Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Howard Beale (Peter Finch): I don't have to tell you things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It's a depression. Everybody's out of work or scared of losing their job. The dollar buys a nickel's work, banks are going bust, shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter. Punks are running wild in the street and there's nobody anywhere who seems to know what to do, and there's no end to it. We know the air is unfit to breathe and our food is unfit to eat, and we sit watching our TV's while some local newscaster tells us that today we had fifteen homicides and sixty-three violent crimes, as if that's the way it's supposed to be. We know things are bad - worse than bad. They're crazy. It's like everything everywhere is going crazy, so we don't go out anymore. We sit in the house, and slowly the world we are living in is getting smaller, and all we say is, 'Please, at least leave us alone in our living rooms. Let me have my toaster and my TV and my steel-belted radials and I won't say anything. Just leave us alone.' Well, I'm not gonna leave you alone. I want you to get mad! I don't want you to protest. I don't want you to riot - I don't want you to write to your congressman because I wouldn't know what to tell you to write. I don't know what to do about the depression and the inflation and the Russians and the crime in the street. All I know is that first you've got to get mad. You've got to say, 'I'm a HUMAN BEING, Goddamnit! My life has VALUE!' So I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell, 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!' I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!... You've got to say, 'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Then we'll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it: "I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"
Thursday, February 15, 2007
The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries
FTC writes:
23.21 Misrepresentation as to cultured pearls.
It is unfair or deceptive to misrepresent the manner in which cultured pearls are produced, the size of the nucleus artificially inserted in the mollusk and included in cultured pearls, the length of time that such products remained in the mollusk, the thickness of the nacre coating, the value and quality of cultured pearls as compared with the value and quality of pearls and imitation pearls, or any other material matter relating to the formation, structure, properties, characteristics, and qualities of cultured pearls.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
23.21 Misrepresentation as to cultured pearls.
It is unfair or deceptive to misrepresent the manner in which cultured pearls are produced, the size of the nucleus artificially inserted in the mollusk and included in cultured pearls, the length of time that such products remained in the mollusk, the thickness of the nacre coating, the value and quality of cultured pearls as compared with the value and quality of pearls and imitation pearls, or any other material matter relating to the formation, structure, properties, characteristics, and qualities of cultured pearls.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
Amber
By Patty C Rice
Van Nostrand Reinhold Company
1980 ISBN 0-442-26138-1
Van Nostrand Reinhold writes:
From history and lore to modern sources and commercial use, Amber: The Golden Gem of the Ages brings you a wealth of information on every aspect of amber. It is as completely up-to-date as it is all encompassing, and is the first definitive study of amber to be published in fifty years.
The author pinpoints the original sources of amber and its variety of colors and textures, the describes its historical usage. She recounts its use by early man during the Stone Age and Bronze Age….the ancient amber trade routes….and the use of amber in classical cultures. Dr. Rice then traces the amber industry’s growth from the guilds of the Middle Ages to current development and mining techniques in the Baltic regions. You will find interesting descriptions of archaeological finds of ancient amber…..intriguing facts on mystical beliefs and folklore associated with amber…and fascinating historical illustrations of the first fake inclusions recorded in amber.
Data on physical and chemical properties are accompanied by appropriate tests and methods for identifying genuine amber. The book features summaries of scientific studies conducted by leading researchers…..geological descriptions of regions where amber is found…and biological information on findings of fossil insects and other anthropods in amber, as well as on the use of amber as a botanical product to gain knowledge of plant evolution.
A complete review of amber’s commercial aspects includes commonly used imitations and substitutes ranging from early Bakelite jewelry to modern Bernit. Detailed methods are provided for pressing or reconstructing small amber chips and using them with plastic to make ‘polybern’ ornaments. Additional step-by-step directions tell you how to cut, drill, and polish rough amber into radiant jewelry.
When you want to know more about the Russian amber room….Chinese amber carvings or amber art from the Middle Ages….or the mythological surrounding amber in various cultures---consult Amber: The Golden Gem of the Ages. Every aspect of amber is covered in this comprehensive volume. Its beautiful illustrations include rare amber carvings, mosaics and chess produced by Lithuanian artisans. You will marvel at the wealth of new scientific knowledge gained from investigations of amber. And if gemology is your hobby or occupation, you will make good use of the charts and tabular information comparing amber with common substitutes, along with the numerous techniques for constructing amber ornaments and finished jewelry items.
About the author
Dr Patty Rice has lectured at numerous gem and mineral clubs, shows and conferences in the U.S and Canada. Her articles on amber have appeared in American Way, Gems and Minerals International, Lapidary Journal, and Rock and Minerals.
Van Nostrand Reinhold Company
1980 ISBN 0-442-26138-1
Van Nostrand Reinhold writes:
From history and lore to modern sources and commercial use, Amber: The Golden Gem of the Ages brings you a wealth of information on every aspect of amber. It is as completely up-to-date as it is all encompassing, and is the first definitive study of amber to be published in fifty years.
The author pinpoints the original sources of amber and its variety of colors and textures, the describes its historical usage. She recounts its use by early man during the Stone Age and Bronze Age….the ancient amber trade routes….and the use of amber in classical cultures. Dr. Rice then traces the amber industry’s growth from the guilds of the Middle Ages to current development and mining techniques in the Baltic regions. You will find interesting descriptions of archaeological finds of ancient amber…..intriguing facts on mystical beliefs and folklore associated with amber…and fascinating historical illustrations of the first fake inclusions recorded in amber.
Data on physical and chemical properties are accompanied by appropriate tests and methods for identifying genuine amber. The book features summaries of scientific studies conducted by leading researchers…..geological descriptions of regions where amber is found…and biological information on findings of fossil insects and other anthropods in amber, as well as on the use of amber as a botanical product to gain knowledge of plant evolution.
A complete review of amber’s commercial aspects includes commonly used imitations and substitutes ranging from early Bakelite jewelry to modern Bernit. Detailed methods are provided for pressing or reconstructing small amber chips and using them with plastic to make ‘polybern’ ornaments. Additional step-by-step directions tell you how to cut, drill, and polish rough amber into radiant jewelry.
When you want to know more about the Russian amber room….Chinese amber carvings or amber art from the Middle Ages….or the mythological surrounding amber in various cultures---consult Amber: The Golden Gem of the Ages. Every aspect of amber is covered in this comprehensive volume. Its beautiful illustrations include rare amber carvings, mosaics and chess produced by Lithuanian artisans. You will marvel at the wealth of new scientific knowledge gained from investigations of amber. And if gemology is your hobby or occupation, you will make good use of the charts and tabular information comparing amber with common substitutes, along with the numerous techniques for constructing amber ornaments and finished jewelry items.
About the author
Dr Patty Rice has lectured at numerous gem and mineral clubs, shows and conferences in the U.S and Canada. Her articles on amber have appeared in American Way, Gems and Minerals International, Lapidary Journal, and Rock and Minerals.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
The Insider Movie
Memorable quote (s) from the movie:
Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer): In the real world, when you get to where I am, there are other considerations.
Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino): Like what? Corporate responsibility? What, are we talking celebrity here?
Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer): I'm not talking celebrity, vanity, CBS. I'm talking about when you're nearer the end of your life than the beginning. Now, what do you think you think about then? The future? In the future I'm going to do this? Become that? What future? No. What you think is "How will I be regarded in the end?" After I'm gone. Now, along the way I suppose I made some minor impact. I did Iran-Gate and the Ayatollah, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Saddam, Sadat, etcetera, etcetera. I showed them thieves in suits. I've spent a lifetime building all that. But history only remembers most what you did last. And should that be fronting a segment that allowed a tobacco giant to crash this network? Does it give someone at my time of life pause? Yeah.
Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer): In the real world, when you get to where I am, there are other considerations.
Lowell Bergman (Al Pacino): Like what? Corporate responsibility? What, are we talking celebrity here?
Mike Wallace (Christopher Plummer): I'm not talking celebrity, vanity, CBS. I'm talking about when you're nearer the end of your life than the beginning. Now, what do you think you think about then? The future? In the future I'm going to do this? Become that? What future? No. What you think is "How will I be regarded in the end?" After I'm gone. Now, along the way I suppose I made some minor impact. I did Iran-Gate and the Ayatollah, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Saddam, Sadat, etcetera, etcetera. I showed them thieves in suits. I've spent a lifetime building all that. But history only remembers most what you did last. And should that be fronting a segment that allowed a tobacco giant to crash this network? Does it give someone at my time of life pause? Yeah.
This Budget To Be A Girl's Best Friend
(via Times News Network) Bharti Jain writes:
With the Union Budget (India) likely to abolish the import duty on cut and polished diamonds (CPDs) and gemstones, the gems & jewellery industry is in for some happy times. Another planned initiative for the industry is the introduction of the presumptive tax regime, which allows for computation of income-tax on the basis of turnover.
The proposal to cut the Customs tariff on import of CPDs and gemstones from 5% to nil follows a recommendation to this effect by the MR Sivaraman committee set up last year to study the rationalization of taxes and tariffs applicable to the forex-earning gems and jewellery sector.
The finance ministry is keen to put the sector – which accounted for nearly 15% of the country’s total exports and 19% of the total world demand for gems and jewellery in 2006 – on a growth trajectory that will see centres like Mumbai emerging as a diamond hub on the lines of cities like Antwerp and Bangkok. To that end, the ministry is said to have decided to reflect in the coming budget the recommendations of the Sivaraman committee on both the customs tariff as well as introduction of presumptive tax.
The presumptive tax regime was introduced in the last budget for the shipping sector, wherein the tax to be paid by companies in the sector would be calculated on the basis of tonnage. The proposal is now set to be replicated for the gems and jewellery sector, mainly to cut down on administrative costs and to encourage output as increased production would mean less taxes. This proposal, according to sources in the government, would be revenue-neutral.
As for the duty cut, the government is keen on seeing the emergence of centres like Mumbai as major diamond hubs, competing with other international diamond destinations like Antwerp and Bangkok. The abolition of duties on CPDs and gemstones, which accounted for 23% of total imports by the gems and jewellery sector, is expected to increase exports of studded and finished ornaments.
Duty cuts may essentially help Indian jewellers, most of whom are in the unorganised sector, cater to the growing demand of bulk buyers from the US and European Union for Indian diamond studded jewellery due to its affordability. Lower import rates will bring India on par with major competitors like Thailand which have zero tariffs on import of gold diamonds and gemstones. At the same time, it will create more jobs as the gems and jewellery trade is highly labour intensive, employing nearly 2 million workers.
More info @ http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/This_Budget_to_be_a_girls_best_friend/articleshow/1601463.cms
With the Union Budget (India) likely to abolish the import duty on cut and polished diamonds (CPDs) and gemstones, the gems & jewellery industry is in for some happy times. Another planned initiative for the industry is the introduction of the presumptive tax regime, which allows for computation of income-tax on the basis of turnover.
The proposal to cut the Customs tariff on import of CPDs and gemstones from 5% to nil follows a recommendation to this effect by the MR Sivaraman committee set up last year to study the rationalization of taxes and tariffs applicable to the forex-earning gems and jewellery sector.
The finance ministry is keen to put the sector – which accounted for nearly 15% of the country’s total exports and 19% of the total world demand for gems and jewellery in 2006 – on a growth trajectory that will see centres like Mumbai emerging as a diamond hub on the lines of cities like Antwerp and Bangkok. To that end, the ministry is said to have decided to reflect in the coming budget the recommendations of the Sivaraman committee on both the customs tariff as well as introduction of presumptive tax.
The presumptive tax regime was introduced in the last budget for the shipping sector, wherein the tax to be paid by companies in the sector would be calculated on the basis of tonnage. The proposal is now set to be replicated for the gems and jewellery sector, mainly to cut down on administrative costs and to encourage output as increased production would mean less taxes. This proposal, according to sources in the government, would be revenue-neutral.
As for the duty cut, the government is keen on seeing the emergence of centres like Mumbai as major diamond hubs, competing with other international diamond destinations like Antwerp and Bangkok. The abolition of duties on CPDs and gemstones, which accounted for 23% of total imports by the gems and jewellery sector, is expected to increase exports of studded and finished ornaments.
Duty cuts may essentially help Indian jewellers, most of whom are in the unorganised sector, cater to the growing demand of bulk buyers from the US and European Union for Indian diamond studded jewellery due to its affordability. Lower import rates will bring India on par with major competitors like Thailand which have zero tariffs on import of gold diamonds and gemstones. At the same time, it will create more jobs as the gems and jewellery trade is highly labour intensive, employing nearly 2 million workers.
More info @ http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/This_Budget_to_be_a_girls_best_friend/articleshow/1601463.cms
How To Create Asterism With Metal Foils Or Plates
Asterism can be produced by engraving metal foils or plates on doublets to imitate popular gemstones with stars. To imitate the phenomena silver, copper, brass or steel may be used as metal backings on doublets by scratching three sets of parallel lines sets of lines or grooves, using emery or carborundum paper. Other variations include scratched metal foils as backings to create four or six-rayed stars or metal foils with a network of engraved or impressed lines, along with a protective third layer of plastic or mineral. A good example is synthetic blue spinel triplet with a middle layer of engraved metal foil.
For well informed buyers, if the gemstones are unset identification is not difficult. The first hint is the color, diffused asterism and physical appearance.
For well informed buyers, if the gemstones are unset identification is not difficult. The first hint is the color, diffused asterism and physical appearance.
H Stern
H. Stern writes:
At the beginning of the 1950s a small Brazilian jewelry company was making a name for itself in international circles. With beautiful jewels and an audacious marketing strategy for that time, the company was poised to revolutionize the traditional jewelry industry. Behind the rising brand was Hans Stern, a young German émigré’ and a carioca’ (is the native of Rio de Janeiro) at heart. Several years earlier, 1945, at age 22, he had founded a small gemstone trading business in Rio de Janeiro—the beginning of this success story.
More info @ http://www.hstern.net/en/institucional/historia
At the beginning of the 1950s a small Brazilian jewelry company was making a name for itself in international circles. With beautiful jewels and an audacious marketing strategy for that time, the company was poised to revolutionize the traditional jewelry industry. Behind the rising brand was Hans Stern, a young German émigré’ and a carioca’ (is the native of Rio de Janeiro) at heart. Several years earlier, 1945, at age 22, he had founded a small gemstone trading business in Rio de Janeiro—the beginning of this success story.
More info @ http://www.hstern.net/en/institucional/historia
The Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for the Jewelry, Precious Metals and Pewter Industries
FTC writes:
23.20 Misuse of terms such as "cultured pearl," "seed pearl," "Oriental pearl," "natura," "kultured," "real," "gem," "synthetic," and regional designations.
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "cultured pearl," "cultivated pearl," or any other word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any imitation pearl.
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "seed pearl" or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to a cultured or an imitation pearl, without using the appropriate qualifying term "cultured" (e.g., "cultured seed pearl") or "simulated," "artificial," or "imitation" (e.g., "imitation seed pearl").
(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "Oriental pearl" or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any industry product other than a pearl taken from a salt water mollusk and of the distinctive appearance and type of pearls obtained from mollusks inhabiting the Persian Gulf and recognized in the jewelry trade as Oriental pearls.
(d) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "Oriental" to describe, identify, or refer to any cultured or imitation pearl.
(e) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "natura," "natural," "nature’s," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to a cultured or imitation pearl. It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "organic" to describe, identify, or refer to an imitation pearl, unless the term is qualified in such a way as to make clear that the product is not a natural or cultured pearl.
(f) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "kultured," "semi-cultured pearl," "cultured-like," "part-cultured," "pre-mature cultured pearl," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to an imitation pearl.
(g) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "South Sea pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to a pearl that is taken from a salt water mollusk of the Pacific Ocean South Sea Islands, Australia, or Southeast Asia. It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "South Sea cultured pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to a cultured pearl formed in a salt water mollusk of the Pacific Ocean South Sea Islands, Australia, or Southeast Asia.
(h) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "Biwa cultured pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to cultured pearls grown in fresh water mollusks in the lakes and rivers of Japan.
(i) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "real," "genuine," "precious," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any imitation pearl.
(j) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "gem" to describe, identify, or refer to a pearl or cultured pearl that does not possess the beauty, symmetry, rarity, and value necessary for qualification as a gem.
Note to paragraph (j): Use of the word "gem" with respect to cultured pearls should be avoided since few cultured pearls possess the necessary qualifications to properly be termed "gems." Imitation pearls should not be described as "gems."
(k) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "synthetic" or similar terms to describe cultured or imitation pearls.
(l) It is unfair or deceptive to use the terms "Japanese Pearls," "Chinese Pearls," "Mallorca Pearls," or any regional designation to describe, identify, or refer to any cultured or imitation pearl, unless the term is immediately preceded, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "cultured," "artificial," "imitation," or "simulated," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to indicate definitely and clearly that the product is a cultured or imitation pearl.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
23.20 Misuse of terms such as "cultured pearl," "seed pearl," "Oriental pearl," "natura," "kultured," "real," "gem," "synthetic," and regional designations.
(a) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "cultured pearl," "cultivated pearl," or any other word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any imitation pearl.
(b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "seed pearl" or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to a cultured or an imitation pearl, without using the appropriate qualifying term "cultured" (e.g., "cultured seed pearl") or "simulated," "artificial," or "imitation" (e.g., "imitation seed pearl").
(c) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "Oriental pearl" or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any industry product other than a pearl taken from a salt water mollusk and of the distinctive appearance and type of pearls obtained from mollusks inhabiting the Persian Gulf and recognized in the jewelry trade as Oriental pearls.
(d) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "Oriental" to describe, identify, or refer to any cultured or imitation pearl.
(e) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "natura," "natural," "nature’s," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to a cultured or imitation pearl. It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "organic" to describe, identify, or refer to an imitation pearl, unless the term is qualified in such a way as to make clear that the product is not a natural or cultured pearl.
(f) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "kultured," "semi-cultured pearl," "cultured-like," "part-cultured," "pre-mature cultured pearl," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to an imitation pearl.
(g) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "South Sea pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to a pearl that is taken from a salt water mollusk of the Pacific Ocean South Sea Islands, Australia, or Southeast Asia. It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "South Sea cultured pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to a cultured pearl formed in a salt water mollusk of the Pacific Ocean South Sea Islands, Australia, or Southeast Asia.
(h) It is unfair or deceptive to use the term "Biwa cultured pearl" unless it describes, identifies, or refers to cultured pearls grown in fresh water mollusks in the lakes and rivers of Japan.
(i) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "real," "genuine," "precious," or any word, term, or phrase of like meaning to describe, identify, or refer to any imitation pearl.
(j) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "gem" to describe, identify, or refer to a pearl or cultured pearl that does not possess the beauty, symmetry, rarity, and value necessary for qualification as a gem.
Note to paragraph (j): Use of the word "gem" with respect to cultured pearls should be avoided since few cultured pearls possess the necessary qualifications to properly be termed "gems." Imitation pearls should not be described as "gems."
(k) It is unfair or deceptive to use the word "synthetic" or similar terms to describe cultured or imitation pearls.
(l) It is unfair or deceptive to use the terms "Japanese Pearls," "Chinese Pearls," "Mallorca Pearls," or any regional designation to describe, identify, or refer to any cultured or imitation pearl, unless the term is immediately preceded, with equal conspicuousness, by the word "cultured," "artificial," "imitation," or "simulated," or by some other word or phrase of like meaning, so as to indicate definitely and clearly that the product is a cultured or imitation pearl.
More info @ http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/guides/jewel-gd.htm
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)