iPhone 3GS – Brooklyn, NY – November 2009

Dr Who writer Russell T Davies says the Tories will destroy the BBC if elected. This in the same year Murdoch backs Cameron, funny that eh?

I wrote a post about a week ago about how children were leading worship at our church. The next Sunday, Pastor James recapped on this and even added in some extra information about a healing.

iPhone 3GS – Brooklyn, NY – November 2009

iPhone 3GS – Brooklyn, NY, November 2009

iPhone 3GS – Brooklyn, NY – December 2009

iPhone 3GS – Brooklyn, NY – December 2009

The Kentucky folksinger Joan Osborne found herself somewhat incongruously in 1996 with a single that invited the listener to consider the possibility that God might be ‘just a slob like one of us’. Not the kind of thing that was going to earn plaudits from the guardians of America’s public morality, but it did create a sizable following. Her follow-up album ‘Righteous Love’ is less likely to draw attention but is nonetheless a solid showcase of the warm virtues that led to her breaking through in the first place.

iPhone 3GS – Brooklyn, NY – Nov. 09

This is the implication of Mervyn King’s long-overdue criticism of Crash Gordon’s mishandling of the economy and creation of the largest peacetime deficit in British history, ostensibly somehow to buy his way out of recession, but in reality to try to generate some sort of fake recovery in the run-up to the general election, thereby, somehow, securing a victory. God help us all if that works.

Well, that’s precisely the point, isn’t it? Whatever the motive for Brown’s profligacy, it’s becoming abundantly clear that it won’t work. Britain is not recovering, in spite of the gazillions of pounds, much of it printed, being poured down the drain to make up for Brown’s truly horrific, banana republic-style borrowing and spending splurge. King, it seems, has finally come clean on the scale of the government-led secret, further bailout of those two giant Scottish banks, RBS and HBOS, (£61Bn) whose chiefs were so very close to Brown and other Scottish Labourists, and who brought such pain to the people of Britain as a whole with their casino business practices and high risk, rank profiteering. He seems to have had enough of carrying the can for all Brown’s gargantuan errors of judgment, both as Chancellor and as unelected Prime Minister.

Today’s Telegraph report therefore makes refreshing reading, at least for me, loathe Brown and support the Tory plan for saving the British economy as I do.

In comments which are likely to infuriate Mr Brown, Mervyn King said that the next Government would need to “eliminate a large part of the structural deficit” over one parliamentary term alone. This proposal goes significantly further than anything penned in by the Government in the Budget, or what is demanded by the Fiscal Responsibility Bill unveiled last week in the Queen’s Speech.

In a hearing of the Treasury Select Committee, Mr King said repeatedly that the Government’s plan needed to be “credible” and detailed, or it would lose the confidence of the international investors who buy British debt. He said: “I think [the plan] has to be something where a really significant reduction in the deficit, the elimination of a large part of the structural deficit, takes place over the lifetime of a parliament, which is the period for which a government is elected. Beyond that is a statement of intent and hope rather than a plan for which someone can be held accountable.”

This, to me, represents not only a “rebuke” of Brown for his incompetence and subsequent complacency about the state of the national finances, but also a clear message of support for George Osborne. And it goes further, according to the report.

In comments which will further rattle markets, Mr King said that the top-tier rating on Britain’s debt could be at risk if the Government does not go ahead with significant cuts.

He said: “I don’t think there’s any immediate risk [of a downgrade] but of course the longer there isn’t a credible plan that sets out what actions will be taken, the more that is a risk. I myself don’t think that there is any impediment to the UK putting in place a credible plan that will convince financial markets.”

This is arguably the sternest of the numerous warnings the Bank’s Governor has issued to Mr Brown over the size of the deficit. It is the first since Mr Brown announced last week that the Government would draw up legislation forcing it to cut the deficit each year for the next decade and insisting that it halves the budget deficit within four years. Since then, however, official statistics have shown that the Government is still borrowing cash at the rate of almost £3 billion a week.

I wonder how Brown will get his revenge. Remember, you see, for ‘moral compass’ man, it’s all about politics and always has been. He will burn anyone down who shows dissent and over whom he exercises some form of control. That’s Brown’s way, the way of the bully, the coward and the demagogue.

It’s also the Labour way. An expert has just spoken out of turn, in this case Mervyn King. We know how Labour deals with people like that, don’t we Professor Nutt?

But hey, things can only get better. We can vote the bastards out in 2010. As one poll shows, published at the same time as that Guardian Ipsos-Mori rogue, (another puts Labour back down on 22%, on point ahead of the Liberals), it’s looking increasingly like that’s precisely what we will do. And there’s nothing Brown, Mandelson or the rest of that shower of lying, ruinous losers can do about it.

Looks like last weekend’s brunch with Prof. Osborne was a great success.  She sent me this photo and a short message about the good time they had:

The Drag Show was great and the students had a wonderful opportunity to use their new knowledge about Queer Theory to discuss the show in their field trip report.
In the photo left to right:
Gail, Megan (honors alum ‘09), The Queen, Lynette, Maddie, Sara
–Lynette

Una de Diseño Gráfico en España: entre 1939 y 1975. Gracias a Emilio Gil y a su libro Pioneros del Diseño Gráfico en España, publicado en 2007, tenemos la oportunidad de conocer el “pasado gráfico”. Gil da un repaso a este periodo historico del diseño español, de la mano de los maestros, magos y dioses de lo gráfico por aquellos años.

1939

- Josep Artigas i Ojeda realizó el famoso anuncio de la marca “POLIL”.

1940

- Manolo Prieto comienza a trabajar como ilustrador de la revista literaria “Novelas y cuentos”, siendo su dibujante portadista durante 17 años.

1947

- Ricard Giralt Miracle funda la empresa “Filograf”.

1950

- Josep Artigas i Ojeda presentó el anuncio de “NORIT”.

1956

- Manolo Prieto crea su obra gráfica más conocida: la silueta del Toro de Osborne.

1959

- Joan Pedragosa recibe el primer premio del concurso de Carteles de la Feria de Muestras de Barcelona.

1961

- Antoni Morillas fue miembro fundador de GFAD, la primera agrupación de profesionales del diseño gráfico nacida en España, junto con Josep Pla-Narbona, Joan Pedragosa, Ernest Moradell y Amand Domènech.

- Antoni Morillas organiza el departamento gráfico de “Publicidad Guitart”, una agencia publicitaria.

- Julián Santanmaría recibe el Primer Premio Mundial de Carteles en Manila, Filipinas.

1962

- Antoni Morillas funda su propio estudio, ubicado en Diagonal 376 (Barcelona).

1963

- Antoni Morillas participa en la primera exposición de carteles realizada en la vía pública que organizó G-FAD, bajo el tema “Conozca España en Barcelona”.

1964

- Josep Pla-Narbona fue aceptado como miembro de la AGI, la Alliance Graphique International.

1965

- Antoni Morillas diseña la portada del número 72 de la revista “Idea” publicada en Japón.

- Joan Pedragosa profesor de grafismo en el Escuela Massana.

- Joan Pedragosa realiza el Cartel del IV Premio Internacional de Dibujo Joan Miró.

1966

- Daniel Gil desarrolla su obra más conocida como diseñador gráfico: las portadas de la colección “El Libro de Bolsillo” para Alianza Editorial.

- Ricard Giralt Miracle publica su obra “La tipografía”.

- Antoni Morillas fue aceptado como miembro de la AGI, la Alliance Graphique International.

- Julián Santamaría ha participado en la Selección Mundial de Carteles en el Lincoln Center de Nueva York.

1967

- Joan Pedragosa y Tomás Vellvé fueron aceptados como miembros de la AGI, presentados por Josep Pla-Narbona.

- Antoni Morillas, Joan Pedragosa y Tomàs Vellvé son invitados por el Ministerio de Cultura para viajar a Yugoslavia como representantes del diseño español.

- Joan Pedregosa profesor de métodos de realización y del conocimiento del volumen  en packaging en la Escuela Elisava.

1968

- Joan Pedragosa Obtiene el Delta de Plata FAD de diseño de packaging por el embalaje de un producto químico de los laboratorios SEIMEX, S.A.

1969

- Julián Santamaría recibe el Segundo Premio Nacional de Grabado y la Primera Medalla en el XX Salón de Grabado y sistemas de estampación.

1971

- Antoni Morillas participa en el congreso de AGI celebrado en Barcelona entre el 16 y el 19 de octubre.

- Joan Pedragosa realiza el cartel y el display de sobremesa para la Asamblea General en Barcelona de VIVA AGI (Alliance Graphique International), del cual era miembro.

1972

- Joan Pedragosa crea y realiza en bronce el trofeo náutico para ALMERIMAR.

- Julián Santamaría es Primer Premio Mundial de Grabado en la Bienal Internacional de Arte Comprometido en Viena, Austria.

1973

- Antoni Morillas es director artístico de Mix. Este Gabinete Técnico de Marketing y Publicidad Industrial aspiraba a crear un equipo especializado para satisfacer, de manera eficaz, las necesidades de las empresas.

iPhone 3GS – Brooklyn, NY – Nov. 09

iPhone 3GS – Brooklyn, NY – Nov. 09

iPhone 3GS – Brooklyn, NY – Nov 09

iPhone 3GS – Brooklyn, NY – Nov 2009

Any students who are here on the Monday before Thanksgiving (11.23) are welcome to join Prof. Lynette Osborne’s Female Delinquency and Crime class as they venture to Chinatown to see “Precious.” They”ll be leaving the FoBo Metro together at 7pm to make the 7:45 show.

If you don’t already know about “Precious,” a film produced by Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey that’s been critically acclaimed and is reportedly so gripping and frank that critics have wondered if America is even ready for it, read the synopsis and see the trailer below:

Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story of Claireece Precious Jones, a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She’s pregnant for the second time by her absent father; at home, she must wait hand and foot on her mother, a poisonously angry woman who abuses her emotionally and physically. School is a place of chaos, and Precious has reached the ninth grade with good marks and an awful secret: she can neither read nor write. Precious may sometimes be down, but she is never out. Beneath her impassive expression is a watchful, curious young woman with an inchoate but unshakable sense that other possibilities exist for her. Threatened with expulsion, Precious is offered the chance to transfer to an alternative school, Each One/Teach One. Precious doesn’t know the meaning of alternative, but her instincts tell her this is the chance she has been waiting for.

Featuring Chris McHugh and Danny Gordon.

Previously:
Local News
Eat Freely
eS Game of Skate Austintown,OH and Mike Nypaver Sighting

George Osborne, sometime lead singer of Depeche Mode, sets out his stall for a UK economic recovery:

Words are very very unnecessary. Because actions speak louder than words, Osborne’s first action upon hearing news of a Conservative triumph a few months from now should be immediately to start a nationwide audit so we can all find out just how big a hole Brown and Labour has left Britain in, and start to rebuild from a subsequently known, deep bottom.

Whatever: the point is that once Brown is gone, we will enjoy his silence – massively. We’ll celebrate it for years to come (I will).

PS: Yes, I know this video contains its own, terrible, accidental tragedy of setting. But that’s the point – we have to move on from that horrible time. And dumping Brown and Labour is quite simply the beginning of the renewal here. It’s a process that began in the USA a long time ago. As usual, we’re just trying to catch up.

Vote Cameron – or get Brown.

George Osborne is four months older than me so he should appreciate the metaphorical total irrelevance of this piece of 1981 OMD dur – Depeche Mode – childhood pop toonery.

It just amazes me: just how much could I have achieved politically in 38 years, if only I’d never had a life.

Sadly, because of this utterly random, fateful imbalance, unlike Georgie, who “stands” for “stuff”, I just vote. But don’t mistake me for a sheep, Georgie, oh know. Don’t fleece the people like Gordon has from day one, George. Bring us New Life.

Diane Von Furstenberg and Ángel Schlesser with Telva Magazine´s Director Nieves Fontan

Last night was full of cheer, glamour and joy, as we celebrated one of the most important nights in the fashion industry in Spain. Telva, one of the most read fashion magazines in Spain, hosted it’s XIX edition of the T Fashion Awards. Celebrities, politicians, top models, designers, and other socialites were there to celebrate Diane Von Furstenberg, as best International designer, and Ángel Schlesser, as best Spanish designer. Diane Von Furstenberg surprised all of us with her perfect Spanish, which she learned while studying at the Philosophy Faculty in Spain.

Black was the most prominent color of the night, found in different fabrics, shapes, accessories and the hottest designs. Everyone looked amazing!

Osborne had its own representatives at the party: Solan de Cabras, Osborne’s premium water label, and Osborne’s super delicious Spanish ham, 5J, both part of Grupo Osborne’s portfolio.

5J´s Master Carver

Cutting more ham!!!

The guests arrived around 8:30 pm, and walked the green carpet (yes, it was green not red), stopping by the photo call to be photographed by hundreds of journalists.

Spanish actress Paula Echevarria answering the media´s questions

During the ceremony

It was a truly amazing celebration of fashion!

-Rocio

It was a shock:  the ONS finding that yet again we have had a quarter of recession, despite a great many economists expecting a return to growth.

(Well, I was surprised.  Duncan wasn’t. Simon Ward had expected a rise.)

David Smith warns us not to care too much about these first announcements of GDP, calling the figure ‘bizarre’. He goes on to quote the Goldman Sachs view:

Goldman Sachs has put out a note on the GDP figures headed “Unbelievable. Literally”, which points out the that the early estimates of GDP in the UK have a correlation of just 0.1 with the final data.”.

That correlation is almost nothing.  The figures, Smith explains, suggest an unimaginable drop in service sector output.  Expect revisions. But even realising this, Edmund Conway sees the figures as a good reason to announce a Depression – and further QE.

In other news: investigating how much exports can help the UK, as George Osborne seems to require since he is planning to cut the deficit extremely fast (see past satirical posts).   Remember that young Mr Osborne hopes that a falling exchange rate – which he hysterically warned us about last November – will rescue the economy by providing a boost to exports.    This is from a CEPR paper:

The presence of fixed costs to export means that only high productivity firms can export, firms which precisely react to an exchange rate depreciation by increasing their export price rather than their sales. We show that this selection effect can explain the weak impact of exchange rate movements on aggregate export volumes . . Our research shows that exporting, because it requires high performance, goes hand-in-hand with absorbing exchange rate movements into prices. That exchange rates have little impact on import prices and trade volumes is therefore a natural consequence of this selection effect.

This from something the IMF did in 1994:

The United Kingdom’s export performance since the 1970s, it has often  been argued, has reflected a tendency for U.K. exporters to use favorable  exchange rate movements to improve profit margins rather than to strengthen  their competitive position and boost foreign demand for their products. . . .

And this from the University of Nottingham:

Using data on a large sample of UK manufacturing firms, we find that exchange rate movements have little effect on firm’s export participation and exit decisions. However, they do have a significant impact on export shares after entry. The responsiveness of the export share to exchange rate changes is not quantitatively small: one index point depreciation in the REER index will increase export share by about 1.28 percent. We also investigate the effects of exchange rate movements on the export behavior of multinationals, and find their export behavior is less likely to be affected by exchange rate changes than that of indigenous firms.

There might be some boost to export share amongst exporters: but the manufacturing firms in the sample exported just a quarter of their output, we need new entry into exporting if Osborne’s vision can come true.  Which is what they didn’t find.