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Press TV Doc
Int'l War Crimes
Investigative Documentaries
Tue Jan 21, 2020 05:33 PM GMT
Mina 53°C
Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to Mecca for millions of Muslims from all over the world. It is one of the world's largest gatherings on Earth. For Muslims, the Hajj is a central pillar of the Islamic faith meant to cleanse the faithful of sin and bring them closer to God. On the third day of Hajj each year, Muslims celebrate Eid al Adha, one of Islam's holiest festivals. But in last year's Hajj on the day of Eid the joy and celebration of Muslims turned into grief and sorrow as the deadliest accident in Hajj history occurred when a human stampede caused the deaths of thousands of pilgrims who were suffocated or crushed during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mina, as pilgrims were en route to Jamaraat to conduct a stoning ritual. Saudi authorities have said the Mina crush and stampede occurred when two waves of pilgrims converged on a narrow road, suffocating or trampling to death those caught in the disaster. Saudi Arabia has spent billions of dollars on crowd control and safety measures but to no avail. Why was the crowd ushered in the wrong direction? Why weren't they rescued in time? Why wasn't water distributed in the scorching heat? And many more questions regarding Saudi Arabia's negligence have remained unanswered almost a year on. This documentary looks into the details of the tragic incident with interviews with officials and victims.
TIME CODE: 00:00_05:00
Narration: I'm Mostafa Raja. On September 2015, I set off on a journey I had dreamed of for years for the first time.
Conversation [Persian] Mostafa Raja & someone else: "Be safe and in God's care.
Thanks. Thanks a lot."
Narration: I went on the Hajj pilgrimage…..As a reporter.
SOUNDBITE [Arabic] Mostafa Raja, Reporter: "Dear viewers, this is the Quba Mosque, a mosque founded on virtue from the very first day, as mentioned in the Quran. We are here in this place and we are going to pray- out of respect for the mosque-on your behalves."
SOUNDBITE [English] Hajj Pilgrim: "This is my third time of my performing Hajj, but this one is special to me. I lost my wife on 20th of May and five years after, I lost my father. I came here to pray for them and to find peace in my heart."
SOUNDBITE [English] Hajj Pilgrim: "I get Hajj like a gift from my family, from my wife and my children because today I am 40 years old - it's my birthday."
Narration: We were near Zihajjah. The greater pilgrimage was about to begin. Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from around the world descended upon the sacred land to pledge allegiance to God. I was filled with intense excitement. I was stepping onto a land that more than a billion inhabitants of the earth stood in prayer towards every day.
For centuries, this land has played host to millions of Muslim pilgrims; those who come here from far and wide to pay homage to the house of God.
SOUNDBITE [Arabic] Hajj Pilgrim:"TheDay of 'Arafah is the year's the most important day and prayers are answered on this day. May God help us finish the rituals of the Hajj pilgrimage!"
Narration: When I arrive in Saudi Arabia, all my assumptions about this country change instantly. This is a country that would accommodate the pilgrims in caravansaries and old houses in the not-too-distant-past; but now it looks modern and affluent. With big international airports and ritzy hotels.
SOUNDBITE [English] Hajj Pilgrim: "Imagine it will be a situation that you feel like you are between the hand of your creator and this is a moment you cannot describe until you live it."
Narration: This was to be my first Hajj pilgrimage. I had to do two things: File my reports and carry out the Hajj rituals.
SOUNDBITE [Persian] Hajj Pilgrim:"Across from you, on that hill where those people are standing, that's Romat Mountain. It goes back to the battle of Uhud. Uhuh! Here, where they turned around. Yes, exactly. The 50 archers that the prophet deployed, took up position right here on this hill."
Narration: My companions and I, donned our Ihram clothes and set out to become Hajis.
Voice [Arabic] Pilgrims: "Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners."
SOUNDBITE [Arabic] Mostafa Raja, Reporter: "Masjidal-Qiblatayn is the mosque in which the direction of prayer (qibla) was changed toMecca. Yes, that was a command by God which happened in this place, therefore, the Prophet prayed towards theKaaba."
Narration: We arrived in Mecca; the birthplace of Islam, with an ancient history of Abrahamic religions.
And there it was; the Kaaba, a building at the center of Islam's most sacred mosque, Masjid al-Haram; a building that Muslims are expected to face when performing prayer, wherever they are in the world.
Apart from the overwhelming spiritual atmosphere; the glamor and magnificence of this holiest of lands, caught the eyes of any spectator.
The mosque was getting bigger. Everywhere you looked, you'd see signs of massive construction work. Development work aimed at creating more space for worship and hosting more pilgrims.
The month of Zilhajjah is only four days away….more than a million pilgrims have already landed in Saudi Arabia.
SOUNDBITE [Arabic] Preacher: "Names and attributes of Allah; trying to make us realize how great Allah is. Once I realize and recognize how great he is, how should I turn towards him?"
Narration: We were busy carrying out the Umra, the lesser pilgrimage, when……a horrifying sound cut through the peace at Masjidul-haram.
September 11, 2015…it was Friday afternoon….one of the cranes at Masjidul-haram came crashing down….107 people were killed, 238 wounded.
A state of emergency was declared. Both the security and medical establishments were put on high alert.
SOUNDBITE [Arabic] Victim of Hajj pilgrimage: "I'm content, you know. At first I was... I am upset; I am upset because I just expect my dad to walk through the door. On the way here, it kind of hit me – I don't think it's really hit me yet – but it kind of hit me that we are going to do our Hajj without our dad. We came to do Hajj with dad, but he's not here. But we are not…, so it was accepted here so the best thing we can do is make do without our dad. It's not how I expected my Hajj to be; but God has something different for me."
Narration: Things became a bit chaotic. A harrowing experience that took everyone off-guard! A disaster in the heart of the world's most sacred mosque…a place the security of which has been reiterated by God himself in the holy Quran.
Authorities said a storm knocked down the crane. But there were reports blaming the incident on human error. Apparently, the cranes had been erected there against the contractors' orders….All construction work was supposed to be halted in the run-up to the Hajj but the cranes continued to work.
Conversation [Arabic] Salman bin Abdulaziz and Hajj victims: "How are you?
King Salman is greeting you.
Narration: It was critical time. Everyone tried to restore peace so the Hajj pilgrimage could go ahead as befits this sacred place.
Conversation [Arabic] Salman bin Abdulaziz and Hajj victims: "She is our Iranian guest. God bless you heal you!
God bless you heal you!"
Narration: So the month of Zi-hajjah began, though it got off to a bitter start…
Voice [Arabic]: "I seek forgiveness from Allah for all of my sins.
I seek forgiveness from Allah for all of my sins.
I seek the forgiveness of Allah and I turn to Him in repentance.
Here I am at Thy service O Lord, here I am. Here I am at Thy service and Thou hast no partners. Thine alone is All Praise and All Bounty, and Thine alone is The Sovereignty. Thou hast no partners."
Narrations: The greater hajj got under way; more than two million pilgrims converged in and around Mecca; young and old, men and women of different colors and ethnicities and from countries far and wide…..
It's one of the largest religious gatherings on earth and unique among its kind…
On the eighth of Zil-hajjah, we set out….Destination: Arafat and Mash'ar….a time to spend day and night worshipping God almighty…Two days later, after sunrise, on the 10th of Zil-hajjah, we headed out to Mina….a vast plain between two continuous mountains, dotted with innumerable tents housing the pilgrims. It was Eid-al-Adha (The Feast of Sacrifice).
We set off early in the morning to make time for doing the hajj rituals and to file a report on the ceremonies.
SOUNDBITE [English] Hajj Pilgrim: "It is a hard time that the world is going through at the moment. This is a day of peace and we're all here to do the same thing, to pray to God; and hopefully it is something that everybody is here to do, I mean, I pray that there is no room for hate on a day like this. We are here to pray for everyone."
Narration: Ramī al-jamarāt, theStoning of the Devil, a symbolic reenactment of Abraham's hajj, where he stoned three pillars representing the temptation to disobey God and preserve Ismaeel.
All the pilgrims have to observe this ritual. For the same reason, a huge crowd had assembled here. I lost sight of some of my friends in the bustle. Tired but happy, we headed back for our tents, after throwing pebbles at the three walls (formerly called the pillars) …... But the return path had changed….
The streets were packed with security forces. We didn't know what's going on. The intermittent wail of ambulances and the sound of people yelling and screaming filled our hearts with fear and anxiety. Everyone gave an account of what was going on…..Different and contradictory accounts. It was a tumultuous situation that reeked of a catastrophe. We rushed towards the tents. When we got there, we realized what has really happened. The new hits us like a ton of bricks.
All our attempts to get an accurate line on the incident hit a dead-end. No one answered any questions nor did they allow an investigation. Information was sketchy. We were told part of the massive throng of pilgrims was stuck in street number 204 and that many of them had been killed, injured or gone missing. A number of my friends and colleagues were there when the disaster struck.
Conversation [Persian] Hajj pilgrim: "Mr. Irani been found?
Yeah, yeah. In that same corridor. At the front.
Is he alive?
Which corridor?
The next corridor. The next corridor. Make a left."
Narration: The best trip of my life, came to the saddest of endings….my questions unanswered….my heart filled with sorrow.
My head was buzzing with countless questions…Upon return, I decided to investigate what'd happened….
More than anything, I had to hear the details of the disaster straight from the mouth an eyewitness. The first name that came to my mind: Hamid Dashti, one of my colleagues, who was in the middle of it all.
SOUNDBITE [Persian] Hamid Dashti, One of the victims of Hajj Pilgrimage: "We entered the street. Street number 204. Nothing looked out of the ordinary. As we walked towards the Jamarah, the sun continued to rise higher in the sky. We could feel the heat on our heads and faces….The heat was getting to us. We were busy talking with our friends. But as we moved forward, I recall when we got to the first intersection, we were joined by pilgrims from other countries. More and more pilgrims continued to blend into the already massive crowd. And as they did, they came between us and our friends. Some cut into the line from here. They didn't join in at the beginning of the street. That made the crowd grow in size and become denser. I felt someone shove himself against me, which is natural when you are among a crowd that size. I didn't turn to see who it was. There was a wheelchair-bound pilgrim next to me. When he joined the moving crowd, I felt like I saw his wheelchair overturn."
SOUNDBITE [Persian] Hamid Dashti, One of the victims of Hajj Pilgrimage: "At the same time, the pressure from the crowd got more intense. I felt like something strange was happening. So I walked close to the wall to steer clear of the crowd surge. The crowd was getting bigger by the second. Later I found out they had blocked off the street. To be honest, the more the pilgrims screamed, the more anxious I became. I decided to run away, but I realized it was impossible to go back. I had perspired so much in that short time, I sensed my towel get soaking wet and stick to my skin. All of a sudden, I felt there was no oxygen for me to breathe in. You'd have been hard-pressed to find even a single molecule of oxygen in that situation.
On the one hand, I wanted to save that old man or that kid. They weren't too far away from me. I mean I could've picked up the kid if I'd bent over and put my handout. But there is no telling if I myself would've survived if I had done that.
It all came to a head when the pilgrims turned into one big huddle….Forcing me to bend over more by the second.
Seriously, in the middle of Mina Street, I saw my life flash before my eyes. I mean the faces of my wife, mother, and daughter. I was on the verge of passing out. But I remember vividly the dumpster fit for carrying 50 kg weights. I thought to myself maybe the only place where I could find some oxygen and be safe from the looming crush would be those dumpsters, one of which was there. I jumped headfirst into the dumpster. It was filled with trash and filth."
Conversation [Persian] Victims of Hajj: "Feeling better sir?
Put a wet towel or something over his head."
SOUNDBITE [Persian] Hamid Dashti, One of the victims of Hajj Pilgrimage: "When I came to, I didn't remember anything. Then I saw my Ihram clothes were covered in filth, blood and so on. Because my own towel had come off, they covered me with another towel.
One of those ladies who was a medic with the Tunisian caravan said that when I heard the wailing, the moaning and the screams behind my tent, I went there to see what was going on. When I saw all those dead pilgrims just dumped on the ground there, I said to my colleagues, "This one is still alive. He isn't dead yet." That was while, in her words, I myself was fighting for my life under the weight of many other people. They were all squirming over me."
SOUNDBITE [Arabic] Reporter: "Has the civil defense made any changes in its programs?
-Yes, the general director of the civil defense has announced that during the first hours after the accident, some groups belonging to the passive defense were summoned in the Jamarat area to handle the situation."
Narration: On that day, I set out for the Jamarah just a few minutes ahead of others. And those very few minutes saved my life. My companions and I took the main route. A wide street with all the conveniences and modern medical centers. But the fate of thousands of others unfolded differently.
SOUNDBITE [Persian] Victim of Hajj Pilgrimage: "On our way, we were going under that bridge, where there was a flight of stairs. From there, we'd move towards the main route that took us to the Rami al-Jamarat."
SOUNDBITE [Persian] Victim of Hajj Pilgrimage: "When we went passed this spot, they didn't guide us to that street. They showed us to a narrow path, with stairs….A crowd that big….Then they ushered us into that tunnel."
Narration: I couldn't comprehend how and why hundreds of caravans took a detour from the main route and stepped onto a path with no return. Without a doubt, the movements of more than two million pilgrims had to have been done according to an accurate plan. Before setting off for Mina, the paths that our caravan and thousands of other caravans had to take, had been specified. But why did such a large number of pilgrims change course?
SOUNDBTIE [Persian] Saeed Ohadi, Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization: "Of our 453 caravans, 33 were escorted by the Saudi police to street number 204. We trust the police when they send us to a certain street and tell us to go that way. So 33 of our caravans took that street, because they had to, because there were conducted there by the police and because they trusted the police. But street 204 wasn't the one allocated to our pilgrims. They wouldn't allow us to deploy any of our rescue team members along the street."
SOUNDBTIE [Persian] Victims of Hajj Pilgrimage: "I didn't see anyone wearing clothes different than those by the pilgrims…Neither the guides, nor the paramedics, nor the police. No water cannons to cool off the air, no water-coolers…There was nothing on that street.
We were on our way when we saw a barricade at around a hundred meters ahead of us. I mean the path had been completely blocked off. None of the pilgrims could go passed it.
Well, a massive crowd floods into an area and closes the path. If they keep the path closed for ten minutes and if there's no water for those trapped to drink, it's going to turn ugly.
It was the same with the entrances to the tents of pilgrims from different countries. This door was closed or had been closed on purpose. If they'd left those doors open, a lot of people could have gone into those corridors…..Even in their tents because they were going to stay in them temporarily.
Those who wanted to save their lives would step onto our heads and go into their tents.
One of the reasons why all these dead pilgrims are laying in a pile along these railings is that they tried to escape by climbing up the railings, the railings came off and they came crashing down along with them.
All our bodies…All these dead bodies kept piling up on us until the weight became impossible to bear. God! It was horrible.
Some could still breathe under all those bodies, they were fighting for their lives. Still, the dead bodies were piled up,one on top of another. They lay next to me for hours. I was there for at least two hours.
For two hours, everybody there tried to survive, despite the lack of water and despite the suffocating heat."
Narration: During my investigation I realized the Hajj incidents were as old as the ritual itself. Every-time for a different or the same reason. Incidents such as fire in the tents, the failure of the ventilators in the tunnels, the collapse of hotels, human crushes, and so on. In the past 40 years alone, more than 35-hundred people have lost their lives during the Hajj, and several times that number have been injured.
SOUNDBTIE [Arabic] Mansour Al Turki, Spokesman of Saudi Ministry of Interior: "Of course, in addition to that, part of our responsibility to secure Hajj and pilgrims is really to make sure that we monitor the situation all over Mecca al-Makarrama and this includes of course the Holy Mosque - it includes every location where Hajj is performed."
SOUNDBTIE [Arabic] Khalid Al Falih, Former Saudi Health Minister: "In addition to skilled effective medical personnel in Mecca and Medina, the Ministry of Health sought help from 25,000 medical personnel from other countries in the region.""
Narration: For Perhaps the main reason many of the incidents that have occurred throughout the history of the Hajj can be sought in the lack of sufficient supervision and logistics support. But nowadays, the Hajj is supported by state of the art monitoring equipment and thousands of security forces. How could a disaster like this happen?
SOUNDBTIE [Persian] Saeed Ohadi, Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization: "The disaster hit at around a quarter to nine. Saudi relief and rescue teams arrived at the scene at around 11:30."
SOUNDBTIE [Arabic] Mansour Al Turki, Spokesman of Saudi Ministry of Interior:- "The monitoring room's main duty is to monitor all places during the Hajj rituals via 7000 CCTVs. In addition, we monitor the situation through helicopters."
Narration: The thousands of security cameras watching over all the routes day and night, renders null and void the notion that the catastrophe escaped the attention of the monitors. But here's the question, "Why were the first measures to rescue the victims taken three hours after the stampede?"
SOUNDBTIE [Persian] Saeed Ohadi, Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization: "Look, the catastrophe happened when 200 thousand individuals were trapped standing on their feet. The consequent crowd surge that came about at 53 degrees, for which as I said, they'd thought of no provisions, in a street that was only 14 meters long. They rolled in 10 ambulances pretending they were there to help…How can you possibly relocate a crowed that big? It was impossible for the ambulances to move about."
SOUNDBTIE [Persian] Victims of Hajj Pilgrimage: "I don't know if he was a soldier or what he was. He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me to the front. I don't remember anything else. I passed out. When I came to, I was lying on a hospital bed. Many have lost their husbands. Some their brothers. There's no news of them. His wife is stricken with grief. When I came to at the hospital, I realized my wife wasn't there. I should've heard from her by then. It'd been two days."
SOUNDBTIE [Persian] Saeed Ohadi, Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization: "When the incident happened, we sent our relief and rescue teams to help. Our 20 relief teams went in to help, carrying ice, water and first aid equipment with them. The Saudi army came in at five in the afternoon and threw out all the paramedics from other countries. And then they made that inhuman move. In order to reopen the way for the Rami al-Jamarat to go ahead as planned the next day, that is day eleven, they loaded the bodies of our dear brothers and sisters onto refrigerated trailer trucks used for transporting meat. The temperature inside those trailers was above zero, itself another tragedy.
If only Saudi Arabia's medical centers had had enough resuscitation equipment, believe me, more than 50 percent of those pilgrims could have been rescued."
Narration: For the organizers of the Hajj, who'd managed to maintain the status quo by blaming a storm for the crane disaster, the Mina stampede offered no excuses. Wiping out all signs of the disaster was a fast move to regain control over the situation.
SOUNDBTIE [Persian] Ali Ghazi Askar, Head of Iran's Hajj Mission: "They brought eight containers and left them outside the MaisemMorgue and said they contained dead bodies. Those bodies were kept in those containers for three days and at temperatures running up to 50 degrees. The stench from the bodies permeated the whole area. It was a harrowing situation. When the health minister showed up, he didn't expect to see that. He saw all the blood on the ground. When a dead body enters a morgue, it has to be identified first. Well, now we want to ID our loved ones. How are we supposed to do that when there are seven or eight thousand other bodies? If they'd had some kind of identification, we'd have known which ones were Iranian and separated them. Our research teams really made a lot of sacrifice. They spent seven or eight hours every day going from one morgue to another trying to identify our dearly departed."
Narration:For weeks after the stampede, large number of the victims were on the missing persons' list. Many of them were later found in mass graves and subjected to complicated DNA tests.
SOUNDBTIE [English] Ban ki-moon, Secretary –General of the United Nations: "I join the president of the General Assembly in expressing my deepest condolences to the many hundreds of people who died; and my deepest condolences to the families and friends and governments and people of those affected. And I sincerely hope that under the leadership of Saudi Arabia there will be immediate and necessary assistance for those people and hope that injured people will get a speedy recovery."
SOUNDBTIE [Arabic] Salman bin Abdulaziz, King of Saudi Arabia:"Researches show that the optimization of the Hajj rituals will never stop, with God's help, and the authorities all have to act according to the program."
SOUNDBTIE [Persian] Saeed Ohadi, Head of Iran's Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization: "When something happens in a country, the human rights community rises up and does a thousand things about it. But nothing of the sort happened when a disaster like that befell more than 70 thousand pilgrims from around the world, people who had paid for their journey. Rights groups chose to remain silent. Where was the catastrophe ever discussed? In which of the UN meetings? In which of the meetings of human rights groups? The UN could have intervened!"
Narration: Sending the pilgrims down a narrow street with no amenities during a ceremony that's held every year at a specified time and place, with careful planning and according to a specified order, is an unforgivable blunder…although no one ever took responsibility for it. Media around the world sufficed to a brief story….which was at times contradictory and was soon buried under an avalanche of other stories. A few condolence messages was all that came from the international community to heal this deep wound on humanity, not to mention the formation of a fact-finding commission whose findings were never released.
SOUNDBTIE [Persian] Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei, Professor of International Law at Tehran University: "On the international arena, there's a lack of a unified mechanism for dealing with the actions and violations of different governments. At any rate, the Mina stampede which was a human catastrophe, was both a violation of human rights and a breach of contract by the Saudi government. It is also a human disaster irreconcilable to the public opinion. Unfortunately, when the Mina disaster took place, international bodies and countries with influence in and over Saudi Arabia kept mum about it. And that goes to show that the human rights issue is a merely political tool in the hands of certain governments."
Narration: 42 countries were affected by the Mina catastrophe. The official figure released by the Saudi government put the number of the dead at 800. While 465 of those who died were people from my country alone. Among them a number of my friends and companions. Colleagues I had spent many a night and day working with. With whom I had unforgettable memories. And whose deaths have broken my heart for good.
Conversation [Persian] Mostafa Raja & Ms. Abtahi: "Hello Ms. Abtahi. How are you? I hope all's well. How have you been? I'm fine. Thanks for asking.
Thank you for taking the trouble of coming here.
Don't mention it. I was glad to do it. We should have come to see you in other places, too. Anyway, it's a pleasure to see you here.
Thanks a lot. Thanks for coming.
SOUNDBITE [Persian] Hamid Mizadeh's spouse: "It was very difficult to come to terms with it. I was going to call Hamid two hours later and tell him, "Happy Eid, Hamid." "May God accept your pilgrimage." Then I turned on the TV and saw the names of the first forty martyrs written at the bottom of the screen. I didn't know what to do at that moment. I didn't know if had to be happy that Hamid's name wasn't on the list because I thought that would be selfish. I couldn't cry. And I couldn't grieve either. "Hamid knows Arabic". I kept thinking, "It's impossible for him to get lost. It's impossible that anything would happen to Hamid.""Hamid is tall!""Hamid is strong." I kept thinking that to myself.
Whenever we had an argument over something trivial or important, he'd say, "Embracing reality is the biggest freedom." I'll let you define that for yourself. He would let the kids define that statement on their own. "Embracing reality is the biggest freedom." And I actually came to that conclusion after losing Hamid."
Narration: The Mina catastrophe, is an open-ended story. Perhaps over time historical amnesia will consign it to oblivion. Yes, the Hajj will continue to happen just like it has for centuries. And tragedy might rear its ugly head again. Perhaps the man of today has gotten used to such disasters, or perhaps we haven't learnt our lessons from history.
© Copyright 2020 PressTV. All rights reserved


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Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta
The archaeological site of Thatta and the necropolis of Makli testify in an outstanding manner to the civilization of Sind from the 14th to the 18th centuries. Within the broad family of Islamic monuments, those of Thatta represent a particular type, notable for the fusion of diverse influences into a local style. The effect of the Grand Mosque of Shah Jahan with its complex of blue and white buildings capped by 93 domes is unique.
From the 14th to the 18th centuries, Thatta played an important role in the history of Sind, as the city, which commanded the delta of the Indus, had been successively the capital of the Samma, Argun and Tarkhan dynasties before being governed from 1592 to 1739 in the name of the Mughal emperors of Delhi.
From 1739, when the province of Sind was ceded to the Shah Nadir of Iran, Thatta entered into a period of decadence and neglect. The site preserves, in a state of exceptional integrity, an imposing monumental complex with the remains of the city itself in the valley and especially those of the necropolis, massed at the edge of the Makli plateau, covering a Read more about this site on the UNESCO World Heritage website.
© Jan Fritz
© Zishan Sheikh
The Silk Roads on the Map
Capital: Islamabad
Region: Asia and the Pacific
Route: Land

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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"All that bullshit about voyeurism into people's private lives is just so stale and useless for the country"
Mauritius Times | March 29, 2013 | Interviews | No Comments
"So far, what we have seen from the MSM is gutter discourse. Whether it's the old man or the very bland younger version, it seems that they take some kind of pervert pleasure in under-women-skirts stories"
"Does anyone really want to dig into the reasons behind Herve Aimee's views? Is there anyone in that mainstream press who is interested in the fact that Hon Aimee has actually personally lived through times when he, as a Creole, was not allowed to sit in front rows at Church?"
Nita Deerpalsing was earlier responsible for the Labour Party's communications. She has now moved on to lead the Youth Wing of the Party. But she is likely to remain as vocal – and spirited — as she had been in her earlier capacity as the LP's communications spokesperson. Her views in this week's interview on a range of subjects – the mainstream media, CT Power and the 'No-to-Coal' lobbyists, Herve Aimee, democratisation of the economy, etc – will confirm this.
Mauritius Times: How come you have left the field of communications and gone fishing in different waters – the youth reservoir — at this particular (mid-term) juncture when opposition parties usually become more aggressive towards the government of the day, which calls for a response in an equal measure from the latter?
Nita Deerpalsing: I believe that it's good for one's mental health to move on to new challenges every so often! I took over the responsibility of the Party's communications some three years ago – feels like ages! — when Dr James Burty David passed away. While I felt I couldn't ever fill his shoes, I gave it my best, I learned a tremendous lot about a hell of a number of things and while I was learning it was fun. I also had the opportunity to be responsible for communications in times of General Elections campaign and I can tell you that while it was tough, stressful, enormously challenging, the adrenalin of it all was a real kick! Even if it was at the expense of my own campaign in my constituency.
The other downside of this job was that I was definitely way over-exposed in the media and therefore I had become everyone's obvious and favourite punching ball. About a year ago, I had decided it was time for others to experience the frontline of the battle and that I should focus my energy elsewhere. So, having 'been there, done that', I thought it'd be good to have a change of scene!
* Anyway, what's the feel of your youth 'ministry' so far? Does it hold the promise of a more accommodating and fruitful (political) intercourse than the abrasive exchanges you have had with some sections of the media here?
I was a bit apprehensive at first because I wasn't sure what I was getting into. But I am absolutely enthused about this new responsibility! Having already met the core team of the youths of different constituencies in the Party, I have a feeling this is going to be a great adventure! No doubt it's going to be demanding, but I will for sure, enjoy working with them and for them.
I am very proud to say that there is great potential in our Young Labour team. I know that for a fact. It's very inspiring to see how they are bursting with energy and ideas and their profound will to serve their village, their town, their country. Now all they need is to be able to direct all that energy, the ideas bubbling in their minds to the right channels. We are definitely going to do very interesting things together!
* Given those abrasive exchanges with the press, I suppose that you are also all for a review of the media law, as canvassed by the Prime Minister since quite some time? But whatever the nature and scope of the media law reform that's said to be forthcoming, it has been argued that no amount of official policing will be sufficient to arrest or mitigate the radical shift in power and control away from governments in the rapidly changing media landscape unfolding before us. What do you think?
But media law is not about any shift in power or control! Let's get to the basics.
As a politician – and I have no qualms to say I'm giving you a responsible politician's perspective here — I think that in a democratic fabric worthy of respect, the press has amongst other roles, three major responsibilities:
First, is the task of acting as a vigilant, responsible watchdog against anything that is against public interest.
Second, as one of the stakeholders of in a democratic society, it has a vital role in the very building, maintaining and strengthening the fabric of democratic discourse. More than the institution of Parliament, it is the media which shapes the depth and the range of public discourse debate in a society. Therefore the task of lifting the democratic debate, the quality of public discourse lies more on the media than anywhere else.
Third, in their portfolio of responsibility, I would include the task of bringing positive changes to the lives of the people. You may find this surprising and you may argue that this is solely the responsibility of governments. But I believe that bringing positive changes to the lives of people is also within the role of the media. And I'll elaborate on this in a minute.
That being said, when you analyse the workings of the mainstream press along these three main tasks, I think any levelheaded person would agree that there is a meaningful critique that can be done on where our media is with respect to the three main duties I have mentioned. Unless you think that the media is a sacred cow which is above criticism!
Regarding the watchdog role, one can say that this is more or less on track but the media really does a disservice to the very fabric of democracy when they are not politically neutral and when they are on a rampage to malign the character of individuals, usually with a political objective rather than being guided by a strictly public-interest motivation.
And this leads on to the role of shaping public discourse. The evolution of substance-free, wild accusations, rumours, voyeurism into people's private lives can only restrict the range and depth of public discourse. I don't know about you, but I find it revealing of the poverty of our mainstream media in terms of shaping the quality of public discourse when you find that the weekly which sells the most, is the one which comes out with its cover page on a 'fait-divers' related to some murder, rape, sexual assault, sexual escapade, some 'affaire de moeurs', some quirky stories about someone's sexual organs being cut, etc! More often than not, these cover pages cannot be left lying on the kitchen table for children to pour over!
What does that tell you about media people who think that this is what the country should 'consume' as 'news', as subject for public discourse? Is this a great demonstration of responsibility to the country from these very people who preach responsibility to public officials and politicians? Should there not be some professional guidelines agreed upon at least amongst professionals – if I can use that term for some of them?
Next is the role of bringing something positive to the nation, to its people. When criticism is made wittingly, even scathingly if you wish, but constructively, it leads to an opening up of opportunity for the person being criticised to improve, an opening up of possibilities for the country, to change things so that ultimately there is an improvement for the nation at large. But when the articles are written not from a position of wishing for something better but, on the contrary, from a position of visceral hate, howling sarcasm, vitriol, engaging in baseless character assassination, these kinds of articles and opinion pieces are merely soapbox proixies — an outlet to rant, and vent off the author's own personal frustrations. They are also completely ungenerative of anything possibly positive for the nation.
So to come back to your question, we're not talking about power. We are talking about responsibility.
* It is not clear whether those who are expressing their voices on social media platforms, in the columns of the press or those at the command of the local media itself already make a majority, but they seem to have been able to reverse government's decisions, freeze their implementation (e.g. CT Power) or project some people in a negative light (Aimee, Dulthumun, etc), rightly or otherwise. How do you react to that?
Again, I think it's such a sorry state of affair when things are so bloody personalized! Surely you agree with me that this kind of public discourse is stale and ungenerative! So after you've maligned a character, what next? What opening up of possibilities for the country can come out of that?
On the other hand, if the debates were more centred on ideas, these have potential for the country. Let's take the debate about secularism. When I brought my PQ to parliament about us being a secular country, I was vilified by some idiots who couldn't even understand the gist of the subject. Some ignoramuses even equated secularism with atheism royally ignoring that India is by virtue of its Constitution, a secular state! So my point is, after having vilified me, what is left? Any hope for any emerging ideas, debates? No. Well tell me how different then is the mainstream press when they just focus on character assassination of X, Y or Z? All they want is for the readers to hate X, Y or Z? What else? Any possibility of an intelligent public discourse stemming out of that? The answer is NO. That's how a restrictive straight jacket they want to impose on our society, these very 'donneurs de leçons' about free speech!
In fact they don't want free speech. And when I say 'they', I mean the bad apples. I don't want to put everybody in the same basket because we have some very good journalists, I'm thinking of people like Shenaz Patel, Jean March Poche, Touria Prayag, Nabil Moolna, Henri Marimootoo, Nicolas Rainer, etc. But they are very few and far between. The others, they don't want generative public discourse. What they want is for their own mishaps, their own frustrations, their past-affinities-gone-wrong to be interiorised by their readers. They want their hated persons to be hated. Their loved persons to be loved. The job they have as journalists is simply the channel, the means through which they try to make that happen. That is not Democracy!! And I'd even question whether that is even honesty and integrity, things that curiously, they have no qualms preaching about!
Take Herve Aimee's case. Does anyone really want to dig into the reasons behind his views? Is there anyone in that mainstream press who is interested in the fact that Hon Herve Aimee has actually personally lived through times when he, as a Creole, was not allowed to sit in front rows at Church and was not allowed to hold the Bible in Church because of the colour of his skin? Or is this too, er, 'delicate' a subject? One that cannot, should not be talked about? Is this censorship? No! Surely not from these great 'donneurs de leçons'!!
* To come back to my reference to CT Power, it's also not clear what the government wants to achieve in terms of energy security. The CT Power project was turned down by the Cabinet; it was later found that there would have been "manipulation" at the level of the Ministry of Environment (we do not know if a police inquiry has looked into this alleged serious offence); the Environment Appeal Tribunal eventually gave the go-ahead. Thereafter it took a hunger strike to bring government to set up a National Energy Commission, whose legal and constitutional standing is rather unclear. What does all this mean to you? Should we understand that the Environment Appeal Tribunal erred in its findings?
Again, let's sift through all that noise and focus on the basics of the policy at hand. What is it that Government needs to ensure? That on the one hand we don't jeopardise our country's development and on the other hand we don't jeopardise people's health and the country's environment. In an ideal world, we should be right up there in terms of renewable energy. I think that if Reunion island has gone so far in terms of photovoltaic solar, we can at least go a longer way than we have so far, towards that even if it's true that the subsidies Reunion receives from France for this is humungous.
So yes I think we should do much much more, we should have much more zeal for renewable energy. But this thing about 'No to Coal' is so misleading and so biased and so ignorant at the same time.
First, there is no way we can do without any fossil fuel at all even in the long term. And for sure we won't be able to do without coal in the medium term. By the way, I hope these No-to-coal people know that even when you burn ANY fossil fuel, you have emissions! So why only coal? Why not No-to-oil also? And I hope that they also know that burning bagasse doesn't come without any air pollution either!
Now this whole drama about health-related risks is so ridiculously naïve and partial! When people burn their garbage in their yards, that's toxic! When people smoke their lungs to cancer, that's toxic! When people breathe in fumes on the motorway from these outrageous offending cars, 4×4, buses, etc, that's toxic! It's all very well to jump up and down about coal but if at the same time you are a smoker, puffing fumes in your own lungs and other people's lungs, that's sheer hypocrisy. Or if you partake in ravenous meat-eating, an activity which has a tremendous carbon footprint.
I'd like to see some logical consistency and see these people directing their energy in campaigns against smoking, in campaigns against consuming too much meat, in campaigns against the authorities who are not controlling the fumes emitted on the roads, in campaigns to educate people not to burn garbage so that themselves and their immediate neighbours are not subjected to toxic fumes in the sanctity of their own homes!
And of course for the sake of consistency, I think it would be appropriate if they were to go and put their No-to-coal banners at St Aubin, and all the other sugar estates which are producing electricity from coal for decades now!! For goodness sake, is there any distinction between the coal used by the sugar industry and any other types of coal? Which is why the Prime Minister rightly asked whether there is White coal and Black coal?! And instead of digging into that, some journalists superficially taxed it as a communal argument!
* As regards the amendments proposed by the Minister of Labour with respect to the Employment Relations Act and Employment Rights Act, in particular those in relation with workers' rights to go on strikes, you wouldn't expect government to go back on, would you? Whilst Ashok Subron seems to think that these provisions would amount to an "injustice historique", Shakeel Mohamed says he does not want a repeat of the 1970s. Is he right?
I think that indisputably there are a number of absolutely great measures in the Employment Rights Act which go a long way towards the rights and dignity of workers. And the minister deserves to be congratulated for those.
However, what I think is unfortunate is that the clash of ego between two men is being carried over into this very important debate. I may be wrong but no, I don't think Shakeel is right when he talks about a repeat of the 1970s. And I don't think it was necessary to be so personal in a debate which should strictly be about substance and not about maligning characters – on both sides. Usually inordinate maligning of people's characters is used when one has no real substantive argument. I can't help being suspicious when there is so much character-assassination which should rather be on the crux of the argument. Coming back to what we were talking about earlier, this is exactly what some of the mainstream media usually reserve for Labour Party people!
And as far as I'm concerned the question which deserves to be analysed, debated objectively, intelligently and clinically is this: do the proposed amendments to the Employment Relations Act nullify the agreement which was signed between MSPA and the trade-unions? If the answer to that is yes, then there is a problem. So far, I understand it's a question of interpretation. In my opinion, there should be no room for interpretation on this. I don't yet understand why this can't be crystal clear.
* How was the atmosphere like in Parliament on Tuesday? Was the absence of Berenger felt?
Of course his absence was felt! I mean I think everyone who's ever been in parliament knows that the guy has an inimitable presence! Sometimes that presence can be in the form of a quirky sense of humour, sometimes as derogatory comments, if not outrageously unfounded allegations, sometimes hard-hitting, sometimes very funny and witty. The guy is full of crackling emotions, both negative and positive and that makes for a cocktail which cannot be anticipated! He can unexpectedly provoke anger, indignation, or outright laughter. So yeah, his presence is unique to him and honestly, irreplaceable. Compare that to a Pravind Jugnauth who would probably find it impossible to be more bland, yawningly dull, his remarks so lifeless and lacking of substance, has such a lame presence that if the floor of the National Assembly were to swallow him under his desk, I don't think anyone would ever even notice!
* We did not manage to obtain some 'eclaircissements' – in the absence of PQs from the opposition benches – as regards the Lal Dora theory/story or the « malencontreuse erreur » of a public notary in relation with the purchase of an immoveable property at Floreal. Rather depressing, isn't it? This begs the question: what's the opposition up to?
Well I would be hard-pressed to answer a question as to what the Opposition is up to! But so far, what we have seen from the MSM in particular, is gutter discourse. Whether it's the old man or the very bland younger version, it seems that they take some kind of pervert pleasure in voyeurism, in under-women-skirts stories, etc. What that says about their own psyche, I leave it for your readers to conclude! In any case, I think you would have noticed that there has been not one single interesting or relevant thing uttered about the country's future from these guys. Only what would be interesting and deeply relevant to THEIR future.
* It's however said that there might be more to come in the days ahead, when the opposition would again go for the Achilles' heel of the government, depending on the mental disposition of the PM vis-à-vis the MMM. What do you think?
Honestly, I can only wish that they'd come with substance-filled criticism, even if it's hard hitting. All that bullshit about voyeurism into people's private lives is just so stale and useless for the country. I wish they would really focus their firepower if any, on policies, rather than on people.
* Jean-Pierre Lenoir, former editor of Le Cerneen, in an interview to Capital this week spoke of the democratisation agenda of this government in quite disparaging terms. He seems to be saying it would be counterproductive to take away from those who have the know-how the possibility to manage the economy. SSR, he added, had the intelligence to understand that. How do you react to that?
You have no idea how very happy I am when I hear people utter the words 'democratisation of the economy' even in critical terms! Because let me remind you that before the Labour Party and the current Prime Minister talked about it in 2003, those very words did not even exist in our public discourse! And when these words and the 'vision de societé' which goes with it were spearheaded by the Labour Party, there were all kinds of attempts to shut it down by guess what? Maligning of character! There was talk of communalism, of racism of Mugabe and what not. The Labour Party didn't flinch and fearlessly pursued the idea. It was our campaign platform in 2005. It was no small feat for the Labour Party to take this idea, this concept and force it from the margins right into the centre-stage of public debate. And yes, we unabashedly take the credit for that!
So when I hear Mr Lenoir lament that democratisation of the economy is counter productive rather than being a communal concept, I think we've made some progress!
And when I hear others, who have shamelessly tried to plagiarize the concept and tried to posture themselves as great proponents of the democratisation of the economy when what they are really on about is their own personal enterprise, I also think we've made some progress because whereas these people were never heard when we, in the Labour Party were taking all the flak about being racists, etc, now that they are also talking about it, it can only be a good thing.
Democratisation of the economy as it was conceived by the Labour Party is an umbrella concept, a vision de société, rather being about just more SMEs for example. So it is, that it is under this umbrella concept that THIS government, THIS Prime Minister has set up the Truth and Justice Commission, the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Competition Commission, the Ministry for Social Integration, etc., etc. Not to mention the historical agreement that the PM signed with MSPA regarding the reform of the sugar sector. These are real, concrete things! Only those with bad-faith or those who are simply unable to comprehend what the ultimate policy objective is, will fail to see what has been achieved so far!
I'm not saying that there isn't a lot more we can and should do. In fact, I do wish we could move faster and further. But I have also come to realise that we operate within a system which takes an enormous amount of energy and drive to move even just an inch!
So considering where we were prior to 2005, considering what direction the country had taken with the Medpoint 1 alliance MMM-MSM of 2000, considering all the obstacles that the concept of democratisation of the economy has to conquer each and every day from the economically powerful, I'd say we've made reasonable progress in the process of steering the country towards 'Une Ile Maurice Pour Tous'. And the more people utter or publish the words 'democratisation of the economy' whether favourably or critically, so much the better!
* Published in print edition on 30 March 2013
Tags:Ashok Subron, Bérenger, CT Power, Dr James Burty David, Dulthumun, Henri Marimootoo, Hervé Aimée, Interview Nita Deerpalsing, Jean March Poche, Labour Party, Lenoir, MedPoint, MMM, MMM MSM, MSM, Nabil Moolna, National Energy Commission, Nicolas Rainer, Pravind Jugnauth, Shakeel, Shenaz Patel, SSR, Touria Prayag
'Fini la culture d'impunité ! La démocratie avance à grands pas
1 Comment | Jul 24, 2017
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'C'est un budget pré-électoral, présenté par un aspirant Premier ministre…'


What can I say? It's been a busy few months. First The Big Fix release in May, followed by a round of promo, including a fun visit to the RT Booklovers Conference, and then I had to dive right into revisions for All Fixed Up, the next Ciel Halligan UF/Mystery/Action-packed Romantic Romp.
Next up: copyedits and cover-choosing. I'm told the cover will be similar to The Big Fix (yay!). Same cover models*, but posed in a way to reflect the contents of All Fixed Up.
Or maybe just stand on the sidelines and drool. Whichever. I'm sure I'd be a valuable presence.
So, what have you guys been up to while I've been turning all mushroom-pasty in my cave? Hope your summer (or winter, for those of you down under) is going well!
Carol -- I know what you mean. They get pretty real in your head, don't they?
Oh the sacrifices you make so that I have a good book to read. And, so very thoughtful of you to want to personally make sure I have a nice cover to look at. You go above and beyond! Thanks.
I was wondering where you were! Not that I've been around myself. But hey, it's great to see you.
Congratulations on another book! And, um, can I go with you to that photo shoot?
It would be so much fun to attend the photo shoot! I don't blame you for wanting to go. Surely there is SOME crucial service you could perform?
My past few months been hurry up and wait. Lots of waiting. Then a sudden flurry of activity and a tight deadline. Then wait some more.
Congratulations on finishing your last round of revisions!
Oh, you should totally get to go to that photo shoot. With a digital camera of your own, maybe. You know, just in case they need some help.
Hey, welcome back! Great photo - I can definitely relate.


After everything that happened - my first boyfriend, my first time, my first breakup - jumping back into the dating game seemed like the least healthy thing I could do. It's not that I didn't want to fall in love again, since that's about the best feeling ever. But as a busy college premed still raw from heartbreak, which is the worst feeling ever, I figured I'd lie low for a while. Of course, as soon as I stopped looking for someone, an impossibly amazing - and devastatingly cute - guy came along, and I learned that having a new boyfriend is the quickest way to recover from losing your old one.
In Daria Snadowsky's daring sequel to Anatomy of a Boyfriend, eighteen-year-old Dominique explores the relationship between love and lust, and the friendships that see us through.
I actually enjoyed this second book more than the first. I felt that just being away from home allowed Dom to straighten up a little bit and step into adulthood. Of course she reverts backwards as her parents announce a big change to the family but she learns from her breakup and begins to trust her instincts when it comes to other people.
I like how she places more emphasis on identifying her own thought processes. Like when she and Guy fight about where their relationship stands yet she realizes that she doesn't really know what she wants in life.
I think that after a big commitment to someone, it is good to play the field a bit and discover things you like and dislike about life and love and everything else in the world. It is a time to be self-critical and try new things and push your comfort zones, challenging yourself to new ideas and concepts Guy is a good experience for Dom and it throws her for a loop to discover that what she thought she wanted, she didn't actually want at all. I think both books to read in combination are a great for someone who is going through a coming of age from teen into adulthood.


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Sportsbook > NCAAF > Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Picks
Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Picks
Posted by: Charlie Smith Posted on: Fri, July 06th, 2018 4:03 PM
The college football betting season is about a month away. Undoubtedly, sports betting online players have their mouths watering over this year's action. To help pass the time, we've been taking an early look at some of the best matchups from Week 1. On today's menus is the thrilling Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish pairing. Let's check on the NCAA odds to see what kind of matchup we can expect.
Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Saturday, Sept. 1st
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, Indiana
TV: NBC
Stream: NBC Extra
College Football Betting Odds:
Michigan -1½ (-110) – -125
Notre Dame +1½ (-110) – +105
5⃣7⃣ (@RuhlandTrevor) days until we're back in action. #GoIrish ☘ pic.twitter.com/8xwfidBEcI
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 6, 2018
The Michigan Wolverines turned in a rather disappointing 8-5 record last season. Although it was a winning record, it was also a big step down from the 10-3 record Jim Harbaugh's team had delivered the year before. And since Michigan posted a 5-4 record in conference play, they ended up ranked 4th in the Big Ten's East Division. Subsequently, the Wolverines missed out on the conference championship. And in the 'The Game', Michigan came up short against the Ohio State Buckeyes 20-31. Their final game of the season was the Outback Bowl where they faced South Carolina. Despite giving it their all, Michigan came up short once again 19-26. This resulted in their season ending in a 3-game losing streak. No doubt Harbaugh will be vying to turn things around in his 4th season with the team.
Players to Watch: John O'Korn (973 passing yards, 2 TD, 6 INT), Karan Higdon (994 rushing yards, 11 TD, 6.1 AVG), and Grant Perry (307 receiving yards, 1 TD, 25 REC).
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish found plenty of success in 2017. Coming off a 4-8 season, no one would've expected Notre Dame to finish 10-3. Being an independent program, Notre Dame didn't get invited to a conference championship. They did however, receive an invitation to the Citrus Bowl where they were paired up against LSU. Surprisingly, the Fighting Irish came out triumphant 21-17. Heading into this year's season, Notre Dame has all the pieces in place for 9th year head coach Brian Kelly to lead this team to an exceptional season.
Players to Watch: Brandon Wimbush (1,870 passing yards, 16 TD, 6 INT), Deon McIntosh (368 rushing yards, 5 TD, 5.7 AVG), and Chase Claypool (402 receiving yards, 2 TD, 29 REC).
Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Predictions
Michigan went 4-3 SU on the road last season
Michigan posted a 3-3-1 record ATS on the road last season
The TOTAL went OVER in 3 of Michigan's' 7 road games last season
Notre Dame went 7-1 SU at home last season
Notre Dame posted a 5-3 record ATS at home last season
The TOTAL went OVER in 4 of Notre Dame's 8 home games last season
So which side should players learning how to bet college football online take in this Michigan Wolverines vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish pairing? All in all it's probably better to stick with Notre Dame. The Irish found more success last year and should be able to pick up right where they left off. Sign up today to make your online betting prediction!
Score Prediction: 35-28 Notre Dame.


When I get asked how I was able to quickly scale my Pinterest Management business and find a dream client within a month of beginning Haskin Creatives, I can't help but attribute it all to my daily mindset work.
In this highly requested post, I'm sharing all the ins and outs for my mindset routine and how it's helped me create a successful business. This can obviously be applied to life goals or desires outside of business, too.
I'll be implementing these exact processes over the next few weeks - feel free to join in and let me know how it goes!
In December of last year, I invested in Kathrin's Epically Aligned Bootcamp. One of the key teachings that still resonates with me today is the importance of forgiveness, of letting go and clearing out with the old to make space for the new.
I had never really thought I needed forgiveness in my life because I wasn't one to hold grudges or get into even minor arguments. Yet, there were definitely past experiences and past "versions� of myself that needed some saying goodbye to.
She taught version of a traditional Hawaiian ceremony called Ho'oponopono and I was deeply moved by incorporating it into my daily practice - yes, I practice it daily!
You can read up on this particular practice or begin your own for letting go and forgiving your past experiences to make space for all the good that is to come.
By now we've all heard of the benefits of meditation and while I haven't really advanced past the 5 minute mark yet, it definitely sets the tone for the rest of my mindset routine.
Sitting in silence (or listening to a guided meditation) gets you into a state of what I like to call "flow�. It's a feeling of content, almost happiness, that allows you to match your energy to what you desire.
Yes, this is all a bit woo-woo. Yes, you can practice this at first without believing it or having to understand it. Simply practicing it is enough. Other ways you might get into flow include exercising, practicing yoga, dancing or listening to music - anything that makes you feel good.
Another keen attractor for more good is giving thanks and practicing gratitude for what you already have. Simply writing down or speaking aloud 5 things you are grateful for every day magnifies these successes in your life and creates more of what you've focused on.
I even state things I'm grateful for that haven't even happened yet🤭 It's like I'm saying to the Universe, I know that this is going to happen 100% and I'm already grateful for it!
This was a major breakthrough moment for me. I had always written out desires the "right way� and had done lots of journaling and visualization. This blew it all out of the park for me.
Acting as if you have already achieved the success, become the highest version of yourself, means everything in your reality will shift around you to make that true.
This means the way you act, the language you use, the choices and decisions you make, all need to come from the place that you've already achieved what you desire.
A great example that Kathrin used, if you had a million dollar business you wouldn't have any financial stress or worries. Someone who has reached that level simply doesn't use the word "expensive� and so she eliminated it from her vocabulary (I've done the same since). Small changes like these make a big impact.
I recognized a 10k earner wouldn't be slaving away on unimportant tasks in her business when her skills were needed elsewhere and so I hired out a virtual assistant. These decisions and actions reaffirm to the universe, to myself, my identity.
It's important to note that while a 10k earner wouldn't have a problem spending 10k on monthly expenses, you shouldn't be doing this before you've actually reached and manifested this into existence� Don't go into debt, peeps!
Writing down my goals, affirmations and a storytelling version of what my life is going to look like helps me visualize it and attract it into existence. It's important to always write in the present tense as if the statement is already true. An Example: I have an abundance of financial resources and money is constantly flowing my way.
Newer PostWhat Does a Pinterest Manager Do?
© Haskin Creatives 2018 | Thank you for being here.


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Красное Озеро — деревня в Новодеревеньковском районе Орловской области России. Входит в состав Паньковского сельского поселения.

География
Деревня находится западнее административного центра поселения — села Паньково. К западу от деревни расположен лес Красная Дубрава.

Просёлочной дорогой Красное Озеро соединено с селом Паньково.

Население

Примечания

Ссылки
 Красное Озеро (деревня)

Населённые пункты Новодеревеньковского района

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Our restaurant was opened by Shen established in 1998. our goal is to provide both a superior customer experience and tremendous value for our customers. Every day we offer over 150 items on the Buffet Bar, including all the traditional Chinese dishes. We have a kid-friendly menu including cheese pizza and French fries!
Our owner has over 18 years of experience in the Chinese restaurant and is passionate about exceeding your expectations.


The 2018 League Master Series is the fourth season of fully professional League of Legends league from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao. In the playoffs, four teams compete in a single-elimination bracket for prize money and Championship Points.
Top four teams move on to playoffs.
Bottom two falls to promotion.
Best-of-five gauntlet style bracket where the Winners of the regular season are seeded into the finals, the second place team into the semis.


text:
Q: localStorage value doesn't automatically updated

Your name...

                <input type="text" name="name" id="name" class="name">
                <input type="button" name="button" id="button" value="Save">

I am new to localStorage, web storage in general. I made a very simple vanilla javascript project, "Say my name" app.
The project was about I input my name or anyone's name and when I clicked the "save" button, the name(input value) will be stored on localStorage.
I've tried setItem() feature and it worked, my input value was saved as localStorage value. But, when I typed new value and clicked the save button, the localStorage value didn't automatically updated. I had to refresh the localStorage every time I want to see the new value. Why is it like that?
Here is my simple code snippet:

const nameInput = document.querySelector('.name');
const btn = document.querySelector('#button');
const NAME_KEY = 'name';

const saveToLocalStorage = () => {
    localStorage.setItem(NAME_KEY, nameInput.value);
};

btn.addEventListener('click', saveToLocalStorage);

Your name...

                <input type="text" name="name" id="name" class="name">
                <input type="button" name="button" id="button" value="Save">

A:

const nameInput = document.querySelector('#name');
const btn = document.querySelector('#button');
const NAME_KEY = 'name';

const saveToLocalStorage = () => {
    localStorage.setItem(NAME_KEY, nameInput.value);
    document.querySelector('h1').innerHTML = localStorage.getItem(NAME_KEY);
};

btn.addEventListener('click', saveToLocalStorage);

Your name...

                <input type="text" name="name" id="name" class="name">
                <input type="button" name="button" id="button" value="Save">

A:

const nameInput = document.querySelector('.name');
const btn = document.querySelector('#button');
const NAME_KEY = 'name';

const saveToLocalStorage = () => {
    localStorage.setItem(NAME_KEY, nameInput.value);
};

btn.addEventListener('click', saveToLocalStorage);

Your name...

                <input type="text" name="name" id="name" class="name">
                <input type="button" name="button" id="button" value="Save">

C

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Allstar Orange 4 inch x 10 feet Brake Duct Hose features a brake duct hose that measures 3 inches diameter x 10 feet long. The hose is flexible, features a non-kink design, and directs air from the front ducts to the spindle ducts. It is rated at 550 degrees fahrenheit and made from a black 3 inch double-ply neoprene-coated woven fiberglass hose. It has spring steel inner and external fiberglass supports. It features a smooth inner wall for unrestricted air flow. It is backed by a 90-day limited factory warranty and sold individually.


Please note that this is the application to apply to be INVITED to the 3d Colorado Showcase, NOT the registration. If you are invited, we will send you a separate link to register and pay.
Applications must be received by May 1st and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Positions will be offered on a first come, first serve basis.
Submit your highlight film to [email protected] with your name and graduation year.
We will reach out to your player's coach(es) for a recommendation. Our decision is based on the response in combination with the highlight film- we will reach out to the coaches you put in his player profile.


The work Eona : the last Dragoneye represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Monticello-Union Township Public Library. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.
Eon has been revealed as Eona, the first female Dragoneye in hundreds of years. Along with fellow rebels Ryko and Lady Dela, she is on the run from High Lord Sethon's army. The renegades are on a quest for the black folio, stolen by the drug-riddled Dillon; they must also find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona's power and the black folio if he is to wrest back his throne from the self-styled "Emperor" Sethon. Through it all, Eona must come to terms with her new Dragoneye identity and powers and learn to bear the anguish of the ten dragons whose Dragoneyes were murdered. As they focus their power through her, she becomes a dangerous conduit for their plans. . .


text:
The attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing: A systematic review
Brenda HAPPELL, CADEYRN GASKIN
Synergy, Nursing & Midwifery Research Centre
Aims and objectives: To present the findings of a systematic review on (1) the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing and (2) the influence of undergraduate nursing education on the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing.
Background: Recruitment and retention of mental health nurses is challenging. Undergraduate nursing students' attitudes towards mental health nursing may influence whether they choose to practice in this specialty upon graduation.
Design: A systematic review.
Method: Searches of the CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO electronic databases returned 1400 records, of which 17 met the inclusion criteria for this review. A further four papers were obtained through scanning the reference lists of those articles included from the initial literature search.
Results: Research on the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing has consistently shown that mental health is one of the least preferred areas of nursing for a potential career. With respect to the influence of undergraduate nursing education on the attitudes of students towards mental health nursing, quasi-experimental studies have generally demonstrated that students tended to have more favourable attitudes towards mental health nursing when they had received more hours of theoretical preparation and undertaken longer clinical placements.
Conclusion: Many nursing students regard mental health nursing as the least preferred career option. Education, via classroom teaching and clinical placements, seems to engender more positive attitudes towards mental health nursing. There is no evidence, however, that changing student attitudes results in more graduates beginning careers in mental health nursing.
Reference to clinical practice: The constancy of negative attitudes to mental health nursing over time suggests the focus of research should shift. Clinicians have the capacity to promote a more positive view of mental health nursing. This requires further exploration
Journal of Clinical Nursing
https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12022
Attitude to Health
HAPPELL, B., & GASKIN, CADEYRN. (2013). The attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22(1-2), 148-158. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12022
HAPPELL, Brenda ; GASKIN, CADEYRN. / The attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing: A systematic review. In: Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2013 ; Vol. 22, No. 1-2. pp. 148-158.
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abstract = "Aims and objectives: To present the findings of a systematic review on (1) the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing and (2) the influence of undergraduate nursing education on the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing.Background: Recruitment and retention of mental health nurses is challenging. Undergraduate nursing students' attitudes towards mental health nursing may influence whether they choose to practice in this specialty upon graduation.Design: A systematic review.Method: Searches of the CINAHL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO electronic databases returned 1400 records, of which 17 met the inclusion criteria for this review. A further four papers were obtained through scanning the reference lists of those articles included from the initial literature search.Results: Research on the attitudes of undergraduate nursing students towards mental health nursing has consistently shown that mental health is one of the least preferred areas of nursing for a potential career. With respect to the influence of undergraduate nursing education on the attitudes of students towards mental health nursing, quasi-experimental studies have generally demonstrated that students tended to have more favourable attitudes towards mental health nursing when they had received more hours of theoretical preparation and undertaken longer clinical placements.Conclusion: Many nursing students regard mental health nursing as the least preferred career option. Education, via classroom teaching and clinical placements, seems to engender more positive attitudes towards mental health nursing. There is no evidence, however, that changing student attitudes results in more graduates beginning careers in mental health nursing.Reference to clinical practice: The constancy of negative attitudes to mental health nursing over time suggests the focus of research should shift. Clinicians have the capacity to promote a more positive view of mental health nursing. This requires further exploration",
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Multiple Countries Ban Wifi & Cell Phones Around Schools, Young Children & Fetuses
There are thousands of peer-reviewed studies that have come out, and continue to come out, raising some alarming facts about our favourite gadgets such as cell phones, tablets, our use of Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi radiation) and more. But the main focus lately seems to be on WiFi and cell phones, as a number of countries around the world have set severe limits with regards to the use of WiFi and cell phones around children in schools.
Take France for example, they passed a law in 2015 banning WiFi from all nursery schools. In addition to that, the law states that Wi-Fi must be turned off in all elementary schools when it's not in use. A wired connection, if possible, is preferred. When it coms to cell phones in France, all advertisements must recommend headsets to reduce the phones radiation exposure to the brain. Furthermore, advertisements directing cell phone use towards young children are banned.
It's not just a concern for children, the French National Library and many others in Paris, along with several universities, have completely removed all Wi-Fi networks, and it's also banned in many municipal buildings.
Can you believe that? Based on their research, health authorities in France are saying no to Wi-Fi and cell-phones.
You can access hundreds of these scientific papers and read more HERE, just click on the science section and under each heading there are links directly to the research. If you click on the drop down tab, a list of scientific references as documentation appears.
Other countries include: Belgium, Spain, Israel, Australia, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, India, Finland, Cyprus and more.
Namibia's atomic energy review states quite clearly that current so called "safety" standards don't protect citizens from long term health effects, and that the guidelines governing their use do not guarantee adequate protection against the effects of long term exposure.
The list goes on, and all of them have varying levels and degrees of limitations and bans.
So why has nothing happened yet in North America? We'll get to that a little later.
These countries are not banning Wi-Fi for nothing. The science is quite clear and it speaks for itself. There are thousands of peer-reviewed studies showing multiple concerns, links to cancer, and more. And, it's especially concerning for children because the bone marrow of a child's head absorbs 10 times more radiation than that of an adult.
The links to the studies can be found below a little later in the article.
Above you'll see an image from a study published by Dr. Om Gandhi, from the University of Utah in 1996 (IEEE Publication). Here's another one of his publications a few years after that also cite the above picture. On the far left you will see how cell phone radiation, at that time, effected the brain of a 5 year old child, in the middle is the brain of a 10 year old, and on the far right is the brain of an adult. A child's brain absorbs several times as much as that of an adult.
Cell phones and wireless expose everyone to a type of microwave radiation also known as radiofrequency radiation or RF-EMF. Peer reviewed research has demonstrated a myriad of adverse biological effects from wireless radiation including reproductive dysfunction, single and double-stranded DNA breaks creation of reactive oxygen species, immune dysfunction, stress protein synthesis in the brain, altered brain development, sleep and memory disturbances, and increased brain tumors and more.
"Waiting for high levels of scientific and clinical proof before taking action to prevent well-known risks can lead to very high health and economic costs, as was the case with asbestos, leaded petrol and tobacco."
— The European Commission
These effects have occurred at wireless radiation exposure levels hundreds of times lower than presently legal international limits. These effects have occurred after exposure to devices that are government approved and legally sold to the public.
"Scientific data on the biological effects of radio-frequency indicate the immediate need for a precautionary approach to protect the public. Conclusive proof is not necessary. The research has accumulated enough to provide strong evidence that low levels are not safe."
– Environmental Health Trust
Dr. Martin Blank, Ph.D., from the Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics at Colombia University, has joined a group of scientists from around the world who are making an international appeal to the United Nations regarding the dangers associated with the use of electromagnetic emitting devices like cell phones and Wi-Fi. He and hundreds of other scientists around the world are currently petitioning the UN, and have been for quite some time, regarding the dangers associated with these devices.
"Putting it bluntly they are damaging the living cells in our bodies and killing many of us prematurely" (source)
A great place to find some more research is the Bioinitiative Report 2012 as a good documentation of the peer reviewed science.
Experimental research shows chronic exposure to wireless reduces brain cells and causes brain cell death in the memory and learning centers of the brain. Cell phone radiation has also been shown to alter brain activity in humans. In 2011, NIH research found just 50 minutes of a wireless transmitting device (cell phone) next to the brain increases glucose in the part of the brain most exposed. Preliminary 3G and 4G research has further shown that non-thermal levels of this radiation alter the brain's electrical activity.
It's not only neurotoxic effects, it's fertility and reproduction, cognition and impaired memory, behavioural issues, hearing loss, headaches, sleep issues, oxidative stress, and more.
Genotoxic effects are also an issue. A 2015 experimental study found that 2.4 GHz (Wi-Fi radiation) can alter expression of some of the miRNAs, and the study's authors concluded that "long-term exposure of 2.4 GHz RF may lead to adverse effects such as neurodegenerative diseases originated from the alteration of some miRNA expression and more studies should be devoted to the effects of RF radiation on miRNA expression levels."
Research has also shown that damage to the pineal gland, adrenal gland, and thyroid gland. Research has shown that low levels of microwave exposure can reduce melatonin. Melatonin is not just critical to maintaining our sleep rhythm but it's also an antioxidant that helps to repair damaged DNA and reduces the growth of cancer cells. Additionally, research shows thyroid hormone levels can be impacted by wireless radiation. It has been established that even a small change in thyroid hormones can alter the brain.
Heart functioning is another one, the list goes on and on, and like I said, there are thousands of peer-reviewed publications that've been raising concerns for years.
You can access hundreds of these papers and read more HERE, just click on the science section and under each heading there are links directly to the research. If you click on the drop down tab, a list of scientific references as documentation it appears.
It's Not Just Humans
It's not just humans, research is showing that the growth and development of plants and trees is being altered by electromagnetic radiation.
As the Environmental Health Trust points out (one of the best resources of information on this subject), studies on wireless EMF frequencies have found physiological and morphological changes, increased micronuclei formation, altered growth as well as adverse cell characteristics such as thinner cell walls and smaller mitochondria. What's interesting is that they point out how electromagnetic exposure creates biochemical changes. Research shows that plants perceive and respond to electromagnetic fields and are a good model to study the biological effects of exposure.
"Documentation of tree damage from base stations is made visible in the Report "Tree Damage Caused by Mobile phone base stations" in which he states, "RF radiation effects on plants have not been considered. In the Explosive Proliferation of the diverse wireless communication technologies across the entire environment and almost all areas of life, this represents an uncovered risk" (Breunig, 2017).
EMFs have also been shown to alter the behavior of bees and birds.
Below is another image showing radiation from a tablet. It's not just the tablets, it's also electromagnetic radiation in general, not just from our Wi-Fi, tablets and cell phones, but devices we seem to be using a lot and that are in very close proximity to our bodies. Who knows how damaging the signals from Wi-Fi can be from long distances as well.
With All of This Science, Why Haven't We Heard A Peep?
We've seen this across all scientific literature in general. A lot research out there is industry research, and it conflicts greatly with a lot of other research. Industry corruption has kept these facts in the dark, and they continue to do so, as these companies have amassed a wealth of power. It's not much different from tobacco and what we saw the industry do to the conclusive science that was emerging. Extreme amounts of fraud and advertising dragged out the process over years, until finally, it became public knowledge that smoking can kill you.
In fact, one of the leadings doctors in the field of electromagnetic research, Dr. Devra Davis founded non-profit Environmental Health Trust, was also one of the scientists raising concerns about tobacco, and the industry science vs. the real stuff.
"The case against science is straightforward: much of the scientific literature, perhaps half, may simply be untrue." (source)
Another great example of this was shown in a public meeting at FCC headquarters, the agency which once served the American people instead, acted very inappropriately.
A former Congressional candidate, Kevin Mottus, asked the federal communications commissioner Tom Wheeler,
"Hey Tom, with the NTP study showing wireless causes cancer sub-thermally, how can you proceed with more wireless expansion, with FCC standards only recognizing thermal effects — ignoring thousands of studies showing cancerous effects, neurological effects, reproductive harm, immune system disorders… people are being electrosensitive…"
After about 20 seconds of yielding the floor to Mottus, Wheeler interrupted, dodged this very appropriate question, and diverted to an FCC-compliant journalist.
You can read more about that story here.
The bottom line is, we live in a corporatocracy, not a democracy, and when it comes to the products and services that surround all aspects of human life, they are controlled by the very few and very powerful. Year after year it becomes increasingly evident that our health is not really their priority nor their concern, and they will lie, deceit, and cheat in order to accomplish whatever their goals are. But the more we become aware of it, the more problems we cause, and the more awareness we create, the more action is taken against us which is why so many countries are now implementing strict rules and bans.
WHAT can you do about it? Obviously, reduce your exposure, but you can find more helpful tips published in THIS article we wrote about a few years back.
Related CE Article: This Is What The World Would Look Like If Cell Phone Radiation Was Visible


text:
Posted on October 10, 2020 October 10, 2020 by Ed McNulty
Time (2020)
Garrett Bradley
VP Content Ratings
★★★★★4.5 out of 5
Relevant Quotes
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God's sight.
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'"
Luke 18:1-5
"I am convinced that imprisonment is a way of pretending to solve the problem of crime. It does nothing for the victims of crime, but perpetuates the idea of retribution, thus maintaining the endless cycle of violence in our culture. It is a cruel and useless substitute for the elimination of those conditions--poverty, unemployment, homelessness, desperation, racism, greed--which are at the root of most punished crime. The crimes of the rich and powerful go mostly unpunished.
It must surely be a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit that even a small number of those men and women in the hell of the prison system survive it and hold on to their humanity."
Howard Zinn, You Can't Be Neutral on Moving Train
The young Richardsons before their imprisonment. (c) Amazon Studios
Imagine that widow hounding the judge for 20 years in Jesus' parable in Luke , and you begin to get some idea of the persistence of the wife who is the center of Garrett Bradley's new documentary. Her name is Sibil Fox Richardson (Fox Rich for short), and for over 20 years she has sought a sentence reduction for her imprisoned husband Robert. That their marriage survived such a long separation makes this a love story as well as a film about justice and inequality.
Thanks to a treasure trove of home movies added to the professional footage, we can visually travel back and forth in time with this amazing Louisiana couple and their children. The first few minutes of the film consist of this family footage, which almost turned me off due to its jerkiness and poor image quality. I am glad I stayed with it until the professionally shot portion began and more details of their story emerged. All of the film was shot in black and white, which actually seems to add to the authentic, newsreel-like quality of the story.
In 1997 the newly married couple were starting a small business in Shreveport, Louisiana, but still were in such desperate financial need that they attempted to rob a bank but were caught. There is no attempt to explain or justify their act, both accepting their guilt over a bad decision. Pregnant, Fox accepted a plea bargain and was let out of prison after two and a half years. Robert did not and was sentenced to 60 years. Yes, 60—you read that right! We get the distinct impression that the unusually long term for a first offense was punishment for insisting on a trial. He was a Black man in a state where Blacks were expected to do as they were told and not ask questions.*
We learn that most of the home footage was part of a video diary Fox made to show her husband and keep him abreast of her and their six boys lives on the outside. During her 21 year struggle she develops a successful business, speaks before numerous groups, and of course, mothers their children, and even advocates for other couples in similar straits with the unjust legal system. We see her great need for persistence in shots of her many phone calls to the offices of judges. One in particular tries her patience when she seeks to learn if a decision has been made for her appeal. The clerks will tell her nothing, and the judge, whom we never see, must not ever think of the anxiety and pain that his months of delay cause. In one shot Fox's rage cannot be contained, and on camera she erupts with the oaths that make this a PG-13 rated film.
At the time of filming the family is living in New Orleans where the boys are about ready to leave the nest. The, twins, Justus and Freedom, are enrolled in college, where we briefly see one's political science debate and another one studying French. Richard, an older brother, is about ready to graduate from medical school. Their mother comments at one point while waiting in her office for a call from a judge, "Success is the best revenge."
At one point I was reminded of a documentary by another Black filmmaker, Ava DuVernay's 13th, the story of how the 13th Constitutional Amendment has been used by racist state governments to make Black males into criminals who can easily be tucked away in our prison system. Robert's mother, obviously a staunch supporter for the family, declares to the camera, "It's almost like slavery time, like the white man keep you there until he figures it's time for you to get out." Fox herself has been quoted as saying, "What I clearly saw was that our prison system was slavery, and I'm an abolitionist." Oh yes, all those years the couple were allowed to see other only twice a month!
It is incredible that the family has fared so well, with Fox apparently becoming a talented multi-tasker tending to the children, making a living, advocating for others, and spending endless hours dealing with an unsympathetic legal system on behalf of Robert. She and Robert (whose life in prison we see nothing of except during visits) must be people of faith, because Fox tells us that following his cruel sentencing, he told her, "God looks over the sparrows, Sibil. He's going to look over us."
The ending is a happy one for all concerned. Yet, as we experience something of their joyful reunion, there is that aching feeling for all those years that they were deprived of. This sense of lostness is reinforced by the clever ending in which the home video that began the film is played again, this time backwards. Wow! No wonder why Bradley won the best director prize at the Sundance Film Festival!
*This brought to my mind the first youth tour of New York City I led back in the 70s when we sat in the visitors' gallery at Night Court. Our host explained that these were mostly poor people whose trial lasted rarely more than a minute. And so they did. But then a Black prisoner raised a question, and the judge became angry, scolding the man for holding up the procedures. Then, a few minutes later, with some of the better dressed White defendants, he was as polite as can be.
This review will be in the July issue of VP along with a set of questions for reflection and/or discussion. If you have found reviews on this site helpful, please consider purchasing a subscription or individual issue in The Store.
A documentary about a Black wife raising 6 children & running her business while working long hours to get the 60-year sentence of her imprisoned husband reduced.
Editor Rating ★★★★★4.5 out of 5
CategoriesMovie Reviews Tagsblack, Documentary, judge, prison, racism, unjust sentencing
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