l'amour. Ils n'ont même plus à s'aimer.
PÂRIS
J'adore Hélène.
CASSANDRE, au rempart.
La voilà, Hélène.
HECTOR
Si je la convaincs de s'embarquer, tu acceptes ?
PÂRIS
J'accepte, oui.
HECTOR
Père, si Hélène consent à repartir pour la Grèce, vous la retiendrez de force ?
PRIAM
Pourquoi mettre en question l'impossible ?
HÉCUBE
Et pourquoi l'impossible ? Si les femmes sont le quart de ce que vous prétendez, Hélène partira d'elle-même.
PÂRIS
Père, c'est moi qui vous en prie. Vous les voyez et entendez. Cette tribu royale, dès qu'il est question d'Hélène, devient aussitôt un assemblage de belle-mère, de belles-sœurs, et de beau-père digne de la meilleure bourgeoisie. Je ne connais pas d'emploi plus humiliant dans une famille nombreuse que le rôle du fils séducteur. J'en ai assez de leurs insinuations. J'accepte le défi d'Hector.
DEMOKOS
Hélène n'est pas à toi seul, Pâris. Elle est à la ville. Elle est au pays.
LE GÉOMÈTRE
Elle est au paysage.
HÉCUBE
Tais-toi, Géomètre.
CASSANDRE
La voilà, Hélène...
HECTOR
Père, je vous le demande. Laissez-moi ce recours. Écoutez... On nous appelle pour la cérémonie. Laissez-moi et je vous rejoins.
PRIAM
Vraiment, tu acceptes, Pâris ?
PÂRIS
Je vous en conjure.
PRIAM
Soit. Venez, mes enfants. Allons préparer les portes de la guerre.
CASSANDRE
Pauvres portes ! Il faut plus d'huile pour les fermer que pour les ouvrir.
Priam et sa suite s'éloignent. Demokos est resté.
HECTOR
Qu'attends-tu là ?
DEMOKOS
Mes transes.
HECTOR
Tu dis ?
DEMOKOS
Chaque fois qu'Hélène apparaît, l'inspiration me saisit. Je délire, j'écume et j'improvise. Ciel, la voilà !
Il déclame.
Belle Hélène, Hélène de Sparte,
À gorge douce, à noble chef.
Les dieux nous gardent que tu partes,
Vers ton Ménélas derechef !
HECTOR
Tu as fini de terminer tes vers avec ces coups de marteau qui nous enfoncent le crâne ?
DEMOKOS
C'est une invention à moi. J'obtiens des effets bien plus surprenants encore. Écoute :
Viens sans peur au-devant d'Hector,
La gloire et l'effroi du Scamandre !
Tu as raison et lui a tort...
Car il est dur et tu es tendre 37...
HECTOR
File !
DEMOKOS
Qu'as-tu à me regarder ainsi ? Tu as l'air de détester autant la poésie que la guerre.
HECTOR
Va ! Ce sont les deux sœurs !
Le poète disparaît.
CASSANDRE, annonçant.
Hélène !
SCÈNE VII
HÉLÈNE, PÂRIS, HECTOR
PÂRIS
Hélène chérie, voici Hector. Il a des projets sur toi, des projets tout simples. Il veut te rendre aux Grecs et te prouver que tu ne m'aimes pas... Dis-moi que tu m'aimes, avant que je te laisse avec lui... Dis-le-moi comme tu le penses.
HÉLÈNE
Je t'adore, chéri.
PÂRIS
Dis-moi qu'elle était belle, la vague qui t'emporta de Grèce !
HÉLÈNE
Magnifique ! Une vague magnifique !... Où as-tu vu une vague ? La mer était si calme...
PÂRIS
Dis-moi que tu hais Ménélas...
HÉLÈNE
Ménélas ? Je le hais.
PÂRIS
Tu n'as pas fini... Je ne retournerai jamais en Grèce. Répète.
HÉLÈNE
Tu ne retourneras jamais en Grèce.
PÂRIS
Non, c'est de toi qu'il s'agit.
HÉLÈNE
Bien sûr ! Que je suis sotte !... Jamais je ne retournerai en Grèce.
PÂRIS
Je ne le lui fais pas dire... À toi maintenant.
Il s'en va.
SCÈNE VIII
HÉLÈNE, HECTOR
HECTOR
C'est beau, la Grèce ?
HÉLÈNE
Pâris l'a trouvée belle.
HECTOR
Je vous demande si c'est beau, la Grèce sans Hélène ?
HÉLÈNE
Merci pour Hélène.
HECTOR
Enfin, comment est-ce, depuis qu'on en parle ?
HÉLÈNE
C'est beaucoup de rois et de chèvres éparpillés sur du marbre.
HECTOR
Si les rois sont dorés et les chèvres angora, cela ne doit pas être mal au soleil levant.
HÉLÈNE
Je me lève tard.
HECTOR
Des dieux aussi, en quantité ? Pâris dit que le ciel en grouille, que des jambes de déesses en pendent.
HÉLÈNE
Pâris va toujours le nez levé. Il peut les avoir vues.
HECTOR
Vous, non ?
HÉLÈNE
Je ne suis pas douée. Je n'ai jamais pu voir un poisson dans la mer. Je regarderai mieux quand j'y retournerai.
HECTOR
Vous venez de dire à Pâris que vous n'y retourneriez jamais.
HÉLÈNE
Il m'a priée de le dire. J'adore obéir à Pâris.
HECTOR
Je vois. C'est comme pour Ménélas. Vous ne le haïssez pas.
HÉLÈNE
Pourquoi le haïrais-je ?
HECTOR
Pour la seule raison qui fasse vraiment haïr. Vous l'avez trop vu.
HÉLÈNE
Ménélas ? Oh ! non ! Je n'ai jamais bien vu Ménélas, ce qui s'appelle vu. Au contraire.
HÉLÈNE
Entre les objets et les êtres, certains sont colorés pour moi. Ceux-là je les vois. Je crois en eux. Je n'ai jamais bien pu voir Ménélas.
HECTOR
Il a dû pourtant s'approcher très près.
HÉLÈNE
J'ai pu le toucher. Je ne peux pas dire que je l'ai vu.
HECTOR
On dit qu'il ne vous quittait pas.
HÉLÈNE
Évidemment. J'ai dû le traverser bien des fois sans m'en douter.
HECTOR
Tandis que vous avez vu Pâris ?
HÉLÈNE
Sur le ciel, sur le sol, comme une découpure.
HECTOR
Il s'y découpe encore ? Regardez-le, là-bas, adossé au rempart.
HÉLÈNE
Vous êtes sûr que c'est Pâris, là-bas ?
HECTOR
C'est lui qui vous attend.
HÉLÈNE
Tiens ! Il est beaucoup moins net !
HECTOR
Le mur est cependant passé à la chaux fraîche. Tenez, le voilà de profil !
HÉLÈNE
C'est curieux comme ceux qui vous attendent se découpent moins bien que ceux que l'on attend !
HECTOR
Vous êtes sûre qu'il vous aime, Pâris ?
HÉLÈNE
Je n'aime pas beaucoup connaître les sentiments des autres. Rien ne gêne comme cela. C'est comme au jeu quand on voit dans le jeu de l'adversaire. On est sûr de perdre.
HECTOR
Et vous, vous l'aimez ?
HÉLÈNE
Je n'aime pas beaucoup connaître non plus mes propres sentiments.
HECTOR
Voyons ! Quand vous venez d'aimer Pâris, qu'il s'assoupit dans vos bras, quand vous êtes encore ceinturée par Pâris, comblée par Pâris, vous n'avez aucune pensée ?
HÉLÈNE
Mon rôle est fini. Je laisse l'univers penser à ma place. Cela, il le fait mieux que moi.
HECTOR
Mais le plaisir vous rattache bien à quelqu'un, aux autres ou à vous-même.
HÉLÈNE
Je connais surtout le plaisir des autres... Il m'éloigne des deux.
HECTOR
Il y a eu beaucoup de ces autres, avant Pâris ?
HÉLÈNE
Quelques-uns.
HECTOR
Et il y en aura d'autres après lui, n'est-ce pas, pourvu qu'ils se découpent sur l'horizon, sur le mur ou sur le drap ? C'est bien ce que je supposais. Vous n'aimez pas Pâris, Hélène. Vous aimez les hommes !
HÉLÈNE
Je ne les déteste pas. C'est agréable de les frotter contre soi comme de grands savons. On en est toute pure...
HECTOR
Cassandre ! Cassandre 38 !
SCÈNE IX
HÉLÈNE, CASSANDRE, HECTOR, MESSAGERS
CASSANDRE
Qu'y a-t-il ?
HECTOR
Tu me fais rire. Ce sont toujours les devineresses qui questionnent.
CASSANDRE
Pourquoi m'appelles-tu ?
HECTOR
Cassandre, Hélène repart ce soir avec l'envoyé grec.
HÉLÈNE
Moi ? Que contez-vous là ?
HECTOR
Vous ne venez pas de me dire que vous n'aimez pas très particulièrement Pâris ?
HÉLÈNE
Vous interprétez. Enfin, si vous voulez.
HECTOR
Je cite mes auteurs. Que vous aimez surtout frotter les hommes contre vous comme de grands savons ?
HÉLÈNE
Oui. Ou de la pierre ponce, si vous aimez mieux. Et alors ?
HECTOR
Et alors, entre ce retour vers la Grèce qui ne vous déplaît pas et une catastrophe aussi redoutable que la guerre, vous hésiterez à choisir ?
HÉLÈNE
Vous ne me comprenez pas du tout, Hector. Je n'hésite pas à choisir. Ce serait trop facile de dire : je fais ceci, ou je fais cela, pour que ceci ou cela se fît. Vous avez découvert que je suis faible. Vous en êtes tout joyeux. L'homme qui découvre la faiblesse dans une femme, c'est le chasseur à midi qui découvre une source. Il s'en abreuve. Mais n'allez pourtant pas croire, parce que vous avez convaincu la plus faible des femmes, que vous avez convaincu l'avenir. Ce n'est pas en manœuvrant des enfants qu'on détermine le destin...
HECTOR
Les subtilités et les riens grecs m'échappent.
HÉLÈNE
Il ne s'agit pas de subtilités et de riens. Il s'agit au moins de monstres et de pyramides.
HECTOR
Choisissez-vous le départ, oui ou non ?
HÉLÈNE
Ne me brusquez pas... Je choisis les événement comme je choisis les objets et les hommes. Je choisis ceux qui ne sont pas pour moi des ombres. Je choisis ceux que je vois.
HECTOR
Je sais, vous l'avez dit : ceux que vous voyez colorés. Et vous ne vous voyez pas rentrant dans quelques jours au palais de Ménélas ?
HÉLÈNE
Non. Difficilement.
HECTOR
On peut habiller votre mari très brillant pour ce retour.
HÉLÈNE
Toute la pourpre de toutes les coquilles 39 ne me le rendrait pas visible.
HECTOR
Voici ta concurrente, Cassandre. Celle-là aussi lit l'avenir.
HÉLÈNE
Je ne lis pas l'avenir. Mais, dans cet avenir, je vois des scènes colorées, d'autres ternes. Jusqu'ici ce sont toujours les scènes colorées qui ont eu lieu.
HECTOR
Nous allons vous remettre aux Grecs en plein midi, sur le sable aveuglant, entre la mer violette 40 et le mur ocre. Nous serons tous en cuirasse d'or à jupe rouge, et entre mon étalon blanc et la jument noire de Priam, mes sœurs en péplum vert vous remettront nue à l'ambassadeur grec, dont je devine, au-dessus du casque d'argent, le plumet amarante. Vous voyez cela, je pense ?
HÉLÈNE
Non, du tout. C'est tout sombre.
HECTOR
Vous vous moquez de moi, n'est-ce pas ?
HÉLÈNE
Me moquer, pourquoi ? Allons ! Partons, si vous voulez ! Allons nous préparer pour ma remise aux Grecs. Nous verrons bien.
HECTOR
Vous doutez-vous que vous insultez l'humanité, ou est-ce inconscient ?
HÉLÈNE
J'insulte quoi ?
HECTOR
Vous doutez-vous que votre album de chromos est la dérision du monde ? Alors que tous ici nous nous battons, nous nous sacrifions pour fabriquer une heure qui soit à nous, vous êtes là à feuilleter vos gravures prêtes de toute éternité !... Qu'avez-vous ? À laquelle vous arrêtez-vous avec ces yeux aveugles ? À celle sans doute où vous êtes sur ce même rempart, contemplant la bataille ? Vous la voyez, la bataille ?
HÉLÈNE
Oui.
HECTOR
Et la ville s'effondre ou brûle, n'est-ce pas ?
HÉLÈNE
Oui. C'est rouge vif.
HECTOR
Et Pâris ? Vous voyez le cadavre de Pâris traîné derrière un char ?
HÉLÈNE
Ah ! vous croyez que c'est Pâris ? Je vois en effet un morceau d'aurore qui roule dans la poussière. Un diamant à sa main étincelle... Mais oui !... Je reconnais souvent mal les visages, mais toujours les bijoux. C'est bien sa bague 41.
HECTOR
Parfait... Je n'ose vous questionner sur Andromaque et sur moi... sur le groupe Andromaque-Hector... Vous le voyez ! Ne niez pas. Comment le voyez-vous ? Heureux, vieilli, luisant ?
HÉLÈNE
Je n'essaye pas de le voir.
HECTOR
Et le groupe Andromaque pleurant sur le corps d'Hector 42, il luit ?
HÉLÈNE
Vous savez... Je peux très bien voir luisant, extraordinairement luisant, et qu'il n'arrive rien. Personne n'est infaillible.
HECTOR
N'insistez pas. Je comprends... Il y a un fils entre la mère qui pleure et le père étendu 43.
HÉLÈNE
Oui... Il joue avec les cheveux emmêlés du père... Il est charmant.
HECTOR
Et elles sont au fond de vos yeux ces scènes ? On peut les y voir ?
HÉLÈNE
Je ne sais pas. Regardez.
HECTOR
Plus rien ! Plus rien que la cendre de tous ces incendies, l'émeraude et l'or en poudre ! Qu'elle est pure, la lentille du monde ! Ce ne sont pourtant pas les pleurs qui doivent la laver... Tu pleurerais, si on allait te tuer, Hélène ?
HÉLÈNE
Je ne sais pas. Mais je crierais. Et je sens que je vais crier, si vous continuez ainsi, Hector... Je vais crier.
HECTOR
Tu repartiras ce soir pour la Grèce, Hélène, ou je te tue.
HÉLÈNE
Mais je veux bien partir ! Je suis prête à partir. Je vous répète seulement que je ne peux arriver à rien distinguer du navire qui m'emportera. Je ne vois scintiller ni la ferrure du mât de misaine, ni l'anneau du nez du capitaine, ni le blanc de l'œil du mousse.
HECTOR
Tu rentreras sur une mer grise, sous un soleil gris. Mais il nous faut la paix.
HÉLÈNE
Je ne vois pas la paix.
HECTOR
Demande à Cassandre de te la montrer. Elle est sorcière. Elle évoque formes et génies.
LE MESSAGER
Hector, Priam te réclame ! Les prêtres s'opposent à ce que l'on ferme les portes de la guerre ! Ils disent que les dieux y verraient une insulte.
HECTOR
C'est curieux comme les dieux 44 s'abstiennent de parler eux-mêmes dans les cas difficiles.
le messager
Ils ont parlé eux-mêmes. La foudre est tombée sur le temple, et les entrailles des victimes sont contre le renvoi d'Hélène.
HECTOR
Je donnerais beaucoup pour consulter aussi les entrailles des prêtres... Je te suis.
Le guerrier sort.
HECTOR
Ainsi, vous êtes d'accord, Hélène ?
HÉLÈNE
Oui.
HECTOR
Vous direz désormais ce que je vous dirai de dire ? Vous ferez ce que je vous dirai de faire ?
HÉLÈNE
Oui.
HECTOR
Devant Ulysse 45, vous ne me contredirez pas, vous abonderez dans mon sens ?
HÉLÈNE
Oui.
HECTOR
Écoute-la, Cassandre ! Écoute ce bloc de négation qui dit oui ! Tous m'ont cédé. Pâris m'a cédé, Priam m'a cédé, Hélène me cède. Et je sens qu'au contraire, dans chacune de ces victoires apparentes, j'ai perdu. On croit lutter contre des géants, on va les vaincre, et il se trouve qu'on lutte contre quelque chose d'inflexible qui est un reflet sur la rétine d'une femme. Tu as beau me dire oui, Hélène, tu es comble d'une obstination qui me nargue !
HÉLÈNE
C'est possible. Mais je n'y peux rien. Ce n'est pas la mienne.
HECTOR
Par quelle divagation le monde a-t-il été placer son miroir dans cette tête obtuse ?
HÉLÈNE
C'est regrettable, évidemment. Mais vous voyez un moyen de vaincre l'obstination des miroirs ?
HECTOR
Oui. C'est à cela que je songe depuis un moment.
HÉLÈNE
Si on les brise, ce qu'ils reflétaient n'en demeure peut-être pas moins ?
HECTOR
C'est là toute la question.
AUTRE MESSAGER
Hector, hâte-toi. La plage est en révolte. Les navires des Grecs sont en vue, et ils ont hissé leur pavillon non au ramat mais à l'écoutière 46. L'honneur de notre marine est en jeu. Priam craint que l'envoyé ne soit massacré à son débarquement.
HECTOR
Je te confie Hélène, Cassandre. J'enverrai mes ordres.
SCÈNE X
HÉLÈNE, CASSANDRE
CASSANDRE
Moi, je ne vois rien, coloré ou terne. Mais chaque être pèse sur moi par son approche même. À l'angoisse de mes veines, je sens son destin.
HÉLÈNE
Moi, dans mes scènes colorées, je vois quelquefois un détail plus étincelant encore que les autres. Je ne l'ai pas dit à Hector. Mais le cou de son fils est illuminé, la place du cou où bat l'artère 47...
CASSANDRE
Moi, je suis comme un aveugle qui va à tâtons. Mais c'est au milieu de la vérité que je suis aveugle. Eux tous voient, et ils voient le mensonge. Je tâte la vérité.
HÉLÈNE
Notre avantage, c'est que nos visions se confondent avec nos souvenirs, l'avenir avec le passé ! On devient moins sensible... C'est vrai que vous êtes sorcière, que vous pouvez évoquez la paix ?
CASSANDRE
La paix ? Très facile. Elle écoute en mendiante derrière chaque porte... La voilà.
La Paix apparaît.
HÉLÈNE
Comme elle est jolie !
LA PAIX
Au secours, Hélène, aide-moi !
HÉLÈNE
Mais comme elle est pâle.
LA PAIX
Je suis pâle ? Comment, pâle ! Tu ne vois pas cet or dans mes cheveux ?
HÉLÈNE
Tiens, de l'or gris ? C'est une nouveauté 48...
LA PAIX
De l'or gris ! Mon or est gris ?
La Paix disparaît.
HÉLÈNE
Elle a disparu ?
CASSANDRE
Je pense qu'elle se met un peu de rouge.
La Paix reparaît, outrageusement fardée.
LA PAIX
Et comme cela ?
HÉLÈNE
Je la vois de moins en moins.
LA PAIX
Et comme cela ?
CASSANDRE
Hélène ne te voit pas davantage.
LA PAIX
Tu me vois, toi, puisque tu me parles !
CASSANDRE
C'est ma spécialité de parler à l'Invisible.
LA PAIX
Que se passe-t-il donc ? Pourquoi les hommes dans la ville et sur la plage poussent-ils ces cris ?
CASSANDRE
Il paraît que leurs dieux entrent dans le jeu et aussi leur honneur.
LA PAIX
Leurs dieux ! Leur honneur !
CASSANDRE
Oui... Tu es malade !
RIDEAU
ACTE DEUXIÈME
Square clos de palais. À chaque angle, échappée sur la mer. Au centre un monument, les portes de la guerre. Elles sont grandes ouvertes.
SCÈNE PREMIÈRE
HÉLÈNE, LE JEUNE TROÏLUS
HÉLÈNE
Hé, là-bas ! Oui, c'est toi que j'appelle !... Approche !
TROÏLUS
Non.
HÉLÈNE
Comment t'appelles-tu ?
TROÏLUS
Troïlus.
HÉLÈNE
Viens ici !
TROÏLUS
Non.
HÉLÈNE
Viens ici, Troïlus !... (Troïlus approche.) Ah ! te voilà ! Tu obéis quand on t'appelle par ton nom : tu es encore très lévrier. C'est d'ailleurs gentil. Tu sais que tu m'obliges pour la première fois à crier, en parlant à un homme ? Ils sont toujours tellement collés à moi que je n'ai qu'à bouger les lèvres. J'ai crié à des mouettes, à des biches, à l'écho, jamais à un homme. Tu me paieras cela... Qu'as-tu ? Tu trembles ?
TROÏLUS
Je ne tremble pas.
HÉLÈNE
Tu trembles, Troïlus.
TROÏLUS
Oui, je tremble.
HÉLÈNE
Pourquoi es-tu toujours derrière moi ? Quand je vais dos au soleil et que je m'arrête, la tête de ton ombre bute toujours contre mes pieds. C'est tout juste si elle ne les dépasse pas. Dis-moi ce que tu veux...
TROÏLUS
Je ne veux rien.
HÉLÈNE
Dis-moi ce que tu veux, Troïlus !
TROÏLUS
Tout ! Je veux tout !
HÉLÈNE
Tu veux tout. La lune ?
TROÏLUS
Tout ! Plus que tout !
HÉLÈNE
Tu parles déjà comme un vrai homme : tu veux m'embrasser, quoi !
TROÏLUS
Non !
HÉLÈNE
Tu veux m'embrasser, n'est-ce pas, mon petit Troïlus ?
TROÏLUS
Je me tuerais aussitôt après !
HÉLÈNE
Approche... Quel âge as-tu ?
TROÏLUS
Quinze ans... Hélas !
HÉLÈNE
Bravo pour « hélas »... Tu as déjà embrassé des jeunes filles ?
TROÏLUS
Je les hais.
HÉLÈNE
Tu en as déjà embrassé ?
TROÏLUS
On les embrasse toutes. Je donnerais ma vie pour n'en avoir embrassé aucune.
HÉLÈNE
Tu me sembles disposer d'un nombre considérable d'existences. Pourquoi ne m'as-tu pas dit franchement : Hélène, je veux vous embrasser !... Je ne vois aucun mal à ce que tu m'embrasses... Embrasse-moi.
TROÏLUS
Jamais.
HÉLÈNE
À la fin du jour, quand je m'assieds aux créneaux pour voir le couchant sur les îles, tu serais arrivé doucement, tu aurais tourné ma tête vers toi avec tes mains, – de dorée, elle serait devenue sombre, tu l'aurais moins bien vue évidemment, – et tu m'aurais embrassée, j'aurais été très contente... Tiens, me serais-je dit, le petit Troïlus m'embrasse !... Embrasse-moi.
TROÏLUS
Jamais.
HÉLÈNE
Je vois. Tu me haïrais si tu m'avais embrassée ?
TROÏLUS
Ah ! Les hommes ont bien de la chance d'arriver à dire ce qu'ils veulent dire !
HÉLÈNE
Toi, tu le dis assez bien.
SCÈNE II
HÉLÈNE, PÂRIS, LE JEUNE TROÏLUS
PÂRIS
Méfie-toi, Hélène. Troïlus est un dangereux personnage.
HÉLÈNE
Au contraire. Il veut m'embrasser.
PÂRIS
Troïlus, tu sais que si tu embrasses Hélène, je te tue !
HÉLÈNE
Cela lui est égal de mourir, même plusieurs fois.
PÂRIS
Qu'est-ce qu'il a ? Il prend son élan ?... Il va bondir sur toi ?... Il est trop gentil ! Embrasse Hélène, Troïlus. Je te le permets.
HÉLÈNE
Si tu l'y décides, tu es plus malin que moi.
Troïlus qui allait se précipiter sur Hélène s'écarte aussitôt.
PÂRIS
Écoute, Troïlus ! Voici nos vénérables qui arrivent en corps pour fermer les portes de la guerre... Embrasse Hélène devant eux : tu seras célèbre. Tu veux être célèbre, plus tard, dans la vie ?
TROÏLUS
Non. Inconnu.
PÂRIS
Tu ne veux pas devenir célèbre ? Tu ne veux pas être riche, puissant ?
TROÏLUS
Non. Pauvre. Laid.
PÂRIS
Laisse-moi finir !... Pour avoir toutes les femmes !
TROÏLUS
Je n'en veux aucune, aucune !
PÂRIS
Voilà nos sénateurs ! Tu as à choisir : ou tu embrasseras Hélène devant eux, ou c'est moi qui l'embrasse devant toi. Tu préfères que ce soit moi ? Très bien ! Regarde !... Oh ! Quel est ce baiser inédit que tu me donnes, Hélène ?
HÉLÈNE
Le baiser destiné à Troïlus.
PÂRIS
Tu ne sais pas ce que tu perds, mon enfant ! Oh ! tu t'en vas ? Bonsoir !
HÉLÈNE
Nous nous embrasserons, Troïlus. Je t'en réponds. (Troïlus s'en va.) Troïlus !
PÂRIS, un peu énervé.
Tu cries bien fort, Hélène !
SCÈNE III
HÉLÈNE, DEMOKOS, PÂRIS
DEMOKOS
Hélène, une minute ! Et regarde-moi bien en face. J'ai dans la main un magnifique oiseau que je vais lâcher... Là, tu y es ?... C'est cela... Arrange tes cheveux et souris un beau sourire.
PÂRIS
Je ne vois pas en quoi l'oiseau s'envolera mieux si les cheveux d'Hélène bouffent et si elle fait son beau sourire.
HÉLÈNE
Cela ne peut pas me nuire en tout cas.
DEMOKOS
Ne bouge plus... Une ! Deux ! Trois ! Voilà... c'est fait, tu peux partir...
HÉLÈNE
Et l'oiseau ?
DEMOKOS
C'est un oiseau qui sait se rendre invisible.
HÉLÈNE
La prochaine fois demande-lui sa recette.
Elle sort.
PÂRIS
Quelle est cette farce ?
DEMOKOS
Je compose un chant sur le visage d'Hélène. J'avais besoin de bien le contempler, de le graver dans ma mémoire avec sourire et boucles. Il y est 1.
SCÈNE IV
DEMOKOS, PÂRIS, HÉCUBE,
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE, ABNÉOS,
LE GÉOMÈTRE,
QUELQUES VIEILLARDS
HÉCUBE
Enfin, vous allez nous la fermer, cette porte ?
DEMOKOS
Certainement non. Nous pouvons avoir à la rouvrir ce soir même.
HÉCUBE
Hector le veut. Il décidera Priam.
DEMOKOS
C'est ce que nous verrons. Je lui réserve d'ailleurs une surprise, à Hector !
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Où mène-t-elle, la porte, maman ?
ABNÉOS
À la guerre, mon enfant. Quand elle est ouverte, c'est qu'il y a la guerre.
DEMOKOS
Mes amis...
HÉCUBE
Guerre ou non, votre symbole est stupide. Cela fait réellement peu soigné, ces deux battants toujours ouverts ! Tous les chiens s'y arrêtent.
LE GÉOMÈTRE
Il ne s'agit pas de ménage. Il s'agit de la guerre et des dieux.
HÉCUBE
C'est bien ce que je dis, les dieux ne savent pas fermer leurs portes.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Moi, je les ferme très bien, n'est-ce pas, maman !
PÂRIS, baisant les doigts
de la petite Polyxène.
Tu te prends même les doigts en les fermant, chérie.
DEMOKOS
Puis-je enfin réclamer un peu de silence, Pâris ?... Abnéos, et toi, Géomètre, et vous mes amis, si je vous ai convoqués ici avant l'heure, c'est pour tenir notre premier conseil. Et c'est de bon augure que ce premier conseil de guerre ne soit pas celui des généraux, mais celui des intellectuels 2. Car il ne suffit pas, à la guerre, de fourbir des armes à nos soldats. Il est indispensable de porter au comble leur enthousiasme. L'ivresse physique, que leurs chefs obtiendront à l'instant de l'assaut par un vin à la résine 3 vigoureusement placé, restera vis-à-vis des Grecs inefficiente, si elle ne se double de l'ivresse morale que nous, les poètes, allons leur verser. Puisque l'âge nous éloigne du combat, servons du moins à le rendre sans merci. Je vois que tu as des idées là-dessus, Abnéos, et je te donne la parole.
ABNÉOS
Oui. Il nous faut un chant de guerre.
DEMOKOS
Très juste. La guerre exige un chant de guerre.
PÂRIS
Nous nous en sommes passés jusqu'ici.
HÉCUBE
Elle chante assez fort elle-même...
ABNÉOS
Nous nous en sommes passés, parce que nous n'avons jamais combattu que des barbares. C'était de la chasse. Le cor suffisait. Avec les Grecs, nous entrons dans un domaine de guerre autrement relevé.
DEMOKOS
Très exact, Abnéos. Ils ne se battent pas avec tout le monde.
PÂRIS
Nous avons déjà un chant national.
ABNÉOS
Oui. Mais c'est un chant de paix.
PÂRIS
Il suffit de chanter un chant de paix avec grimace et gesticulation pour qu'il devienne un chant de guerre... Quelles sont déjà les paroles du nôtre ?
ABNÉOS
Tu le sais bien. Anodines. – C'est nous qui fauchons les moissons, qui pressons le sang de la vigne !
DEMOKOS
C'est tout au plus un chant de guerre contre les céréales. Vous n'effraierez pas les Spartiates en menaçant le blé noir.
PÂRIS
Chante-le avec un javelot à la main et un mort à tes pieds, et tu verras.
HÉCUBE
Il y a le mot « sang », c'est toujours cela.
PÂRIS
Le mot « moisson » aussi. La guerre l'aime assez.
ABNÉOS
Pourquoi discuter, puisque Demokos peut nous en livrer un tout neuf dans les deux heures.
DEMOKOS
Deux heures, c'est un peu court.
HÉCUBE
N'aie aucune crainte, c'est plus qu'il ne te faut ! Et après le chant ce sera l'hymne, et après l'hymne la cantate. Dès que la guerre est déclarée, impossible de tenir les poètes. La rime, c'est encore le meilleur tambour.
DEMOKOS
Et le plus utile, Hécube, tu ne crois pas si bien dire. Je la connais la guerre. Tant qu'elle n'est pas là, tant que ses portes sont fermées, libre à chacun de l'insulter et de la honnir. Elle dédaigne les affronts du temps de paix. Mais, dès qu'elle est présente, son orgueil est à vif, on ne gagne sa faveur, on ne la gagne, que si on la complimente et la caresse. C'est alors la mission de ceux qui savent parler et écrire, de louer la guerre, de l'aduler à chaque heure du jour, de la flatter sans arrêt aux places claires ou équivoques de son énorme corps, sinon on se l'aliène. Voyez les officiers : Braves devant l'ennemi lâches devant la guerre, c'est la devise des vrais généraux.
PÂRIS
Et tu as même déjà une idée pour ton chant ?
DEMOKOS
Une idée merveilleuse, que tu comprendras mieux que personne... Elle doit être lasse qu'on l'affuble de cheveux de Méduse, de lèvres de Gorgone 4 : j'ai l'idée de comparer son visage au visage d'Hélène. Elle sera ravie de cette ressemblance.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
À quoi ressemble-t-elle, la guerre, maman ?
HÉCUBE
À ta tante Hélène.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Elle est bien jolie.
DEMOKOS
Donc, la discussion est close. Entendu pour le chant de guerre. Pourquoi t'agiter, Géomètre ?
LE GÉOMÈTRE
Parce qu'il y a plus pressé que le chant de guerre, beaucoup plus pressé !
DEMOKOS
Tu veux dire les médailles, les fausses nouvelles ?
LE GÉOMÈTRE
Je veux dire les épithètes.
HÉCUBE
Les épithètes 5 ?
LE GÉOMÈTRE
Avant de se lancer leurs javelots, les guerriers grecs se lancent des épithètes... Cousin de crapaud, se crient-ils ! Fils de bœuf... Ils s'insultent, quoi ! Et ils ont raison. Il savent que le corps est plus vulnérable quand l'amour-propre est à vif. Des guerriers connus pour leur sang-froid le perdent illico quand on les traite de verrues ou de corps thyroïdes. Nous autres Troyens manquons terriblement d'épithètes.
DEMOKOS
Le Géomètre a raison. Nous sommes vraiment les seuls à ne pas insulter nos adversaires avant de les tuer...
PÂRIS
Tu ne crois pas suffisant que les civils s'insultent, Géomètre ?
LE GÉOMÈTRE
Les armées doivent partager les haines des civils. Tu les connais, sur ce point, elles sont décevantes. Quand on les laisse à elles-mêmes, elles passent leur temps à s'estimer. Leurs lignes déployées deviennent bientôt les seules lignes de vraie fraternité 6 dans le monde, et du fond du champ de bataille, où règne une considération mutuelle, la haine est refoulée sur les écoles, les salons ou le petit commerce. Si nos soldats ne sont pas au moins à égalité dans le combat d'épithètes, ils perdront tout goût à l'insulte, à la calomnie, et par suite immanquablement à la guerre.
DEMOKOS
Adopté ! Nous leur organiserons un concours dès ce soir.
PÂRIS
Je les crois assez grands pour les trouver eux-mêmes.
DEMOKOS
Quelle erreur ! Tu les trouverais toi-même, tes épithètes, toi qui passes pour habile ?
PÂRIS
J'en suis persuadé.
DEMOKOS
Tu te fais des illusions. Mets-toi en face d'Abnéos, et commence.
PÂRIS
Pourquoi d'Abnéos ?
DEMOKOS
Parce qu'il prête aux épithètes, ventru et bancal comme il est.
ABNÉOS
Dis donc, moule à tarte !
PÂRIS
Non. Abnéos ne m'inspire pas. Mais en face de toi, si tu veux.
DEMOKOS
De moi ? Parfait ! Tu vas voir ce que c'est, l'épithète improvisée ! Compte dix pas... J'y suis... Commence...
HÉCUBE
Regarde-le bien. Tu seras inspiré.
PÂRIS
Vieux parasite ! Poète aux pieds sales !
DEMOKOS
Une seconde... Si tu faisais précéder les épithètes du nom, pour éviter les méprises...
PÂRIS
En effet, tu as raison... Demokos ! Œil de veau ! Arbre à pellicules !
DEMOKOS
C'est grammaticalement correct, mais bien naïf. En quoi le fait d'être appelé arbre à pellicules peut-il me faire monter l'écume aux lèvres et me pousser à tuer ? Arbre à pellicules est complètement inopérant.
HÉCUBE
Il t'appelle aussi Œil de veau.
DEMOKOS
Œil de veau est un peu mieux... Mais tu vois comme tu patauges, Pâris ? Cherche donc ce qui peut m'atteindre. Quels sont mes défauts, à ton avis ?
PÂRIS
Tu es lâche, ton haleine est fétide, et tu n'as aucun talent.
DEMOKOS
Tu veux une gifle ?
PÂRIS
Ce que j'en dis, c'est pour te faire plaisir.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Pourquoi gronde-t-on l'oncle Demokos, maman ?
HÉCUBE
Parce que c'est un serin, chérie !
DEMOKOS
Vous dites, Hécube ?
HÉCUBE
Je dis que tu es un serin, Demokos. Je dis que si les serins avaient la bêtise, la prétention, la laideur et la puanteur des vautours, tu serais un serin.
DEMOKOS
Tiens, Pâris ! Ta mère est plus forte que toi. Prends modèle. Une heure d'exercice par jour et par soldat, et Hécube nous donne la supériorité en épithètes. Et pour le chant de la guerre, je ne sais pas non plus s'il n'y aurait pas avantage à le lui confier...
HÉCUBE
Si tu veux. Mais je ne dirais pas qu'elle ressemble à Hélène.
DEMOKOS
Elle ressemble à quoi, d'après toi ?
HÉCUBE
Je te le dirai quand la porte sera fermée.
SCÈNE V
LES MÊMES, PRIAM, HECTOR, BUSIRIS, LE GARDE, UN MESSAGER, puis ANDROMAQUE, puis HÉLÈNE
Pendant la fermeture des portes, Andromaque prend à part la petite Polyxène, et lui confie une commission ou un secret.
HECTOR
Elle va l'être.
DEMOKOS
Un moment, Hector !
HECTOR
La cérémonie n'est pas prête ?
HÉCUBE
Si. Les gonds nagent dans l'huile d'olive.
HECTOR
Alors ?
PRIAM
Ce que nos amis veulent dire, Hector, c'est que la guerre aussi est prête. Réfléchis bien. Ils n'ont pas tort. Si tu fermes cette porte, il va peut-être falloir la rouvrir dans une minute.
HÉCUBE
Une minute de paix, c'est bon à prendre.
HECTOR
Mon père, tu dois pourtant savoir ce que signifie la paix pour des hommes qui depuis des mois se battent. C'est toucher enfin le fond pour ceux qui se noient ou s'enlisent. Laisse-nous prendre pied sur le moindre carré de paix, effleurer la paix une minute, fût-ce de l'orteil !
PRIAM
Hector, songe que jeter aujourd'hui le mot « paix » dans la ville est aussi coupable que d'y jeter un poison. Tu vas y détendre le cuir et le fer. Tu vas frapper avec le mot « paix » à la monnaie courante des souvenirs, des affections, des espoirs. Les soldats vont se précipiter pour acheter le pain de paix, boire le vin de paix, étreindre la femme de paix, et dans une heure tu les remettras face à la guerre.
HECTOR
La guerre n'aura pas lieu !
On entend des clameurs du côté du port.
DEMOKOS
Non ? Écoute.
HECTOR
Fermons les portes. C'est ici que nous recevrons tout à l'heure les Grecs. La conversation sera déjà assez rude. Il convient de les recevoir dans la paix.
PRIAM
Mon fils, savons-nous même si nos devons permettre aux Grecs de débarquer ?
HECTOR
Ils débarqueront. L'entrevue avec Ulysse est notre dernière chance de paix.
DEMOKOS
Ils ne débarqueront pas. Notre honneur est en jeu. Nous serions la risée du monde...
HECTOR
Et tu prends sur toi de conseiller au Sénat une mesure qui signifie la guerre ?
DEMOKOS
Sur moi ? Tu tombes mal. Avance, Busiris 7. Ta mission commence.
HECTOR
Quel est cet étranger ?
DEMOKOS
Cet étranger est le plus grand expert vivant du droit des peuples. Notre chance veut qu'il soit aujourd'hui de passage dans Troie. Tu ne diras pas que c'est un témoin partial. C'est un neutre. Notre Sénat se range à son avis, qui sera demain celui de toutes les nations.
HECTOR
Et quel est ton avis ?
BUSIRIS
Mon avis, Princes, après constat de visu et enquête subséquente, est que les Grecs se sont rendus vis-à-vis de Troie coupables de trois manquements aux règles internationales. Leur permettre de débarquer serait vous retirer cette qualité d'offensé qui vous vaudra, dans le conflit, la sympathie universelle.
HECTOR
Explique-toi.
BUSIRIS
Premièrement ils ont hissé leur pavillon au ramat et non à l'écoutière 8. Un navire de guerre, Princes et chers collègues, hisse sa flamme au ramat dans le seul cas de réponse au salut d'un bateau chargé de bœufs. Devant une ville et sa population, c'est donc le type même de l'insulte. Nous avons d'ailleurs un précédent. Les Grecs ont hissé l'année dernière leur pavillon au ramat en entrant dans le port d'Ophéa 9. La riposte a été cinglante. Ophéa a déclaré la guerre.
HECTOR
Et qu'est-il arrivé ?
BUSIRIS
Ophéa a été vaincue. Il n'y a plus d'Ophéa, ni d'Ophéens.
HÉCUBE
Parfait.
BUSIRIS
L'anéantissement d'une nation ne modifie en rien l'avantage de sa position morale internationale.
HECTOR
Continue.
BUSIRIS
Deuxièmement, la flotte grecque en pénétrant dans vos eaux territoriales a adopté la formation dite de face. Il avait été question, au dernier congrès, d'inscrire cette formation dans le paragraphe des mesures dites défensives-offensives. J'ai été assez heureux pour obtenir qu'on lui restituât sa vraie qualité de mesure offensive-défensive : elle est donc bel et bien une des formes larvées du front de mer qui est lui-même une forme larvée du blocus, c'est-à-dire qu'elle constitue un manquement au premier degré ! Nous avons aussi un précédent. Les navires grecs, il y a cinq ans, ont adopté la formation de face en ancrant devant Magnésie. Magnésie dans l'heure a déclaré la guerre.
HECTOR
Elle l'a gagnée ?
BUSIRIS
Elle l'a perdue. Il ne subsiste plus une pierre de ses murs. Mais mon paragraphe subsiste.
HÉCUBE
Je t'en félicite. Nous avions eu peur.
HECTOR
Achève.
BUSIRIS
Le troisième manquement est moins grave. Une des trirèmes 10 grecques a accosté sans permission et par traîtrise. Son chef Oiax 11, le plus brutal et le plus mauvais coucheur des Grecs, monte vers la ville, en semant le scandale et la provocation, et criant qu'il veut tuer Pâris. Mais, au point de vue international, ce manquement est négligeable. C'est un manquement qui n'a pas été fait dans les formes.
DEMOKOS
Te voilà renseigné. La situation a deux issues. Encaisser un outrage ou le rendre. Choisis.
HECTOR
Oneah 12, cours au-devant d'Oiax ! Arrange-toi pour le rabattre ici.
PÂRIS
Je l'y attends.
HECTOR
Tu me feras le plaisir de rester au palais jusqu'à ce que je t'appelle. Quant à toi, Busiris, apprends que notre ville n'entend d'aucune façon avoir été insultée par les Grecs.
BUSIRIS
Je n'en suis pas surpris. Sa fierté d'hermine est légendaire.
HECTOR
Tu vas donc, et sur-le-champ, me trouver une thèse qui permette à notre Sénat de dire qu'il n'y a pas eu manquement de la part de nos visiteurs, et à nous, hermines immaculées de les recevoir en hôtes.
DEMOKOS
Quelle est cette plaisanterie ?
BUSIRIS
C'est contre les faits, Hector.
HECTOR
Mon cher Busiris, nous savons tous ici que le droit est la plus puissante des écoles de l'imagination. Jamais poète n'a interprété la nature aussi librement qu'un juriste la réalité.
BUSIRIS
Le Sénat m'a demandé une consultation, je la donne.
HECTOR
Je te demande, moi, une interprétation. C'est plus juridique encore.
BUSIRIS
C'est contre ma conscience.
HECTOR
Ta conscience a vu périr Ophéa, périr Magnésie, et elle envisage d'un cœur léger la perte de Troie ?
HÉCUBE
Oui. Il est de Syracuse 13.
HECTOR
Je t'en supplie, Busiris. Il y va de la vie de deux peuples. Aide-nous.
BUSIRIS
Je ne peux vous donner qu'une aide, la vérité.
HECTOR
Justement. Trouve une vérité qui nous sauve. Si le droit n'est pas l'armurier des innocents, à quoi sert-il ? Forge-nous une vérité. D'ailleurs, c'est très simple, si tu ne la trouves pas, nous te gardons ici tant que durera la guerre.
BUSIRIS
Que dites-vous ?
DEMOKOS
Tu abuses de ton rang, Hector !
HÉCUBE
On emprisonne le droit pendant la guerre. On peut bien emprisonner un juriste.
HECTOR
Tiens-le-toi pour dit, Busiris. Je n'ai jamais manqué ni à mes menaces ni à mes promesses. Ou ces gardes te mènent en prison pour des années, ou tu pars ce soir même couvert d'or. Ainsi renseigné, soumets de nouveau la question à ton examen le plus impartial.
BUSIRIS
Évidemment, il y a des recours.
HECTOR
J'en étais sûr.
BUSIRIS
Pour le premier manquement, par exemple, ne peut-on interpréter, dans certaines mers bordées de régions fertiles, le salut au bateau chargé de bœufs comme un hommage de la marine à l'agriculture ?
HECTOR
En effet, c'est logique. Ce serait en somme le salut de la mer à la terre.
BUSIRIS
Sans compter qu'une cargaison de bétail peut être une cargaison de taureaux. L'hommage en ce cas touche même à la flatterie.
HECTOR
Voilà. Tu m'as compris. Nous y sommes.
BUSIRIS
Quant à la formation de face, il est tout aussi naturel de l'interpréter comme une avance que comme une provocation. Les femmes qui veulent avoir des enfants se présentent de face, et non de flanc.
HECTOR
Argument décisif.
BUSIRIS
D'autant plus que les Grecs ont à leur proue des nymphes sculptées gigantesques. Il est permis de dire que le fait de présenter aux Troyens, non plus le navire en tant qu'unité navale, mais la nymphe en tant que symbole fécondant, est juste le contraire d'une insulte. Une femme qui vient vers vous nue et les bras ouverts n'est pas une menace, mais une offre. Une offre à causer, en tout cas...
HECTOR
Et voilà notre honneur sauf, Demokos. Que l'on publie dans la ville la consultation de Busiris, et toi, Minos 14, cours donner l'ordre au capitaine du port de faire immédiatement débarquer Ulysse.
DEMOKOS
Cela devient impossible de discuter d'honneur avec ces anciens combattants. Ils abusent vraiment du fait qu'on ne peut les traiter de lâches.
LE GÉOMÈTRE
Prononce en tout cas le discours aux morts, Hector. Cela te fera réfléchir...
HECTOR
Il n'y aura pas de discours aux morts.
PRIAM
La cérémonie le comporte. Le général victorieux doit rendre hommage aux morts quand les portes se ferment.
HECTOR
Un discours aux morts de la guerre, c'est un plaidoyer hypocrite pour les vivants, une demande d'acquittement. C'est la spécialité des avocats 15. Je ne suis pas assez sûr de mon innocence...
DEMOKOS
Le commandement est irresponsable.
HECTOR
Hélas, tout le monde l'est, les dieux aussi 16 ! D'ailleurs je l'ai fait déjà, mon discours aux morts. Je le leur ai fait à leur dernière minute de vie, alors qu'adossés un peu de biais aux oliviers du champ de bataille, ils disposaient d'un reste d'ouïe et de regard. Et je peux vous répéter ce que je leur ai dit. Et à l'éventré, dont les prunelles tournaient déjà, j'ai dit : « Eh bien, mon vieux, ça ne va pas si mal que ça... » Et à celui dont la massue avait ouvert en deux le crâne : « Ce que tu peux être laid avec ce nez fendu ! » Et à mon petit écuyer, dont le bras gauche pendait et dont fuyait le dernier sang : « Tu as de la chance de t'en tirer avec le bras gauche... » Et je suis heureux de leur avoir fait boire à chacun une suprême goutte à la gourde de la vie. C'était tout ce qu'ils réclamaient, ils sont morts en la suçant... Et je n'ajouterai pas un mot. Fermez les portes.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Il est mort aussi, le petit écuyer ?
HECTOR
Oui, mon chat. Il est mort. Il a soulevé la main droite. Quelqu'un que je ne voyais pas le prenait par sa main valide. Et il est mort.
DEMOKOS
Notre général semble confondre paroles aux mourants et discours aux morts.
PRIAM
Ne t'obstine pas, Hector.
HECTOR
Très bien, très bien, je leur parle...
Il se place au pied des portes.
HECTOR
Ô vous qui ne nous entendez pas, qui ne nous voyez pas, écoutez ces paroles, voyez ce cortège. Nous sommes les vainqueurs. Cela vous est bien égal, n'est-ce pas ? Vous aussi vous l'êtes. Mais, nous, nous sommes les vainqueurs vivants. C'est ici que commence la différence. C'est ici que j'ai honte. Je ne sais si dans la foule des morts on distingue les morts vainqueurs par une cocarde. Les vivants, vainqueurs ou non, ont la vraie cocarde, la double cocarde. Ce sont leurs yeux. Nous, nous avons deux yeux, mes pauvres amis. Nous voyons le soleil. Nous faisons tout ce qui se fait dans le soleil. Nous mangeons. Nous buvons... Et dans le clair de lune !... Nous couchons avec nos femmes... Avec les vôtres aussi...
DEMOKOS
Tu insultes les morts, maintenant ?
HECTOR
Vraiment, tu crois ?
DEMOKOS
Ou les morts, ou les vivants.
HECTOR
Il y a une distinction...
PRIAM
Achève, Hector... Les Grecs débarquent...
HECTOR
J'achève... Ô vous qui ne sentez pas, qui ne touchez pas, respirez cet encens, touchez ces offrandes. Puisque enfin c'est un général sincère qui vous parle, apprenez que je n'ai pas une tendresse égale, un respect égal pour vous tous. Tout morts que vous êtes, il y a chez vous la même proportion de braves et de peureux que chez nous qui avons survécu et vous ne me ferez pas confondre, à la faveur d'une cérémonie, les morts que j'admire avec les morts que je n'admire pas. Mais ce que j'ai à vous dire aujourd'hui, c'est que la guerre me semble la recette la plus sordide et la plus hypocrite pour égaliser les humains et que je n'admets pas plus la mort comme châtiment ou comme expiation au lâche que comme récompense aux héros. Aussi, qui que vous soyez, vous absents, vous inexistants, vous oubliés, vous sans occupation, sans repos, sans être, je comprends en effet qu'il faille en fermant ces portes excuser près de vous ces déserteurs que sont les survivants, et ressentir comme un privilège et un vol ces deux biens qui s'appellent, de deux noms dont j'espère que la résonance ne vous atteint jamais, la chaleur et le ciel.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Les portes se ferment, maman !
HÉCUBE
Oui, chérie.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Ce sont les morts qui les poussent ?
HÉCUBE
Ils aident, un petit peu.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Ils aident bien, surtout à droite.
HECTOR
C'est fait ? Elles sont fermées ?
LE GARDE
Un coffre-fort...
HECTOR
Nous sommes en paix, père, nous sommes en paix.
HÉCUBE
Nous sommes en paix !
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
On se sent bien mieux, n'est-ce pas, maman ?
HECTOR
Vraiment, chérie !
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Moi je me sens bien mieux.
La musique des Grecs éclate.
UN MESSAGER
Leurs équipages ont mis pied à terre, Priam !
DEMOKOS
Quelle musique ! Quelle horreur de musique ! C'est de la musique antitroyenne 17 au plus haut point ! Allons les recevoir comme il convient.
HECTOR
Recevez-les royalement et qu'ils soient ici sans encombre. Vous êtes responsables !
LE GÉOMÈTRE
Opposons-leur en tout cas la musique troyenne. Hector, à défaut d'autre indignation, autorisera peut-être le conflit musical ?
LA FOULE
Les Grecs ! Les Grecs !
UN MESSAGER
Ulysse est sur l'estacade, Priam ! Où faut-il le conduire ?
PRIAM
Ici même. Préviens-nous au palais... Toi aussi, viens, Pâris. Tu n'as pas trop à circuler, en ce moment.
HECTOR
Allons préparer notre discours aux Grecs, père.
DEMOKOS
Prépare-le un peu mieux que celui aux morts, tu trouveras plus de contradiction. (Priam et ses fils sortent.) Tu t'en vas aussi, Hécube ? Tu t'en vas sans nous avoir dit à quoi ressemblait la guerre ?
HÉCUBE
Tu tiens à le savoir ?
DEMOKOS
Si tu l'as vue, dis-le.
HÉCUBE
À un cul de singe. Quand la guenon est montée à l'arbre et nous montre un fondement rouge, tout squameux et glacé, ceint d'une perruque immonde, c'est exactement la guerre que l'on voit, c'est son visage.
DEMOKOS
Avec celui d'Hélène, cela lui en fait deux.
Il sort.
ANDROMAQUE
La voilà justement, Hélène. Polyxène, tu te rappelles bien ce que tu as à lui dire.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Oui...
ANDROMAQUE
Va...
SCÈNE VI
HÉLÈNE, LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
HÉLÈNE
Tu veux me parler, chérie ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Oui, tante Hélène.
HÉLÈNE
Ça doit être important, tu es toute raide. Et tu te sens toute raide aussi, je parie ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Oui, tante Hélène.
HÉLÈNE
C'est une chose que tu ne peux pas me dire sans être raide ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Non, tante Hélène.
HÉLÈNE
Alors, dis-le vite. Tu me fais mal, raide comme cela.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Tante Hélène, si vous nous aimez, partez !
HÉLÈNE
Pourquoi partirais-je, chérie ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
À cause de la guerre.
HÉLÈNE
Tu sais déjà ce que c'est, la guerre ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Je ne sais pas très bien. Je crois qu'on meurt.
HÉLÈNE
La mort aussi tu sais ce que c'est ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Je ne sais pas non plus très bien. Je crois qu'on ne sent plus rien.
HÉLÈNE
Qu'est-ce qu'Andromaque t'a dit au juste de me demander ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
De partir, si vous nous aimez.
HÉLÈNE
Cela ne me paraît pas très logique. Si tu aimais quelqu'un, tu le quitterais ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Oh ! non ! jamais !
HÉLÈNE
Qu'est-ce que tu préférerais, quitter Hécube ou ne plus rien sentir ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Oh ! ne rien sentir ! Je préférerais rester et ne plus jamais rien sentir...
HÉLÈNE
Tu vois comme tu t'exprimes mal ! Pour que je parte, au contraire, il faudrait que je ne vous aime pas. Tu préfères que je ne t'aime pas ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Oh ! non ! que vous m'aimiez !
HÉLÈNE
Tu ne sais pas ce que tu dis, en somme ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Non...
VOIX D'HÉCUBE
Polyxène !
SCÈNE VII
LES MÊMES, HÉCUBE,
ANDROMAQUE
HÉCUBE
Tu es sourde, Polyxène ? Et qu'as-tu à fermer les yeux en me voyant ? Tu joues à la statue ? Viens avec moi.
HÉLÈNE
Elle s'entraîne à ne rien sentir. Mais elle n'est pas douée.
HÉCUBE
Enfin, est-ce que tu m'entends, Polyxène ? Est-ce que tu me vois ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Oh ! oui ! Je t'entends. Je te vois.
HÉCUBE
Pourquoi pleures-tu ? Il n'y a pas de mal à me voir et à m'entendre ?
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Si... Tu partiras...
HÉCUBE
Vous me ferez le plaisir de laisser désormais Polyxène tranquille, Hélène. Elle est trop sensible pour toucher l'insensible, fût-ce à travers votre belle robe et votre belle voix.
HÉLÈNE
C'est bien mon avis. Je conseille à Andromaque de faire ses commissions elle-même. Embrasse-moi, Polyxène. Je pars ce soir, puisque tu y tiens.
LA PETITE POLYXÈNE
Ne partez pas ! Ne partez pas !
HÉLÈNE
Bravo ! Te voilà souple...
HÉCUBE
Tu viens, Andromaque ?
ANDROMAQUE
Non, je reste.
SCÈNE VIII
HÉLÈNE, ANDROMAQUE
HÉLÈNE
L'explication, alors ?
ANDROMAQUE
Je crois qu'il la faut.
HÉLÈNE
Écoutez-les crier et discuter là-bas, tous tant qu'ils sont ! Cela ne suffit pas ? Il faut encore que les belles-sœurs s'expliquent ? S'expliquent quoi, puisque je pars ?
ANDROMAQUE
Que vous partiez ou non, ce n'est plus la question, Hélène.
HÉLÈNE
Dites cela à Hector. Vous faciliterez sa journée.
ANDROMAQUE
Oui, Hector s'accroche à l'idée de votre départ. Il est comme tous les hommes. Il suffit d'un lièvre pour les détourner du fourré où est la panthère. Le gibier des hommes peut se chasser ainsi. Pas celui des dieux.
HÉLÈNE
Si vous avez découvert ce qu'ils veulent, les dieux, dans toute cette histoire, je vous félicite.
ANDROMAQUE
Je ne sais pas si les dieux veulent quelque chose. Mais l'univers veut quelque chose. Depuis ce matin, tout me semble le réclamer, le crier, l'exiger, les hommes, les bêtes, les plantes... Jusqu'à cet enfant en moi...
HÉLÈNE
Ils réclament quoi ?
ANDROMAQUE
Que vous aimiez Pâris.
HÉLÈNE
S'ils savent que je n'aime point Pâris, ils sont mieux renseignés que moi.
ANDROMAQUE
Vous ne l'aimez pas ! Peut-être pourriez-vous l'aimer. Mais, pour le moment, c'est dans un malentendu que vous vivez tous deux.
HÉLÈNE
Je vis avec lui dans la bonne humeur, dans l'agrément, dans l'accord. Le malentendu de l'entente, je ne vois pas très bien ce que cela peut être.
ANDROMAQUE
Vous ne l'aimez pas. On ne s'entend pas, dans l'amour. La vie de deux époux qui s'aiment, c'est une perte de sang-froid perpétuelle. La dot des vrais couples est la même que celle des couples faux : le désaccord originel. Hector est le contraire de moi. Il n'a aucun de mes goûts. Nous passons notre journée ou à nous vaincre l'un l'autre ou à nous sacrifier. Les époux amoureux n'ont pas le visage clair.
HÉLÈNE
Et si mon teint était de plomb, quand j'approche Pâris, et mes yeux blancs, et mes mains moites, vous pensez que Ménélas en serait transporté, les Grecs épanouis ?
ANDROMAQUE
Peu importerait alors ce que pensent les Grecs !
HÉLÈNE
Et la guerre n'aurait pas lieu ?
ANDROMAQUE
Peut-être, en effet, n'aurait-elle pas lieu ! Peut-être, si vous vous aimiez, l'amour appellerait-il à son secours l'un de ses égaux, la générosité, l'intelligence... Personne, même le destin, ne s'attaque d'un cœur léger à la passion... Et même si elle avait lieu, tant pis !
HÉLÈNE
Ce ne serait sans doute pas la même guerre ?
ANDROMAQUE
Oh ! non, Hélène ! Vous sentez bien ce qu'elle sera, cette lutte. Le sort ne prend pas tant de précautions pour un combat vulgaire. Il veut construire l'avenir sur elle, l'avenir de nos races, de nos peuples, de nos raisonnements. Et que nos idées et que notre avenir soient fondés sur l'histoire d'une femme et d'un homme qui s'aimaient, ce n'est pas si mal. Mais il ne voit pas que vous n'êtes qu'un couple officiel !... Penser que nous allons souffrir, mourir, pour un couple officiel, que la splendeur ou le malheur des âges, que les habitudes des cerveaux et des siècles vont se fonder sur l'aventure de deux êtres qui ne s'aimaient pas, c'est là l'horreur.
HÉLÈNE
Si tous croient que nous nous aimons, cela revient au même.
ANDROMAQUE
Ils ne le croient pas. Mais aucun n'avouera qu'il ne le croit pas. Aux approches de la guerre, tous les êtres sécrètent une nouvelle sueur, tous les événements revêtent un nouveau vernis, qui est le mensonge. Tous mentent. Nos vieillards n'adorent pas la beauté, ils s'adorent eux-mêmes, ils adorent la laideur. Et l'indignation des Grecs est un mensonge. Dieu sait s'ils se moquent de ce que vous pouvez faire avec Pâris, les Grecs ! Et leurs bateaux qui accostent là-bas dans les banderoles et les hymnes, c'est un mensonge de la mer. Et la vie de mon fils, et la vie d'Hector vont se jouer sur l'hypocrisie et le simulacre, c'est épouvantable !
HÉLÈNE
Alors ?
ANDROMAQUE
Alors je vous en supplie, Hélène. Vous me voyez là pressée contre vous comme si je vous suppliais de m'aimer. Aimez Pâris ! Ou dites-moi que je me trompe ! Dites-moi que vous vous tuerez s'il mourait ! Que vous accepterez qu'on vous défigure pour qu'il vive !... Alors la guerre ne sera plus qu'un fléau, pas une injustice. J'essaierai de la supporter.
HÉLÈNE
Chère Andromaque, tout cela n'est pas si simple. Je ne passe point mes nuits, je l'avoue, à réfléchir sur le sort des humains, mais il m'a toujours semblé qu'ils se partageaient en deux sortes. Ceux qui sont, si vous voulez, la chair de la vie humaine. Et ceux qui en sont l'ordonnance, l'allure. Les premiers ont le rire, les pleurs, et tout ce que vous voudrez en sécrétions. Les autres ont le geste, la tenue, le regard. Si vous les obligez à ne faire qu'une race, cela ne va plus aller du tout. L'humanité doit autant à ses vedettes qu'à ses martyrs.
ANDROMAQUE
Hélène !
HÉLÈNE
D'ailleurs vous êtes difficile... Je ne le trouve pas si mal que cela, mon amour. Il me plaît, à moi. Évidemment cela ne tire pas sur mon foie ou ma rate quand Pâris m'abandonne pour le jeu de boules ou la pêche au congre. Mais je suis commandée par lui, aimantée par lui. L'aimantation, c'est aussi un amour, autant que la promiscuité. C'est une passion autrement ancienne et féconde que celle qui s'exprime par les yeux rougis de pleurs ou se manifeste par le frottement. Je suis aussi à l'aise dans cet amour qu'une étoile dans sa constellation. J'y gravite, j'y scintille, c'est ma façon à moi de respirer et d'étreindre. On voit très bien les fils qu'il peut produire, cet amour, de grands êtres clairs, bien distincts, avec des doigts annelés, et un nez court. Qu'est-ce qu'il va devenir, si j'y verse la jalousie, la tendresse et l'inquiétude ! Le monde est déjà si nerveux : voyez vous-même !
ANDROMAQUE
Versez-y la pitié, Hélène. C'est la seule aide dont ait besoin le monde.
HÉLÈNE
Voilà, cela devait venir, le mot est dit.
ANDROMAQUE
Quel mot ?
HÉLÈNE
Le mot « pitié ». Adressez-vous ailleurs. Je ne suis pas très forte en pitié 18.
ANDROMAQUE
Parce que vous ne connaissez pas le malheur !
HÉLÈNE
Je le connais très bien. Et les malheureux aussi. Et nous sommes très à l'aise ensemble. Tout enfant, je passais mes journées dans les huttes collées au palais, avec les filles de pêcheurs, à dénicher et à élever des oiseaux. Je suis née d'un oiseau 19, de là, j'imagine, cette passion. Et tous les malheurs du corps humain, pourvu qu'ils aient un rapport avec les oiseaux, je les connais en détail : le corps du père rejeté par la marée au petit matin, tout rigide, avec une tête de plus en plus énorme et frissonnante car les mouettes s'assemblent pour picorer les yeux, et le corps de la mère ivre, plumant vivant notre merle apprivoisé, et celui de la sœur surprise dans la haie avec l'ilote de service au-dessous du nid de fauvettes en émoi. Et mon amie au chardonneret était difforme, et mon amie au bouvreuil était phtisique. Et malgré ces ailes que je prêtais au genre humain, je le voyais ce qu'il est, rampant, malpropre, et misérable. Mais jamais je n'ai eu le sentiment qu'il exigeait la pitié.
ANDROMAQUE
Parce que vous ne le jugez digne que de mépris.
HÉLÈNE
C'est à savoir. Cela peut venir aussi de ce que, tous ces malheureux, je les sens mes égaux, de ce que je les admets, de ce que ma santé, ma beauté et ma gloire, je ne les juge pas très supérieures à leur misère. Cela peut être de la fraternité.
ANDROMAQUE
Vous blasphémez, Hélène.
HÉLÈNE
Les gens ont pitié des autres dans la mesure où ils auraient pitié d'eux-mêmes. Le malheur ou la laideur sont des miroirs qu'ils ne supportent pas. Je n'ai aucune pitié pour moi. Vous verrez, si la guerre éclate. Je supporte la faim, le mal sans souffrir, mieux que vous. Et l'injure. Si vous croyez que je n'entends pas les Troyennes sur mon passage ! Et elles me traitent de garce ! Et elles disent que le matin j'ai l'œil jaune. C'est faux ou c'est vrai. Mais cela m'est égal, si égal !
ANDROMAQUE
Arrêtez-vous, Hélène.
HÉLÈNE
Et si vous croyez que mon œil, dans ma collection de chromos en couleurs, comme dit votre mari, ne me montre pas parfois une Hélène vieillie 20, avachie, édentée, suçotant accroupie quelque confiture dans sa cuisine ! Et ce que le plâtré de mon grimage peut éclater de blancheur ! Et ce que la groseille peut être rouge ! Et ce que c'est coloré et sûr et certain !... Cela m'est complètement indifférent.
ANDROMAQUE
Je suis perdue...
HÉLÈNE
Pourquoi ? S'il suffit d'un couple parfait pour vous faire admettre la guerre, il y a toujours le vôtre, Andromaque.
SCÈNE IX
HÉLÈNE, ANDROMAQUE, OIAX,
puis HECTOR
OIAX
Où est-il ? Où se cache-t-il ? Un lâche ! Un Troyen !
HECTOR
Qui cherchez-vous ?
OIAX
Je cherche Pâris...
HECTOR
Je suis son frère.
OIAX
Belle famille ! Je suis Oiax ! Qui es-tu ?
HECTOR
On m'appelle Hector.
OIAX
Moi je t'appelle beau-frère de pute !
HECTOR
Je vois que la Grèce nous a envoyé des négociateurs. Que voulez-vous ?
OIAX
La guerre !
HECTOR
Rien à espérer. Vous la voulez pourquoi ?
OIAX
Ton frère a enlevé Hélène.
HECTOR
Elle était consentante, à ce que l'on m'a dit.
OIAX
Une Grecque fait ce qu'elle veut. Elle n'a pas à te demander la permission. C'est un cas de guerre.
HECTOR
Nous pouvons vous offrir des excuses.
OIAX
Les Troyens n'offrent pas d'excuses. Nous ne partirons d'ici qu'avec votre déclaration de guerre.
HECTOR
Déclarez-la vous-mêmes.
OIAX
Parfaitement, nous la déclarerons, et dès ce soir.
HECTOR
Vous mentez. Vous ne la déclarerez pas. Aucune île de l'archipel ne vous suivra si nous ne sommes pas les responsables... Nous ne le serons pas.
OIAX
Tu ne la déclareras pas, toi, personnellement, si je te déclare que tu es un lâche ?
HECTOR
C'est un genre de déclaration que j'accepte.
OIAX
Je n'ai jamais vu manquer à ce point de réflexe militaire !... Si je te dis ce que la Grèce entière pense de Troie, que Troie est le vice, la bêtise ?
HECTOR
Troie est l'entêtement. Vous n'aurez pas la guerre.
OIAX
Si je crache sur elle ?
HECTOR
Crachez.
OIAX
Si je te frappe, toi son prince ?
HECTOR
Essayez.
OIAX
Si je frappe en plein visage le symbole de sa vanité et de son faux honneur ?
HECTOR
Frappez...
OIAX, le giflant.
Voilà... Si Madame est ta femme, Madame peut être fière.
HECTOR
Je la connais... Elle est fière.
SCÈNE X
LES MÊMES, DEMOKOS
DEMOKOS
Quel est ce vacarme ! Que veut cet ivrogne, Hector !
HECTOR
Il ne veut rien. Il a ce qu'il veut.
DEMOKOS
Que se passe-t-il, Andromaque ?
ANDROMAQUE
Rien.
OIAX
Deux fois rien. Un Grec gifle Hector, et Hector encaisse.
DEMOKOS
C'est vrai, Hector ?
HECTOR
Complètement faux, n'est-ce pas, Hélène ?
HÉLÈNE
Les Grecs sont très menteurs. Les hommes grecs 21.
OIAX
C'est de nature qu'il a une joue plus rouge que l'autre ?
HECTOR
Oui. Je me porte bien de ce côté-là.
DEMOKOS
Dis la vérité, Hector. Il a osé porter la main sur toi ?
HECTOR
C'est mon affaire.
DEMOKOS
C'est affaire de guerre. Tu es la statue même de Troie.
HECTOR
Justement. On ne gifle pas les statues.
DEMOKOS
Qui es-tu, brute ! Moi, je suis Demokos, second fils d'Achichaos !
OIAX
Second fils d'Achichaos ? Enchanté. Dis-moi : cela est-il aussi grave de gifler le second fils d'Achichaos que de gifler Hector ?
DEMOKOS
Tout aussi grave, ivrogne. Je suis chef du Sénat. Si tu veux la guerre, la guerre jusqu'à la mort, tu n'as qu'à essayer.
OIAX
Voilà... J'essaye.
Il gifle Demokos.
DEMOKOS
Troyens ! Soldats ! Au secours !
HECTOR
Tais-toi, Demokos !
DEMOKOS
Aux armes ! On insulte Troie ! Vengeance !
HECTOR
Je te dis de te taire.
DEMOKOS
Je crierai !... J'ameuterai la ville !
HECTOR
Tais-toi !... Ou je te gifle !
DEMOKOS
Priam ! Anchise ! Venez voir la honte de Troie. Elle a Hector pour visage.
HECTOR
Tiens !
Hector a giflé Demokos. Oiax s'esclaffe.
SCÈNE XI
LES MÊMES
Pendant la scène, Priam et les notables viennent se grouper en face du passage par où doit entrer Ulysse.
PRIAM
Pourquoi ces cris, Demokos ?
DEMOKOS
On m'a giflé.
OIAX
Va te plaindre à Achichaos !
PRIAM
Qui t'a giflé ?
DEMOKOS
Hector ! Oiax ! Hector ! Oiax !
PÂRIS
Qu'est-ce qu'il raconte ? Il est fou !
HECTOR
On ne l'a pas giflé du tout, n'est-ce pas, Hélène ?
HÉLÈNE
Je regardais pourtant bien, je n'ai rien vu.
OIAX
Ses deux joues sont de la même couleur.
PÂRIS
Les poètes s'agitent souvent sans raison. C'est ce qu'ils appellent leurs transes. Il va nous en sortir notre chant national.
DEMOKOS
Tu me le paieras, Hector...
DES VOIX
Ulysse. Voici Ulysse...
Oiax s'est avancé tout cordial vers Hector.
OIAX
Bravo ! Du cran. Noble adversaire. Belle gifle...
HECTOR
J'ai fait de mon mieux.
OIAX
Excellente méthode aussi. Coude fixe. Poignet biaisé. Grande sécurité pour carpe et métacarpe. Ta gifle doit être plus forte que la mienne.
HECTOR
J'en doute.
OIAX
Tu dois admirablement lancer le javelot avec ce radius en fer et ce cubitus à pivot.
HECTOR
Soixante-dix mètres 22.
OIAX
Révérence ! Mon cher Hector, excuse-moi. Je retire mes menaces. Je retire ma gifle. Nous avons des ennemis communs, ce sont les fils d'Achichaos. Je ne me bats pas contre ceux qui ont avec moi pour ennemis les fils d'Achichaos. Ne parlons plus de guerre. Je ne sais ce qu'Ulysse rumine, mais compte sur moi pour arranger l'histoire.
Il va au-devant d'Ulysse avec lequel il rentrera.
ANDROMAQUE
Je t'aime, Hector.
HECTOR, montrant sa joue.
Oui. Mais ne m'embrasse pas encore tout de suite, veux-tu ?
ANDROMAQUE
Tu as gagné encore ce combat. Aie confiance.
HECTOR
Je gagne chaque combat. Mais de chaque victoire l'enjeu s'envole.
SCÈNE XII
HECTOR, HÉLÈNE, PÂRIS, PRIAM, HÉCUBE, LES TROYENS, LE GABIER, OLPIDÈS, IRIS, LES TROYENNES, ULYSSE, OIAX et leur suite
ULYSSE
Priam et Hector, je pense ?
PRIAM
Eux-mêmes. Et derrière eux, Troie, et les faubourg de Troie, et la campagne de Troie, et l'Hellespont, et ce pays comme un poing fermé qui est la Phrygie. Vous êtes Ulysse ?
ULYSSE
Je suis Ulysse.
PRIAM
Et voilà Anchise 23. Et derrière lui, la Thrace, le Pont, et cette main ouverte qu'est la Tauride.
ULYSSE
Beaucoup de monde pour une conversation diplomatique.
PRIAM
Et voici Hélène.
ULYSSE
Bonjour, reine.
HÉLÈNE
J'ai rajeuni ici, Ulysse. Je ne suis plus que princesse.
PRIAM
Nous vous écoutons.
OIAX
Ulysse, parle à Priam. Moi je parle à Hector.
ULYSSE
Priam, nous sommes venus pour reprendre Hélène.
OIAX
Tu le comprends, n'est-ce pas, Hector ? Ça ne pouvait pas se passer comme ça !
ULYSSE
La Grèce et Ménélas crient vengeance.
OIAX
Si les maris trompés ne criaient pas vengeance, qu'est-ce qu'il leur resterait !
ULYSSE
Qu'Hélène nous soit donc rendue dans l'heure même. Ou c'est la guerre.
OIAX
Il y a les adieux à faire.
HECTOR
Et c'est tout ?
ULYSSE
C'est tout.
OIAX
Ce n'est pas long, tu vois, Hector ?
HECTOR
Ainsi, si nous vous rendons Hélène, vous nous assurez la paix.
OIAX
Et la tranquillité.
HECTOR
Si elle s'embarque dans l'heure, l'affaire est close.
OIAX
Et liquidée.
HECTOR
Je crois que nous allons pouvoir nous entendre, n'est-ce pas, Hélène ?
HÉLÈNE
Oui, je le pense.
ULYSSE
Vous ne voulez pas dire qu'Hélène va nous être rendue ?
HECTOR
Cela même. Elle est prête.
OIAX
Pour les bagages, elle en aura toujours plus au retour qu'elle n'en avait au départ.
HECTOR
Nous vous la rendons, et vous garantissez la paix. Plus de représailles, plus de vengeance ?
OIAX
Une femme perdue, une femme retrouvée, et c'est justement la même. Parfait ! N'est-ce pas, Ulysse ?
ULYSSE
Pardon ! Je ne garantis rien. Pour que nous renoncions à toutes représailles, il faudrait qu'il n'y eût pas prétexte à représailles. Il faudrait que Ménélas retrouvât Hélène dans l'état même où elle lui fut ravie.
HECTOR
À quoi reconnaîtra-t-il un changement ?
ULYSSE
Un mari est subtil quand un scandale mondial l'a averti. Il faudrait que Pâris eût respecté Hélène. Et ce n'est pas le cas...
LA FOULE
Ah non ! Ce n'est pas le cas !
UNE VOIX
Pas précisément !
HECTOR
Et si c'était le cas ?
ULYSSE
Où voulez-vous en venir, Hector ?
HECTOR
Pâris n'a pas touché Hélène. Tous deux m'ont fait leurs confidences.
ULYSSE
Quelle est cette histoire ?
HECTOR
La vraie histoire, n'est-ce pas, Hélène ?
HÉLÈNE
Qu'a-t-elle d'extraordinaire ?
UNE VOIX
C'est épouvantable ! Nous sommes déshonorés !
HECTOR
Qu'avez-vous à sourire, Ulysse ? Vous voyez sur Hélène le moindre indice d'une défaillance à son devoir ?
ULYSSE
Je ne le cherche pas. L'eau sur le canard marque mieux que la souillure sur la femme.
PÂRIS
Tu parles à une reine.
ULYSSE
Exceptons les reines naturellement... Ainsi, Pâris, vous avez enlevé cette reine, vous l'avez enlevée nue ; vous-même, je pense, n'étiez pas dans l'eau avec cuissard et armure, et aucun goût d'elle, aucun désir d'elle ne vous a saisi ?
PÂRIS
Une reine nue est couverte par sa dignité.
HÉLÈNE
Elle n'a qu'à ne pas s'en dévêtir.
ULYSSE
Combien a duré le voyage ? J'ai mis trois jours avec mes vaisseaux, et ils sont plus rapides que les vôtres.
DES VOIX
Quelles sont ces intolérables insultes à la marine troyenne !
UNE VOIX
Vos vents sont plus rapides ! Pas vos vaisseaux !
ULYSSE
Mettons trois jours, si vous voulez. Où était la reine, pendant ces trois jours ?
PÂRIS
Sur le pont, étendue.
ULYSSE
Et Pâris. Dans la hune ?
HÉLÈNE
Étendu près de moi.
ULYSSE
Il lisait, près de vous ? Il pêchait la dorade ?
HÉLÈNE
Parfois il m'éventait.
ULYSSE
Sans jamais vous toucher ?...
HÉLÈNE
Un jour, le deuxième, il m'a baisé la main.
ULYSSE
La main ! Je vois. Le déchaînement de la brute.
HÉLÈNE
J'ai cru digne de ne pas m'en apercevoir.
ULYSSE
Le roulis ne vous a pas poussés l'un vers l'autre ?... Je pense que ce n'est pas insulter la marine troyenne de dire que ses bateaux roulent...
UNE VOIX
Ils roulent beaucoup moins que les bateaux grecs ne tanguent.
OIAX
Tanguer, nos bateaux grecs ! S'ils ont l'air de tanguer, c'est à cause de leur proue surélevée et de leur arrière qu'on évide !...
UNE VOIX
Oh ! oui ! La face arrogante et le cul plat, c'est tout grec...
ULYSSE
Et les trois nuits ? Au-dessus de votre couple, les étoiles ont paru et disparu trois fois. Rien ne vous est demeuré, Hélène, de ces trois nuits ?
HÉLÈNE
Si... Si ! J'oubliais ! Une bien meilleure science des étoiles.
ULYSSE
Pendant que vous dormiez, peut-être... il vous a prise...
HÉLÈNE
Un moucheron m'éveille...
HECTOR
Tous deux vous le jureront si vous voulez, sur votre déesse Aphrodite.
ULYSSE
Je leur en fais grâce. Je la connais, Aphrodite ! Son serment favori c'est le parjure... Curieuse histoire, et qui va détruire dans l'Archipel l'idée qu'il avait des Troyens.
PÂRIS
Que pensait-on, des Troyens, dans l'Archipel ?
ULYSSE
On les y croit moins doués que nous pour le négoce, mais beaux et irrésistibles. Poursuivez vos confidences, Pâris. C'est une intéressante contribution à la physiologie. Quelle raison a bien pu vous pousser à respecter Hélène quand vous l'aviez à merci ?...
PÂRIS
Je... je l'aimais.
HÉLÈNE
Si vous ne savez pas ce que c'est que l'amour, Ulysse, n'abordez pas ces sujets-là.
ULYSSE
Avouez, Hélène, que vous ne l'auriez pas suivi, si vous aviez su que les Troyens sont impuissants...
UNE VOIX
C'est une honte !
UNE VOIX
Qu'on le muselle.
UNE VOIX
Amène ta femme, et tu verras.
UNE VOIX
Et ta grand-mère !
ULYSSE
Je me suis mal exprimé. Que Pâris, le beau Pâris, fût impuissant...
UNE VOIX
Est-ce que tu vas parler, Pâris ? Vas-tu nous rendre la risée du monde ?
PÂRIS
Hector, vois comme ma situation est désagréable !
HECTOR
Tu n'en as plus que pour une minute... Adieu, Hélène. Et que ta vertu devienne aussi proverbiale qu'aurait pu l'être ta facilité...
HÉLÈNE
Je n'avais pas d'inquiétude. Les siècles vous donnent toujours le mérite qui est le vôtre.
ULYSSE
Pâris l'impuissant, beau surnom !... Vous pouvez l'embrasser, Hélène, pour une fois.
PÂRIS
Hector !
LE PREMIER GABIER
Est-ce que vous allez supporter cette farce, commandant ?
HECTOR
Tais-toi ! C'est moi qui commande ici !
LE GABIER
Vous commandez mal ! Nous, les gabiers de Pâris, nous en avons assez. Je vais le dire, moi, ce qu'il a fait à votre reine !...
DES VOIX
Bravo ! Parle !
LE GABIER
Il se sacrifie sur l'ordre de son frère. Moi, j'étais l'officier de bord. J'ai tout vu.
HECTOR
Tu t'es trompé.
LE GABIER
Vous pensez qu'on trompe l'œil d'un marin troyen ? À trente pas je reconnais les mouettes borgnes. Viens à mon côté, Olpidès 24. Il était dans la hune 25, celui-là. Il a tout vu d'en haut. Moi, ma tête passait de l'escalier des soutes. Elle était juste à leur hauteur, comme un chat devant un lit... Faut-il le dire, Troyens ?
HECTOR
Silence.
DES VOIX
Parle ! Qu'il parle !
LE GABIER
Et il n'y avait pas deux minutes qu'ils étaient à bord, n'est-ce pas, Olpidès ?
OLPIDÈS
Le temps d'éponger la reine et de refaire sa raie. Vous pensez si je voyais la raie de la reine, du front à la nuque, de là-haut.
LE GABIER
Et il nous a tous envoyés dans la cale, excepté nous deux qu'il n'a pas vus...
OLPIDÈS
Et sans pilote, le navire filait droit nord. Sans vents, la voile était franc grosse 26...
LE GABIER
Et de ma cachette, quand j'aurais dû voir la tranche d'un seul corps, toute la journée j'ai vu la tranche de deux, un pain de seigle sur un pain de blé... Des pains qui cuisaient, qui levaient. De la vraie cuisson.
OLPIDÈS
Et moi d'en haut, j'ai vu plus souvent un seul corps que deux, tantôt blanc, comme le gabier le dit, tantôt doré. À quatre bras et quatre jambes...
LE GABIER
Voilà pour l'impuissance ! Et pour l'amour moral, Olpidès, pour la partie affection, dis ce que tu entendais de ton tonneau ! Les paroles des femmes montent, celles des hommes s'étalent. Je dirai ce que disait Pâris...
OLPIDÈS
Elle l'a appelé sa perruche, sa chatte.
LE GABIER
Lui son puma 27, son jaguar. Ils intervertissaient les sexes. C'est de la tendresse. C'est bien connu.
OLPIDÈS
Tu es mon hêtre, disait-elle aussi. Je t'étreins juste comme un hêtre, disait-elle... Sur la mer on pense aux arbres.
LE GABIER
Et toi mon bouleau, lui disait-il, mon bouleau frémissant ! Je me rappelle bien le mot « bouleau ». C'est un arbre russe 28.
OLPIDÈS
Et j'ai dû rester jusqu'à la nuit dans la hune. On a faim et soif là-haut. Et le reste.
LE GABIER
Et quand ils se désenlaçaient, ils se léchaient du bout de la langue, parce qu'ils se trouvaient salés.
OLPIDÈS
Et quand ils se sont mis debout, pour aller enfin se coucher, ils chancelaient...
LE GABIER
Et voilà ce qu'elle aurait eu, ta Pénélope 29, avec cet impuissant.
DES VOIX
Bravo ! Bravo !
UNE VOIX DE FEMME
Gloire à Pâris !
UN HOMME JOVIAL
Rendons à Pâris ce qui revient à Pâris !
HECTOR
Ils mentent, n'est-ce pas, Hélène ?
ULYSSE
Hélène écoute charmée.
HÉLÈNE
J'oubliais qu'il s'agissait de moi. Ces hommes ont de la conviction.
ULYSSE
Ose dire qu'ils mentent, Pâris ?
PÂRIS
Dans les détails, quelque peu.
LE GABIER
Ni dans le gros ni dans les détails. N'est-ce pas, Olpidès ? Vous contestez vos expressions d'amour, commandant ? Vous contestez le mot « puma » ?
PÂRIS
Pas spécialement le mot « puma » !
LE GABIER
Le mot « bouleau » alors ? Je vois. C'est le mot « bouleau frémissant » qui vous offusque. Tant pis, vous l'avez dit. Je jure que vous l'avez dit, et d'ailleurs il n'y a pas à rougir du mot « bouleau ». J'en ai vu des bouleaux frémissants à l'hiver, le long de la Caspienne, et sur la neige, avec leurs bagues d'écorce noire qui semblaient séparées par le vide, on se demandait ce qui portait les branches. Et j'en ai vu en plein été, dans le chenal près d'Astrakhan, avec leurs bagues blanches comme celles des bons champignons, juste au bord de l'eau, mais aussi dignes que le saule est mollasse. Et quand vous avez dessus un de ces gros corbeaux gris et noir, tout l'arbre tremble, plie à casser, et je lui lançais des pierres jusqu'à ce qu'il s'envolât, et toutes les feuilles alors me parlaient et me faisaient signe. Et à les voir frissonner, en or par-dessus, en argent par-dessous, vous vous sentez le cœur plein de tendresse ! Moi, j'en aurais pleuré, n'est-ce pas, Olpidès ! Voilà ce que c'est qu'un bouleau !
LA FOULE
Bravo ! Bravo !
UN AUTRE MARIN
Et il n'y a pas que le gabier et Olpidès qui les aient vus, Priam. Du soutier à l'enseigne, nous étions tous ressortis du navire par les hublots, et tous, cramponnés à la coque, nous regardions par-dessous la lisse. Le navire n'était qu'un instrument à voir.
UN TROISIÈME MARIN
À voir l'amour.
ULYSSE
Et voilà, Hector !
HECTOR
Taisez-vous tous.
LE GABIER
Tiens, fais taire celle-là !
Iris 30 apparaît dans le ciel.
LE PEUPLE
Iris ! Iris !
PÂRIS
C'est Aphrodite qui t'envoie ?
IRIS
Oui, Aphrodite, elle me charge de vous dire que l'amour est la loi du monde. Que tout ce qui double l'amour devient sacré, que ce soit le mensonge, l'avarice ou la luxure. Que tout amoureux, elle le prend sous sa garde du roi au berger en passant par l'entremetteur. J'ai bien dit : l'entremetteur. S'il en est un ici, qu'il soit salué. Et qu'elle vous interdit à vous deux, Hector et Ulysse, de séparer Pâris d'Hélène. Ou il y aura la guerre.
PÂRIS, LES VIEILLARDS
Merci, Iris !
HECTOR
Et de Pallas aucun message ?
IRIS
Oui, Pallas 31 me charge de vous dire que la raison est la loi du monde. Tout être amoureux, vous fait-elle dire, déraisonne. Elle vous demande de lui avouer franchement s'il y a plus bête que le coq sur la poule ou la mouche sur la mouche. Elle n'insiste pas. Et elle vous ordonne, à vous Hector et vous Ulysse, de séparer Hélène de ce Pâris à poil frisé. Ou il y aura la guerre...
HECTOR, LES FEMMES
Merci, Iris !
PRIAM
Ô mon fils, ce n'est ni Aphrodite, ni Pallas qui règlent l'univers. Que nous commande Zeus, dans cette incertitude ?
IRIS
Zeus, le maître des Dieux, vous fait dire que ceux qui ne voient que l'amour dans le monde sont aussi bêtes que ceux qui ne le voient pas. La sagesse, vous fait dire Zeus, le maître des Dieux, c'est tantôt de faire l'amour et tantôt de ne pas le faire. Les prairies semées de coucous et de violettes, à son humble et impérieux avis, sont aussi douces à ceux qui s'étendent l'un sur l'autre qu'à ceux qui s'étendent l'un près de l'autre, soit qu'ils lisent, soit qu'ils soufflent sur la sphère aérée du pissenlit, soit qu'ils pensent au repas du soir ou à la république. Il s'en rapporte donc à Hector et à Ulysse pour que l'on sépare Hélène et Pâris tout en ne les séparant pas. Il ordonne à tous les autres de s'éloigner, et de laisser face à face les négociateurs. Et que ceux-là s'arrangent pour qu'il n'y ait pas la guerre. Ou alors, il vous le jure et il n'a jamais menacé en vain, il vous jure qu'il y aura la guerre.
HECTOR
À vos ordres, Ulysse !
ULYSSE
À vos ordres.
Tous se retirent 32. On voit une grande écharpe se former dans le ciel.
HÉLÈNE
C'est bien elle. Elle a oublié sa ceinture 33 à mi-chemin.
SCÈNE XIII
ULYSSE, HECTOR
HECTOR
Et voilà le vrai combat, Ulysse ?
ULYSSE
Le combat d'où sortira ou ne sortira pas la guerre, oui.
HECTOR
Elle en sortira ?
ULYSSE
Nous allons le savoir dans cinq minutes.
HECTOR
Si c'est un combat de paroles, mes chances sont faibles.
ULYSSE
Je crois que cela sera plutôt une pesée 34. Nous avons vraiment l'air d'être chacun sur le plateau d'une balance. Le poids parlera...
HECTOR
Mon poids ? Ce que je pèse, Ulysse ? Je pèse un homme jeune, une femme jeune, un enfant à naître. Je pèse la joie de vivre, la confiance de vivre, l'élan vers ce qui est juste et naturel.
ULYSSE
Je pèse l'homme adulte, la femme de trente ans, le fils que je mesure chaque mois avec des encoches, contre le chambranle du palais... Mon beau-père prétend que j'abîme la menuiserie... Je pèse la volupté de vivre et la méfiance de la vie.
HECTOR
Je pèse la chasse, le courage, la fidélité, l'amour.
ULYSSE
Je pèse la circonspection devant les dieux, les hommes et les choses.
HECTOR
Je pèse le chêne phrygien, tous les chênes phrygiens feuillus et trapus, épars sur nos collines avec nos bœufs frisés.
ULYSSE
Je pèse l'olivier.
HECTOR
Je pèse le faucon, je regarde le soleil en face.
ULYSSE
Je pèse la chouette.
HECTOR
Je pèse tout un peuple de paysans débonnaires, d'artisans laborieux, des milliers de charrues, de métiers à tisser, de forges et d'enclumes... Oh ! pourquoi, devant vous, tous ces poids me paraissent-ils tout à coup si légers !
ULYSSE
Je pèse ce que pèse cet air incorruptible et impitoyable sur la côte et sur l'Archipel.
HECTOR
Pourquoi continuer ? La balance s'incline.
ULYSSE
De mon côté ?... Oui, je le crois.
HECTOR
Et vous voulez la guerre ?
ULYSSE
Je ne la veux pas. Mais je suis moins sûr de ses intentions à elle.
HECTOR
Nos peuples nous ont délégués tous deux ici pour la conjurer. Notre seule réunion signifie que rien n'est perdu 35...
ULYSSE
Vous êtes jeune, Hector !... À la veille de toute guerre, il est courant que deux chefs des peuples en conflit se rencontrent seuls dans quelque innocent village, sur la terrasse au bord d'un lac 36, dans l'angle d'un jardin. Et ils conviennent que la guerre est le pire fléau du monde, et tous deux, à suivre du regard ces reflets et ces rides sur les eaux, à recevoir sur l'épaule ces pétales de magnolias, ils sont pacifiques, modestes, loyaux. Et ils s'étudient. Ils se regardent. Et, tiédis par le soleil, attendris par un vin clairet, ils ne trouvent dans le visage d'en face aucun trait qui justifie la haine, aucun trait qui n'appelle l'amour humain, et rien d'incompatible non plus dans leurs langages, dans leur façon de se gratter le nez ou de boire. Et ils sont vraiment combles de paix, de désirs de paix. Et ils se quittent en se serrant les mains, en se sentant des frères. Et ils se retournent de leur calèche pour se sourire... Et le lendemain pourtant éclate la guerre... Ainsi nous sommes tous deux maintenant... Nos peuples autour de l'entretien se taisent et s'écartent, mais ce n'est pas qu'ils attendent de nous une victoire sur l'inéluctable. C'est seulement qu'ils nous ont donné pleins pouvoirs, qu'ils nous ont isolés, pour que nous goûtions mieux, au-dessus de la catastrophe, notre fraternité d'ennemis. Goûtons-la. C'est un plat de riches. Savourons-la... Mais c'est tout. Le privilège des grands, c'est de voir les catastrophes d'une terrasse.
HECTOR
C'est une conversation d'ennemis que nous avons là ?
ULYSSE
C'est un duo avant l'orchestre. C'est le duo des récitants avant la guerre. Parce que nous avons été créés sensés, justes et courtois, nous nous parlons, une heure avant la guerre, comme nous nous parlerons longtemps après, en anciens combattants. Nous nous réconcilions avant la lutte même, c'est toujours cela. Peut-être d'ailleurs avons-nous tort. Si l'un de nous doit un jour tuer l'autre et arracher pour reconnaître sa victime la visière de son casque, il vaudrait peut-être mieux qu'il ne lui donnât pas un visage de frère... Mais l'univers le sait, nous allons nous battre.
HECTOR
L'univers peut se tromper. C'est à cela qu'on reconnaît l'erreur, elle est universelle.
ULYSSE
Espérons-le. Mais quand le destin, depuis des années, a surélevé deux peuples, quand il leur a ouvert le même avenir d'invention et d'omnipotence, quand il a fait de chacun, comme nous l'étions tout à l'heure sur la bascule, un poids précieux et différent pour peser le plaisir, la conscience et jusqu'à la nature, quand par leurs architectes, leurs poètes, leurs teinturiers, il leur a donné à chacun un royaume opposé de volumes, de sons et de nuances, quand il leur a fait inventer le toit en charpente troyen et la voûte thébaine, le rouge phrygien et l'indigo grec 37, l'univers sait bien qu'il n'entend pas préparer ainsi aux hommes deux chemins de couleur et d'épanouissement, mais se ménager son festival, le déchaînement de cette brutalité et de cette folie humaines qui seules rassurent les dieux. C'est de la petite politique, j'en conviens. Mais nous sommes chefs d'État, nous pouvons bien entre nous deux le dire : c'est couramment celle du Destin 38.
HECTOR
Et c'est Troie, et c'est la Grèce qu'il a choisies cette fois ?
ULYSSE
Ce matin j'en doutais encore. J'ai posé le pied sur votre estacade, et j'en suis sûr.
HECTOR
Vous vous êtes senti sur un sol ennemi ?
ULYSSE
Pourquoi toujours revenir à ce mot « ennemi » ! Faut-il vous le redire ? Ce ne sont pas les ennemis naturels qui se battent. Il est des peuples que tout désigne pour une guerre, leur peau, leur langue et leur odeur, ils se jalousent, ils se haïssent, ils ne peuvent pas se sentir... Ceux-là ne se battent jamais. Ceux qui se battent, ce sont ceux que le sort a lustrés et préparés pour une même guerre : ce sont les adversaires.
HECTOR
Et nous sommes prêts pour la guerre grecque ?
ULYSSE
À un point incroyable. Comme la nature munit les insectes dont elle prévoit la lutte, de faiblesses et d'armes qui se correspondent, à distance, sans que nous nous connaissions, sans que nous nous en doutions, nous nous sommes élevés tous deux au niveau de notre guerre. Tout correspond de nos armes et de nos habitudes comme des roues à pignon. Et le regard de vos femmes, et le teint de vos filles sont les seuls qui ne suscitent en nous ni la brutalité, ni le désir, mais cette angoisse du cœur et de la joie qui est l'horizon de la guerre. Frontons et leurs soutaches d'ombre et de feu, hennissements des chevaux, péplums disparaissant à l'angle d'une colonnade, le sort a tout passé chez vous à cette couleur d'orage qui m'impose pour la première fois le relief de l'avenir. Il n'y a rien à faire. Vous êtes dans la lumière de la guerre grecque.
HECTOR
Et c'est ce que pensent aussi les autres Grecs ?
ULYSSE
Ce qu'ils pensent n'est pas plus rassurant. Les autres Grecs pensent que Troie est riche, ses entrepôts magnifiques, sa banlieue fertile. Ils pensent qu'ils sont à l'étroit sur du roc 39. L'or de vos temples, celui de vos blés et de votre colza, ont fait à chacun de nos navires, de vos promontoires, un signe qu'il n'oublie pas. Il n'est pas très prudent d'avoir des dieux et des légumes trop dorés.
HECTOR
Voilà enfin une parole franche... La Grèce en nous s'est choisi une proie. Pourquoi alors une déclaration de guerre ? Il était plus simple de profiter de mon absence pour bondir sur Troie. Vous l'auriez eue sans coup férir.
ULYSSE
Il est une espèce de consentement à la guerre que donnent seulement l'atmosphère, l'acoustique et l'humeur du monde. Il serait dément d'entreprendre une guerre sans l'avoir. Nous ne l'avions pas.
HECTOR
Vous l'avez maintenant !
ULYSSE
Je crois que nous l'avons.
HECTOR
Qui vous l'a donnée contre nous ? Troie est réputée pour son humanité, sa justice, ses arts ?
ULYSSE
Ce n'est pas par des crimes qu'un peuple se met en situation fausse avec son destin, mais par des fautes. Son armée est forte, sa caisse abondante, ses poètes en plein fonctionnement. Mais un jour, on ne sait pourquoi, du fait que ses citoyens coupent méchamment les arbres, que son prince enlève vilainement une femme, que ses enfants adoptent une mauvaise turbulence, il est perdu. Les nations, comme les hommes, meurent d'imperceptibles impolitesses. C'est à leur façon d'éternuer ou d'éculer leurs talons que se reconnaissent les peuples condamnés... Vous avez sans doute mal enlevé Hélène...
HECTOR
Vous voyez la proportion entre le rapt d'une femme et la guerre où l'un de nos peuples périra ?
ULYSSE
Nous parlons d'Hélène. Vous vous êtes trompés sur Hélène, Pâris et vous. Depuis quinze ans je la connais, je l'observe. Il n'y a aucun doute. Elle est une des rares créatures que le destin met en circulation sur la terre pour son usage personnel. Elles n'ont l'air de rien. Elles sont parfois une bourgade, presque un village, une petite reine, presque une petite fille, mais si vous les touchez, prenez garde ! C'est là la difficulté de la vie, de distinguer, entre les êtres et les objets, celui qui est l'otage du destin. Vous ne l'avez pas distingué. Vous pouviez toucher impunément à nos grands animaux, à nos rois. Pâris pouvait se laisser aller sans danger dans les lits de Sparte ou de Thèbes, à vingt généreuses étreintes. Il a choisi le cerveau le plus étroit, le cœur le plus rigide, le sexe le plus étroit... Vous êtes perdus.
HECTOR
Nous vous rendons Hélène.
ULYSSE
L'insulte au destin ne comporte pas la restitution.
HECTOR
Pourquoi discuter alors ! Sous vos paroles, je vois enfin la vérité. Avouez-le. Vous voulez nos richesses ! Vous avez fait enlever Hélène pour avoir à la guerre un prétexte honorable ! J'en rougis pour la Grèce. Elle en sera éternellement responsable 40 et honteuse.
ULYSSE
Responsable et honteuse ? Croyez-vous ! Les deux mots ne s'accordent guère. Si nous nous savions vraiment responsables de la guerre, il suffirait à notre génération actuelle de nier et de mentir pour assurer la bonne foi et la bonne conscience de toutes nos générations futures. Nous mentirons. Nous nous sacrifierons.
HECTOR
Eh bien, le sort en est jeté, Ulysse ! Va pour la guerre ! À mesure que j'ai plus de haine pour elle, il me vient d'ailleurs un désir plus incoercible de tuer... Partez, puisque vous me refusez votre aide...
ULYSSE
Comprenez-moi, Hector !... Mon aide vous est acquise. Ne m'en veuillez pas d'interpréter le sort. J'ai voulu seulement lire dans ces grandes lignes que sont, sur l'univers, les voies des caravanes, les chemins des navires, le tracé des grues volantes et des races. Donnez-moi votre main. Elle aussi a ses lignes. Mais ne cherchons pas si leur leçon est la même. Admettons que les trois petites rides au fond de la main d'Hector disent le contraire de ce qu'assurent les fleuves, les vols et les sillages. Je suis curieux de nature, et je n'ai pas peur. Je veux bien aller contre le sort. J'accepte Hélène. Je la rendrai à Ménélas. Je possède beaucoup plus d'éloquence qu'il n'en faut pour faire croire un mari à la vertu de sa femme. J'amènerai même Hélène à y croire elle-même. Et je pars à l'instant, pour éviter toute surprise. Une fois au navire, peut-être risquons-nous de déjouer la guerre.
HECTOR
Est-ce là la ruse d'Ulysse, ou sa grandeur ?
ULYSSE
Je ruse en ce moment contre le destin 41, non contre vous. C'est mon premier essai et j'y ai plus de mérite. Je suis sincère, Hector... Si je voulais la guerre, je ne vous demanderais pas Hélène, mais une rançon qui vous est plus chère... Je pars... Mais je ne peux me défendre de l'impression qu'il est bien long, le chemin qui va de cette place à mon navire.
HECTOR
Ma garde vous escorte.
ULYSSE
Il est long comme le parcours officiel des rois en visite quand l'attentat menace 42... Où se cachent les conjurés ? Heureux nous sommes, si ce n'est pas dans le ciel même... Et le chemin d'ici à ce coin du palais est long... Et long mon premier pas... Comment va-t-il se faire, mon premier pas, entre tous ces périls... Vais-je glisser et me tuer ?... Une corniche va-t-elle s'effondrer sur moi de cet angle ? Tout est maçonnerie neuve ici, et j'attends la pierre croulante... Du courage... Allons-y.
Il fait un premier pas.
HECTOR
Merci, Ulysse.
ULYSSE
Le premier pas va... Il en reste combien ?
HECTOR
Quatre cent soixante.
ULYSSE
Au second ! Vous savez ce qui me décide à partir, Hector...
HECTOR
Je le sais. La noblesse.
ULYSSE
Pas précisément... Andromaque a le même battement de cils 43 que Pénélope.
SCÈNE XIV
ANDROMAQUE, CASSANDRE, HECTOR, ABNÉOS, puis OIAX,
puis DEMOKOS
HECTOR
Tu étais là, Andromaque ?
ANDROMAQUE
Soutiens-moi. Je n'en puis plus !
HECTOR
Tu nous écoutais ?
ANDROMAQUE
Oui. Je suis brisée.
HECTOR
Tu vois qu'il ne nous faut pas désespérer...
ANDROMAQUE
De nous peut-être. Du monde, oui... Cet homme est effroyable. La misère du monde est sur moi.
HECTOR
Une minute encore, et Ulysse est à son bord... Il marche vite. D'ici l'on suit son cortège. Le voilà déjà en face des fontaines. Que fais-tu ?
ANDROMAQUE
Je n'ai plus la force d'entendre. Je me bouche les oreilles. Je n'enlèverai pas mes mains avant que notre sort soit fixé...
HECTOR
Cherche Hélène, Cassandre !
Oiax entre sur la scène, de plus en plus ivre. Il voit Andromaque de dos.
CASSANDRE
Ulysse vous attend au port, Oiax. On vous y conduit Hélène.
OIAX
Hélène ! Je me moque d'Hélène ! C'est celle-là que je veux tenir dans mes bras.
CASSANDRE
Partez, Oiax. C'est la femme d'Hector.
OIAX
La femme d'Hector ! Bravo ! J'ai toujours préféré les femmes de mes amis, de mes vrais amis !
CASSANDRE
Ulysse est déjà à mi-chemin... Partez.
OIAX
Ne te fâche pas. Elle se bouche les oreilles. Je peux donc tout lui dire, puisqu'elle n'entendra pas. Si je la touchais, si je l'embrassais, évidemment ! Mais des paroles qu'on n'entend pas, rien de moins grave.
CASSANDRE
Rien de plus grave. Allez, Oiax !
OIAX, pendant que Cassandre
essaie par la force de l'éloigner d'Andromaque
et que Hector lève peu à peu son javelot.
Tu crois ? Alors autant la toucher. Autant l'embrasser. Mais chastement !... Toujours chastement, les femmes des vrais amis ! qu'est-ce qu'elle a de plus chaste, ta femme, Hector, le cou ? Voilà pour le cou... L'oreille aussi m'a un gentil petit air tout à fait chaste ! Voilà pour l'oreille... Je vais te dire, moi, ce que j'ai toujours trouvé de plus chaste dans la femme... Laisse-moi !... Laisse-moi !... Elle n'entend pas les baisers non plus... Ce que tu es forte !... Je viens... Je viens... Adieu. (Il sort.)
Hector baisse imperceptiblement son javelot. À ce moment Demokos fait irruption.
DEMOKOS
Quelle est cette lâcheté ? Tu rends Hélène ? Troyens, aux armes ! On nous trahit... Rassemblez-vous... Et votre chant de guerre est prêt ! Écoutez votre chant de guerre !
HECTOR
Voilà pour ton chant de guerre !
DEMOKOS, tombant.
Il m'a tué !
HECTOR
La guerre n'aura pas lieu, Andromaque.
Il essaie de détacher les mains d'Andromaque qui résiste, les yeux fixés sur Demokos. Le rideau qui avait commencé à tomber se relève peu à peu.
ABNÉOS
On a tué Demokos ! Qui a tué Demokos ?
DEMOKOS
Qui m'a tué ?... Oiax !... Oiax !... Tuez-le !
ABNÉOS
Tuez Oiax !
HECTOR
Il ment. C'est moi qui l'ai frappé.
DEMOKOS
Non. C'est Oiax...
ABNÉOS
Oiax a tué Demokos... Rattrapez-le ! Châtiez-le !
HECTOR
C'est moi, Demokos, avoue-le ! Avoue-le, ou je t'achève !
DEMOKOS
Non, mon cher Hector, mon bien cher Hector. C'est Oiax ! Tuez Oiax !
CASSANDRE
Il meurt comme il a vécu, en coassant.
ABNÉOS
Voilà... Ils tiennent Oiax... Voilà. Ils l'ont tué !
HECTOR,
détachant les mains d'Andromaque.
Elle aura lieu.
Les portes de la guerre s'ouvrent lentement. Elles découvrent Hélène qui embrasse Troïlus 44.
CASSANDRE
Le poète troyen est mort... La parole est au poète grec.
LE RIDEAU TOMBE DÉFINITIVEMENT
DOSSIER
CHRONOLOGIE
(1882-1944)
1882. 29 octobre. Naissance à Bellac, sous-préfecture de la Haute-Vienne, d'Hippolyte Jean Giraudoux, second fils de Léger (dit Léon) Giraudoux, conducteur de travaux des Ponts et Chaussées, et d'Antoinette Lacoste son épouse, fille du vétérinaire.
Sa maison natale était celle du vétérinaire, classée aujourd'hui « maison des illustres ». Sa bibliothèque personnelle a été transférée à la « médiathèque Jean Giraudoux ».
1883. Léon Giraudoux est muté à Bessines, à trente kilomètres de Bellac. L'enfant partagera ses vacances entre Bellac et Saint-Amand-Montrond où réside son oncle Lucien Lacoste.
1887. Il apprend à lire chez une institutrice privée.
1890. Muté dans l'administration des Finances, Léger Giraudoux est nommé percepteur à Pellevoisin (Indre). L'enfant est un excellent élève à l'école communale.
1893. Octobre. Entre en sixième comme élève boursier au lycée de Châteauroux (qui porte aujourd'hui son nom). Interne, il y fait d'excellentes études (latin, grec, allemand).
1894. Première communion. Il rédige et illustre un journal intitulé Jean et Jeanne, en l'honneur de sa cousine.
1895. Léon Giraudoux est muté à Cérilly, mais ses fils poursuivront leurs études secondaires à Châteauroux. Pendant l'été, La Rosière des Chamignoux, comédie en vers dont il est auteur, acteur et metteur en scène. Charles-Louis Philippe habite juste à côté. Début d'une amitié.
1897. Les fils Giraudoux découvrent Paris.
1900. Toujours prix d'excellence, bachelier de philosophie, Jean obtient une bourse pour préparer le concours de l'École normale supérieure (ENS) au lycée Lakanal de Sceaux.
1901. Léon Giraudoux est nommé à Cusset, soit à trois kilomètres de Vichy, brillante ville d'eaux où désormais ses fils passent leurs vacances.
1902. Second prix de version grecque au concours général des lycées, reçu à l'ENS dès sa première candidature, 13e sur 21. Il fait d'abord son service militaire et n'intégrera l'École qu'avec la promotion 1903. Licencié ès lettres en 1904, il passe dans la section germanique et obtient, sur deux ans, une bourse de voyage de six trimestres.
1905-1906. Séjour de six mois à Munich, où Eugène Morand lui confie son fils Paul. Voyages dans les Balkans. Brefs séjours sur la Baltique et à Berlin. Il publie quelques nouvelles dans des revues.
1907. Prépare l'agrégation d'allemand. Échec, mais il songe déjà à préparer le concours des ambassades, comme Paul Morand. Docteur en médecine, son frère Alexandre s'installe près de ses parents à Cusset. Ils y finiront leurs jours.
1907-1908. Semestre d'hiver à l'université Harvard grâce à une bourse américaine. Au retour, il loue un petit appartement, 16, rue de Condé, et resserre ses liens avec le cercle Morand : outre Paul, Suzanne Lalique, Denise Rémon, Eirik Labonne. Eugène Morand vient de prendre la direction des Arts décoratifs, alors proche des anciens Cordeliers, d'où le nom du cercle.
1909. Engagé au Matin d'abord comme secrétaire personnel du directeur, Maurice Bunau-Varilla, il garde la rubrique des Contes. Bernard Grasset publie Provinciales.
Il échoue de peu au grand concours des ambassades. Gide, Claudel, Philippe Berthelot le remarquent.
1910. Reçu premier au « petit concours ». Affecté au ministère, il mène une vie très parisienne jusqu'à la guerre, courtisant désespérément la belle et richissime Lilita Abreu.
1911. L'École des indifférents (Grasset). Jean-Louis Vaudoyer l'introduit dans le cercle des ballets russes. Parfois, le vice-consul convoie la valise diplomatique jusqu'à Constantinople ou Moscou.
1913. Devient l'amant de Suzanne Boland, épouse Pineau, mère de deux enfants.
1914. Mobilisé comme sergent. Campagne d'Alsace puis bataille de la Marne. Blessé à l'aine et sur l'Aisne.
1915. Campagne des Dardanelles. Promu sous-lieutenant au feu. Blessé à l'épaule, il est rapatrié dans un état de santé déplorable. Légion d'honneur.
Convalescences et rechutes.
1916. Retour d'Alsace (éd. Émile-Paul). Mission militaire et diplomatique à Lisbonne.
1917. Mission aux USA. Instructeur du bataillon de l'université Harvard. Lectures pour une ombre (Émile-Paul).
1918. Amica America (Émile-Paul). Simon le Pathétique (Grasset).
1919. Reçu deuxième sur onze au concours de classement des ambassades. Admis, il devient secrétaire d'ambassade. Elpénor (éd. Émile-Paul). Naissance de son fils Jean-Pierre.
1920. Nommé au service des Œuvres françaises à l'étranger. Adorable Clio (Émile-Paul).
1921. Mariage. Lente installation au 8, rue du Pré-aux-Clercs. Les « Cordeliers », maintenant mariés (Denise Rémon avec Édouard Bourdet, Suzanne Lalique avec Paul Haviland), continuent de dîner ensemble un dimanche par mois. Suzanne et le Pacifique (Émile-Paul). Chaque année, à Noël et en été, vacances familiales près de sa mère et de son frère, médecin à Cusset, puis à Sornac, chez sa cousine Jeanne.
1922. Retour de Poincaré au pouvoir. « Fermeté » à l'égard de l'Allemagne. Giraudoux, lui, fête le retour de Carl Einstein, historien d'art francophile. Siegfried et le Limousin (Grasset), prix Balzac.
1923. Mission au Maroc. Prière sur la tour Eiffel (Émile-Paul).
1924. Nommé à Berlin par Poincaré. Bientôt rapatrié grâce à la victoire des gauches, comme chef du service d'Information et de Presse du Quai d'Orsay. Juliette au pays des hommes (Émile-Paul).
1926. Bella (Émile-Paul). Succès de scandale car même Poincaré se reconnaît en l'affreux Rebendart. Retour de Poincaré au pouvoir. Giraudoux relégué dans un service annexe.
1927. Églantine (Grasset). Il fait la connaissance de Louis Jouvet et lui remet une première version de Siegfried, pièce en quatre actes, adaptée du roman Siegfried et le Limousin.
Cure, désormais annuelle, à Vittel.
1928. Premier manifeste de la Ligue urbaine, dont Giraudoux est vice-président.
Siegfried à la Comédie des Champs-Élysées. Succès inattendu et donc éclatant. Jouvet et Giraudoux à jamais liés.
Désormais, vacances d'été prolongées à l'hôtel ou dans des villas, dans l'Aubrac, à La Baule, à Vevey deux fois, puis sur la Côte d'Azur.
1929. Amphitryon 38 à la Comédie des Champs-Élysées.
1930. Séjours à Berlin où Élisabeth Bergner joue Alcmène dans Amphitryon 38.
Aventures de Jérôme Bardini (Émile-Paul). Rues et visages de Berlin (éd. de la Roseraie). Voyage touristique en Grèce.
1931. Conférence (qui va devenir annuelle) à l'université des Annales.
Judith, tragédie, au théâtre Pigalle. Échec relatif.
1932. Début d'une liaison avec Anita de Madero.
Conférence internationale de Lausanne : Giraudoux accompagne son ministre, Édouard Herriot. Il commence de collaborer avec Marianne, nouvel hebdomadaire de centre-gauche lancé par Emmanuel Berl, et se présente comme « écrivain journaliste ».
1933. Intermezzo à la Comédie des Champs-Élysées.
1934. Combat avec l'ange. Nommé inspecteur général des postes diplomatiques et consulaires. Articles dans Marianne puis dans Le Figaro sur le thème de l'urbanisme. Déménage au 89, quai d'Orsay. Conférences sur la femme moderne aux Annales, qui deviendront La Française et la France (Gallimard, 1951).
14 novembre. Création de Tessa à l'Athénée.
1935. Articles dans Le Figaro pour une politique d'immigration et de naturalisation (qui deviendront Pleins pouvoirs, Gallimard, 1939). Longue mission d'inspection en Orient. Suzanne découvre sa liaison. Drame conjugal. Jouvet abandonne la Comédie des Champs-Élysées et inaugure son installation au théâtre de l'Athénée avec une reprise d'Amphitryon 38 puis La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu.
1935. L'ANNÉE DIPLOMATIQUE
7 janvier. Accords de Rome. Laval donne carte blanche à Mussolini pour l'annexion de l'Éthiopie « à condition qu'il n'y ait pas la guerre ».
13 janvier. Plébiscite sarrois. La Sarre est rattachée au Reich à compter du 1er mars.
3 février. Plan franco-anglais d'affermissement de la paix.
1er mars. Hitler déclare solennellement : « Nous espérons que le retour de la Sarre au Reich améliorera définitivement les relations de la France et de l'Allemagne. De même que nous voulons la paix, nous pensons que le grand peuple voisin est prêt, lui aussi, à rechercher la paix. »
4 mars. Un « livre blanc » anglais justifie l'augmentation des dépenses militaires britanniques par le réarmement allemand.
10 mars. Goering annonce que l'Allemagne va reconstituer une aviation militaire.
16 mars. Hitler rétablit le service militaire obligatoire et abroge unilatéralement les clauses militaires du traité de Versailles.
25 mars. Hitler annonce son intention de constituer une flotte militaire.
11-16 avril. Conférence de Stresa (sur le lac Majeur). En riposte au réarmement allemand, la France, l'Italie et la Grande-Bretagne réaffirment leur accord, mais sans engagement précis.
21 avril, dans Le Figaro : « Il n'y aura pas de guerre cette année », déclare Mussolini.
26 avril. J. Giraudoux, « Sécurité et peuplement », dans Le Figaro.
2 mai. Pacte franco-soviétique.
15 mai. Staline approuve l'intensification des mesures défensives de la France. Le Parti communiste français cesse immédiatement sa propagande contre le service militaire de deux ans.
16 mai. Pacte soviéto-tchécoslovaque, complétant le pacte franco-soviétique.
22 mai. L'Italie et l'Éthiopie forment une commission de conciliation et d'arbitrage.
18 juin. Pacte naval anglo-allemand, qui entérine de fait les décisions allemandes du mois de mars.
Début de l'été. Giraudoux remet à Jouvet une première version de sa pièce.
27 juin. « Scrutin de la Paix » en Angleterre, qui oriente le gouvernement anglais vers la solution de « la paix à tout prix ».
15 au 18 août. Conférence franco-anglo-italienne sur l'affaire éthiopienne.
21 août. Nikolaos Politis, auteur de La Neutralité et la Paix, est désigné comme arbitre neutre dans le conflit italo-éthiopien.
13 septembre. Giraudoux lit la seconde version de sa pièce devant les acteurs. Les répétitions commencent.
3 septembre. La S.D.N. rend un jugement (qui ne condamne personne) dans l'affaire éthiopienne. La définition de l'agresseur reste au premier plan de l'actualité à cause de la mission de Nikolaos Politis.
Giraudoux, au cours des répétitions, ajoute le rôle de Busiris, « le plus grand expert vivant du droit des peuples » (acte II, sc. 5, p. 145).
3 octobre. L'armée italienne envahit l'Éthiopie. La guerre d'Éthiopie commence, qui ne s'achèvera qu'avec la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
21 novembre. Répétition générale de La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu au théâtre de l'Athénée. Ce même 21 novembre, André François-Poncet, ambassadeur à Berlin, condisciple, collègue et ami de Giraudoux, est reçu par Hitler, et il informe le gouvernement qu'apparemment Hitler est décidé à remilitariser la Rhénanie (il le fera en effet dès mars 1936).
22 novembre. Première de La Guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu.
Décembre. Édition originale de La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu (Grasset).
1936. Conférences aux Annales, qui deviendront Les Cinq Tentations de La Fontaine (Grasset, 1938). Anita se marie en Argentine. Longue mission aux États-Unis et au Mexique. Après la victoire du Front populaire, Jean Zay propose l'administration de la Comédie-Française à Giraudoux, qui préfère y faire nommer son ami Édouard Bourdet.
1937. Électre à l'Athénée. Nouvelle mission aux États-Unis. Il arrive à New York juste pour la première d'Amphitryon 38. Succès énorme.
La mission se prolonge par un tour du monde : San Francisco, Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney...
1938\.... Bali, Singapour, Angkor, Colombo – et Marseille, après six mois d'absence. Cantique des cantiques, pièce en un acte, à la Comédie-Française.
1939. Cinq conférences aux Annales, qui deviennent Pleins pouvoirs (Gallimard).
4 mai. Choix des élues (Grasset). Ondine à l'Athénée.
Nouvelle mission : New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver. À peine rentré, il est rappelé de Vittel à Paris le 20 juillet, nommé commissaire général à l'Information. La guerre déclarée, il réquisitionne une partie de l'hôtel Continental pour y installer ses services. Ses pouvoirs sont limités. Quelques minutes d'antenne pour répliquer à Goebbels... Ces Messages du Continental ne seront recueillis qu'en 1987.
1940. 20 mars. Succédant à Daladier, Reynaud confie l'Information à un ministre, qui offre à Giraudoux une sortie honorable, la présidence d'un Conseil supérieur de l'Information. Pendant la débâcle, Giraudoux cherche encore à mobiliser les énergies. Il se réfugie à Cusset avant même que le gouvernement Pétain ait décidé de s'installer à Vichy. À l'automne, il est mis à la retraite (à cinquante-huit ans !), avec effet au 21 janvier 1941.
1941. Il tente d'intéresser le Maréchal à l'urbanisme, en vain. Littérature (sous-entendu française), recueil d'articles et d'essais de critique littéraire (Grasset). Il obtient un laisser-passer pour Paris. Désormais, il partage son temps entre Paris, Vichy et Lyon où réside sa dernière maîtresse. Partout, il vit à l'hôtel. Régime alimentaire déplorable.
27 juin. Jouvet, avec sa troupe et ses décors, débarque à Rio de Janeiro. Leur séjour en Amérique latine durera presque quatre ans. Retour à Marseille le 12 février 1945, après avoir donné 391 représentations dans 14 pays.
1942. Conférences en Suisse, qui seront publiées en 1947 sous le titre Visitations (Ides et Calendes). La Duchesse de Langeais, film de Jacques de Baroncelli, adapté du roman de Balzac, scénario et dialogues de Giraudoux. Jouvet crée L'Apollon de Marsac (ultérieurement de Bellac) à Rio de Janeiro.
1943. Les Anges du péché, titre imposé par les producteurs au lieu de Béthanie (Gallimard), film de Robert Bresson, avec la collaboration de Giraudoux et du R. P. Bruckberger. Sodome et Gomorrhe au théâtre des Arts (aujourd'hui Hébertot), en l'absence de l'auteur appelé au chevet de sa mère qui décède à quatre-vingt-dix ans. Contact avec des écrivains résistants.
1944. 31 janvier. Mort de Jean Giraudoux après cinq jours d'agonie, probablement de pancréatite aiguë. Il laisse de nombreux inédits. La Folle de Chaillot sera créée par Jouvet à l'Athénée en 1945, et Pour Lucrèce au théâtre Marigny par la compagnie Renaud-Barrault en 1953.
ABRÉVIATIONS UTILISÉES
DANS CETTE ÉDITION
CJG 1-32 Cahiers Jean Giraudoux, Grasset, 1972-2004.
CJG 33-... Cahiers Jean Giraudoux, CRLMC-Amis de Jean Giraudoux, 2006-...
JBJG Jacques Body, Jean Giraudoux, Gallimard, coll. Biographies NRF, 2004.
ORC I ou II Jean Giraudoux, Œuvres romanesques complètes, édition établie sous la direction de Jacques Body, Gallimard, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade, t. I, 1990 ; t. II, 1994.
TC Jean Giraudoux, Théâtre complet, édition établie sous la direction de Jacques Body, Gallimard, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade, 1982.
NOTICE
La genèse
L'Iliade est la source inépuisable de tragédies grecques, d'épopées romaines et de « romans » romans, la fontaine d'abondance des poètes de la Renaissance et des auteurs classiques, la matrice de pastiches (voir L'Homère travesti, ou L'Iliade en vers burlesques de Marivaux) et d'opérettes (La Belle Hélène, musique d'Offenbach, livret de Meilhac et Halévy), la référence obligée pour Shakespeare, Goethe, D'Annunzio, Yeats, Tsvétaïéva... La tragédie grecque était de retour au XXe siècle. Déjà Cocteau avait confié son Antigone (1922) à Dullin, son Orphée (1926) à Pitoëff, ces deux metteurs en scène formant avec Baty et Jouvet le fameux « Cartel des quatre » (1927) qui se vouait au service du texte et du théâtre d'art.
Ulysse le divin est déjà venu ici,
À cause de toi [Hélène], en ambassade, avec Ménélas ami d'Arès 1 [dieu de la guerre].
Ces quelques vers de l'Iliade n'ont pas laissé indifférents les hellénistes. Paul-Louis Courier, pour plaire à une dame, en avait ébauché le récit, il préféra lui traduire l'Éloge d'Hélène par Isocrate, où cette ambassade est aussi mentionnée. Sophocle en avait tiré le sujet d'une tragédie, La Revendication d'Hélène, hélas ! perdue, mais qu'un grand helléniste a reconnue dans une peinture de vase. Or ce grand helléniste, Louis Séchan, était son camarade de promotion, un complice de jeunesse 2, et sa grande thèse, Études sur la tragédie grecque dans ses rapports avec la céramique, Champion, 1926, figure dans la bibliothèque de Giraudoux aujourd'hui conservée à Bellac avec un amical envoi 3. On y trouve la reproduction d'une peinture de vase grec, deux hommes engagés dans une « conversation tranquille », loin du brouhaha de l'assemblée homérique, et cette conversation tranquille semble préfigurer le tête-à-tête d'Hector et d'Ulysse où culmine la pièce de Giraudoux. Élu à la Sorbonne en octobre 1932, Séchan rendit visite à son camarade et ami. Lui porta-t-il sa thèse à cette occasion ? Lui parlat-il de La Revendication d'Hélène ? Il a eu la modestie de ne pas s'en souvenir quand je lui ai posé la question.
Naguère maître de conférences à Montpellier, il avait sympathisé avec un troisième normalien, Henri Chabrol, jeune professeur de lettres au lycée, qui, sur le même thème et sur sa suggestion, avait écrit en 1931 une comédie, Hélène de Troie, qui allait être créée à Montpellier et publiée aux Cahiers du Sud sous le titre de Ménélas, ou l'ambassade amoureuse. Chabrol avait d'abord soumis son manuscrit à Jouvet, qui par deux fois lui manifesta et son intérêt et le regret de ne pouvoir monter sa pièce. Trente ans plus tard, Chabrol se disait et me disait que sa pièce avait peut-être été pour quelque chose dans la genèse de La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, mais il ne se considérait pas comme plagié, et n'avait nulle raison de le faire. Giraudoux, en effet, a exclu Ménélas de la liste des personnages, lequel était au centre de la comédie de Chabrol, dans la tradition goguenarde de La Belle Hélène 4. Jouvet a-t-il glissé le manuscrit de Chabrol dans les mains de Giraudoux, comme il lui est arrivé de faire pour Tessa, pour Ondine ?
Selon Gérard Genette 5, Giraudoux a pu trouver l'épisode de l'ambassade grecque par les Éphémérides de la guerre de Troie du Pseudo-Dictys de Crète, texte apocryphe de la basse latinité (IVe siècle ap. J.-C.) qui n'est guère qu'un résumé en prose de la matière troyenne. L'ambassade grecque, conduite par Palamède accompagné de Ménélas et d'Ulysse, n'est qu'un bref épisode. L'hypothèse Séchan et l'hypothèse Chabrol ont plus de consistance. Mais Genette fait remarquer que Dictys, associé à son symétrique Darès le Phrygien (et bien sûr à l'Énéide et à La Thébaïde), a été la source d'un nouveau cycle troyen pendant tout le Moyen Âge, et notamment du Roman de Troie de Benoît de Sainte-Maure (v. 1165) et de tout ce qui en dérive, jusqu'à Chaucer et au Shakespeare de Troïlus et Cressida. Or le personnage du jeune Troïlus n'a droit dans Homère qu'à un hémistiche : Priam déplore la mort de ce jeune fils... Le rôle d'amoureux que lui confie Giraudoux provient donc de Shakespeare (1602), qui s'inspirait (peut-être, car la pièce est perdue) de ses rivaux Dekker et Chettle (1599) et de la traduction anglaise (1471) du Recueil des Hystoires troyennes de Raoul Le Febvres (1464) autant que du Book of Troïlus and Cryseyde de Chaucer (1385), l'un et l'autre tributaires du Roman de Troie de Benoît de Sainte-Maure (que nous avons évoqué ci-dessus) et de son amplification Historia destructionis Troiae de Guido da Colonna (1287), le tout prenant sa source dans le Pseudo-Darès et le Pseudo-Dictys qu'il n'est donc pas déplacé d'évoquer à propos de La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu.
L'étincelle a-t-elle jailli de la reprise de Troïlus et Cressida à l'Odéon, au printemps 1934 ? Le feu couvait-il sous la cendre depuis Vor Troja nichts neues 6 (Devant Troie rien de nouveau, Berlin, 1930), parodie du roman de E. M. Remarque, sachant que Giraudoux vint plusieurs fois à Berlin cette année-là ? Ou même depuis The Private Life of Helen of Troy (1927) d'Alexander Korda ?
La rédaction
Giraudoux ne raturait pas, il recopiait, d'où ces manuscrits « nets comme un lys, comme une vitre, comme une vierge 7 ». Il en connaissait le prix, et il a fait relier par Jeanne Lefranc, relieur d'art, la plus ou moins dernière version de chacune de ses principales œuvres, tant romans que pièces de théâtre – en pensant plus aux marchands d'autographes qu'aux érudits.
La médiathèque de Limoges a fait ainsi l'acquisition d'un magnifique volume relié en maroquin rouge. Dans la marge, il arrive que Giraudoux dessine la silhouette des deux femmes, une brune, une blonde, qu'il fait dialoguer : Hélène et Cassandre 8 (I, X). Ce « manuscrit 3 » représente le troisième état du texte, le dernier avant les dactylographies, à ceci près que la moitié de l'acte II provient du « manuscrit 1 » (voir CJG 21, pp. 211-213), et qu'à deux endroits Giraudoux a remplacé un feuillet perdu par un résumé de deux lignes. L'ensemble a sans doute été réuni à la hâte, alors que l'auteur et les comédiens disposaient déjà d'une version dactylographiée sinon même des épreuves de La Petite Illustration. Sur un jeu de ces épreuves, l'auteur a complètement remodelé les scènes IV à VIII de l'acte II, sur un autre jeu, le régisseur a noté les modifications décidées au fil des répétitions. La scène de Busiris, écrite « à chaud » pendant les répétitions, n'y figurait pas.
Seul le « discours aux morts » semble avoir été travaillé : pas moins de sept versions. Sur l'une, offerte à Jouvet par Giraudoux, on apprend le nombre de lâches (le même parmi les vivants et les morts, précise-t-il ailleurs) : un tiers ! « Le tiers d'entre vous nous a bien débarrassés, dit Hector. Mais c'est de ce débarras que je ne parviens pas à m'accommoder 9. »
Si l'on en juge par les manuscrits conservés, l'accouchement semble avoir été facile. Peu de brouillons, comparé aux multiples réécritures des précédentes pièces, aucun signe clinique avant le mois de juin 1935, juste quelques échanges de lettres et des échos de presse concernant la distribution des rôles. Une première version a été remise à Jouvet au début de l'été, une seconde lue au début des répétitions, les 13 et 14 septembre, développée ensuite, puis resserrée le 12 novembre, créée enfin le 21. En décembre, le texte paraîtra à la fois dans La Petite Illustration, La Revue de Paris et en volume chez Grasset.
La distribution
Depuis que Giraudoux était devenu le « fournisseur attitré » de la troupe, chaque rôle était écrit pour un acteur déterminé. « L'acteur n'est pas seulement un interprète, il est un inspirateur 10. » Mais il joua cette fois de malchance : le rôle d'Hélène n'avait pas été écrit pour Madeleine Ozeray, ni celui de Busiris pour Boverio, et celui d'Ulysse était destiné non à Pierre Renoir mais à Roger Karl qui avait été un magnifique Holopherne (dans Judith, 1931). Marie-Hélène Dasté aurait voulu jouer Andromaque, dont elle comprenait profondément les sentiments, mais on lui imposa Cassandre, « tellement pessimiste par clairvoyance ». Renée Falconetti se résigna à jouer Andromaque. Elle se voyait en Hélène, comme toutes, mais Jouvet réserva le rôle à sa maîtresse qui venait de triompher en Tessa. Il sera le premier à juger qu'elle pouvait mieux faire 11. S'agissant enfin d'Hector, on chercha vainement un tragédien, Giraudoux aurait voulu Henri Rollan, qui n'était pas libre, on avait sollicité jusqu'à Charles Boyer, retenu à Hollywood. Les répétitions commencèrent sans que tous les rôles fussent pourvus.
Néanmoins, Jouvet ne fut pas le seul héros de cette création mémorable. Pierre Renoir, fils de Claude le peintre, frère de Jean le cinéaste et de Claude céramiste, avait une diction grave et sûre. Il fut impressionnant en Ulysse, y compris dans la raideur de son bras, – grand blessé de guerre lui aussi. Falconetti, pour les spectateurs de l'époque, dans le rôle d'Andromaque revivait son passé récent de Jeanne d'Arc humiliée et brûlée vive du film de Dreyer. Face à elle, Marie-Hélène Dasté, fille de Jacques Copeau, élevée dans la religion puritaine du théâtre d'art, se dressait, impassible Cassandre, immobile et droite comme une cariatide.
Cette création, avec cette distribution de légende inscrite en tête des éditions, projette son ombre sur toutes les reprises, mais en soufflant le secret de sa réussite : le respect du texte.
La mise en scène
Jouvet n'imaginait pas à quel point sa mise en scène, le nom des acteurs et son propre jeu survivraient dans la légende, consubstantiels au texte. « Chaque pièce fait elle-même sa mise en scène », prônait-il. Comprendre que pour sa part, il ne faisait que suivre les injonctions ou les suggestions du texte. En fait, lisant le premier manuscrit, il a pu déjà conseiller un rééquilibrage des deux actes, les scènes importantes étant presque toutes dans le premier acte, ou bien, au cours des répétitions, demander qu'Andromaque interrompe le couplet d'Hector sur la guerre, régler l'alternance des scènes de mouvement et de foule entre deux séries de tête-à-tête statiques, et celle de longs couplets proches du poème en prose, venant à la suite de dialogues tendus, répliques du tac au tac à l'imitation des stichomythies.
L'écriture de Giraudoux excluait les effets de voix et de geste, toute la mimique à quoi se reconnaissait le « métier » de l'acteur. Jouvet eut l'intelligence de le comprendre, et de l'enseigner aux comédiens : « Tu en fais trop, mon petit ! Dis simplement ton texte, ne le joue pas 12. » Dans L'Impromptu de Paris (1937), il chargera Boverio de définir son idéal du comédien : « la statue à peine animée de la parole 13 ».
Dès sa première pièce, Giraudoux avait inauguré le dialogue à distance, façon de rompre avec le prétendu naturel des conversations animées, et d'instituer le royaume de la parole. « J'ai l'impression que nous nous parlons de très loin au téléphone », disait Zelten à Robineau 14. Pour le grand face-à-face diplomatique, il a eu recours à une image qui lui est chère, celle de la pesée, image présente aussi dans L'Iliade 15, pour justifier un jeu parfaitement statique : chacun des deux acteurs se tient comme planté sur l'un des plateaux de la balance.
Cette image de la pesée fera une nouvelle carrière dans les Messages du Continental 16, allocutions du commissaire général à l'Information : pendant la « drôle de guerre » (1939-1940), il décrit et espère une sorte de « guerre froide », guerre économique et psychologique, la pesée substituée à la bataille.
Décor et costumes
Là aussi, un faux bond. Les décors avaient d'abord été demandés à Marc Saint-Saëns, le neveu du compositeur. Ils seront brossés par Mariano Andreu (1888-1976), peintre, sculpteur, émailleur catalan, devenu à Paris spécialiste des décors, suscitant des avis divergents.
À l'acte I, des parapets bas, formés de larges pierres géométriques laissant un large ciel ; à l'acte II, un moindre espace entre deux frontons de temple grecs stylisés et les portes de la guerre au lointain surmontées d'une gloire emplumée.
Toute blancheur, le couple mythique, Pâris, tunique de pâtre, et Hélène, rehaussée d'ors, assez dénudés, ont pu jouer de leur physique, entourés de costumes hauts en couleur : Hector en peau noire et drap vert, verte la robe d'Andromaque, Cassandre longue robe bleu nuit. Ces tenues signées Grès (Mlle Alix) s'inspirent des plissés du Parthénon et s'accordent aussi avec l'actualité de la mode.
Jouvet, pour la reprise en 1937, préférera faire appel à Guillaume Mounin pour les décors et les costumes.
Dans la suite des temps et la diversité des pays, comme on va le voir, les mises en scène oscilleront entre trois options : style néo-grec, années 1930, ou contemporain. Sans exclure des mélanges anachroniques et des références à d'autres guerres, 1914 notamment.
Contre Giraudoux
La préface étant une invitation à la lecture, il eût semblé malvenu d'y faire place à tous ceux qui ont refusé d'entrer dans la pensée de Giraudoux ou de tolérer sa manière – parfois en refusant purement et simplement de le lire comme ce fut le cas de Paul Léautaud.
Laissons de côté les critiques qui visent l'homme politique qu'il fut brièvement, dont celle de Céline et de Je suis partout : « Demokos 39, c'était M. Jean Giraudoux, c'était le ministre du gang juif 17. »
Il eut de son vivant presque autant d'ennemis que d'admirateurs inconditionnels. Jean Anouilh, tout en l'admirant éperdument, et en reconnaissant qu'il lui devait sa vocation et les rudiments du métier, lui reprochait de se faire jouer dans les beaux quartiers. La question s'est constamment posée, en effet, de savoir s'il n'écrivait pas exclusivement pour un public d'élite, en dépit de ses nombreuses prises de position. Un public populaire, asservi par les contraintes de l'existence, peut-il se payer ce luxe qu'est l'humour ?
Jiri Mucha, le fils du peintre, écrivain lui-même, dans un hommage à Giraudoux, a évoqué un dimanche à Prague du printemps 1938. Une affiche annonçait les représentations de La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu. Un ouvrier lui avait dit :
Vous voyez, je n'aime pas ça. C'est de la blague, mais on ne devrait pas blaguer avec ces choses-là. C'est de l'histoire, n'est-ce pas ? Alors la guerre de Troie a eu lieu quand même 18 !
De l'autre bord, les écrivains et les journalistes qui ont des usages culturels bien établis condamnent chez Giraudoux l'agilité de la plume, la subtilité des rapprochements. André Gide, dont la carrière au théâtre a tourné court malgré plusieurs tentatives, relit en 1942 La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, qu'il avait vue en son temps, et prend le verbiage d'Ulysse pour la pensée de l'auteur :
L'on s'étonnera bientôt qu'il y ait eu un public pour donner assentiment, et même se pâmer, à ce ballet de sophismes, à cette danse sur les pointes de paradoxes exaspérants 19.
Même les critiques qui saluent sa subtilité l'associent à sa formation de normalien, sous-entendu : pédantisme et verbalisme.
Pourtant, le reproche le plus terrible est venu d'une grande admiratrice, qui ne pouvait en aucune façon s'en prendre au normalien, Marie-Jeanne Durry. Giraudoux avait accompagné sa jeunesse, il avait « comblé de plaisirs » sa génération. Elle avait mis en lui d'immenses espoirs. Mais il a cédé à sa facilité, il s'est abandonné à des procédés, énumération, antithèse, rapprochements, mensurations... Il a laissé « un sillage phosphorescent » mais il n'a été celui qu'il aurait pu être. « Il faisait du Giraudoux, il n'a pas fait Giraudoux 20. »
Pour Giraudoux
À un changement de registre, c'est-à-dire à la voix d'un personnage nouveau, il confie le soin de nous éclairer, presque au sens optique du mot ; ainsi, le frémissement propre de l'auteur, sa pitié généreuse pour la folie humaine, nous sont transmis par des moyens que je compare aux « timbres » instrumentaux d'un orchestre.
Colette, Le Journal, 24 novembre 1935.
Ses subtilités, ses préciosités mêmes ont pour effet de tenir chaque spectateur en état d'émerveillement éveillé.
Henri Gouhier, L'Essence du théâtre,
Plon, 1943, p. 220.
Aucun auteur de cette période n'a eu l'idée originale de dépeindre les heures qui précèdent immédiatement la guerre. Aucun n'a su prendre sur le vif le moment où les hommes sont saisis du vertige qui les perd. Aucun ne l'a dépouillé comme Giraudoux de ses prestiges.
Marianne Mercier-Campiche,
Le Théâtre de Giraudoux et la Condition humaine,
[1954], éd. Mondiales, 1969, p. 63.
La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu me paraît être, dans le théâtre français de ces cent dernières années, une œuvre capitale, une des premières. Et, pour ce public populaire, qui, lui, adore les divertissements aussi bien que les « cours du soir », la première peut-être.
Jean Vilar, Bref, Journal du TNP, février 1963.
Jean Giraudoux est le plus grand poète de la scène française du XXe siècle. Pour trois raisons. La première est la beauté incomparable de sa langue. La seconde est l'implacable construction de ses pièces de théâtre. La troisième est la lumière poétique qui naît des représentations et inonde d'une extrême tendresse d'âme le spectateur ébloui.
Francis Huster, CJG 40, 2012, p. 263.
MISES EN SCÈNE
La mise en scène de la création de 1935, évoquée dans la Préface et dans la Notice, reste consubstantielle à l'œuvre, tout au moins en France où le souvenir vivace de Louis Jouvet, entretenu par le cinéma, prolonge sa forte présence et projette son ombre comme un défi pour les acteurs et pour le metteur en scène – sans parler de Pierre Renoir, ou des autres interprètes.
Mise en scène de Louis Jouvet :
reprise, théâtre de l'Athénée, décembre 1937
Toujours insatisfait et inquiet, Jouvet a voulu faire de cette reprise une nouvelle création, faisant appel pour le décor et les costumes à Guillaume Mounin qui venait de réussir les décors d'Électre. Mounin en a conservé la porte « cyclopéenne » en demi-cintre. Trois boucliers superposés, sobrement dessinés, décorent les « portes de la guerre ». Davantage de fantaisie dans les vêtements : des couleurs, des festons aux bas des robes et des tuniques. Renoir-Ulysse porte un « magnifique costume qui évoque les costumes shakespeariens des acteurs anglais vers 1820 ». Les décors de Mounin feront la tournée en Amérique latine.
Quelques rôles ont changé de titulaires : Tania Balachova joue Andromaque, Paul Cambo Pâris, Solange Sicard Hécube, Alfred Adam Oiax. Boverio crée enfin le rôle de Busiris, acclamé, de même que la petite Vera-Polyxène. À en croire Jouvet, « Madeleine [Ozeray] joue maintenant très remarquablement parce qu'elle dit et déclame fort et net son texte avec une égalité de ton absente de ces volutes et de ces mouvements de mains qu'elle avait autrefois, et elle joue avec plaisir ». Le public est toujours enthousiaste, mais il se fait rare, soit que la politique tant extérieure (guerre d'Espagne, Anschluss imminent) qu'intérieure (désagrégation du Front populaire) soit défavorable, soit que cette reprise ait été prématurée. Dernière le 16 janvier, après cinquante-deux représentations. « Il aurait fallu annoncer une courte série. »
Face à Hitler
Annette Kolb, pasionaria de l'amitié franco-allemande, exilée volontaire dès 1932, accueillie en amie par Giraudoux, entreprit sans tarder de traduire Troie en allemand. Sa version, Kein Krieg in Troja (Aucune guerre à Troie), fait toujours autorité. Max Reinhardt, fuyant lui aussi le nazisme, s'était installé à Vienne et dirigeait avec Ernst Lothar le théâtre de la Josefstadt. La traduction d'Annette Kolb fut remaniée par Berta Zuckerhandl, intitulée Es kommt nicht zum Krieg (On n'en vient pas à la guerre) et solennellement créée le 6 novembre 1936, en présence de M. Pertner, ministre de l'Instruction publique, du Tout-Vienne, du corps diplomatique et, comme par hasard, de l'inspecteur général Giraudoux en mission dans la région, qui rend compte à Jouvet de ce « gros succès d'estime et de critique » tout comme l'ambassadeur de France à son ministre : « Grand succès pour notre influence et notre prestige intellectuel. » La pièce est jouée jusqu'au 11 novembre. Elle tourne ensuite, à Belgrade quinze jours plus tard, à Zurich trois semaines après, à Prague un mois plus tard.
Un an plus tard, dans la nuit du 11 au 12 mars 1938, les troupes hitlériennes entraient en Autriche. Le 15, c'était l'Anschluss (rattachement à l'Allemagne). La minorité allemande s'agitait de plus belle en Tchécoslovaquie, alors qu'on jouait La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu à Prague. Jiri Mucha, comme nous l'avons vu dans la Notice, p. 247, a évoqué un dimanche du printemps 1938, et dans les rues l'affiche au titre « inquiétant », « mauvais présage 21 ».
À l'automne, Hitler exigeait la cession des Sudètes, « provinces allemandes », les puissances européennes mobilisaient, la guerre semblait imminente, et ce fut Munich : les 29 et 30 septembre 1938, Chamberlain et Daladier vendaient les Sudètes à Hitler pour sauver la paix. La guerre n'a pas eu lieu. Hector-Daladier a-t-il gagné ? « Je gagne chaque combat. Mais de chaque victoire l'enjeu s'envole. » Le rideau n'a été baissé que par erreur. Elle aura lieu.
Après 1945
Après la fin de la guerre, et plus encore jusqu'à aujourd'hui, on joue ou on répète La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu tous les jours en France en un, deux ou trois endroits, et autant dans le monde ; on ne saurait en dénombrer les mises en scène si on inclut le théâtre scolaire et le théâtre amateur, qui d'ailleurs se conjuguent parfois. Un exemple : les élèves du collège ont été amenés par classes entières au spectacle de la compagnie DeZastrenouvÔ. Elle a fêté ses vingt ans en 2013 à Lambersart (Nord). Écoutons l'un de ses animateurs, directeur commercial dans une société de service en informatique :
Son choix s'est porté [en 2012] sur La Guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu parce qu'il était persuadé de la modernité absolue de cette pièce. Au XXIe siècle aussi, on trouve des prétextes fallacieux pour déclencher une guerre (cf. les célèbres « armes de destruction massive »). Il a, de plus, trouvé dans cette pièce l'opportunité de faire travailler ensemble vingt-six des membres de la troupe, régie, costumes, coiffures et lumières comprises.
En sens inverse, du fait de nouvelles conditions économiques, les compagnies professionnelles redoutent de plus en plus les distributions nombreuses et seules les grandes institutions subventionnées osent monter, non sans coupures, un texte qui passa pour trop court en son temps.
À l'étranger
La pièce de Giraudoux avait eu un certain retentissement à l'étranger dès sa création à Paris. Après la fin de la guerre, elle connaît une diffusion planétaire. Elle est jouée en Allemagne comme tout le théâtre de Giraudoux.
Tiger at the Gates (Tigre aux portes de la ville), la traduction de Christopher Fry 22, connaît surtout aux États-Unis un énorme succès :
1955. Mise en scène de Harold Clurman
Plymouth Theatre puis Helen Hayes Theatre. Total 217 représentations. Avec Michael Redgrave (Hector), Diane Cilento (Hélène), tous trois, ainsi que la pièce, nominés pour le Tony Award, Diane Cilento couronnée en outre du prix du Theater World.
Présentée d'abord à Londres où elle avait fait « forte impression », à New York avec la même distribution, elle atteint, mieux rodée, à la « grandeur » (Brooks Atkinson, New York Times, 23 octobre 1955).
Elle annonce le dégel dans les pays de l'Est, en Yougoslavie depuis 1953, en Pologne depuis 1958, en Roumanie depuis 1960, à Prague en 1969, pièce chère entre toutes aux professeurs de lettres de maints pays, sauf au Japon où la mythologie et l'antiquité gréco-latine sont moins connues, et où elle ne trouve pas le même accueil, toujours prolongé, qu'Intermezzo et qu'Ondine. Lors d'une tournée du Vieux-Colombier à Moscou et Leningrad, le public – surtout celui des balcons, que garnissaient de nombreux étudiants – a suivi avec passion les dialogues les plus subtils (Le Monde, 20 mai 1960).
Elle reparaît de loin en loin et surtout là où resurgit le spectre de la guerre, par exemple à Londres en 1983, mise en scène par Harold Pinter, après l'affaire des Malouines (voir CJG 13, pp. 204-205), ou en Israël en 1977, en 1984 et en 2002-2003, à New York en 2001.
En France
Reçue par le comité de lecture de la Comédie-Française (1948), la pièce est montée par le Grenier de Toulouse (1948, puis 1960), la Comédie de l'Ouest et au Festival national de Bellac, Cour d'honneur de l'hôtel de ville (1959), mise en scène de Jean Marchat avec Madeleine Sologne, Madeleine Ozeray, Georges Descrières, Jean Le Poulain, Jean Marchat...
1962. Mise en scène de Jean Vilar. Juillet, Festival national d'Avignon, Cour d'honneur de l'hôtel de ville. Spectacle du Théâtre national populaire (TNP).
Avec Maria Mauban (Andromaque), Christiane Minazzoli (Hélène), Judith Magre (Cassandre), Daniel Ivernel (Hector), Jean-Louis Trintignant (Pâris), Jean Vilar (Ulysse).
Venant après L'Alcade de Zalamea de Calderón et La Paix d'Aristophane, Troie vient compléter une trilogie militante contre la guerre (sous-entendu : pour le désarmement atomique). Jean Vilar, tout en rendant hommage à Jouvet, affirme la nécessité « d'oublier le maître d'œuvre de jadis », mais conserve la musique de Maurice Jaubert – l'un des cent vingt mille tués du printemps 1940. Il fait le vide sur l'immense plateau, juste quelques praticables, quelques sièges et pour les « portes de la guerre » une simple grille, à cause du mistral. Les finesses du texte se perdent dans l'espace. La critique est très sévère et se demande : Giraudoux peut-il survivre sans Jouvet ? Et même : Giraudoux peut-il survivre ? La guerre d'Algérie vient de s'achever (accords d'Évian, 8 avril). Vilar a beau noter que « nous ne manquons ni de chefs d'État, ni de conférences, ni de lacs », la pièce est jugée surannée.
1963. Mise en scène de Jean Vilar. Mars. Théâtre du palais de Chaillot.
Les mêmes critiques changent d'avis quand la pièce est présentée à Paris, avec une distribution un peu différente : Pierre Vaneck (Hector), Robert Etcheverry (Pâris). Vilar a coupé ce qu'il considère de simples joliesses, et le baiser final à Troïlus, au total l'équivalent d'une page et demie. Hector sur sa tunique porte une capote modèle 1914. Peu après l'attentat du Petit-Clamart qui visait de Gaulle, la « scène des pas » retrouve le pathétique qu'elle avait chez Jouvet après la mort de Doumer et de Barthou :
– Le chemin est long de cette place à mon navire.
– Ma garde vous escorte.
– Le premier pas va. Il en reste combien ?
« Du beau Vilar » (André Alter, Témoignage chrétien, 15 mars 1963) ; « Le TNP a rajeuni la leçon de La guerre de Troie et fait la preuve de sa permanence » (Bertrand Poirot-Delpech, Le Monde, 3-4 mars 1963) ; « Elle gagne en vigueur ce qu'elle perd en subtilité et la méthode met en relief ce qu'elle a de durable » (Claude Baignères, Le Figaro, 2-3 mars 1963).
Faisant salle comble, la pièce est de nouveau affichée à l'automne.
1966. Mise en scène de Jean Darnel. Tournée d'été, Saint-Malo, Saintes, Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
Avec Alberte Aveline (Andromaque), Daniel Ivernel (Hector).
« Avec le plus grand respect du texte, mettant en relief l'essentiel – notre essentiel – et traitant en fioritures les fioritures, c'est bien une Guerre de Troie de notre temps » (Jacques Lemarchand, Le Figaro littéraire, 8 septembre 1966).
1967. Réalisation de Marcel Cravenne. Télévision, 20 octobre, 2e chaîne.
Avec Maria Mauban (Andromaque), Silvia Monfort (Cassandre), Caroline Cellier (Hélène), Daniel Ivernel (Hector), Michel Etcheverry (Ulysse), Claude Piéplu (Busiris), en costumes supposés antiques.
« Une véritable adaptation. L'optique n'est pas la même qu'au théâtre, on est plus près du public, le jeu est plus intérieur » (Daniel Ivernel, Le Figaro, 19 octobre 1967) ; « Le spectre de la Deuxième Guerre mondiale se précisait. [...] C'est aussi un très beau chant à l'amour » (L'Humanité, 20 octobre 1967).
1971. Mise en scène de Jean Mercure. Théâtre de la Ville.
Avec Francine Bergé puis Dominique Jayr (Andromaque), Anne Doat (Cassandre), Annie Duperey (Hélène), Pierre Vaneck puis José-Marie Flo-
tats (Hector), Michel de Ré (Ulysse).
Hors de toute référence historique, Jean Mercure voit dans la pièce l'illustration des théories du zoologiste Konrad Lorenz sur l'agressivité animale aussi bien qu'humaine. D'où ce beau décor blanc de Yannis Kokkos, ce grand velum blanc sur lesquels tranchent de vilains emblèmes militaires suspendus dans l'espace, ces robes du soir blanches et ces costumes, blancs pour les Troyens, noirs pour les Grecs. Matérialisant la foule, des haut-parleurs diffusent les cris et les lazzis. Et le baiser à Troïlus, coupé par Vilar, est ici prolongé et cerclé par les projecteurs.
Reprise en 1975 avec le même succès, outre une version télévisée. En 1975 toujours, Jacques Mauclair monte la même pièce au théâtre des Célestins, et Claude Étienne au Rideau de Bruxelles.
1985. Mise en scène d'Odile Mallet et Geneviève Brunet. Festival national de Bellac, jardins de la sous-préfecture.
Avec Sylvia Bergé, Jean Davy, Yvan Varco, François Maistre...
Pour le cinquantenaire de la pièce, retour à l'époque de la création. Les acteurs portent de beaux costumes très mode années 1930, et Yvan Varco-Ulysse a un accent germanique.
1988. Mise en scène de Raymond Gérôme. Comédie-Française.
Avec Martine Chevallier (Andromaque), Geneviève Casile (Cassandre), Cyrielle Clair (Hélène), François Beaulieu (Hector), Simon Eine (Ulysse).
Une reconstitution du paradis perdu des années folles vu à travers la candeur des Troyens. Décors créto-mussoliniens de Jean Lamouroux, costumes hauts en couleur, mais les jupettes des guerriers font pouffer. La presse est partagée. On juge souvent que le texte rachète la mise en scène. « Le charme de l'intelligence », titre Pierre Marcabru (Le Figaro, 17 janvier 1988).
Pour quelles obscures raisons huit autres pièces de Giraudoux ont devancé Troie au Français ? Prolongée d'une saison sur l'autre, la pièce fait toujours salle comble. On l'interrompt parce qu'un théâtre subventionné ne peut pas, décemment, exploiter un succès jusqu'à la corde.
1990. Mise en scène de Jean Danet. Tréteaux de France.
Distribution proche de celle de 1985 à Bellac.
2006. Mise en scène de Nicolas Briançon. Festival d'Anjou en juillet, puis théâtre Silvia Monfort en hiver, et tournées avant et après.
Avec Elsa Mollien (Hélène), Valentine Varela (Andromaque), Emma Colberti (Cassandre), Nicolas Briançon (Hector), Bernard Malaka (Ulysse).
Élève de Jean Darnel, « Nicolas Briançon opte pour une modernité affichée et débarrasse le contexte de ses déguisements de péplum. [...] Ce jeu de dupes est celui de la IIIe République, et c'est aussi le combat perdu des femmes contre les hommes » (Gilles Costaz, Les Échos, juin 2006). « La pièce est légèrement rétro dans son habillage. Un côté haute couture, mais son intelligence est éclatante et, sous la brillante légèreté de son écriture, sa gravité est troublante » (Philippe Tesson, Le Figaro, 15 décembre 2006). Désormais, grâce à internet, les avis s'affichent. Le jeune public est enthousiaste.
2013. Mise en scène de Francis Huster. Festival d'Anjou et en tournée.
Avec Francis Huster (Hector), et deux de ses filles (La Paix et La petite Polyxène), Olivier Lejeune (Ulysse), Simon Eine (Priam), Gaïa Weiss (Hélène).
Francis Huster en civil présente d'abord Giraudoux : « un grand résistant de l'ombre, empoisonné par la Gestapo », un visionnaire. Puis, en robe Christian Dior comme toutes ces dames, la Paix danse gracieusement pendant que s'installe, côté jardin, Hitler entouré des siens. Ils donneront des lectures de Mein Kampf en contrepoint au texte de Giraudoux, dominé par l'omniprésence de Francis Huster toujours dynamique et volubile. Salles combles et presse favorable, parfois partagée comme Bernard-Henri Lévy dans son bloc-notes du Point (8 août 2013) : « Bon spectacle » mais « je n'aime pas Giraudoux »...
ANNEXE
UN DOCUMENT MÉCONNU :
LE COMPTE RENDU D'ALFRED KERR
Depuis le début du siècle, par ses comptes rendus percutants et son style mordant, Alfred Kerr s'était imposé à Berlin comme l'arbitre des théâtres.
D'origine juive, il avait pris ses distances avec la synagogue au point de se marier au temple. Néanmoins, à l'arrivée d'Hitler au pouvoir, son nom fut honni et ses livres brûlés. Il s'était réfugié à Paris.
Depuis vingt ans, il polémiquait avec le pacifiste Karl Kraus.
Sur Giraudoux, il avait déjà publié un article très élogieux, après la mise en scène d'Amphitryon 38 à Berlin. C'était dans la Berliner Tageblatt, le 16 janvier 1931 23.
L'article que voici a paru le 15 février 1936 dans la Pariser Tageblatt, le nostalgique quotidien des réfugiés allemands de Paris (au nombre desquels plusieurs amis ou protégés de Giraudoux).
Le Théâtre à Paris
Sténocritiques
Giraudoux : « LA GUERRE DE TROIE
N'AURA PAS LIEU »
I
Tu vois une œuvre merveilleuse, tu ne vas pas demander à la fin : « Est-elle politiquement recommandable ? »
Mais dans ton for intérieur, quelque chose en appelle : « Certes, aujourd'hui, elle est fausse, et néanmoins incontestable dans sa suprême humanité. »
Si elle est fausse aujourd'hui, la faute en revient moins au poète qu'à ces fauves à l'entour, qui estampillent son poème « inopportun », « déplacé », « indélicat ». Néanmoins, son erreur est la vérité, son manque de tact un fait.
II
Oui, dans cette tragédie ironique, Giraudoux se montre audacieux, riche, insouciant du commun. Le mot de Hebbel sur l'artiste lui convient : « Il va, aussi loin qu'il peut, dans son douloureux plaisir. »
Cet homme est la chair de la chair et le meilleur entre les meilleurs. Les gens de son espèce faillissent devant des événements accidentels, ils ne font pas moins avancer le monde.
III
Le tout peut se résumer en deux phrases. Giraudoux est un pacifiste, mais pourtant pas un pacifiste armé – et aujourd'hui, à mon sens, on doit être un pacifiste armé.
Tu aimes les animaux : il faut quand même mettre une bête enragée hors d'état de nuire.
Sans hésiter !
IV
Au centre de cette tragédie troyenne, pas de doux Heinrich 24 : Hector, soldat déjà bien aguerri. « Ancien combattant 25 ». Jouvet le joue magnifiquement : non pas en héros involontaire, mais dans une posture volontairement non héroïque. Il ne marche pas au pas, mais il va. Il bombe un peu le torse, du coup, sans étalage ! Il « connaît la chanson »... pourrait-on dire, comme jadis, chez feu G. Hauptmann, Moritz Jäger 26.
Hector connaît l'abominable chanson.
V
Il fera toutes les concessions nécessaires pour empêcher que des milliers et des milliers de Troyens périssent. Il reçoit une gifle de l'adversaire. Il l'encaisse. (Il la rendra aux siens). Les Troyens ne doivent pas verser leur sang.
Et ceux d'en face ? Sûrement pas davantage. Mais ce sont eux les agresseurs : brutes de militaires grecs.
Seul Ulysse, qui n'est pas une bête comme Ajax 27, montre de la compréhension. Un soupçon de sombre fraternité, une lueur de communion entre terrestres.
VI
À quoi bon ? La soldatesque hellène veut en découdre – Hector ne veut pas. Priam, son entêté de père, et les siens, bêtement obstinés, veulent aussi en découdre.
Pâris finalement laisserait même dire qu'il n'a pas touché Hélène ; qu'il est impuissant. Du coup, plus de raison de se battre. Mais les hommes de Pâris ne laissent pas courir un bruit pareil : notre Pâris peut ! Lui, impuissant ? Ha ! Plutôt verser le sang !
VII
Giraudoux continue, « en douloureux plaisir ». Hector voit son épouse Andromaque palpée, offensée dans son chaste corps par les doigts provocants d'un Grec. Par réflexe, il pointe sa lance sur l'individu, il la tient haut par-dessus la tête, – mais il ne la lance pas. Pas encore. Ni jamais : parce qu'il pense aux milliers d'hommes qui disparaîtraient, sinon... L'ancien combattant. Il se tient immobile, bras dressé. Tragique précurseur des temps à venir. Bestialité surmontée, infantilité balayée. Une scène aussi douloureuse que poignante. En suite de quoi il retourne cette même arme contre son propre compatriote, le belliciste.
Malgré tout, la guerre de Troie a lieu. La porte s'ouvre sur la boucherie. On pense, nous autres, au destin d'Hector. Et pas seulement d'Hector.
Indicible tragédie. Composée par un grand poète inflexiblement conséquent et téméraire. Sans donner dans le pathos.
VIII
Pas de pathos. À coups d'épigrammes éparpillées d'une main légère, il peint une humanité. Deuil souriant... avant la lugubre fin.
Sauf, pendant de longues minutes, quand Hector récite sombrement un bout de prière des morts, un Kaddisch 28 troyen, qui plonge dans la plus étrange gravité... Inoubliable.
IX
Reste à remplacer Troie par Europe. Et là, à mon sens, le pacifisme armé revendique son droit.
Si un Français, au lieu de combattre l'hitlérisme dans sa dangereuse bêtise (sans que l'hitlérien puisse même être comparé à la dernière des dernières fripouilles de Grèce), si un Français préférait estourbir son compatriote Wladimir d'Ormesson 29 ou transpercer le Journal des débats, au lieu d'empêcher le retour de l'Europe à l'âge de pierre par la faute de têtes creuses à voix de hyènes, il manquerait son but... Non, ce n'est pas la leçon à tirer aujourd'hui de la pièce.
Mais le message de cette pièce reste immortel. Ce message formera un jour les leçons de l'humanité. Et c'est le poète qui délivre le message.
X
Entrez dans cette pièce. Tendez l'oreille. Car en maints endroits résonne une belle parole : une parole humaine, une parole d'humour noir, une parole ciselée, estampillée. Voilà, mes chers, l'ultima ratio de l'art, au lieu de vulgaires bavardages.
Seuls subsistent éclairs, voltes, frappes, groupes, irradiations. Aristo-concentrés.
Giraudoux ne les tire peut-être pas de lui-même, mais d'un peuple. Mais l'abondance sort de lui. Dans ce peuple, on compte un Voltaire, voire, longo intervallo, un Anatole France.
Des étrangers entrent en jeu pour cette Troie : Troïlus de Shakespeare ; son rival Shaw ; et pour la leçon de paix, le poète de Monna Vanna 30. Dans la pièce de Maeterlinck, on laisse une épouse nue comme un ver sous son manteau partir vers l'ennemi : pour sauver une ville.
XI
Tout le monde a des prédécesseurs. Giraudoux en a une plénitude (outre le plaisir de byzantiniser).
Et ses anachronismes conscients, des images d'aujourd'hui, ne sont pas comme dans l'Œdipe de Gide sortis du cerveau mais d'un grand cœur et d'un cerveau.
XII
Jouvet est fort pour mettre en scène le lourd sous forme légère. Le comble de l'excellence, il nous le donne avec Hélène. Il faut voir cette Mlle Ozeray, comme il la laisse, lumineuse et futile, planer dans un monde plein d'ombres, de sang et de ruine.
Blonde diaphane, gracile, vide, froide, semi-débile, ensorcelante. La poupée lumineuse a adopté mécaniquement un mouvement symétrique des bras. Sort-elle d'un salon de beauté d'Attique ?
Comme une figure en celluloïd danse sur les tourbillons de la mer menaçante, elle flotte au-dessus de la mortelle tragédie des Troyens.
Ensorcelant.
XIII
Depuis la sombre tragédie moderne de Bernard Shaw, Trop vrai pour être beau 31, rien ne m'a saisi au plus profond comme cette dansante tragédie.
BIBLIOGRAPHIE
Manuscrits
Deux manuscrits, le premier incomplet, et trois dactylogrammes ainsi que de nombreux fragments sont conservés à la BNF, soit au département des Manuscrits, soit à celui des Arts du spectacle dans le fonds Louis Jouvet. Le troisième manuscrit est à Limoges.
Des jeux d'épreuves de La Petite Illustration, numéro du 14 décembre 1935, ont servi pendant les répétitions. L'un d'eux (LJ) porte les modifications introduites à cette occasion.
Le texte de La Revue de Paris, numéro de décembre 1935, en bénéficie, donnant ainsi le texte le plus long, antérieur aux importantes coupures décidées le 12 novembre, coupures qui sont effectives dans :
L'édition originale, Grasset, 1935, in-16, 205 p. De même que l'édition Grasset, 1936, in-8o, 199 p., elle contient quelques erreurs grossières qui sont reproduites dans d'innombrables rééditions, et qui n'ont été toutes corrigées que dans l'édition du Théâtre complet, Gallimard, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade [1982], 1987, édition à laquelle notre texte est conforme, et à laquelle le lecteur se reportera pour le détail des manuscrits et le relevé des variantes.
Rééditions
Parmi les divers Théâtre complet, signalons celui de la Pochothèque, 1991, présenté par Guy Teissier ; parmi les multiples éditions de La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, celle présentée par Colette Weil, Le Livre de Poche, 1991 ; et parmi les innombrables petits classiques, signalons comme significatives deux éditions du texte en français avec notes en anglais par H.J. Godin, University of London Press, 1958 et R. Lewis, London, 1971, et deux autres en allemand par Franz Walter Müller, Bielefeld, Velhagen u. Klasing, 1964, et par N. Weitz, éd. Reclam, 1984, toujours rééditée.
Interviews
Dans Cahiers Jean Giraudoux, no 19, Grasset, 1991, interviews recueillies par Pierre D'Almeida et Guy Teissier, on verra Giraudoux interrogé par :
M. A. Dabadie, L'Écho de Paris, 6 novembre 1935.
Almaviva, Le Figaro, 21 novembre 1935.
Roger Lannes, La Liberté, 21 novembre 1935.
Annie de Méredieu, Paris-Soir, 21 novembre 1935.
Benjamin Crémieux, Je suis partout, 7 décembre 1935.
Comptes rendus de la création (1935)
Pierre Lièvre, Le Jour, 22 novembre 1935.
Jean Prud'homme, Le Matin, 22 novembre 1935.
Paul Reboux, Le Petit Parisien, 22 novembre 1935.
Fortunat Strowski, Paris-midi 32, 22 novembre 1935.
Armory, Comœdia, 23 novembre 1935.
Gérard Bauër, L'Écho de Paris, 23 novembre 1935.
Robert Kemp, La Liberté, 23 novembre 1935.
Pierre Brisson, Le Figaro, 24 novembre 1935.
Colette, Le Journal, 24 novembre 1935.
Lucien Descaves, L'Intransigeant, 24 novembre 1935.
Lucien Dubech, Candide, 24 novembre 1935.
Gérard d'Houville, Le Petit Parisien, 24 novembre 1935.
Percy Mitchell, Daily Mail, 24 novembre 1935.
Henry Bidou, Le Temps, 25 novembre 1935.
Jean Galtier-Boissière, Le Canard enchaîné, 27 novembre 1935.
Jean Prévost, Marianne, 27 novembre 1935.
Lucien Dubech, L'Action française, 29 novembre 1935.
Georges Altman, La Lumière, 30 novembre 1935.
Bernard Barbey, La Revue historique, 30 novembre
1935.
H.-R. Lenormand, Savez-vous, 30 novembre 1935.
Léon Moussinac, L'Humanité, 1er décembre 1935.
Magdeleine Paz, Le Populaire, 1er décembre 1935.
Le Flambeau, 7 décembre 1935 (article anonyme).
Gaston-Gérard, Comœdia, 8 décembre 1935.
Henri Gouhier, La Vie intellectuelle, 11 décembre 1935.
La Voix du combattant, 15 décembre 1935 (article anonyme).
François Porché, La Revue de Paris, décembre 1935.
Jean-Jacques Bernard, La Vie, 1er janvier 1936.
Benjamin Crémieux, La Nouvelle Revue Française, 1er janvier 1936.
Pierre-Aimé Touchard, Esprit, 1er janvier 1936.
Henri Rapapart (sic, pour Rapaport), L'Étudiant socialiste, janvier 1936.
De Giraudoux sur le théâtre
L'Impromptu de Paris, en édition séparée ou mieux dans le Théâtre complet, Gallimard, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade, 1982, p. 687-724.
La section « Théâtre » de Littérature, Grasset, 1941.
Divers articles recueillis dans Or dans la nuit, Grasset, 1969.
Correspondance entre Jean Giraudoux et Louis Jouvet, éditée par Brett Dawson (CJG, no 9, 1980).
Sur le théâtre de Giraudoux
ou études générales sur Giraudoux
impliquant son théâtre
René Marill Albérès, Esthétique et morale chez Jean Giraudoux, Nizet, 1957.
Marianne Mercier-Campiche, Le Théâtre de Giraudoux et la Condition humaine, [1954], éd. Mondiales, 1969.
Charles Mauron, Le Théâtre de Giraudoux, José Corti, 1971.
Jacques Robichez, Le Théâtre de Giraudoux, SEDES-CDU, 1975.
Pierre d'Almeida, L'Image de la littérature dans l'œuvre de Jean Giraudoux, CJG, no 17, 1988.
Jacques Body, Giraudoux et l'Allemagne [1975], Slatkine, 2003.
Catherine Nier, Le Théâtre de Giraudoux, un mégaphone pour les vivants, CJG, no 39, 2011.
Françoise Bombard, Décalages et dissonances. Les objets dans le théâtre de Jean Giraudoux, CJG, no 41, 2013 (bibliographie très complète).
Études particulières concernant
La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu
Gunnar Graumann, La guerre de Troie aura lieu. La préparation de la pièce de Giraudoux, Études romandes de Lund (Suède), éd. W. K. Gleerup, 1979.
Jacqueline Jomaron, « La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu : le texte et le temps », CJG, no 10, 1981, p. 123-136.
Gérard Genette, Palimpsestes. La littérature au second degré, Le Seuil, 1982 (notamment p. 48 ; pp. 247-249 sur Dictys ; et surtout p. 430-433).
Michel Raimond, Sur trois pièces de Jean Giraudoux : « La Guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu », « Électre », « Ondine », Nizet, 1982.
Jean-Louis Backès, Le Mythe d'Hélène, Clermont-Ferrand, éd. Adosa, 1984 (chap. « L'Obstination des miroirs », p. 124 sqq.).
Analyses et réflexions sur Giraudoux, La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, ouvrage collectif, Ellipses, 1989.
P.-M. de Biasi, Jacques Body, F. Hincker, L'Histoire [...] Giraudoux. La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, Belin, DIA, Prépas scientifiques, 1989.
Élisabeth Scheele, Le « Discours aux morts » de Jean Giraudoux, Peter Lang, 1997 (concernant le discours aux morts, II, V).
La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu ayant été inscrite au programme du baccalauréat pour deux années en même temps qu'Électre, les ouvrages pédagogiques se sont multipliés au tournant du millénaire dont le souci essentiel fut de croiser les deux textes. Il n'a pas paru utile de les dénombrer ici.
Sur Homère et sa descendance
Jean-Louis Backès, Iliade d'Homère (Essai et dossier), Gallimard, Foliothèque (no 137), Gallimard, 2006.
Homère, Iliade, traduction nouvelle de Jean-Louis Backès, Gallimard, Folio classique, 2013.
Récits inédits de la guerre de Troie, introduction, traduction et notes de Gérard Fry, Les Belles Lettres, 1998.
NOTES
PERSONNAGES
. « Auguste Boverio » : malade à l'époque de la création, il ne joua pas, son nom fut enlevé du programme, et sa scène coupée, mais elle était déjà dans toutes les éditions. Il la créa lors de la reprise de 1937, sans que son nom ni son rôle fussent pour autant rétablis par les éditeurs dans la liste des personnages.
. « Vieillards » : les mêmes acteurs peuvent jouer ici les Vieillards et là les rôles muets de Minos (II, V, p. 153) et d'Anchise (II, xii, p. 186).
. « 22 novembre » : les éditions originales, pour la date de la création, donnent le 21 novembre – celle de la répétition générale –, au lieu de la première, qui eut lieu le 22 novembre.
ACTE PREMIER
. « Andromaque » : fille de roi, richement dotée, elle est chantée par Homère comme l'épouse exemplaire d'Hector. Achille a tué son père et ses sept frères, sa mère est morte, d'où ces deux vers célèbres (Iliade, VI, 429-430) :
Hector, tu es mon père et ma mère souveraine
Et mon frère et mon doux époux.
. « Cassandre » est la sœur d'Hector, de Pâris, et de la petite Polyxène que l'on verra entrer à la scène VI avec ses parents : Priam, roi de Troie, et son épouse Hécube. Cassandre est « la plus belle des filles de Priam », selon l'Iliade, XIII, 365. On sait par ailleurs qu'elle a reçu le don de prophétie sans être jamais crue. La prophétie prend ici un tour plus moderne : un simple pari.
D'entrée de jeu, le spectateur apprend le nom des deux personnages féminins en scène, et l'enjeu du conflit : rendre Hélène ou non.
. « Hélène » est la fille de Léda, reine de Sparte, que Zeus, le plus puissant et le plus volage des dieux grecs, a séduite en prenant la forme d'un cygne. Reconnue comme la plus belle des femmes, elle était l'épouse de Ménélas, roi de Sparte, quand le beau Pâris, prince troyen, l'a enlevée.
. « Pâris » est le frère cadet d'Hector, qui le tance durement dans l'Iliade (III, 39) :
« Pâris de malheur, joli garçon, fou de femmes, enjôleur (...) »
La légende a surtout retenu l'épisode du « jugement de Pâris » : chargé d'arbitrer le concours de beauté entre trois grandes déesses, Héra, Athéna, Aphrodite, il a décerné à cette dernière la pomme d'or, « pomme de la discorde », d'où l'hostilité des deux autres à l'égard des Troyens. Selon la légende, Hélène était un cadeau d'Aphrodite à Pâris, en remerciement de la pomme d'or (voir p. 74, n. 1).
. « La forme accélérée du temps » : fulgurante définition du destin, à triple conséquence. D'abord, ne parlons plus de fatalité, de dieux, de transcendance, puisque le destin, c'est « simplement » le temps, juste accéléré. Ensuite, cette accélération du temps, c'est l'art même du théâtre, voir la tirade du Chambellan dans Ondine (II, III, TC, p. 794). Et, enfin, ainsi se trouve mise en branle la machine infernale qui, en l'espace de deux heures, fera basculer dans la guerre toute la Méditerranée orientale.
. « Aujourd'hui », mot qui va être repris encore deux fois : le jour du retour d'Hector, le jour de la victoire et de la paix, le plus beau jour du printemps, la plus belle saison, autant d'indications du goût de Giraudoux pour les superlatifs, pour les moments uniques. Ce jour est aussi, pure coïncidence, celui où arrive l'ambassadeur grec. Unité de temps garantie !
. « Une vraie neige » : heureuse métaphore d'un bonheur très universellement répandu, mais combien fragile ! Le dialogue est jusque-là très serré entre les deux belles-sœurs, à la façon des stichomythies (dialogues vers à vers, rituels dans la tragédie grecque). On en aura deux autres exemples, entre Hector et Hélène (I, VIII) puis entre Hector et Ulysse (II, XIII).
. « Caresser les matous dans les créneaux » : Cassandre reprend sur le mode sarcastique le couplet lyrique d'Andromaque moyennant quelques substitutions, hommes / hémiplégiques, cavalier / cuirassiers, chat / matous.
. « Qui t'a dit autre chose ? » Autre raccourci fulgurant : le tigre, métaphore du destin, c'est Hector, comme on le verra lorsqu'à la dernière scène, il provoque, indirectement, le casus belli.
. « Ta femme porte un enfant » : la prophétesse de malheur dit vrai, et pour une fois on la croit apparemment, sans deviner qu'elle confirme ainsi le mot « catastrophe » prononcé par Andromaque.
. « Les guerres... la guerre » : passage du pluriel à un cas particulier, mais aussi transfert des guerres de l'histoire au concept même, à valeur générale, y compris actuelle.
. « Elle t'a pris un père, un frère » : orpheline de père et de mère, Andromaque avait perdu aussi ses sept frères (Iliade, VI, 414-424).
. « Fermer les portes de la guerre » : les portes du temple de Janus étaient solennellement ouvertes au début des guerres, puis, la paix conclue, refermées. C'était à Rome, non à Troie, mais Giraudoux prépare là un important élément du décor et de l'action pour l'acte II, une façon très théâtrale de rendre visibles ces abstractions que sont guerre et paix.
. « Les demeures pleines de couples » : amorce d'un développement cher à Giraudoux, voir plus bas, p. 210, n. 1.
. « Je lui aurai coupé l'index de la main droite » : indispensable pour tirer au fusil, l'index coupé entraînait la réforme, d'où des cas de mutilation volontaire en 1914-1918.
. « Aimes-tu la guerre ? » : voir l'exergue d'Adorable Clio (1920), le second recueil de récits de guerre de Giraudoux après Lectures pour une ombre (1917) : « Pardonne-moi, ô guerre, de t'avoir – toutes les fois où je l'ai pu – caressée. »
. « Raki » : alcool de riz qu'on boit en Turquie. Giraudoux avait fait deux missions à Istanbul avant de connaître le combat rapproché contre les Turcs aux Dardanelles, face au site de Troie.
. « Hoplites » : fantassins de la Grèce antique.
. « Il reste tous les autres » : les « planqués » de l'arrière, honnis par les combattants du front en 1914-1918.
. « Vénus » : le nom latin de Vénus est plus populaire que son nom grec, Aphrodite. Giraudoux utilise d'abord l'un (ici et p. 73) puis l'autre (pp. 194 et 204). Déesse de la beauté et de l'amour, elle est née de la mer comme le montre la très célèbre Naissance de Vénus de Botticelli.
. « Ménélas » est l'époux d'Hélène, voir p. 46, n. 1.
. « Gabier » : matelot de la marine à voile, chargé du gréement. Le terme a un parfum d'anachronisme.
. « Le visage innocent » : selon une certaine version antique du mythe d'Hélène, sa vertu égale sa beauté. Dans la tragédie d'Euripide intitulée Hélène, seul son « double » a cédé à Pâris.
. « Un seul être vous manque, et tout est repeuplé » : Lamartine, dans « L'Isolement » (Premières méditations poétiques) avait écrit : « dépeuplé ». En changeant une syllabe du célèbre alexandrin, Giraudoux réussit une « réfutation vraiment minimale, modèle d'efficacité, d'économie, peut-être de sagesse » (Gérard Genette, Palimpsestes, Seuil, p. 42). La tirade aurait-elle été conçue pour en venir à ce jeu de mots, elle n'en arrive pas moins en parfaite situation.
. « Scamandre » : fleuve côtier de la Troade. Cette « porte du Scamandre » ne figure pas dans l'Iliade, elle est une invention de Giraudoux.
. « Portes Scées » : portes « de gauche » littéralement, c'est-à-dire à la fois « de l'ouest » et « de mauvais présage ». Hélène aux « portes Scées », épisode célèbre de l'Iliade (III, 145 et sqq.). Les « anciens » louent sa beauté, « loin de la guerre, puisque vieux, mais orateurs excellents, semblables à des cigales ».
. « Elle rajuste sa sandale » : de passage à Athènes en 1930, Giraudoux avait pu voir au musée, provenant de la frise du Parthénon, la célèbre Nikè rajustant sa sandale.
. « Qu'ils meurent vite » : que « vive la beauté »... et que meurent ces affreux ! Suite logique, à saisir au vol.
. « Pour récompenser Pâris de lui avoir décerné la pomme » : la pomme d'or, pomme de discorde. Allusion au jugement de Pâris, voir plus haut, p. 46, n. 2.
. « Demokos » : personnage inventé par Giraudoux, et nom forgé par lui à partir celui du chantre phéacien de l'Odyssée (VIII, 44) Demodokos, après quelques tâtonnements (Domikos puis Demikos dans les brouillons), et non sans renvoi à démagogue.
. « Le sexe à qui je dois ma mère » : dans Siegfried (II, I, TC, p. 25), Giraudoux a déjà moqué Le Mérite des femmes (1801) de Gabriel Legouvé, qui s'achève par ce vers :
Tombe aux pieds de ce sexe à qui tu dois ta mère.
. « Avec toi-même » : Giraudoux a souvent avancé l'idée que les femmes fidèles trompent leur mari en imagination, avec son ombre ou ses reflets (Intermezzo, II, III, TC, p. 318), avec le bois du lit (Électre, II, VI et IX, TC, pp. 659 et 678), avec Michel-Ange, avec Conrad (Souvenir de deux existences, Grasset, 1975, pp. 46-49).
. « Toutes les femmes du monde » : en avril 1935, l'Alliance internationale des femmes tenait son congrès sur le thème de la paix.
. « Je savais qu'il mourait pour Hector » : mourir pour un autre, idée fréquente chez Giraudoux depuis Sainte Estelle et les Scènes de la vie provinciale (ORC I, pp. 38 et 1180), jusqu'à Électre (II, III, TC, pp. 612 et 613).
. « Arcs de triomphe » : nouvel anachronisme (après « gabier », voir p. 67, n. 3) qui passe généralement inaperçu. Qui sait que les arcs de triomphe sont une invention romaine ? Les contemporains de Giraudoux songent au défilé de la Victoire, sur les Champs-Élysées, le 14 juillet 1919, à tous les 11 novembre sous l'Arc de Triomphe à Paris, et aussi aux défilés des fascistes italiens en chemise noire sous l'arc de Constantin.
. « Tout pays est le pays de la jeunesse » : le 26 avril 1935, Giraudoux a publié dans Le Figaro un article intitulé « Sécurité et peuplement ». Il s'alarmait de l'infériorité numérique de la population française face à l'Allemagne. Aux soldats tués s'ajoutait en effet un autre déficit démographique : ces « enfants des morts de la guerre » qui ne naîtront jamais.
. « Car il est dur et tu es tendre » : dans Elpénor (ORC I, pp. 408, 418, 445, etc.), Giraudoux s'était déjà essayé à introduire la rime dans la poésie antique, qui l'ignorait. Non content d'inventer la rime, Demokos est ici l'auteur d'authentiques vers français : deux quatrains d'octosyllabes à rimes croisées. À ce bruyant rimailleur, on opposera le vrai Poète, timide et réservé, d'Ondine.
. « Cassandre ! Cassandre ! » : toute la scène ressemble à une stichomythie (voir supra, p. 49, n. 2).
. « Toute la pourpre de toutes les coquilles » : d'un certain coquillage nommé pourpre (porphyra en grec), on tire la teinture pourpre, dont les anciens faisaient grand usage.
. « La mer violette » : épithète homérique (voir, par exemple, Iliade, XXIII, 316) remarquable et souvent remarquée, qui vient ici à point.
. « Sa bague » : pourquoi ce bijou serait-il passé d'un frère à l'autre ? Hélène invente-telle pour cacher ce qu'elle sait, comme plus loin, au début de la scène X, p. 118, « Je ne l'ai pas dit à Hector » ? Giraudoux crée un effet de flou, mais il sait bien que le cadavre d'Hector, non celui de Pâris, sera cruellement traîné derrière le char d'Achille, tous les lecteurs de l'Iliade le savent (XXII, 395-436), les autres spectateurs le devinent. Quant à Hector, il préfère ne pas savoir.
. « Andromaque pleurant sur le corps d'Hector » : un tableau de David, notamment, illustre cet épisode célèbre (Iliade, XXIV, 723).
. « Il y a un fils... » : Astyanax. Giraudoux s'abstient de donner le nom (voir la Préface, p. 16).
. Les « dieux » sont mis hors de cause par Giraudoux, qui refuse toute transcendance pour expliquer la guerre. De même, plus loin, p. 154, n. 2.
. « Ulysse » : roi d'Ithaque, il est présent et actif dans l'Iliade comme tous les rois de la Grèce, toujours avisé. On y rappelle sa participation à l'ambassade grecque venue avant guerre négocier le retour d'Hélène, voir la Notice, p. 238. Les lecteurs et spectateurs le connaissent souvent mieux par l'Odyssée (de son nom grec Odusseus), récit de son interminable voyage de retour.
. « Ramat », « écoutière » : dans Elpénor (ORC I, p. 437), Giraudoux s'était déjà amusé à forger des termes techniques de marine.
. « La place du cou où bat l'artère » : Giraudoux se souvient de la mort d'Hector (Iliade, XXII, 325-326) :
[...] la gorge, là où la vie se perd le plus vite.
C'est là que le divin Achille poussa la pique, [...]
Andromaque imaginait que son fils serait emmené avec elle en esclavage, ou bien jeté du haut des remparts (Iliade, XXIV, 732-735). Selon des versions ultérieures, il meurt assassiné lors du sac de la ville.
. « Tiens, de l'or gris ? C'est une nouveauté... » : l'or gris, alliage d'or, d'argent, de fer et de cuivre était une innovation de l'orfèvrerie dans la mode parisienne.
ACTE DEUXIÈME
. « J'avais besoin... de le graver dans ma mémoire avec sourire et boucles. Il y est » : cette scène – gaiement anachronique – de la photographie sans appareil a été introduite tardivement. Elle n'a jamais été jouée chez Jouvet.
. « Intellectuels » : depuis l'affaire Dreyfus, ce terme est utilisé par des écrivains et journalistes qui s'engagent, souvent sur des positions réactionnaires. Voir par exemple, s'opposant à Romain Rolland et ses amis, le manifeste « Pour un parti de l'intelligence » (Le Figaro littéraire du 9 juillet 1919), et surtout, dans Le Figaro du 4 octobre 1935, « le manifeste des intellectuels français pour la défense de l'Occident », qui s'opposent à toute sanction envers l'Italie. Le lendemain, L'Œuvre publie un contre-manifeste soutenant l'action de la Société des Nations (S.D.N.).
. « Un vin à la résine » : les Grecs anciens connaissaient le résiné – peut-être à moindre dose que les poilus le pinard.
. Souvent comptée comme l'une des trois « Gorgones », divinités si monstrueuses que quiconque regarde leur visage meurt pétrifié, « Méduse » est la plus connue, avec ses cheveux entremêlés de serpents.
. Aux célèbres « injures homériques » (par exemple Iliade, I, 149, 159...), Demokos donne le nom d'« épithètes », non moins homériques : le mot est plus grec, et plus pédant.
. « Fraternité » : Lectures pour une ombre (1917) et Siegfried (I, 3, TC, p. 8) évoquent les échanges entre tranchées.
. « Busiris » : cette scène et le personnage de Busiris sont absents des premières publications. Ils ont été inspirés tardivement par la désignation, le 21 août 1935, dans le conflit italo-abyssinien, d'un expert neutre, Nikolaos Politis, dont les journaux ont beaucoup parlé à partir du 4 octobre, lendemain du jour où l'armée de Mussolini est passée à l'attaque, voir Gunnar Graumann, La guerre de Troie aura lieu. La préparation de la pièce de Giraudoux, Études romandes de Lund (Suède), éd. W. K. Gleerup, 1979, p. 124 sqq. Auguste Boverio étant malade en novembre 1935, la scène fut supprimée, et ne sera créée qu'à l'occasion de la reprise en 1937 (voir p. 43, n. 1).
. « Ramat », « Écoutière » : voir plus haut, p. 117, n. 1.
. « Ophéa » : cité inventée, à la différence de « Magnésie » (voir plus bas, p. 147), nom porté par plusieurs villes antiques.
. « Trirèmes » : mot latin, équivalent des « trières » grecques, navires de guerre antiques. En classe de seconde, Jean Giraudoux eut l'honneur de coucher dans le cahier d'honneur un « discours de Thémistocle aux trirèmes » qui prouve que cette confusion gréco-latine était... classique (voir JBJG, p. 62).
. « Oiax » : à ce personnage de soldat, Giraudoux a sans doute été tenté de donner le nom d'Ajax, le plus redoutable des héros grecs après Achille. Mais Ajax arrivait paré d'une riche légende chevaleresque, qui aurait contredit le rôle de soudard soûlard égrillard qu'il avait en vue. D'où l'invention de ce nom d'Oiax. Hélas ! le public a souvent entendu « Ajax ».
. « Oneah » : autre nom inventé par Giraudoux, sans consonance antique, et graphie bizarre, volontairement exotique ? Il ne figure pas dans la liste des personnages, et n'a peut-être été conservé dans le texte que par distraction.
. « Syracuse » fut fondée seulement en 735, et connut une brillante civilisation. Giraudoux ne s'est pas soucié de chronologie en choisissant ce nom.
. « Minos » : rôle muet.
. « Avocats » : Raymond Poincaré était l'un d'eux (voir la Préface, p. 22).
. « Les dieux aussi » : confirmation de la n. 1, p. 115.
. « De la musique antitroyenne » : en 1914, le patriotisme avait été poussé jusqu'à dénigrer la musique allemande. Voir Vincent d'Indy, « Musique française et musique allemande » [conférence du 16 avril 1915], La Renaissance, 12 juin 1915.
. « Je ne suis pas très forte en pitié » : voir plus loin, scène XIII, p. 215, l'opinion d'Ulysse sur Hélène : « le cœur le plus rigide ».
. « Je suis née d'un oiseau » : Zeus pour séduire Léda, avait pris la forme d'un cygne.
. « Une Hélène vieillie » : voir Ronsard, Sonnets pour Hélène (II, XLIII).
Quand vous serez bien vieille, au soir à la chandelle...
. « Les Grecs sont très menteurs. Les hommes grecs » : allusion à la célèbre aporie « un Grec dit que tous les Grecs sont menteurs », dont Giraudoux a souvent joué.
. « Soixante-dix mètres » : à l'époque, datant de 1932, le record olympique était de 72, 71 mètres. Grand sportif dans sa jeunesse, Giraudoux devenu diplomate avait eu une part de responsabilité dans l'organisation des jeux Olympiques de 1924 (Paris, stade de Colombes). Voir « Français amoureux aux jeux Olympiques », ORC II, p. 246 et JBJG, pp. 446-447.
. « Anchise » : prince troyen dont le nom est connu de quiconque a fait du latin grâce à son fils Énée, héros de l'Énéide de Virgile. Toutefois, à la scène, il fut remplacé par « Abnéos », pour éviter la multiplication des personnages secondaires.
. « Olpidès » : nom fabriqué par Giraudoux à partir d'une racine et d'un suffixe grecs. Il apparaît comme l'un des « gabiers » dont parle « LE PREMIER GABIER » à sa deuxième réplique (II, XII, p. 196), devenu lui-même tout simplement « LE GABIER ». Ce dernier appelle Olpidès à ses côtés, et ils font jeu égal. Pourquoi l'un a-t-il un nom propre et l'autre non ? Dans la même scène, « UN AUTRE MARIN » intervient, puis « UN TROISIÈME MARIN ». Ou bien Olpidès n'est pas un marin (mais quoi d'autre ?), ou bien Giraudoux s'est posé moins de questions que nous, ajoutant encore dans la même scène « UNE VOIX DE FEMME » (une dissidente opposée au clan des femmes ?), « UN HOMME JOVIAL », et laissant au metteur en scène le soin de distribuer les répliques attribuées à « LA FOULE », à « UNE VOIX », à « DES VOIX », en fonction du nombre d'acteurs dont il dispose.
. « Hune, soute, cale, gabiers, soutier, enseigne, hublots, lisse, coque... » : à en juger par ce vocabulaire, le navire de Pâris est un peu bien moderne... gaillardement.
. « La voile était franc grosse » : autre expression de marine forgée par Giraudoux.
. « Puma » : le critique Lucien Dubech (Candide, 28 novembre 1935), jadis méprisant à l'égard du romancier, fait un compte rendu plutôt favorable de la pièce, mais ne peut s'empêcher de noter que « les héros de la guerre de Troie emploient le système métrique, ou bien se donnent des noms empruntés à la faune américaine ». C'est le cas de « puma ». Giraudoux, habitué des zoos, auteurs de Bêtes (1931), avait fait volontairement cet anachronisme, et ne s'est pas soucié de le corriger, du moins jusqu'en 1937. De New York, en vue de la reprise, il écrivait à Jouvet : « Veuillez faire remplacer le mot puma par le mot léopard (ou guépard ou ocelot, comme vous voudrez). Absolument indispensable et urgent. N'en parlez à personne. Explication à mon retour. » L'explication ? Suzanne Giraudoux avait découvert la liaison que son mari entretenait depuis 1932 avec Anita de Madero, dont l'un des tendres surnoms était Puma. Giraudoux avait rompu en 1936 avec ce petit chat sauvage qui cherchait sans doute encore à l'agripper. Voir JBJG, pp. 565 et 660.
. « Russe » : la géographie moderne (russe, Caspienne, Astrakhan) se superpose dans cette scène à l'antique (Phrygie, Hellespont, Tauride) qui figurait dans la scène XII, p. 186.
. « Pénélope » : épouse d'Ulysse.
. « Iris » : messagère des dieux, elle apparaît dans le ciel comme un deus ex machina grâce à cette machinerie de théâtre appelée « gloire » qui, lors de la reprise de 1937, servira d'abord au dénouement de L'Impromptu de Paris (scène IV, TC, p. 719) donné en lever de rideau à la place du Supplément au voyage de Cook.
. « Pallas » : autre nom d'« Athéna », déesse de la guerre, mais aussi de la sagesse. Homère soude ces deux noms en « Pallas Athéna ». Giraudoux a sans doute préféré « Pallas » pour des raisons d'euphonie.
. « Tous se retirent » : d'où un vaste mouvement de foule sur la scène qui précède et met en valeur le face-à-face Hector-Ulysse.
. « Elle a oublié sa ceinture » : dans l'Iliade, « iris », nom commun, désigne l'arc-en-ciel, mais les poètes néoclassiques préfèrent dire la ceinture (ou l'écharpe) d'Iris. Dans la première version, Iris faisait trois entrées et trois sorties, et chaque fois oubliait sa ceinture. On a sans doute jugé, lors des répétitions, que c'était trop ralentir l'action, que l'heure n'était plus au comique de répétition, et que la plaisanterie (métaphore réalisée) se suffisait à elle-même.
. « Je crois que cela sera plutôt une pesée » : Giraudoux use volontiers de cette image pour mesurer des impondérables et départager des égaux (voir par exemple les versions primitives de Siegfried, TC, pp. 1199, 1207, ou bien Électre, p. 616) et, chez lui, la balance s'incline sous le poids du plus léger – ici l'air. L'image de la balance était déjà dans l'Iliade (XXII, 209 : « Le Père prit sa balance d'or »), mais là, elle s'abaissait du côté du vaincu, jusqu'aux enfers.
. « Rien n'est perdu... » : ici s'achève la première partie du dialogue d'Hector et d'Ulysse, qui est une sorte de stichomythie (voir plus haut, p. 49, n. 2). La suite est formée d'une très longue leçon magistrale de science politique infligée par Ulysse, l'homme d'expérience, au « jeune » Hector, leçon découpée en multiples couplets par les questions et les objections d'Hector. En somme, « duo avant l'orchestre », avec sujet et contre-sujet, thème et variations... Giraudoux considérait l'architecture théâtrale comme « la sœur articulée de l'architecture musicale » (Fin de Siegfried, première didascalie, TC, p. 93).
. « Terrasse au bord d'un lac » : les contemporains retrouvaient le souvenir des conférences de Locarno (1925), de Lausanne (1932), de Stresa (avril 1935).
. « Le rouge phrygien et l'indigo grec » : le bonnet phrygien est rouge, certes, mais le rouge n'a rien de phrygien, et l'indigo tient son nom de l'Inde, son pays d'origine. Qu'importe ? Giraudoux confie au subtil Ulysse le soin d'éblouir en illustrant une idée qui lui est chère : le développement parallèle de deux civilisations-sœurs jusqu'à l'affrontement fratricide. Déjà appliquée au couple France-Allemagne dans Fin de Siegfried (scène III, TC, p. 99) et dans le programme de Siegfried (Or dans la nuit, Grasset, p. 94) :
Cet espace incompressible qu'il y a eu cinq ans entre nos tranchées, il est dramatique, au sens technique du mot, de penser que c'était l'invention, la culture, la musique à la plus haute tension etc.
Elle sera encore reprise dans Sodome et Gomorrhe (acte I, prélude, TC, pp. 855-856) :
Au zénith de l'invention et du talent [...], un mal attaque ce corps sain entre les sains, heureux entre les bienheureux. C'est le mal des empires... Il est mortel...
. « Destin » : voir l'étude stylistique de trois états de cette tirade dans : Jacques Robichez, Le Théâtre de Giraudoux, SEDES-SDU, 1975, pp. 116-119.
. « À l'étroit sur du roc » : à l'étroit face à « Ilion, ville florissante » (Iliade, XIII, 380) – comme Hitler, en mal d'« espace vital » face à la France, grenier de l'Europe.
. « Elle en sera éternellement responsable » : les représentants allemands avaient dû reconnaître la responsabilité de l'Allemagne par le traité de Versailles (1919). La question n'était pas pour autant épuisée en 1935, ni pour les historiens, ni pour les citoyens. Hitler n'était ni le premier ni le dernier à contester le « Diktat » de Versailles.
. « Je ruse en ce moment contre le destin » : « inéluctable », les « dieux », le « ciel » ; le « sort » deux fois ; le mot « destin » quatre fois dans cette scène, et toujours dans la bouche d'Ulysse... « Les grands hommes infatués d'eux-mêmes aiment beaucoup dire qu'ils ont pour camarade journalier le destin » (lettre de Giraudoux à Mme Prévost, CJG 10, p. 8).
. « Quand l'attentat menace » : les contemporains n'avaient pas oublié l'attentat de Sarajevo (1914), ni l'assassinat de Paul Doumer, alors président de la République (1932), ni l'attentat contre le roi de Yougoslavie à Marseille où périt le ministre Barthou (1934), protecteur de Giraudoux.
. « Andromaque a le même battement de cils que Pénélope » : « Quand il [Ulysse] parle de la paupière d'Andromaque, à sa sortie, c'est uniquement un effet de sortie, un rond de jambe, c'est un absolu mensonge » (lettre de Giraudoux à Mme Prévost, CJG 10, p. 7).
. « Hélène qui embrasse Troïlus » : « Nous nous embrasserons, Troïlus, je t'en réponds », avait dit Hélène à la fin de II, II, p. 129. Il se confirme qu'Hélène n'aime pas vraiment Pâris, comme le pensait Andromaque (II, VIII, p. 167).
RÉSUMÉ
ACTE I
Scène I.
Dialogue vif et contrasté entre Andromaque, jeune femme qui veut espérer, et Cassandre, beauté froide qui ne prévoit que le pire. L'une affirme que la guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu : l'ambassadeur grec arrive, on lui rendra Hélène car Hector rentre victorieux, il a juré en partant que cette guerre serait la dernière. « La suivante l'attend », répond Cassandre, ainsi le veut le destin, ce tigre qui sommeille, qui s'éveille, que voilà... « C'est Hector ! »
Scène II.
Brève transition : Hector envoie Cassandre chercher Pâris... pour rester en tête à tête avec sa femme (scène III) et passer à l'action (scène IV). Quelle catastrophe Cassandre va-t-elle lui annoncer en réponse ? « Ta femme porte un enfant. »
Scène III.
Duo des époux. La guerre épargnera-t-elle l'enfant à naître ? Hector va « tout à l'heure » (acte II, scène V) « fermer les portes de la guerre », car désormais il hait la guerre, il se fait fort de convaincre Pâris, son frère cadet, et déjà il envoie Andromaque chercher le roi Priam, leur père (pour préparer la scène VI de l'acte I).
Scène IV.
Scène des deux frères. Pâris refuse, puis accepte de laisser repartir cette belle Hélène qu'il a enlevée à son mari, dont tous les Grecs sont solidaires. Hélas ! Tous les Troyens soutiennent Pâris, surtout les vieillards.
Scène V.
Scène des vieillards : ils sont fous d'Hélène, cette exhibitionniste...
Scène VI.
Grande scène de foule, dramatique, le sommet de l'acte I. Priam arrive, avec une escorte de vieillards, dont Demokos, vieux sénateur soi-disant poète et du vieux Géomètre, auxquels va s'opposer le clan des femmes : la reine Hécube, femme de Priam, Polyxène leur petite dernière, Andromaque et Cassandre, et les servantes, surtout la jeune. On s'en remet à Hélène. À Hector de la convaincre (façon de préparer les scènes VIII et IX).
Scène VII.
Rapide transition et première apparition d'Hélène, en charmante évaporée. Pâris la présente à Hector et se retire.
Scènes VIII et IX.
Dialogue brillant et vif entre Hector et Hélène. Elle veut bien se laisser convaincre mais doute du succès d'Hector car elle ne se « voit » pas rentrer avec l'ambassadeur grec, tandis qu'elle voit bien, et très « colorées », les scènes sanglantes de la guerre à venir, avec l'« obstination des miroirs ».
Scène X.
Hélène et Cassandre, restées en scène, chacune à sa façon pressentent la catastrophe. La Paix fait son apparition, bien pâle. Elle est malade !
ACTE II
Scènes I et II.
Divertissement sentimental. Troïlus, le plus jeune fils de Priam, quinze ans (qu'on retrouvera à l'extrême fin), est lui aussi amoureux d'Hélène comme on peut l'être à quinze ans, au point qu'Hélène et Pâris s'en amusent – Pâris un peu moins qu'Hélène.
Scène III.
Parenthèse anachronique : Demokos fait semblant de « photographier » Hélène. Plaisanterie pleine de sens : Hélène, la si souvent vantée, a depuis l'origine un statut de star.
Scène IV.
Le clan des va-t-en-guerre. Demokos ouvre le premier conseil de guerre : celui des « intellectuels ». Il faut choisir un nouvel hymne national qui soit un vrai chant de guerre ; ensuite, s'entraîner au combat d'épithètes.
Scène V.
Ils sont presque tous rassemblés devant les fameuses portes de la guerre. Grande scène double.
a. Demokos fait paraître Busiris, un neutre, expert international, qui démontre que l'honneur de Troie est en jeu car les Grecs ont « offensé » Troie. Il suffit qu'Hector menace de l'enfermer pour la durée de la guerre, et ce Busiris change du tout au tout : « l'offense » devient un hommage, presque une flatterie.
b. Discours aux morts. Hector le prononce à contrecœur, très ému. Il dénonce le mensonge de ces cérémonies où les vivants jettent des paroles et des fleurs à des morts qui évidemment n'entendent ni ne voient. Il refuse de les traiter tous en héros. La guerre est aveugle, elle tue aussi bien les lâches que les braves.
Mais déjà on entend la musique des Grecs. Horreur !
Scènes VI et VII.
La petite Polyxène vient conseiller à Hélène de partir. Hélène conseille à Andromaque de « faire ses commissions elle-même ». D'où ce qui suit...
Scène VIII.
Grande scène d'explication entre les deux femmes. Face à face la beauté et la pitié incarnées. L'une est la chair de la vie humaine, l'autre en est l'ordonnance, l'allure. Sentimentale, Andromaque accepterait la guerre si Hélène et Pâris s'aimaient vraiment. Hélène n'a pas beaucoup d'estime pour l'espèce humaine, elle préfère sa façon d'aimer, ou plutôt d'aimanter.
Scènes IX, X, xi.
Brèves scènes d'action. Survient Oiax, un Grec ivre et brutal. Hector se laisse gifler, puis Oiax et Hector giflent Demokos... et deviennent les meilleurs amis.
Scène XII.
Grande scène de foule. Ulysse arrive. Surpris qu'on accepte de lui rendre Hélène, il ne garantit pas la paix : il faudrait qu'Hélène fût rendue intacte ! Tel est le cas, jure Pâris. Il est abondamment démenti par les deux gabiers et autres marins.
Survient Iris, messagère des dieux. Ordres contradictoires d'Aphrodite, déesse de l'amour, et de Pallas, déesse de la raison. Jupiter tranche : laissez Hector et Ulysse négocier en tête à tête. Tout le monde se retire sauf...
Scène XIII.
... Hector et Ulysse. Grand duo diplomatique. D'abord joute verbale, où Ulysse prend le dessus. Dès lors Hector ne peut qu'essuyer un vrai cours de géopolitique. Ulysse croit la guerre fatale, il accepte néanmoins de ruser avec le destin, il repartira avec Hélène... si possible.
Scène XIV.
Double dénouement, ultra-rapide. Oiax, de plus en plus ivre, entreprend de caresser Andromaque. Hector lève son javelot. Oiax repart mais Demokos arrive avec ses cris de guerre. Hector excédé abat sur lui son javelot. « La guerre n'aura pas lieu. »
Le rideau commence de descendre mais « il se relève peu à peu ». Blessé à mort, Demokos accuse Oiax, les Troyens le rattrapent et l'exécutent. « Elle aura lieu. » Les portes de la guerre se rouvrent, découvrant Hélène embrassant Troïlus. Rideau définitif.
1. Homère, Iliade, traduction de J.-L. Backès, Gallimard, Folio classique, 2013, chant III, vers 205. Voir aussi XI, 140.
2. Voir JBJG, pp. 99-100, 105, 110 et 170.
3. « À Jean Giraudoux, hommage et souvenir d'un ami ». Voir pp. 181-184 la reproduction du vase et le commentaire sur La Revendication d'Hélène.
4. Pour plus de détails, voir Jacques Body, « Sur des sources françaises et grecques de La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu », Humanisme contemporain, III, Les Belles Lettres, 1968, p. 104-109.
5. Gérard Genette, Palimpsestes, La littérature au second degré, Le Seuil, 1982, p. 430.
6. Jacques Body, Giraudoux et l'Allemagne [1975], Slatkine, 2003, p. 361.
7. Yves Gandon, Les Nouvelles littéraires, 17 août 1929.
8. Voir l'illustration no 37 dans JBJG.
9. La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, éd. Colette Weil, Le Livre de Poche, 1991, p. 228.
10. Jean Giraudoux, Visitations, Grasset, 1952, p. 23.
11. Voir plus loin les Mises en scène, reprise de 1937, p. 251.
12. Cité par Édouard Bourdet, (in) Jean Giraudoux, Cahiers Comœdia-Charpentier, décembre 1944, p. 10.
13. L'Impromptu de Paris, sc. iii, TC, p. 708.
14. Siegfried, I, vi, TC, p. 14.
15. Voir plus loin dans la partie des Notes, p. 206, n. 1.
16. Messages du Continental, CJG 16, 1987, p. 108.
17. Je suis partout, 11 février 1944. Reproduit dans CJG 21, p. 8, avec une erreur sur le jour : 11 et non 14.
18. Jiri Mucha, « La fin d'une époque », dans « Tombeau de Jean Giraudoux », L'Arche, Alger-Paris, mars 1944, p. 123.
19. André Gide, Journal 1939-1949, Gallimard, Bibliothèque de la Pléiade, 1954, p. 162.
20. Marie-Jeanne Durry, L'Univers de Giraudoux, Mercure de France, 1961, p. 56.
21. Jiri Mucha, « La fin d'une époque », dans « Tombeau de Jean Giraudoux », L'Arche, Alger-Paris, mars 1944, p. 123.
22. London, Methuen, 1955. Nouveau titre en 1983 : The Trojan War Will Not Take Place.
23. Cet article sur Amphitryon 38, traduit par Ivan Goll, avait été publié dans Les Nouvelles littéraires dès le 30 janvier 1931. Voir mon Giraudoux et l'Allemagne [1975], Slatkine, 2003, pp. 323-327 et JBJG, pp. 549-553.
Il a été recueilli dans : Alfred Kerr, So liegt der Fall. Theaterkritiken 1919-1933 und im Exil, ed. Günther Rühle, © S. Fischer Verlag GmbH, Francfort, 2001, p. 581, ainsi que, p. 727, celui sur La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu qui est reproduit ici – avec les surtitres de la Pariser Tageblatt omis par G. Rühle (dont j'utilise par ailleurs la riche annotation).
24. « Le doux Heinrich » : proverbial en Allemagne, un peu comme mon ami Pierrot en France.
25. « Ancien combattant » : en français dans le texte.
26. Moritz Jäger, héros des Tisserands, chef-d'œuvre du théâtre naturaliste allemand (1892). Drame social très engagé, au point que les premières représentations furent interdites.
La réplique se trouve presque à la fin du dernier acte.
L'auteur, Gerhart Hauptmann (1862-1946), prix Nobel 1912, ne s'opposa pas au nazisme. Alfred Kerr rompit bruyamment avec lui en 1933, y compris dans un article publié en France : « La honte inexpiable de Gerhart Hauptmann. Un homme mort avant sa mort », Le Rempart, 4 décembre 1933.
27. « Ajax » : comme beaucoup de spectateurs, A. Kerr a entendu Ajax au lieu d'Oiax.
28. « Kaddisch » : prière juive pour les morts.
29. W. d'Ormesson (1888-1973), auteur notamment de Confiance dans l'Allemagne ?, Gallimard, coll. Les documents bleus, 1928, et de La Révolution allemande, Blond et Gay, 1933, représente ici l'équivalent français du belliciste Demokos, avec le vieux Journal des débats.
30. Monna Vanna, drame lyrique de Maurice Maeterlinck (1902).
31. Trop vrai pour être beau : Too True To Be Good (1931).
32. Article intitulé : « Où l'on voit que M. Jean Giraudoux a hérité pour notre enchantement du don dramatique de Renan. »
© Éditions Gallimard, 2015.
Pablo Picasso, La Guerre et la Paix © Succession Picasso 2015.
Musée national Picasso, chapelle, Vallauris.
Photo © RMN-Grand Palais (musée Picasso de Vallauris) / Patrick Gérin.
La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu
Jean Giraudoux
Une nouvelle guerre, quand la précédente s'achève à peine, et qu'on a juré qu'elle serait la dernière ? Et que la prochaine s'annonce perdue d'avance ?
Deux heures pour faire défiler le personnel de l'Iliade, plus près de la tragédie que de l'opérette. La tribu royale, assemblage de belle-mère, de belles-soeurs et de beau-père, est bouleversée par l'arrivée d'une bru un peu trop voyante : la belle Hélène remise en scène en femme fatale.
La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu, créée par Louis Jouvet à la fin de l'année 1935, d'abord brûlante de l'actualité d'avant-guerre, s'est révélée intemporelle. La plus célèbre pièce de Jean Giraudoux a été traduite de pays en pays et reprise de guerre en guerre et de siècle en siècle. La guerre est-elle fatale ? Deux heures d'angoisse éclairées par l'humour, politesse du désespoir.
Cette édition électronique du livre
La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu
de Jean Giraudoux a été réalisée le 9 janvier 2015
par Melissa Luciani
pour le compte des Éditions Gallimard.
Elle repose sur l'édition papier du même ouvrage,
achevé d'imprimer en janvier 2015
(ISBN : 978-2-07-045765-6 – Numéro d'édition : 262091).
Code sodis : N60543 – ISBN : 978-2-07-252999-3
Numéro d'édition : 262092
Couverture
Titre
PRÉFACE
Les sources
Un titre problématique
Un texte polyphonique
Tragédie bourgeoise
La conversion d'Hector
Jouvet promu Hector
Pacifiste ?
Fatalisme ?
Une pièce d'actualité ?
Anachronismes et philosophie de l'histoire
Guerre aux symboles
Giraudoux en procès
Conclusion
La guerre de Troie n'aura pas lieu
PERSONNAGES
ACTE PREMIER
SCÈNE PREMIÈRE
SCÈNE II
SCÈNE III
SCÈNE IV
SCÈNE V
SCÈNE VI
SCÈNE VII
SCÈNE VIII
SCÈNE IX
SCÈNE X
ACTE DEUXIÈME
SCÈNE PREMIÈRE
SCÈNE II
SCÈNE III
SCÈNE IV
SCÈNE V
SCÈNE VI
SCÈNE VII
SCÈNE VIII
SCÈNE IX
SCÈNE X
SCÈNE XI
SCÈNE XII
SCÈNE XIII
SCÈNE XIV
DOSSIER
Chronologie
Abréviations utilisées dans cette édition
Notice
Mises en scène
Annexe
Bibliographie
Notes
Résumé
Copyright
Présentation
Achevé de numériser
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These coming days, the final result of the inter-state negotiations between the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and Greece about the official and internationally used state's name of the former is to be announced. According to many unofficial sources, most probable new state's name of FYROM is going to be the Republic of North Macedonia but other options like the Republic of Ilinden Macedonia are also circulating in mass media. Here, it is worth to remember some of the aspects of historical disputes over the "Macedonian Question".
The focal Greek accusation of Yugoslav Macedonian policy after the WWII was that the recognition of Yugoslav Macedonians as a separate ethnolinguistic nationality was a tool for the creation of a Greater Yugoslavia of a communist dictator Josip Broz Tito – a country which had to dominate in the Balkan affairs. Yugoslav post-1945 policy of the recognition of Slavo- Macedonians as a separate ethnolinguistic entity was extremely important for Athens as the creation of the separate (socialist) political unit (republic) of Macedonia within a Yugoslav federation had its irredentist implications for the territorial integrity of Greece. The crux of the matter was that Yugoslav authorities as have been ideologically backed by the inter-war Comintern's attitude and politics that Slavo-Macedonians were a separate nation which as such deserved its own united national state claimed after 1945 that a Macedonian diaspora living outside of Yugoslavia (in Greece and Bulgaria) has to be incorporated into the "motherland" – a Yugoslav Macedonia. Therefore, socialist Yugoslavia indirectly claimed parts of Bulgaria and Greece that was seen by both Sofia and Athens as a policy of the creation of a Greater Yugoslavia at the expense of the territorial integrity of Bulgaria and Greece – two countries which never recognized the existence of any "Macedonians" on their state's territory.
Bulgaria, nevertheless, is not recognizing the existence of "Macedonians" at all, treating them as ethnolinguistic Bulgarians and henceforth claiming that a historical-geographical region of Macedonia belongs to Bulgaria. According to an American professor of political sciences, Alex N. Dragnich, Macedonia became a separate Yugoslav republic for the sake to beat Bulgarian irredentist propaganda by Yugoslav authorities but as well as in order to satisfy at least some territorial claims by Macedonian communists within the Communist Party of Yugoslavia. Nevertheless, such Macedonian policy of Yugoslav post-WWII authorities made Yugoslav Slavo-Macedonians to be one of the most satisfied Yugoslav ethnic groups.
It is a matter of fact that а Slavic speaking minority in North Greece is seen by Athens either as the "Slavophone Greeks" or the "Slavic speakers of Bulgarian origin" but surely not as the "Macedonians". According to а Greek point of view, а term "Macedonia" can refer only to the land of North Greece and, therefore, the usе of this term for one of six Yugoslavia's socialist republics after the WWII was a Yugoslav communist plot to annex the region of North Greece to a Greater Tito's Yugoslavia.
For the matter of better clarification of the issue, the term "Macedonia" was used to designate a separate republic as a national state of quasi-ethnolinguistic "Macedonians" when the communist leader of Yugoslavia Josip Broz Tito (1892−1980) established Macedonia as one of six Yugoslav socialist republics in 1945 and, therefore, Macedonia became a separate political-territorial entity for the first time in modern history. It was followed by the official recognition of Macedonians as an independent ethnic, linguistic and national subject, regardless to the very fact that a Macedonian national (self)identity was extremely problematic, disputed and ambivalent. It is true that the population of historical-geographical Macedonia did not always have a Macedonian national consciousness. The Slavs of Macedonia traditionally have been either without some exact ethnonational name or being self-identifying themselves as the Bulgarians. However, from the late-19th century, due to both Bulgarian and Greek political propaganda efforts, a Macedonian regional identity started to be developed but from 1945 became simply transformed into the ethnonational identity within the borders of ex-Yugoslavia. That is how today we have the "Macedonians" as an ethnolinguistic nation which is even internationally recognized as such by many political and academic authorities.
A Macedonian state is fairly young and a Macedonian nationality is recently created in comparison to other Balkan cases. A Macedonian identity is, as all other national identities, a product of imagined community and, therefore, a Macedonian national identity has been constructed in an equal way as, for instance, a Greek national identity, just rather later on. If we accept a leading Western (German) theory of the Slavic origin, the Slavs have been living since the end of the 6th century on the territory of Macedonia while the Macedonian national identity started to be developed only from the late 19th century. It is a historical fact that Slavo-Macedonian populated territories had always been part of other states like Bulgaria, Byzantine Empire, Serbia, and Ottoman Empire. Among all Yugoslavia's provinces, Macedonia was longest occupied by Ottomans – from 1371 to 1912. After the collapse of ancient Kingdom of Macedon, Macedonia as an independent state appeared only in 1991 (like Slovenia as well) but having nothing in common with the previous one except having the same state-name. Subsequently, a modern Macedonians are historically a "stateless ethnic group" (and, therefore, not a nation from the Western point of view) like many other Balkan ethnic groups like Gypsies or Vlachs. For that reason, three Balkan national states rather divided the territory of historical-geographic Macedonia in 1913 than to support the creation of a new Balkan independent state which would not have any historical background of the existence. However, a socialist Yugoslav historiography, for the very political purposes, reinterpreted the Balkan medieval history in order to overcome a very bad reputation of Yugoslav Macedonians as the "stateless ethnic group" but not a historical nation. As a result, a (quasi) Macedonian national state was found in the Empire of Samuel which existed as a state from 976 until 1018 when it was conquered by Byzantine Emperor Basil II.
The foundation for such Yugoslav and present-day Macedonian claim was a self-constructed interpretation that the subjects of Samuel's state were the "Macedonians" regardless on historical fact that all Byzantine and other sources of the time were clearly calling this state as of Bulgarians. Even a Byzantine Emperor Basil II after the final victory over Samuel took for himself an official title of the "Killer of Bulgarians" rather than of Macedonians. Furthermore, after the occupation of the territory of the Empire of Samuel, "Bulgaria once more became an integral part of the Byzantine Empire and was divided into 'themes'" (the Byzantine administrative provinces), but no one of them was named "Macedonia" while the biggest of them, established on the central territory of ex-Empire of Samuel, with its administrative centre in Skopje, was named as Bulgaria.
It is quite understandable, henceforth, that Bulgarians see the Empire of Samuel as a part of the history of Bulgaria and Bulgarian people as their claims that Samuel was a Bulgarian and ruler of a Bulgarian state are founded on the number of historical sources of the time. Nevertheless, FYROM Macedonians base their claim on the Macedonian character of the Empire of Samuel on the fact that the capital of this state was Ohrid, a city located on present-day FYROM (on the very border with Albania), whereas the medieval Bulgarian rulers administered their state traditionally from Preslav in Bulgaria.
Алекс Н. Драгнић, Титова обећана земља – Југославија, Београд: Задужбина Студеница−Чигоја штампа, 2004, 90−91.
Victor Roudometof, "Nationalism and Identity Politics in the Balkans: Greece and the Macedonian Question", Journal of Modern Greek Studies, Vol. 14, No. 2, 1996, 253−301.
Nikolaos Zahariadis, "Nationalism and Small-State Foreign Policy: The Greek Response to the Macedonian Issue", Political Science Quarterly, Vol. 109, No. 4., 1994, 647−667.
Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism, Revised edition, London: Verso, 2016.
Looring M. Danforth, "Claims to Macedonian Identity: The Macedonian Question and the Breakup of Yugoslavia", Anthropology Today, Vol. 9, No. 4, 1993, 3−10.
Historija naroda Jugoslavije, I, Zagreb, 1960, 295−301.
Ivan Božić, Sima Ćirković, Milorad Ekmečić, Vladimir Dedijer, Istorija Jugoslavije, Drugo izdanje, Beograd: Prosveta, 1973, 38.
Georges Castellan, History of the Balkans: From Mohammed the Conqueror to Stalin, New York: Columbia University Press, 1992, 23.
Георгије Острогорски, Историја Византије, Београд: Просвета, 1969, 296−297.
For the matter of illustration, for instance, Greece is so far blocking Macedonia's joining NATO and the EU because of an on-going dispute between the FYROM and Greece. The main disputable issue is the title of "Macedonia" used in the country's Constitution in the form of the official state-name as the Republic of Macedonia. When the ex-Yugoslav Socialist Republic of Macedonia voted for independence on September 8th, 1991 as the Republic of Macedonia that was confirmed as the official constitutional name in November 1991, Greece became with a great reason immediately reluctant of recognising the country under such official name in addition to some other significant disputable issues in regard to the independence of FYROM.
A present-day territory of FYROM was formerly part of the Byzantine, Bulgarian and Serbian Empires until 1371/1395 when it became included into the Ottoman Sultanate followed by the process of Islamization. The Christian population of the land was constantly migrating from Macedonia under the Ottoman rule especially after the Austrian-Ottoman wars and uprisings against the Ottoman rule. After the 1878 Berlin Congress, Bulgaria started to work on annexation of all historical-geographic Macedonia and for that reason it was established in 1893 openly pro-Bulgarian Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (the IMRO).
After the Second Balkan War in 1913 Macedonian territory became partitioned between Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria. During the WWI, Macedonia was a scene of a heavy battles between the forces of the Central Powers and the Entente (the Salonika Front or the Macedonian Front). After the WWI, according to the Treaty of Neuilly, the territorial division of historical-geographical Macedonia between Serbia (now the Yugoslav state), Greece and Bulgaria was confirmed followed in the next years by a large population movement which transformed the ethnic and confessional composition of Macedonia's population primarily due to the population exchange between Greece and Turkey after the Greco-Turkish War of 1919−1922. In the interwar period, despite continued activism by the IMRO terrorists from Bulgaria, the aim to annex the Yugoslav (Vardar) Macedonia became unfulfilled. After WWII, the Vardar Macedonia became transformed into one of six Yugoslav socialist republics (the Socialist Republic of Macedonia) followed by the official recognition of the Macedonian nation, language and alphabet by the Yugoslav communist authorities – a decision which alienated Bulgaria and Greece from Yugoslavia.
The proclamation of state independence of the Yugoslav portion of Macedonia under the official name the Republic of Macedonia immediately created an extremely tense relationship with the neighbouring Greece as Macedonia developed rival claims for ethnicity and statehood followed by the appropriation of the ancient Macedonian history and culture. This Greco-Macedonian rivalry became firstly epitomized in a dispute on Macedonia's official state-name for the very reason that Greece objected to the use of the term Macedonia in any combination of the name of the state of its northern neighbour.
Made a clear constitutional guarantee of having no claims to the Greek territory.
Stop a hostile propaganda against Greece.
Exclude the term "Macedonia" and its derivatives from a new official name of the state.
The first of these three conditions was a Greek reaction to the disputable Article 49 in Macedonia's new Constitution which declared that the Republic of Macedonia cares for the status and rights of those persons belonging to the Macedonian people in all neighbouring countries as well as the Macedonian expatriates, assisting in their cultural development, and promoting links with them. This article was interpreted by Greece as an indirect reference to the (unrecognized) Macedonian minority (i.e. "Slavophile Greeks") in the North Greece (the Aegean Macedonia) and it was perceived as a threat to the territorial sovereignty and integrity of Greece. The EU concerning this matter supported Greece and stated in the same month that it would only recognize a new Macedonian state if it guaranteed to have no territorial claims against any neighbouring EU member state and not to engage in any act against such state, including and the use of a state-name that potentially can imply the territorial claims.
Basically, only under the pressure by Brussels, the Parliament (Sobranie) in Skopje amended Macedonia's Constitution in January 1992 and as the results, the formal constitutional guarantees were provided that the country would not interfere in the internal affairs of other states and would respect the inviolability of the international borders of any state. Macedonia's authorities fulfilled only the minor EU requirements, hopping to be soon recognized by the same organization, but two crucial problem-issues (the state-name of Macedonia and the Article 49 in the Constitution) which caused the fundamental Greek dissatisfaction, still remained unchanged. Therefore, the EU sided with Greece and decided in June 1992 not to recognize the republic if it uses the term Macedonia in its official state title.
In an exchange for the EU support on the Macedonian Question, Greece promised to ratify the Maastricht Treaty (signed in February 1993), to participate in sanctions against Serbia (its traditional ally), and to ratify the EU financial protocol with Turkey.
By taking the same position as Greece, the EU demonstrated its own internal political cohesion and unity, trying at the same time to thwart the use of Greek veto right in order to protect its own national interest within the EU.
A last factor that contributed to the EU support for the Greek case was a fear that the Greek Government might fall if the Republic of Macedonia would be recognized under that name.
A variety of alternative names for ex-Yugoslav Socialist Republic of Macedonia were proposed after 1991 in order to solve the problem and normalize relations with Greece – a most important Macedonia's neighbour and economic partner. It was quite clear that Greece herself would not accept any kind of state-name that includes a term "Macedonia" and therefore a variety of solutions without a term of "Macedonia" were suggested by Athens, ranging from Dardania and Paeonia (used in antiquity to name regions to the north of the ancient Macedonia) to the names of the South Slavia, the Vardar Republic, the Central Balkan Republic and the Republic of Skopje (named after Macedonia's capital). All other name suggestions which used the designation Macedonia, mainly proposed by the Macedonian side, were in no way acceptable to Greece from political, historical and moral reasons.
What Greece could accept as a kind of temporal solution was the state-name of the country with the designation Macedonia but only to make clear difference between Macedonia as a former republic of Yugoslavia and Macedonia that is a region in (the North) Greece. These solutions included names, for instance, the North Macedonia, a New Macedonia or the Slavic Republic of Macedonia. Greece even suggested that a new state of Macedonia could adopt two names: 1. One official for the external use, without mentioning designation Macedonia, and 2. One unofficial for internal use, which could include designation Macedonia. However, all these Greek solutions were rejected by the Macedonian authorities who insisted on the recognition of Macedonia's independence exactly under the constitutional name of the Republic of Macedonia.
The ex-Yugoslav Socialist Republic of Macedonia was gaining the international recognition step by step, although not in majority cases under its constitutional name as the Republic of Macedonia. By early 1993 the new state was able to become a member of the International Monetary Fund (the IMF) under the name the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (the FYROM) and by April 1993 the United Nations (the UN) also admitted Macedonia under such provisional name as a temporal compromise between the Macedonian and the Greek authorities. It was agreed that a permanent state-name of Macedonia that is going to be used in the foreign affairs had to be decided later through a process of mediation by the UN. However, the FYROM was not allowed to fly its original state flag (from 1991) at the UN headquarters as the official state emblem as Greece strongly opposed such idea.
It was an insignia of the ancient Macedonians of the Macedonian Empire.
It was found between two world wars in Vergina that is an ancient town on the territory of the present-day Greece but not of the FYROM.
The Greek authorities is understanding the "Sun of Vergina" as a symbol which has nothing to do either with the territory of the FYROM or with the ethnic Macedonians, or better to say, with Macedonia's Slavs. The Greeks are clear in this matter having a position that the history and culture of the ancient Macedonians does not belong to the historical and ethnic heritage of the FYROM but quite contrary, they belong to the Greek (Hellenic) inheritance. Therefore, the use of the "Sun of Vergina" by the FYROM authorities is seen by Greece as an act of falsification of history and a cultural aggression on the state territory of Greece with unpredictable political consequences in the future. That is the same as well as with the cases of naming certain institutions and public objects with the names of Philip II (national soccer stadium in Skopje) or Alexander the Great (the highway in the FYROM and the Skopje airport) or with erections of the monuments devoted to them (on the main city square in Skopje).
In 1993 several states recognized Macedonia under the official state-name as the FYROM but there were also and those states who recognized the country as the Republic of Macedonia. Macedonia was recognized by six EU members followed by the United States of America (the US) and Australia by early 1994. However, the Greek Government experienced Macedonia's recognition of independence without the final fixing the question of Macedonia's administrative name for the external usage as her own great diplomatic and national defeat, and as a response to such situation, Athens imposed a strict trade embargo to the FYROM on February 17th, 1994 for the sake to more firmly point out its unchanged position regarding several problematic issues in dealing with its northern neighbour. The embargo had a very large, and negative, impact on Macedonia's economy as its export earnings became reduced by 85% and its food supplies dropped by 40%. On the other side, the economic blockade was very much criticised by the international community including and the EU and, therefore, not much later became lifted in 1995, but after successful negotiations between Greece and the FYROM, when these two countries finally recognized each other and established diplomatic relations. The FYROM, as a part of a settlement package with Greece, was also forced to change the official flag of the state on which the "Sun of Vergina" was replaced with the "Macedonian Sun".
However, the negotiations between the FYROM and Greece in regard to a permanent state-name of Macedonia are still being conducted by the UN, and this problem is not solved properly up today on the way that the both sides are going to be fully satisfied. The issue arose several times concerning the FYROM possibility to join both the NATO and the EU as Greece (member state of both organizations) threatened to use a veto right in order to stop Macedonia's admission if previously the problem of Macedonia's state-name is not solved in the Greek favour. Talks between the FYROM and Greece are permanent up to now with some new alternative state-name proposals by both sides as, for instance, the Constitutional Republic of Macedonia, the Democratic Republic of Macedonia, the Independent Republic of Macedonia, the New Republic of Macedonia and the Republic of Upper-Macedonia.
Nevertheless, the talks proved that no one of these proposals is acceptable for both parties. The FYROM proposed as a workable solution to use changed state-name only in relations to Greece, but at the same time to keep its constitutional state-name in all other international relations. However, even this proposal did not lead to a final and sincere solution as Greece insisted that a final deal must be applied internationally. The UN mediator's compromising proposal to rename the state was as the Republic Macedonia-Skopje. Nevertheless, despite all possible efforts that were made to solve the problem, no agreement could be reached so far and, therefore, the NATO and the EU memberships of the FYROM are very problematic as one of the membership requirements is to reach agreements with Greece on all disputable political questions including and the official Macedonia's state-name.
Georges Castellan, History of the Balkans from Mohammed the Conqueror to Stalin, New York: Columbia University Press, 1992.
Loring M. Danforth, "Claims to Macedonian Identity: The Macedonian Question and the Breakup of Yugoslavia", Anthropology Today, 9 (4), 1993, 3−10.
Nicolaos K. Martis, The Falsification of Macedonian History, Athens: Graphic Arts, 1983.
James Pettifer (ed), The New Macedonian Question, New York: Palgrave, 2001.
Hugh Poulton, The Balkans: Minorities and States in Conflict, London: Minority Rights Publications, 1994.
Victor Roudometof, "Nationalism and Identity Politics in the Balkans: Greece and the Macedonian Question", Journal of Modern Greek Studies, 14 (2), 1996, 253−301.
James Pettifer (ed), The New Macedonian Question, New York: Palgrave, 2001, 15−27.
The term Macedonia is of the Greek origin.
This day is celebrated in the FYROM as the Independence Day.
James Pettifer (ed), The New Macedonian Question, New York: Palgrave, 2001, xxv.
Bulgaria never recognized separate Macedonian nationality, language and alphabet. For Bulgarians, all Macedonia's Slavs are of the Bulgarian origin. Greece is recognizing only the existence of the Macedonian Slavs but not on its own territory where all Slavs are considered as the Slavophone Greeks [Hugh Poulton, The Balkans: Minorities and States in Conflict, London: Minority Rights Publications, 1994, 175].
Greece is a member of the EU from 1981.
The Constitution's day of adopting is November 17th, 1991 and day of entry into force November 20th, 1991.
At that time it was the European Community which became next year the European Union.
The territory of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (the FYROM) is also known as the Vardar Macedonia, contrary to the Macedonian territory in Bulgaria – the Pirin Macedonia, and in Greece – the Aegean Macedonia. A geographical-historical territory of Macedonia became divided between Greece, Serbia and Bulgaria as a consequence of the Balkan Wars of 1912−1913: "…Bulgaria who had only a little piece of Macedonia in her share: the Struma Valley between Gorna Dzumaja (Blagoevgrad) and Petric with the Strumica enclave. Greece received all Macedonia south of Lake Ohrid and the coast with Thessalonika and Kavala. Serbia was given Northern Macedonia and the center up to Ohrid, Monastir (Bitola) and the Vardar" [Georges Castellan, History of the Balkans from Mohammed the Conqueror to Stalin, New York: Columbia University Press, 1992, 381]. In essence, Greece received 60%, Serbia 30% and Bulgaria 10% of the geographic-historical territory of Macedonia. A Present-day FYROM is in fact the Vardar Macedonia that became annexed by the Kingdom of Serbia in 1913 known in Titoist Yugoslavia as the Socialist Republic of Macedonia with the capital in Skopje.
The Greeks are not the Slavs.
The Greeks in the Aegean Macedonia are using regularly a blue flag with the "Sun of Vergina" which is also in many cases put on the state flag of Greece as a historical amblem of the North Greece.
The FYROM is currently a candidate state for the EU membership together with Turkey, Serbia and Montenegro.
All images are from the author.
Although the September 30, 2018 name-change referendum in Macedonia, which was supposed to set that ex-Yugoslav federal republic on a path to (certain) NATO and (blithely promised but much less certain) EU membership, failed miserably, with only 36.91% of the voters turning out, well short of the 50% + 1 necessary for it to be valid – one would never know it from the reactions of its Western proponents and impatient beneficiaries. Indeed, a new term may be needed to adequately describe the reactions of the key pillars representing the reliquiae reliquiarum of the Western-led post-Cold War unipolar moment. Fake news simply doesn't do them justice. Fake reality anyone?
EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn wasn't to be outdone in his contempt for the 63% of the Macedonian "deplorables" who stayed home in order to voice their disagreement with renouncing their perceived national identity and country name (it was to become "Northern Macedonia") in exchange for the double joy of a) becoming NATO's cannon-fodder in its increasingly hazardous game of chicken with Russia and b) the EU's newest debt-serfs: "Referendum in Macedonia: I congratulate those citizens who voted in today's consultative referendum and made use of their democratic freedoms. With the very significant "yes" vote, there is broad support to the #Prespa Agreement + to the country's #Euroatlantic path. I now expect all political leaders to respect this decision and take it forward with utmost responsibility and unity across party lines, in the interest of the country." He was seconded the following day, in a joint statement, by Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the EU Commission.
Understandably, as the most direct public stakeholder, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was particularly (hyper)active. As the disappointing results began to roll in, Stoltenberg went into immediate damage control, tweeting: "I welcome the yes vote in Macedonia referendum. I urge all political leaders & parties to engage constructively & responsibly to seize this historic opportunity. #NATO's door is open, but all national procedures have to be completed." He reinforced his delusional missive the next day, releasing a similar statement co-signed by EU President Donald Tusk. And the day after, during a news conference, Stoltenberg even offered lightning-quick NATO accession to the unwilling Macedonians – January 2019, to be exact – if they would just be so kind as to urgently implement the very agreement that they had just so emphatically rejected. When NATO says it promotes democratic values – it means it!
Speaking of Angela Merkel, she also joined her fellow Western democrats' show of unanimous disdain for the Macedonian voters' majority opinion, urging the country to "push ahead" with the implementation of the majority-rejected accord, citing voters' "overwhelming support" [sic], and arguing through the mouth of her spokesman that the required 50% + 1 turnout was actually "very high," as voter registers purportedly included many people who had long since left the country.
Coincidentally (?), the same argument was used by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, who opined that the "yes" votes cast in the referendum do, in fact, "represent the majority despite the low turnout because Macedonia does not have the 1.8 million voters entered into its electoral rolls but just 1.2 million since 300,000 people have left the country since the voter lists were last updated 20 years ago." The fallacy of his reality-challenged claim is easily exposed if we just take a glance at the results of Macedonia's last parliamentary elections (December 2016), in which voter turnout was just under 1.2 million (1,191,832 to be exact) or, officially, 66.79%. If we were to believe Kotzias and Merkel (who lodged no objections at the time), that would have meant that the turnout for the 2016 elections had been 99% – a figure that would make any totalitarian dictator blush with envy. On the other hand, since those elections did produce the "desired result," enabling the current heavily pro-NATO/EU government led by Zoran Zaev to be formed, that automatically made them "valid" in the eyes of the high priests of democracy in Brussels, Berlin, London and Washington.
Needless to say, Zaev joined his Western patrons' charade, hailing the referendum as a "democratic success," and announcing that he would seek the Macedonian Parliament's support to amend the constitution and get the agreement with Greece ratified (according to the so-called Prespa Agreement, the Macedonian Parliament must adopt the necessary constitutional amendments by the end of 2018) so that the Greek Parliament can do the same, which would seal the deal. However, Zaev and his Albanian political partners are currently well short of the necessary two-thirds majority (reportedly, they can count on 71 deputies, or 9 short of the needed 80), and will have to call early elections if they don't soon succeed in securing it.
Still, amidst all the faux cheer and public displays of confidence of the pro-NATO/EU crowd, a palpable sense of unease hangs in the air. As a Deutsche Welle opinion piece put it, the "low voter turnout for Macedonia's referendum is a bad starting point for the country's future development." And, according to DW in Serbian, a Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung commentary warned that "politicians who otherwise ceaselessly talk of democracy as a 'special value' should not call on the parliament in Skopje to accept the voting results." In other words, Macedonia's people (read – a large majority of the majority Slavic population) have "voted with their feet" and rejected the agreement, and no new parliamentary election, no matter the results, can change that unpleasant-but-immutable fact. That alone will delegitimize any Western-led effort to "manufacture consent" by ramming the agreement through the present or future Parliament – although, as we know, NATO doesn't put too much stock in referenda anyway, while the EU is not averse to making citizens vote as many times as needed to obtain the "right" result.
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There is still the same frame accuracy problem I had in VT2.
When snapping a clip on the timebar, let's say Time bar at 10:00, snap the beginnnig of a clip at it, zoom in at the maximum, the clip is not exactly sitcked to the time bar.
It's somewhere between the 10:00 and 10:01 vertical grid. if the beginning of the clip is on the right area of this "inbetween" it shows up at 10:01.
I've read on other threads about an other type of frame accuracy problem. Seemed different but perhaps caused by the same wrong part of TED's code.
A Clip should never find itself at a fractionnal image, if we had sound editing capabilities in TED I would understand the "more than 25th of seconds precision" (PAL user here) but it's not the case.
I feel your pain but can't duplicate it.
I did as you said in the test and my clips snap right at 10:00 or 10:01 etc..
I can't get them to stick in between no matter how I try.
Keep bugging your problem and let folks know.
This thing happens not every times but it's more often when you snap the clip when the Timeline is zoomed out a lot.
like ~ 30 Sec clip mesure ~ 3 cm on screen.
I had the same problem under VT 2 and another machine.
makes me doubt each time I snap a clip to the timebar I have to zoom in to chek it's at the right TC.
But the video doesn't show at this timecode, it shows at 07:38:21.
Lower Pic: So zoom in, the timebar is closer from 07:38:21 than 07:38:20.
Th'ats the bug ! you read a TC but in fact video in is on frame after.
This thing seldom happens but it never should.
Yep, same thing here. I have been fighting it often. I agree it should snap, drag or razor (c) only at exact whole frame points.
Maybe the thought was to allow field editing?
Basically, it talks about physics, problems in the theory of relativity and a new theory around rings.
You might, and rightly so, wonder what the hell all that has to do with this... You've already touched on the problem: scaling is the key. What you might want to do is go into the prefs and change the snap sensitivity. Far out it sounds like your snap is not sensitive enough for such a thing; in close, it works, right?
The other things I would suggest is that you use the storyboard for such moves as it doesn't deal with snappage and the like.
CSI is coming on; I love that show!
Reguardless of what the snap sensitivity is, shouldn't it snap to either 7:38:20 or 7:38:21 and not in between. I noticed this problem with T2. It needs to be adressed because it is inconsistant and when you have multiple layers they don't always end up at the same time.
Sorry to rise up some old problems but no change there in the third patch.
Ted timeline/timebar still isn't frame accurate.
I find myself fighting this on almost every edit. I zoom down all the way to where you are viewing about two frames across the entire timeline (Backspace, + + + + + ) and dragging the misplaced clip to land properly on the frame then zoom back out (- - - - -). Very annoying. It can cause such irritations as bad edits, CG's or overlays not cutting with background, and perhaps the most annoying, when you are in control tree and setting a node at the very beginning or end of the clip (q or w) the image may not even show up in the Positioner window at all, because the clip actually starts a fraction of a frame later. Uuuuggggg!!!
I feel bad for speaking too soon. I guess I got too excited from my initial investigation and will have to run further tests.
In trying to look at the optimistic side, it appears that there has been some improvement in VT with regards to this little "frame-accuracy" issue.
I just hope it's not an "irresolvable" issue due to the basic code of VT-Edit or something terrifying like that.
I also miss TED's "Snap" options in prefs. On longer timelines, it's a real pain trying to align clips. Often, when trying to snap clips back to back we end up with a slight dissolve or a empty frame between the two.
I never got an answer why it was removed. Maybe it was causing some other issues???
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December 16 ~ This Day in Music History
Posted by MaryO on December 16, 2017
Hanukkah Music
Hanukkah Music Lyrics
Hanukkah 2017 began at sunset (4:48 at the O'Connor Music Studio) on Tuesday, December 12 and ends on Wednesday, December 20.
Christmas Music: We Three Kings
1770 ~ Ludwig van Beethoven, Composer Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony was featured in the Walt Disney movie Fantasia and his Symphony Number 5 in Fantasia 2000
Listen to Beethoven's music
More information on Beethoven
If composers had Facebook: Beethoven's profile
1882 ~ Zoltán Kodály, Hungarian composer and collector of folk songs
More information on Kodály
• 1893 ~ Antonin Dvorák attended the first performance of his New World Symphony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
• 1899 ~ Sir Noel Coward, British composer of musical comedies, actor and producer
• 1905 ~ Sime Silverman published the first issue of Variety, the weekly showbiz magazine. The first issue was 16 pages in length and sold for a nickel. Variety and Daily Variety are still going strong.
• 1907 ~ Eugene H. Farrar became the first singer to broadcast on radio. He sang from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in New York. The song was Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?
• 1940 ~ Bob Crosby and his Bobcats backed up brother Bing as San Antonio Rose was recorded on Decca Records.
• 1960 ~ Lucille Ball took a respite from her weekly TV series to star in the Broadway production of Wildcat, which opened at the Alvin Theatre in New York City. The show ran for 171 performances.
• 1967 ~ The Lemon Pipers released Green Tambourine on an unsuspecting psychedelic world this day. The tune made #1 on February 3, 1968.
• 1971 ~ Melanie (Safka) received a gold record for the single, Brand New Key, about roller skates and love and stuff like that. This one made it to #1 on Christmas Day, 1971.
• 1971 ~ Don McLean's eight-minute-plus (8:32) version of American Pie was released. It became one of the longest songs with some of the most confusing (pick your favorite interpretation) lyrics to ever hit the pop charts. American Pie hit #1 on January 15, 1972.
• 1972 ~ Paul McCartney's single, Hi, Hi, Hi, was released. It peaked at #10 on the top tune tabulation (February 3, 1973).
• 2003 ~ Singer and guitarist Gary Stewart, who had a No. 1 country hit in 1975 with She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles), died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 58. A native of Letcher County, Ky., Stewart was a compelling songwriter and performer of guitar-driven, honky-tonk country. His last album, Live at Billy Bob's Texas, was released in 2003. Besides the 1975 chart-topper, his hits included Drinkin' Thing and Out of Hand. He worked with Southern rock greats Dickie Betts and Gregg Allman of The Allman Brothers Band on the 1980 album Cactus and a Rose.
• 2017 ~ Z'ev, a percussionist, performer, composer, instrument builder, visual artist, poet and theorist who explored visceral and mystical dimensions of sound — becoming a pioneer of industrial music along the way — died in Chicago, where he lived. He was 66.
This entry was posted in Christmas, Composers, Hanukkah, Holidays, musicians, Today in Music History and tagged Antonin Dvorák, Carnegie Hall, Christmas Music, composer, Ludwig Van Beethoven, singer, Today in Music History, video, Zoltán Kodály. Bookmark the permalink.
If composers had Facebook: Beethoven
Christmas Music: Good King Wenceslas
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Q: FInd The (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) values of a text when the text is rotated (90, 270) degree in the PDF page (PDF BOX) Hi I have an Use case to find the (x1, y1) (x2, Y2) values of the text in a page when the text is rotated 90 and 180 degree.
I am able to find these values when the text is at 0 degrees and 180 degrees.
So the idea is to use the PDStreamengine class from the PDFBOX and overriding the method from the same class and using them to find the x1,y1,x2,y2 values ,
For the above code i am getting the values properly when the text is 0 and 180 degree.
for the following pdf
i.e when the text is 0 degree
(x1 =31 , y1 =726 , x2 =122 , y2 = 744 )
when the text is 180 degree
(x1 = 122, y1 = 744, x2 = 31, y2 = 726)
i am getting the above values.
but when i rotate the text to 90 degree, Rotated text PDF,I am getting the values as (x1 =22 , y1 =660 , x2 =22 y2 = 740)
Here we can see Both the x1 and X2 Values are same.
how can we Find the X1 and X2 values of a text when it is rotated 90 degree and 270 Degree ?
I got above mentioned values by using the following code snippet
I have also thought of using the TextPosition "printWord" method so, will that be a solution find the x1,y1,x2,y2 values.
x1 = Double.valueOf(text.getYDirAdj());
y1 = Double.valueOf(text.getXDirAdj());
x2 = x1 - text.getHeight();
y2 = y1 + text.getWidth();
And any code snippet with the example will be helpfull.
Thanks
Tejas
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Magma 79 Editorial
Home » All Issues » Magma 79 » Articles » Magma 79 Editorial
The idea for a special issue on dwelling didn't emerge at a desk or on a computer screen, but in a unique and remarkable place: Kenfig Nature Reserve. These coastal dunes in south Wales conceal a buried medieval castle and a once thriving market town, now lost to the encroaching sands. In that wild sanctuary, questions of climate change as well as our relation to the natural world and to each other, are impossible to ignore.
Back then, the world was a different place. We knew the questions we wanted to ask, but we didn't know how important they would become. We didn't know that this issue would be edited and published during a global pandemic, the like of which has not been seen for 100 years. We didn't foresee lockdown, isolation, turmoil, unrest, protest, loneliness, loss, illness. We didn't know that we would be asked to live differently, more distantly, eschewing touch in order to keep each other safe.
The pandemic has called for huge sacrifices. It has forced us to question how we have been living, and how we will be asked to live in the future. Will we continue to exploit and shrink the 'other-than- human' world? How far are we willing to allow technology to control our lives, our bodies? How can we continue in a society where BIPOC people are terrorized by our institutions? We must imagine something else, something healthier, for us all.
The idea of dwelling poses a possible alternative: of living in a place without possessing, exploiting or dominating it, but treating it as a person in its own right. Can a river be considered a person? Dwelling also speaks to our relationships with others, striving to ensure that people are not treated as objects to be controlled.
In this issue, our writers have risen to the challenge with kaleidoscopic variety. Jen Hadfield's 'Living in Fear' escapes lockdown to explore the Shetland Isle of Foula, confronting the terror of vertigo in mountains on the edge of the world. Polly Atkin challenges what ecological writing might look like from the perspective of writers with disability. An interview with Roger Robinson finds a metaphor for abuse of power via lockdown time spent in his backyard. In our Inspired section, Vidyan Ravinthiran discusses Andrew Marvell, intergenerational trauma, and optimism amid our limitations, among much else.
This issue also features poets from the U.S. whose poems emerged from conversations with environmental scientists. These include established voices in the U.S., and also voices that may be new to U.K. readers: Ruth Awad, Rosebud Ben-Oni, Kathy Fagan and Khaty Xiong.
Since the pandemic began, we three editors – dwelling in the USA, Wales, Scotland – have read thousands of submitted poems, most written in lockdown. Each was a unique and inimitable snapshot of how poets all over the world are striving to make sense of these unprecedented times.
Zoë Brigley, Kristian Evans and Rob A. Mackenzie
Magma 79 — Dwelling
Edited by Zoë Brigley, Kristian Evans and Rob A. Mackenzie
the child's childhood
—Penelope Shuttle
Full Moon in Scorpio
—Rebecca Tamás
Prayer for a Godless City
—John McCullough
The Little Ice Age of Hard Truths
—Ruth Awad
Hymn To Jamaica
—Jenny Mitchell
Trace fossil: coastal furniture
—Michael McKimm
'All the living I have left to do': a disability poetics of dwelling
Isabelle Baafi Reviews Gregory Leadbetter, Sasha Dugdale and Phoebe Stuckes
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ELL: Skyhawks and its partnering organizations will make every effort to support English Language Learners.
Skyhawks and its partnering organizations will make every effort to accommodate children with special needs.
Skyhawks and its partnering organizations may be able to provide scholarships or reduced fees to qualifying families upon request.
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As you might have noticed, folks with a long gap in their resume get a particularly hard time from HR reps and recruiters.
Because -- rightly or wrongly -- they assume there's something major that stops you from "holding down a job".
So if you find yourself in between jobs, your first priority should be to get *a* job, even if it's not your dream job. Because it stops you from getting a gap in your resume that might come back to haunt you later.
It's easier than most folks realize to get *a* job.
All you need to do is volunteer somewhere.
Every town has at least a few start-ups -- and start-ups are always happy to receive help, especially if it doesn't cost them anything. Or, you can find great volunteer positions on Idealist.org.
But what if you've been out of work for a long time?
Is there a way to make your job gap "magically" disappear?
Well, yes, there is, actually. Two ways actually. But neither are magic.
The first is to only list the years that you were employed for each job. That way, the gap between jobs is shrunk a little -- and, many times, an HR rep or recruiter will give you the benefit of the doubt.
However, there's a second technique, and it's a lot more powerful.
home" or "building my kids a treehouse".
(2) Retroactively create a consulting business for yourself. You don't need to register a corporation. You don't need to register anything. You don't need a website either. You just need to give it a name.
Now, it doesn't matter if you ever worked with real clients or got paid. That's now what we're saying here. What we're saying is that you set up your own consulting company and you did projects for people.
Is this lying? Is it unethical?
No. This is called framing.
We're not saying you did anything that you didn't. We're just giving it a new name and talking about it in a different way.
See? Now you don't have job gap anymore.
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