Ha! (Like) - but, I think you're just SH*T STIRRING.
fulltimestudent
JoinedPosts by fulltimestudent
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QFR- Is the use of Toilet Paper appropriate for True Christians today?
by Theocratic Sedition in4/1/1967 wt.
for years, modern civilization has used the commercially available product known as toilet paper to cleanse one's rear posterior.
it is a common practice that has permeated almost all** of the inhabited earth.
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Browse in a bookshop in Tokugawa Japan
by fulltimestudent induring the 268 years (approx) of rule by a military dictatorship in japan (approx.1600 to 1868) japan developed a growing, prosperous middle class and a proto-modernity that enabled the quick conversion to western modernity in the late 19th century.
a feature of the era was a growing book publishing industry.
people could make a living as authors, artists/illustrators, printers and selling books.
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fulltimestudent
Finished with that book, he next one you pick up may have scenes of Japan. United under the military dictatorship and at peace, the emerging Japanese middle class developed a taste for travel, and with that travelogues of Japan.
Perhaps, this image may have caught your eye.
Kitao masayoshi, "Kyoto meisho Ehon Miyako no nishiki," circa 1787.
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Iran is so beautiful - take a quick trip ...
by fulltimestudent inhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yznhd0jgh2k&feature=share .
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fulltimestudent
Thnx for your posted video links, Glenster. And, also the other links.
We should never forget just how the political situation developed in Iran. I've got a lot to do this morning, so forgive my cut/past approach to this posting. Wikipedia tells the history of Iran fairly accuratedly, so I'm going to use it to get to the point I want to make - Iran's worst misfortune was to be found to have large deposits of oil at a time that the greedy, imperialistic west needed oil:
Quote:
"By the 17th century, European countries, including Great Britain, Imperial Russia, and France, had already started establishing colonial footholds in the region. Iran as a result lost sovereignty over many of its provinces to these countries via the Treaty of Turkmenchay, the Treaty of Gulistan, and others.
The Great Persian Famine of 1870-1871 is believed to have caused the death of 2 million persons.
A new era in the History of Persia dawned with the Constitutional Revolution of Iran against the Shah in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Shah managed to remain in power, granting a limited constitution in 1906 (making the country a constitutional monarchy). The first Majlis (parliament) was convened on October 7, 1906.
The discovery of oil in 1908 by the British in Khuzestan spawned intense renewed interest in Persia by the British Empire (see William Knox D'Arcy andAnglo-Iranian Oil Company, now BP). Control of Persia remained contested between the United Kingdom and Russia, in what became known as The Great Game, and codified in the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907, which divided Persia into spheres of influence, regardless of her national sovereignty.
During World War I, the country was occupied by British, Ottoman and Russian forces but was essentially neutral (see Persian Campaign). In 1919, after the Russian revolution and their withdrawal, Britain attempted to establish a protectorate in Iran, which was unsuccessful.
Finally, the Constitutionalist movement of Gilan and the central power vacuum caused by the instability of the Qajar government resulted in the rise of Reza Shah Pahlavi and the establishment of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1925.
In 1921, a military coup established Reza Khan, a Persian officer of the Persian Cossack Brigade, as the dominant figure for the next 20 years. Seyyed Zia'eddin Tabatabai was also a leader and important figure in the perpetration of the coup. The Iranian coup of 1921 was not actually directed at the Qajar monarchy; according to Encyclopædia Iranica, it was targeted at officials who were in power and actually had a role in controlling the government; the cabinet and others who had a role in governing Persia. In 1925, after being prime minister for a couple of years, Reza Shah became the king of Iran and established the Pahlavi dynasty. ..."
... At the Tehran Conference of 1943, the Tehran Declaration guaranteed the post-war independence and boundaries of Iran. However, when the war actually ended, Soviet troops stationed in northwestern Iran not only refused to withdraw but backed revolts that established short-lived, pro-Soviet separatist national states in the northern regions of Azerbaijan and Iranian Kurdistan, the Azerbaijan People's Government and the Republic of Kurdistan respectively, in late 1945. Soviet troops did not withdraw from Iran proper until May 1946 after receiving a promise of oil concessions. The Soviet republics in the north were soon overthrown and the oil concessions were revoked.
Initially there were hopes that post-occupation Iran could become a constitutional monarchy. The new, young Shah Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi initially took a very hands-off role in government, and allowed parliament to hold a lot of power. Some elections were held in the first shaky years, although they remained mired in corruption. Parliament became chronically unstable, and from the 1947 to 1951 period Iran saw the rise and fall of six different prime ministers.
In 1951 Prime Minister Mohammed Mosaddeq received the vote required from the parliament to nationalize the British-owned oil industry, in a situation known as the Abadan Crisis. Despite British pressure, including an economic blockade, the nationalization continued. Mossadegh was briefly removed from power in 1952 but was quickly re-appointed by the shah, due to a popular uprising in support of the premier and he, in turn, forced the Shah into a brief exile in August 1953 after a failed military coup by Imperial Guard Colonel Nematollah Nassiri. Shortly thereafter on August 19 a successful coup was headed by retired army general Fazlollah Zahedi, organized by the American (CIA) with the active support of the British (MI6) (known as Operation Ajax). The coup - with a black propaganda campaign designed to turn the population against Mossadegh - forced Mossadegh from office, and was remembered with anger by Iranians. Mossadegh was arrested and tried for treason. Found guilty, his sentence reduced to house arrest on his family estate while his foreign minister, Hossein Fatemi, was executed. Zahedi succeeded him as prime minister, and suppressed opposition to the Shah, specifically the National Front and Communist Tudeh Party.
Here's a trailer for a film about Mossadegh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0dJKcenA-8
The ensuing government by the Shah became so unpopular, that it opened the way for Islamic fundamentalists, with popular support to rid the country of the Shah, and set-up an Islamic republic.
We can't say for sure, that the Mossadegh government would have established a stable government, but things did not get better when the stupid elite of Britain and America interfered in Iranian affairs in order for the British to retain their cheap oil supply.
Dr Mossadegh - America and Englands Chief Demon in the 1950's
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Browse in a bookshop in Tokugawa Japan
by fulltimestudent induring the 268 years (approx) of rule by a military dictatorship in japan (approx.1600 to 1868) japan developed a growing, prosperous middle class and a proto-modernity that enabled the quick conversion to western modernity in the late 19th century.
a feature of the era was a growing book publishing industry.
people could make a living as authors, artists/illustrators, printers and selling books.
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fulltimestudent
A scene Katsushika Hokusai's play, " Toto Shokei ichiran (circa 1800)
In the bookshop you may have browsed a book with this woodcut print. (Illustrated books were very popular) It portrays a performance at a Kabuki theatre. We can see enough of the audience to appreciate they are enjoying themselves. Many are likely watching the yellow clad actor on the left. As you see, this performer is young and slender, and since women were not permitted to perform in theatres, this would have been a young man known as onnagata, who were trained to perform female roles. The popular ones performed with great skill, and their performances were discussed in the tea-houses and inns. The owners of the theatre would also make these young actors available at night for parties, (if you could afford to pay for them).
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Browse in a bookshop in Tokugawa Japan
by fulltimestudent induring the 268 years (approx) of rule by a military dictatorship in japan (approx.1600 to 1868) japan developed a growing, prosperous middle class and a proto-modernity that enabled the quick conversion to western modernity in the late 19th century.
a feature of the era was a growing book publishing industry.
people could make a living as authors, artists/illustrators, printers and selling books.
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fulltimestudent
During the 268 years (approx) of rule by a military dictatorship in Japan (approx.1600 to 1868) Japan developed a growing, prosperous middle class and a proto-modernity that enabled the quick conversion to western modernity in the late 19th century. A feature of the era was a growing book publishing industry. People could make a living as authors, artists/illustrators, printers and selling books. Erotica was particularly popular (naturally!).
What was it like to browse an Edo booksho? The Smithsonian has an exhibition that provides an opportunity to imagine the experience:
http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/current/hand-held.asp
and
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Iran is so beautiful - take a quick trip ...
by fulltimestudent inhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yznhd0jgh2k&feature=share .
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fulltimestudent
Thank you Theocratic sedition for reminding us of one of America's public enemies. But do you knwo who created that demon?
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Iran is so beautiful - take a quick trip ...
by fulltimestudent inhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yznhd0jgh2k&feature=share .
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fulltimestudent
One of my study units this semester focuses on the Roman-Iranian wars between 226 and 363 CE. I selected this study unit because the eastern border of ancient Iran was China, and Iranians (particularly the people known as the Sogdians) were important merchants in the chain of markets that we now call the Silk Road.
Our historical knowledge of this trading route extends back as far as 139 BCE when the Emperor Wu Di of the Han dynasty sent Zhang Qian west to explore (and, again in 119 BCE). He found in what we now call Afghanistan some Chinese made products. They realised they must have been exported from the area south of the territory controlled by the Han dynasty, (likely present day Yunnan province or the southern region of Sichuan), through India. An attempt to organise trade on that route failed through the hostility of the King who controlled the south. Nonetheless, that trade route and its trading markets where goods were sold or exchanged remained an important part of East-west trade and came to include vital maritime trade also.
Frustrated in the southern attempt, the Han dynasty pushed west into what is now Xinjiang, and the complex mix of trade markets and routes in between was born, to be called 'the silk road.'
When I travel to China, I've developed the habit of flying into Shanghai, a staying a few days in this (now) very exciting city. I usually stay in a small (i.e. cheap) hotel in Nanjing lu, sort of the tourist centre of Shanghai. A few years ago, we were surprised to find the place full of Iranians. I talked to one, and he told me that he was one of a large group of business people, who travelled to China every year to buy and sell. I realised then that I was watching the contemporary experience of trade that was more than 2000 years old.
Maybe, the wars between the Romans and the Iranians were over trade (or maybe the right to tax the trade- what we would call customs duties were levied). The city of Palmyra grew rich on those levies.
Were there trade links earlier than the links I've already discussed. We have no records, but there may have been. Many of the Jewish elite that were deported to Babylon for their rebellious attitude, decided not to "return" to hick-city (Jerusalem) after they had experienced big-city life in Babylon. They became traders and merchants and colonies of Jews developed in many other cities.
The Iranian Empire under the rule of Yahweh's first 'messiah,' the one called the Shahenshah (King of Kings)Cyrus and his successors, became wealthy also, we can speculate that trade was the foundation of that wealth. When Alexander the Great led his army on what became the greatest bandit raid in history, he unleashed huge amounts of wealth that had been stored by the Iranians, onto the Hellenic world. The Seleucid empire that grew out of Alexander's conquests managed to dissipate a lot of that wealth (mainly on military adventures) in about 200 years. But the Seleucid rulers were soon challenged by another Iranian group who we know in english, as the Parthians. They in turn, lost out to the Sasanians (another Iranian group) - and these are the ones that competed with Rome in my study unit.
And, there in a few paragraphs, you have (almost) the history of Iran
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Iran is so beautiful - take a quick trip ...
by fulltimestudent inhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yznhd0jgh2k&feature=share .
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NZ Parliament Agrees to Gay Marriage and the house sings a love song
by fulltimestudent innew zealand has its problems like any other country, but it also has a nice level of tolerance.
it did once incur the anger of uncle sam for refusing to let nuclear powered warships usse nz harbours, but i think uncle sam managed to cope with that.. perhaps nothing else demonstrates the tolerance of the country as the big margin (in the house vote) by which gay marriage became law.. hope these can be seen in other countries:.
http://media.smh.com.au/national/selections/new-zealand-passes-gay-marriage-bill-4200652.html .
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fulltimestudent
New Zealand has its problems like any other country, but it also has a nice level of tolerance. Yes! It did once incur the anger of Uncle Sam for refusing to let nuclear powered warships usse NZ harbours, but I think Uncle Sam managed to cope with that.
Perhaps nothing else demonstrates the tolerance of the country as the big margin (in the house vote) by which gay marriage became law.
Hope these can be seen in other countries:
http://media.smh.com.au/national/selections/new-zealand-passes-gay-marriage-bill-4200652.html
and this one shows the Parliament and the public gallery singing a maori love song, after the bill passed. The article is written from an aussie viewpoint. Polling in Australia consistently shows a majority in favour of permitting same-sex marriage:
( I think you will have to open the article, and then start the video),
The words of the song are translated as -
My poor pen is broken, my paper is spent
But my love for you endures, and remains forever more.
Oh my beloved, come back to me, my heart is breaking of love for you.
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Volvo-nearly dead under Ford's management-Reviving under China's Geely
by fulltimestudent init's fascinating to watch chinese brands gradually penetrating the world market.
when geely motors of shanghai bought the ailing volvo brand, (the passenger car division, but not the truck division*) i wondered if they could do a better job in re-organising volvo than ford had.
three years later, its still a little early to see how successful they will be, but a huge new factory in chengdu in china should assure success in the chinese market.. a couple of news reports today, seem to indicate some progress:.
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fulltimestudent
It's fascinating to watch Chinese brands gradually penetrating the world market. When Geely motors of Shanghai bought the ailing Volvo brand, (the passenger car division, but not the Truck division*) I wondered if they could do a better job in re-organising Volvo than Ford had. Three years later, its still a little early to see how successful they will be, but a huge new factory in Chengdu in china should assure success in the Chinese market.
A couple of news reports today, seem to indicate some progress:
http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/driven-the-fastest-volvo-20130417-2hz5l.html
Thanks to this 257kW S60 Polestar production sedan being destined exclusively for Australia for the time being, we were given days of driving on public roads before most of Volvo corporation itself even knew the car existed.
And while ideas were accessed from last year's fragile concept car, the production-ready S60 Polestar isn't just fast, it's also remarkably refined. On the road it didn't put a wheel wrong: it was devastatingly quick across country but also serene and easy to imagine as everyday transport.
The 3.0-litre engine is very strong on pulling power with a larger turbocharger, re-mapped software and bigger exhaust responsible for 500Nm of torque from between 2800 and 4750rpm.
The result is lightning quick getaways that are easy to accomplish thanks to the six-speed automatic gearbox, but also an urgent rush of elastic acceleration once on the move.
There's no turbo lag, just plenty of boosted performance and it all gets down to the ground efficiently and without a hint of wheel spin thanks to the traction of the S60's all-wheel-drive system.
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And, from Forbes magazine, some comment on Volvo plans in the north American market.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=e9RYAmubI2o
