text:
Rocket Ship Headed to Mars, Brooke 2013

Facilitate (fa-cil-i-tate) / fəˈsiliˌtāt/

verb (used with object)

Definition: to make easier or less difficult; help forward (an action, a process, etc.); make possible; make smooth / smoother; smooth the way for

Synonyms: enable, assist, help (along), oil the wheels of, expedite, accelerate, forward, advance, promote, further, encourage, catalyze

Last week, I read a story that my daughter wrote with her aide. If I had words big enough to describe the awesomeness of the story, I’d use them. I don’t. Thankfully, I don’t need them, as she agreed to share it here, so you’ll get to see for yourself just how insufficient my words would have been to tell you about hers.

The story is all Brooke. There’s no missing her deliciously unique voice within it. And yet, it’s so much MORE Brooke than we ever see in writing. It’s longer, more detailed, more HER than anything I’d seen to date. I marveled at the patience, the diligence, the tenacity, that it must have taken for her to have written it.

I knew that the writing must have been highly facilitated. But there was no question in my mind that the thoughts were hers.

There’s been a lot of cynicism floating around recently regarding facilitated communication. This isn’t anything new of course, but the recent spate of books written by non-speaking Autistics, and the wild popularity of one in particular, seems to have brought the doubters to the fore.

As I’ve said on the topic before, a healthy dose of skepticism is necessary if we are to ensure that our loved ones are never used or otherwise manipulated by those whose self-interests might clash with the truth. It is vital that we remain continuously and rigorously critical of any method in which one human is inserted, in any way, into the space between another human being’s thoughts and the process of the expression thereof.

But I won’t throw the proverbial baby out with the bath water just because manipulation is possible. Because here’s the thing — manipulation is always possible. In everything that humans touch. We are imperfect creatures  driven by our own self-interests and need for self-preservation. But we are also capable of incredible things. All of us.

I asked Ms J to describe to me the process by which she facilitated (enabled, assisted, helped (along), oiled the wheels of, expedited, accelerated, forwarded, advanced, promoted, furthered, encouraged, catalyzed) the process of writing Brooke’s story. This was what they did:

Brooke dictated her story to Ms J, who acted as a scribe, writing her words as she said them in long-hand on lined paper. Ms. J. periodically prompted Brooke to expand her narrative, asking questions like, “How did it feel when you were swinging?”and, “What happened after that?” She encouraged her to add more detail by asking questions like, “How did you get to outer space?” Next, Ms. J. gave the lined paper to Brooke, who, with some help with punctuation (particularly in placing the quotes) typed it into the computer.

The result is nothing short of incredible.

And nothing short of all my girl.

(For background – In Brooke’s school, the fifth graders are assigned kindergarten buddies. The buddies sit together at all-school assemblies and are encouraged to seek each other out. This is the story of Brooke meeting hers for the first time.)

Buddy Story

One day we went to Ms. M’s classroom downstairs because we wanted to see our buddies. I did not know who my buddies were so Ms. M told me I had 2 buddies. Their names were Maddy and Sam.

After I introduced myself we read 2 books. Then we went outside for snack and recess. When my buddies and I finished our snacks I said “Ready to play Maddy and Sam?” They said “Yes!” We played on the swings. I went really high like an underdog and it felt like I was flying like a bird. Maddy and Sam said “We want to go high too.” They went high like a bird too.

After we got tired of swinging we played outer space. We made a pretend rocket using our imagination and the recess car was the rocket ship. Sam asked if we like mars. Maddy and I said “yes we do like mars.” then I said “Do you guys want to go to mars?” My buddies nodded their heads. Mars was great but I had to go back to class so I said goodbye to my buddies and went back to class. I had fun at recess with my buddies  and I loved playing with them  and can’t wait to play with them again.

*names changed

Facilitation is tricky, but like everything else in this sticky, messy, human world of ours, it’s not black and white. As a matter of fact, in my house, it’s a hot pink rocket ship that allows us to ride along to the outer edges of my daughter’s incredible imagination. And for that, I am grateful.

11 thoughts on “facilitation

  1. This is absolutely amazing. I almost said that it is incredible and then I realized how credible it truly is. Leaps and bounds. Thank you Ms. J for facilitating.

    Love you,

  2. I really, really wish my little one had made the cutoff and was in the K at the public school, because your daughter might have been her buddy. And that would have been awesome.

  3. It does give me hope to see facilitation being used properly, to give your sweet daughter a voice.

    What concerns me is what you’ve already touched upon, but it goes deeper than just “manipulation”: a dishonest facilitator (as you say, “everything humans touch”) can tell parents exactly what they want to hear. In some forms being sold to the public, like Rapid Prompting Method, there is absolutely no intermediary “checks and balances” and the results are…. far from balanced.

  4. I love this story because it’s such a great example of the positive impact of facilitation. It’s as clear as day that Brooke didn’t need to have someone else come up with the world inside her imagination, but without granting her the proper tools, we would never know about it’s true extent. Some would assume she had no imagination, no depth of understanding of the story she was telling, simply because she wasn’t able to explain it on their terms.
    Facilitation may grow murky, and certainly action is warranted to prevent those who would take advantage of autistics, but how can we stand by and allow the rare abuse to invalidate that which is achieved through facilitation, especially given its effects are so game-changing?

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Adopted by Coles Westland Market Mall

Onoway Elementary School

Onoway, Alberta 102 / 470 Books Given

Principal Jody Beck An elementary school always needs new books! We wish to keep current in our information content and capture student imaginations with beautiful stories.

470 Children
Children: 470
Avg. age of books: < 10 yrs
$2.00 Budget/Child
Budget/Child: $2.00

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CB 3000 Premium Male Chastity Cock Cage and Lock Set 3 inch Pink

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CB 3000 Premium Male Chastity Cock Cage and Lock Set 3 inch Pink  - Lock him up with this premium CB 3000 Male Chastity Device Set. The CB 3000 measures 3 inch long with an inner diameter of 1.45 inch and restricts you from touching your genitals for sexual pleasure and gives the Keyholder control over the sexual fulfillment of both partners.This set includes one cage portion, five different sized rings, locking pins, spacers, padlock, five individually placement locks, and a zippered storage pouch. Plus a free sample of System Jo Premium Silicone Lubricant. Easy to use the two guide pins hold the top pieces together while the oval locking pin goes through the middle recessed center hole connecting the cage portion to the ring.Each device comes with a range of ring sizes ranging from 1.5 inch to 2 inch diameter. The flat design of the rings is extremely comfortable and secure. It's a classic that can be worn all day thanks to its breathable, lockable design.

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SPECIFICATIONS: Cock cage measures 3 inch length with an inner diameter of 1.45 inch for comfortable restraint

INSTRUCTIONS: Lubricate the head of the penis with the included free sample of System Jo lubricant. Put the cock cage on when penis is relaxed

Rings: take the bottom portion of the ring and put it around the testicles and penis. Insert the top ring with the guide pins. While putting on the top half make sure to push in a down position while attaching the two pieces. Locking pins insert the locking pins in the recessed sides of the rings.

Spacers: The spacers are designed in a special way that each spacer fits a particular locking pin.

Cage: Insert the penis into the cage

Padlock: After assembling the ring, guide pins, locking pin and spacers to the cage attach the brass padlock. Make sure you have a diligent key holder.

Cleaning: Use pjur Med Clean Personal Cleaning Spray Lotion 100ml

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Affordable Dental Implants in Colton, California

You believed everything was fine. No one showed up to discover that you were missing a few teeth, and afterwards somebody crossed the line. You were offered nana slippers and also a crocheted blanket for Christmas, the idea being that it was time to curl up on the couch with your feline and a glass of warm milk.

Discovering Affordable Dental Implants in Colton, California– Why So Pricey?

Shedding your teeth has actually begun to make you look old. You rarely speak to any individual anymore anyway, so why not work out in for an early snooze? Rubbish! You do not need to work out when affordable dental implants are simply a telephone call away.

Affordable  Colton Dental Implants – Always Well Worth the Initiative

Perhaps family members will be more straight as well as skillful regarding it, yet a person should tell you that affordable dental implants can be life-altering. Locating affordable dental implants begins with a web search and also the desire to travel a little bit. Chances are you will need to go to a significant city to find a dentist who makes it his organisation to provide economical dental solutions to individuals that need them. It could look like false economic climate if you have to pay for train tickets or gas, but just keep in mind the difference in expense and it quickly ends up being clear: traveling is well worth the effort to have your smile once again.

7 Reasons Why you Will Love your  New  Colton Dental Implants Forever

  1. Dental Implants feel and also look like your very own teeth. They are permanent and will certainly look wonderful
  2. Enhanced speech, due to the fact that the dental implants are fused with the bone, and will certainly not slip or relocate
  3. Sliding dentures could make chewing difficult. Dental Implants will stay solidly in location, allowing you to eat with confidence and without pain
  4. You can smile once again and also your self-worth and also positive self-image will improve due to the fact that dental implants look great
  5. Dental implants improve dental health, as compared to other services in Georgia. Neighboring teeth don’t require to be altered
  6. Many implants could last a lifetime, with good treatment
  7. Dental implants are like genuine teeth, you don’t should take them out. Oral are easier

Dental Consultation & Implant Surgery

The factor dental implants are so expensive is that great deals of people get associated with making them, putting them and also completing them. Add this to the expense of products plus the dental practitioner’s helicopter fees, and also soon you will certainly have to market your automobile to be able to consume steak once more.

How Do I Get Dental Implants in Colton CA?

Dental professionals could cut expenses by doing exactly what every customer does to save cash: buying wholesale. Given that there is no such thing as a bad dental professional, it is clear that these treatments take place frequently sufficient for a specialist to buy products ahead of time. If he is educated, he can perform even more of the work himself instead than sending you to a different individual to tackle each part of the process. All of this could conserve you cash, even after you ask for a strong sedative to obtain you via the process.

Dental Implant Issues

The majority of these oral practices market services over the web. Internet marketing aids to maintain prices down as well as get to even more people, while broadening their client base at the exact same time. Even more clients and also lower media prices amount to cost savings we can pass on to customers. Make certain to request a cost analysis for the dental implants when you see among our dental experts.

Finding Affordable Dental Implants in Colton CA

Take into consideration benefiting from these solutions prior to anybody needs to trigger you. Shock them with a new smile. The advantages start with self-confidence, which is vital to living a full life. Not everyone who sheds teeth will be senior. Many youths suffer from dental problems or injuries which lead to missing teeth. When you can not smile or talk easily, this cuts you off from individuals and hinders your chances of success, especially if you intend to operate in a customer care ability.

Even worse still, your jaw requires teeth in it to stay healthy. Without anything to support, your jaw begins to run out like a muscle mass that never ever obtains used. Your mouth will transform form to ensure that, also if you intend to obtain dentures at some point, they will certainly not fit. Act rapidly to stop this from happening and offer us a phone call today.

The advantage of selecting affordable dental implants over dentures is that they will certainly assist you to maintain bone mass, whereas dentures do not. If you wear dentures as you do without teeth, you have just as great a chance of losing bone.

Also dentures could be put in your mouth semi-permanently. Your dentist will fix them to a number of messages to make sure that you take hip hop lessons without shedding them. While the yelling of your other dancers or the audience as they go flying can be exciting, the regulation of ‘finders caretakers’ can mean your failure for locating affordable dental implants.

Colton Tooth Implants Prices

Pay little focus on the cost of your friend’s treatment. Her mouth is various from your own, so the solutions you require will not cost the exact same quantity. It could take much longer for your procedure to be ended up. Extra materials can be called for. Bone grafting could be necessary before any kind of more job can be done. Attempt not to be daunted, though.

When selecting affordable dental implants, simply discover just what kind of anesthetic solutions are used at the exact same time. This ought to put you at your simplicity. You might be asleep during. This is especially convenient if your main worry regarding mosting likely to the dental practitioner is that you are merely scared. An anxiety of dental practitioners prevails, yet is sometimes avoidable. Do not view ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ or ‘Marathon Man,’ as well as you can be simply great.

Dental Implant Discounts for  Colton, California

You do not have to clear up when affordable dental implants are simply a phone call away.
Maybe family participants will be a lot more straight as well as skillful regarding it, but someone needs to inform you that affordable dental implants could be life-altering. Discovering affordable dental implants begins with an internet search as well as the determination to travel a little bit. While the yelling of your other dancers or the target market as they go flying might be amazing, the guideline of ‘finders keepers’ can spell your downfall for locating affordable dental implants.
When choosing affordable dental implants, simply locate out what kind of anesthetic solutions are offered at the exact same time.


text:
Affordable Dental Implants in Corsicana, Texas

You assumed every little thing was great. Nobody appeared to observe that you were missing a few teeth, and also after that a person went across the line. You were given gran slippers and also a crocheted blanket for Christmas, the tip being that it was time to snuggle on the sofa with your pet cat and a glass of cozy milk.

Locating Affordable Dental Implants in Corsicana, Texas– Why So Costly?

Shedding your teeth has started to make you look old. You barely talk with any person anymore anyhow, so why not work out in for a very early nap? Rubbish! You don’t have to settle when affordable dental implants are simply a call away.

Affordable  Corsicana Dental Implants – Always Well Worth the Effort

Perhaps member of the family will be more direct as well as tactful concerning it, but someone has to inform you that affordable dental implants can be life-altering. Finding affordable dental implants starts with a web search and also the readiness to take a trip a bit. Opportunities are you will certainly need to go to a significant city to locate a dentist who makes it his service to supply budget-friendly oral solutions to people that need them. It might look like incorrect economic climate if you have to spend for train tickets or gas, but just note the distinction in cost and it quickly comes to be clear: taking a trip is well worth the initiative to have your smile once again.

7 Reasons Why you Will Love your  New  Corsicana Dental Implants Forever

  1. Dental Implants look like your own teeth. They are long-term and will certainly look excellent
  2. Improved speech, due to the fact that the dental implants are integrated with the bone, and also will not relocate or slip
  3. Gliding dentures could make chewing challenging. Dental Implants will stay sturdily in position, permitting you to consume with self-confidence and without pain
  4. Due to the fact that dental implants look good, you could smile once again and your self-worth as well as self-confidence will certainly boost
  5. Dental implants improve dental wellness, compared with various other solutions in Georgia. Close-by teeth do not need to be modified
  6. Many implants could last a lifetime, with great care
  7. Dental implants resemble real teeth, you do not require to take them out. Dental are much more practical

Dental Consultation & Implant Surgery

The factor dental implants are so costly is that great deals of people get included in making them, placing them and completing them. Include this to the expense of materials plus the dental professional’s helicopter charges, as well as quickly you will certainly need to sell your auto to be able to eat steak once again.

How Do I Get Dental Implants in Corsicana TX?

Dentists can cut expenses by doing what every customer does to save cash: purchasing in mass. Considering that there is no such point as a poor dentist, it is clear that these treatments occur typically sufficient for a specialist to buy materials in breakthrough. If he is trained, he can execute even more of the job himself rather than sending you to a different individual to deal with each portion of the process. All this can conserve you cash, after you request for a solid sedative to get you via the procedure.

Dental Implant Issues

The majority of these dental practices market services over the internet. Net advertising and marketing assists to maintain expenses down as well as get to even more individuals, while widening their customer base at the exact same time. Even more clients and also lower media costs amount to savings we can hand down to customers. When you see one of our dentists, make certain to ask for an expense evaluation for the dental implants.

Discovering Affordable Dental Implants in Corsicana TX

Take into consideration making use of these services prior to anyone needs to motivate you. Shock them with a new smile. The advantages start with self esteem, which is crucial to living a full life. Not everybody who sheds teeth will be elderly. Several young individuals struggle with oral problems or injuries which lead to tooth loss. When you can not grin or speak freely, this cuts you off from individuals as well as hampers your chances of success, particularly if you want to operate in a customer care ability.

Even worse still, your jaw requires teeth in it to stay healthy. Without anything to support, your jaw begins to waste away like a muscle mass that never ever gets utilized. Your mouth will change shape to make sure that, even if you intend to obtain dentures at some point, they will not fit. Act swiftly to avoid this from occurring and give us a telephone call today.

The advantage of picking affordable dental implants over dentures is that they will assist you to keep bone mass, whereas dentures do not. You have equally as great a possibility of shedding bone if you use dentures as you do without teeth.

Even dentures can be placed in your mouth semi-permanently. Your dental expert will certainly fix them to a variety of blog posts so that you take hip hop lessons without shedding them. While the shouting of your fellow professional dancers or the audience as they go flying could be interesting, the rule of ‘finders keepers’ might spell your failure for discovering affordable dental implants.

Corsicana Tooth Implants Price

Pay little focus on the cost of your friend’s procedure. Her mouth is different from your own, so the services you need will certainly not cost the same quantity. It might take longer for your procedure to be finished. Extra products could be needed. Bone grafting could be required before any type of further job could be done. Attempt not to be daunted.

When picking affordable dental implants, simply figure out just what sort of anesthetic services are supplied at the very same time. This ought to place you at your ease. You can be asleep the whole time. This is especially useful if your major issue regarding mosting likely to the dental professional is that you are merely afraid. A fear of dental professionals is typical, however is in some cases avoidable. Do not watch ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ or ‘Marathon Guy,’ and you can be simply fine.

Dental Implant Discounts for  Corsicana, Texas

You do not have to resolve when affordable dental implants are simply a phone call away.
Maybe household members will be extra straight as well as tactful about it, but someone requires to inform you that affordable dental implants can be life-altering. Finding affordable dental implants starts with an internet search and also the desire to take a trip a bit. While the shouting of your fellow professional dancers or the audience as they go flying can be interesting, the regulation of ‘finders keepers’ could spell your downfall for finding affordable dental implants.
When picking affordable dental implants, simply discover out what kind of anesthetic services are provided at the exact same time.


text:
Affordable Dental Implants in Dilley, Texas

You thought whatever was fine. No person showed up to discover that you were missing out on a couple of teeth, and also then someone crossed the line. You were offered nana sandals and a crocheted covering for Xmas, the recommendation being that it was time to crinkle up on the sofa with your feline and also a glass of cozy milk.

Discovering Affordable Dental Implants in Dilley, Texas– Why So Pricey?

Losing your teeth has begun to make you look old. You barely speak with any person any longer anyway, so why not resolve in for an early nap? Rubbish! When affordable dental implants are simply a phone call away, you don’t have to resolve.

Affordable  Dilley Dental Implants – Always Well Worth the Initiative

Possibly relative will certainly be much more straight and also skillful about it, however someone has to tell you that affordable dental implants can be life-changing. Finding affordable dental implants begins with an internet search and also the determination to travel a bit. Chances are you will certainly have to go to a major city to find a dental practitioner who makes it his business to provide affordable dental services to people that require them. It could seem like incorrect economy if you have to spend for train tickets or gas, however simply keep in mind the distinction in price and it quickly becomes clear: traveling is well worth the effort to have your smile once again.

7 Reasons Why you Will Love your  New  Dilley Dental Implants Forever

  1. Dental Implants look as well as really feel like your very own teeth. They are long-term and will look excellent
  2. Boosted speech, since the dental implants are fused with the bone, and also will certainly not move or slip
  3. Moving dentures can make chewing tough. Dental Implants will certainly stay sturdily in location, permitting you to consume with confidence and also without pain
  4. Because dental implants look good, you could grin once more and also your self-confidence and confidence will improve
  5. Dental implants boost dental health and wellness, as compared to various other services in Georgia. Neighboring teeth don’t need to be changed
  6. Most implants could last a lifetime, with good care
  7. Dental implants are like real teeth, you don’t need to take them out. Oral are easier

Dental Consultation & Implant Surgery

The reason dental implants are so pricey is that great deals of individuals obtain associated with making them, putting them and also completing them. Include this to the expense of materials plus the dentist’s helicopter charges, as well as quickly you will certainly need to market your vehicle to be able to eat steak again.

How Do I Get Dental Implants in Dilley TX?

Dental experts can reduce prices by doing what every customer does to conserve loan: buying wholesale. Considering that there is no such thing as a poor dental professional, it is clear that these procedures occur typically enough for an expert to get products ahead of time. Furthermore, if he is trained, he could carry out even more of the work himself instead compared to sending you to a various person to tackle each portion of the procedure. Every one of this can save you cash, after you request for a solid sedative to obtain you through the procedure.

Tooth Implant Issues

A lot of these oral techniques advertise solutions over the net. Web advertising and marketing aids to keep prices down and also reach more people, while broadening their client base at the very same time. More customers and also reduced media prices include up to savings we could hand down to customers. When you see one of our dentists, make sure to ask for an expense analysis for the dental implants.

Finding Affordable Dental Implants in Dilley TX

Think about capitalizing on these solutions before anyone has to motivate you. Shock them with a new smile. The advantages start with self esteem, which is crucial to living a complete life. Not every person who loses teeth will be elderly. Lots of youths suffer from dental conditions or injuries which result in missing teeth. When you could not grin or talk openly, this cuts you off from individuals as well as hampers your opportunities of success, especially if you wish to operate in a client service capability.

Worse still, your jaw requires teeth in it to stay healthy. Without anything to support, your jaw starts to squander away like a muscular tissue that never ever obtains utilized. Your mouth will certainly alter form to make sure that, even if you wish to get dentures eventually, they will not fit. Act swiftly to avoid this from taking place and provide us a phone call today.

The advantage of choosing affordable dental implants over dentures is that they will assist you to maintain bone mass, whereas dentures do not. If you put on dentures as you do without teeth, you have simply as excellent a possibility of losing bone.

Even dentures could be put in your mouth semi-permanently. Your dental professional will fix them to a number of messages to ensure that you take hip jump lessons without shedding them. While the screaming of your other dancers or the audience as they go flying might be amazing, the rule of ‘finders keepers’ could spell your failure for finding affordable dental implants.

Dilley Tooth Implant Price

Pay little focus to the cost of your pal’s procedure. Her mouth is various from yours, so the solutions you need will certainly not set you back the very same amount. It might take longer for your treatment to be ended up. Extra products can be required. Bone grafting could be necessary prior to any type of additional work could be done. Attempt not to be demandinged, though.

When choosing affordable dental implants, simply figure out just what kind of anesthetic services are used at the same time. This must place you at your ease. You might be asleep the entire time. If your primary issue about going to the dentist is that you are just scared, this is particularly handy. An anxiety of dentists is typical, however is occasionally preventable. Do not see ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ or ‘Marathon Male,’ and also you might be just great.

Dental Implant Discounts for  Dilley, Texas

You do not have to work out when affordable dental implants are just a phone call away.
Perhaps household members will certainly be a lot more straight and tactful concerning it, yet someone needs to tell you that affordable dental implants could be life-changing. Locating affordable dental implants begins with a web search and also the determination to travel a little bit. While the howling of your other professional dancers or the audience as they go flying can be exciting, the guideline of ‘finders caretakers’ could mean your failure for finding affordable dental implants.
When choosing affordable dental implants, simply locate out what kind of anesthetic solutions are offered at the very same time.


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text:
Home > History, WW2 > HOI3 AAR: Viva el Socialismo! – #14

HOI3 AAR: Viva el Socialismo! – #14

September 17, 2010

When we last met the Germans were pouring over the border into Italy and threatening Spain’s Italian holdings. From there, things get worse.

By April 24 the Germans have secured most of Northern Italy, and despite being pounded by our airforce are marching for our lines.

On May 3, German troops engage our positions, but not in strength, and are easily beaten back.

Skirmishes continue all early May and the battles go our way as the Germans haven’t moved their main body up to our position yet. On the 8th of May Rome is freed from our control and the Italians are given back their country.

By May 15 the Germans have taken positions opposite our lines and begun their assault in two positions. Although the battles go well at first, the battle on the coast quickly turns irreparably sour. Oh, the German troops have gone green as I think they’ve been given to the Italians to use as expeditionary forces.

On May 24 the Southern end of our line collapses, despite six-or-so divisions, fortifications, naval guns, dug in bonuses and air support all in our favour!

With our flank turned, and against all we could do to defend against the Krauts,  I am beginning to think we have no chance of stopping the dreaded Hun from taking all or lands and destroying our forces.

Checking the diplomacy screen we’re still months away from being able to join the Allies so it looks like we’re on our own!

In a surprising turn of events we take back the Southern province only to lose a province in the north. We have troops moving to counter attack, so with luck we should push back the Germans again and recapture our defensive line.

We capture back the lost Northern province with a swift counter attack and instead of the expected rout we have weeks of grinding battle. Monaco province (the Southern one) changes hands again and again ends up back under our control on June 15. Elsewhere on the front battles grind on and on and units are constantly being switched out and sent to the rear for rest and reorganisation before being sent back into the fray. For now, it seems to be a stalemate.

On the 19th of June a wild diplomatic stab (ok, begging and grovelling) sees this happen!

Spain collectively crosses its fingers and hopes and prays that the Austrians send some troops in to help us out some how!

By early July it’s clear that Austria can’t do much. As far as I can tell they only have a couple of divisions and there’s no sign of them crossing the border to join our struggle. We also lose two border provinces after fierce battles where around 20,000 men are lost on both sides (per battle!).

The rest of July sees battle slow down and a sort-of quiet descends across the front. I take the opportunity in August to try to wear down the German salient in the middle of our line. With attacks from four neighbouring provinces I’m hoping we can take it. Grinding battle goes on for days and days.

We’ve also sent the strategic and tactical bombers in to destroy logistics behind enemy lines in an attempt to wear down the supplies of these forward units. It seems to be working – I am seeing the ‘out of supplies’ battle condition o the bad guys pop up a few times. Not sure it will be enough to turn the tide of the battle though.

We let the battle run until the 4th of September, and despite running the enemy divisions down to only a slither of strength (a few men left only) we don’t make a dent in their organizational strength – and knocking that down is required to force the retreat.

Both sides lose a lot of men but no progress is made. On the bright side, we’ve deployed a heavy armored division!

Looking at the bombing run attacks it’s clear that the German forces are extremely depleted. Between the grinding battles, constant bombing and the logistic losses the enemy can’t seem to make headway. But on the other hand, we can’t push the bad guys off the provinces they’ve captured. Stalemate. After months of battle I’m sure we’re both weary and our poor troops must think they’re fighting WW1 again!

On the 8th of September I politely suggest to the Germans that we call it a day and consider a rematch at a later date. And, perhaps worn down as much as we have been, they agree!

Finally! The war is over! Thank god! We’ve lost Italy, but we’ve probably saved the country. There’s no way we could have kept up that war for another six months. Time to regroup, rebuild, and think about our options (and try to figure out when, if ever, this game will end!

Read on here: HOI3 AAR: Viva el Socialismo! – #15

Categories: History, WW2 Tags:
  1. Rich
    September 17, 2010 at 5:03 pm

    Very nice AAR, cant wait to see what you’re going to do next.

  2. Loc
    September 18, 2010 at 7:55 pm

    So much fun so far with this AAR. Let it end with a huge bang!

    • September 18, 2010 at 8:25 pm

      Haha yeah! When will it end though?! I honestly don’t know when the game is going to end now!

  3. Lliam
    September 18, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    I am kinda thinking that if it didn’t finish in ’48 then it may keep rolling on. Now that you (and most of the rest of the world) are at peace you may want just need to wrap up.

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Air Group One Museum Audio Tour

Presented by Members David Hanson & Cheryl Bailey

Welcome to Air Group One's Museum Audio Tour, please click below hear our Welcome Message and begin the tour.

On April 21, 1945, A-26s and A-20s of the 9th Air Force flew over 120 interdiction sorties against the railroad marshalling yards at Attnanpucheim in Austria. The low flying bombers caused tremendous damage and lost not a single aircraft as they cut the main line from Vienna to southern Germany. The remaining seasoned troops in Germany would go nowhere for the rest of the war.

Many strikes were carried out against the Japanese stronghold at Rabaul. The attack pictured above took place on November 2, 1943 when B-25s and P-38s of the Fifth Air Force braved the massive anti-aircraft defenses of Rabaul to press home their attacks. The B-25 shown above is flown by Major Paul "Pappy" Gunn, and is modified as a strafer with four 50-caliber machine guns in the nose, and two each mounted on the fuselage just underneath the wings. Combined with the '50s in the top turret and using skip-bombing techniques, these aircraft could inflict tremendous damage.

Despite its reputation as a "widow maker", the B-26 proved to be a great bomber and a truly safe airplane. When the final numbers were in, the Marauder held the record for the lowest combat loss rate of all bombers, less than one-half of one percent. This painting shows the B-26 "Flak Bait" pulling up and away after making an attack run on a German V-1 launching site.  "Flak Bait" flew no less than 202 combat missions and is now on display in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.

Most B-17 paintings show them in combat over Hitler's Europe, but Flying Fortresses played a role in the Pacific too. Here we see two B-17Es of the 13th Air Force, 98th Squadron, "Galloping Gus" and "Typhoon McGoon II" hooking it home after a bombing mission against Japanese positions in New Guinea.   Nakajima Rufe floatplanes rise to engage them, but prove to be no match for the Fortress gunners.

On August 1, 1943, 178 Liberators made a famous low-level bombing raid on the oil refineries at Ploesti, Rumania. This scene shows John R. "Killer" Kane's B-24 named "Hail Columbia" and another Pyramidier B-24 "The Squaw" making their attack through the thick smoke over the target. These B-24s have a cluster of 50-caliber machine guns mounted in their nose which clears a swath before them.

On May 23, 1945, Mission #181 is undertaken by the B-29s of the 20th Air Force against Tokyo, Japan. The incendiary bombs dropped that night would turn the Japanese capital into a raging firestorm. The print shows a stricken B-29 named "Eddie Allen" coming off the target with a fire beginning near the #1 engine from a dud anti-aircraft round. While the "Eddie Allen" would survive the mission, it would be her last, as the damage she received that night made her unsafe to fly again.

The first in a series of prints known as "Southwest Pacific", this scene portrays a Lockheed P-38L Lightning passing a Japanese Ki-61 "Tony" fighter that it has just mortally wounded off the coast of New Guinea.

A P-400 (the export version of the P-39 Airacobra) does what it does best: flying down on the deck pounding Japanese ground positions. This P-400 was originally destined for the RAF in the Pacific, but like the others it became part of the 67th Fighter Squadron based at Guadalcanal in 1942. Though it still wears British camouflage, its newly added sharkmouth and American insignia make it clear what unit is dealing out the punishment.

The exploits of the A.V.G. (American Volunteer Group), also known as the Flying Tigers, are now legendary.  Their high kill-to-loss ratios and colorful story is well known. During the brief time that the Flying Tigers defended China and Burma against the incursions of the Japanese, they racked up a high kill-to-loss ratio and the gratitude of a nation. Here we see a pair of Tigers downing a Japanese fighter over the winding Burma Road.

The barrel-shaped Republic P-47 was the biggest, heaviest single-seat fighter produced by America during the war. This rugged airplane was well suited for ground attack missions, as their large radial engines could withstand flak damage better than the inline engines of the Mustangs. This scene shows Thunderbolts of the 373rd Fighter Group of the 9th Air Force screaming down out of the sky to shoot up barges on the Rhine River, denying these much needed supplies to the enemy.

Flying Tiger ace Major James H. Howard single-handedly defends the B-17s of the 401st Bombardment Group from numerous enemy fighter attacks, saving the group and downing a number of enemy planes. For this action he received the nation's highest honor, the Medal of Honor.

During a bomber escort mission Major Nevin Cranfill (of the 359th Fighter Group) damaged one German ME-262 jet fighter that was pursuing a P-51. He then closed on another ME-262 and commenced firing from 800 yards, downing the German jet.

One of the more famous roles of the PBY was as a rescue aircraft. Many "May Day" victims owed their lives to the "Cats" or "Dumbos", as the great craft were fondly called. This print shows a Catalina as it begins cranking down its wingtip floats in preparation for a water landing somewhere in the Coral Sea. Two more airmen will be saved to fight again.

This particular scene shows a typical mission for an L-5 of the 25th Liason Squadron, better known as the "Guinea Short Lines". An A-20 Havoc bomber has been shot down during an attack on a Japanese base somewhere in the Pacific. Having been discovered by a prowling Sentinel, the downed aviators hacked down enough of the tall Kunai grass to form a makeshift runway. The L-5 put down, and took aboard two of the bomber crewmen, despite a 400-pound gross load limit. Ignoring the limits specified in the L-5's tech order, the L-5 pilot somehow managed to get airborne and threaded his way through the jungle, gaining altitude at every opportunity. Another miraculous rescue, but just a day's work for the men of the "Guinea Short Lines".

A P-61 Black Widow (of the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron) named the "Lady Gen" makes a kill of a German ME-410 in the nightime skies over Belgium in 1944. This crew went on to become one of three ace crews in the 422nd, and the Black Widow went on to become America's premier night fighter of WWII.

Although the Bell P-63 Kingcobra looked like the Bell P-39 Airacobra, the two aircraft were, in fact, two entirely different designs. The Kingcobra was larger, utilized a laminar flow wing, and had a more powerful engine.The Kingcobra was not lacking in aerial performance, however, by the time it entered into U.S. Army service in late 1943, the P-38s, P-47s, and P-51s had the fighter plane assignments filled. Of the 3,308 Kingcobras built, 2,421 were destined for delivery to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease program. While in service with the Russians, the P-63 won great acclaim as a ground support aircraft. Its heavy armament and ability to absorb punishment and still come home made the plane a favorite among the Russian pilots. This scene shows a Kingcobra down low strafing a German armored column.

This print shows elements of Lieutenant Commander Clarence W. McClusky's eighteen SBD dive bombers from the USS Enterprise as they plunge from 17,000 feet to pulverize the Japanese carrier Soryu during the Battle of Midway on June 4, 1942. Despite attacks by a variety of U.S. aircraft, only the Dauntlesses were able to score any hits. The victory at Midway turned the tide of the war in the Pacific.

In this print, TBD Devastators of USS Yorktown's VT-5 engage Japanese ships in the Battle of Tulagi, a minor prelude to the Battle of the Coral Sea in May of 1942. In two separate attacks the TBDs launched a total of 22 torpedoes in Tulagi harbor, but their only success was the sinking of the minesweeper Tama Maru. This was probably due to the poor quality of the aerial torpedoes, and the inexperience of the American flight crews.

The Avenger was first used in combat in June of 1942 at the Battle of Midway. Only six examples were available at that time, and they arrived too late to be put aboard the U.S. carriers enroute to the battle. These six were deployed from the airbase on Midway Island, and the pilots of Torpedo Squadron 8 were the first to sight and attack the Japanese fleet. The heroism of VT-8 is reflected here as we see Lieutenant A.K. Bert Earnest piloting Avenger 8-T-1 through withering fire as he hurtles toward his target, the Japanese carrier Akagi on June 4, 1942. All of the other Avengers were lost, with 8-T-1 being the sole survivor of the group. This plane was badly shot up with the radio operator dead and the bombardier wounded, barely making it back to base.

The only combat action involving Buffalos (in U.S. hands) was at the Battle of Midway, where the Marine pilots of VMF-221 flew from the island's airbase and intercepted an incoming Japanese aerial strike. Several Val dive bombers fell to the Buffalo's guns, but they were quickly jumped by Zeros and most were shot down in the ensuing battle. Buffaloes were then withdrawn from front-line duties and never used by U.S. forces in combat again.

This painting shows a Helldiver pilot from the USS Hancock (part of Halsey's Third Fleet) on the day after the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 26th, 1944), as he dives on one of the fleeing remnants from Admiral Ozawa's shattered fleet. Four Japanese carriers, a cruiser, and a number of destroyers were sunk during this battle.

In this print two F4Fs from the Yorktown's VF-42 rise up out of the flak from the damaged but fighting Japanese carrier Shokaku during the Battle of the Coral Sea. The F4Fs protected the Dauntless dive bombers who planted 3 bombs into the Shokaku, which resulted in it missing the Battle of Midway a mere month later.

This action portrays the F6F-5 "Minsi II", flown by the Air Group Commander of VF-15 (Fabled Fifteen) off the carrier Essex. Here Commander David McCampbell is engaged with Japanese aircraft over the Phillipines on October 24, 1944. Commander McCampbell and his wingman intercepted 60 enemy aircraft enroute to an attack on the U.S. Fleet, and in the ensuing fight he shot down nine of the enemy and forced them to abandon their attack. He received the Congressional Medal of Honor for this action.

The Corsairs were mainly used by the U.S. Marines, who usually flew them from island bases, rather than from carriers. This is because the Corsair was initially thought to be unsuitable for carrier use due to visibility problems with the long nose during landing. In late 1944 this was proved to be untrue, and some Corsairs found themselves temporarily operating off of Navy carriers as additional fighter resources. This print portrays Marine Corsairs of VMF-124 (temporarily stationed on the USS Essex) as they break up a Japanese kamikaze attack over the Phillipines in late 1944.

Thank You for listening! Please help support Air Group One's Museum program with a Donation.


text:
Airways Magazine

Air Koryo North Korea’s Connection to the World

 Breaking News

Air Koryo North Korea’s Connection to the World

Air Koryo North Korea’s Connection to the World
June 16
15:17 2016

Published in January 2015 issue

By Charles Kennedy

The flag carrier of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), more commonly known as North Korea, is Air Koryo (JS/KOR). Charles Kennedy tells the story of the airline’s history, its present-day operations, and its very unusual aviation tourism niche.

Japan’s colonial possessions, including Korea, were divided among the victors of World War Two, creating a U.S.-sponsored South Korea and a Soviet-sponsored, communist North Korea, whose formal name is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).

The Korean War broke out, after five years of partition, when North Korea tried to reunify the country by military means in 1950. After three years of fighting, with major participation by the U.S. and China and the loss of over two million lives, the only result was a ceasefire at the 38th Parallel; ironically this border line had been the starting point of the war. A peace treaty has never been signed and, technically, a state of war continues to exist after more than sixty years.

The politics of this stalemate has made the DPRK one of the least visited and least understood countries in the world. Although visitor numbers are very low— about 25,000 foreign entries to the country in 2013, including 20,000 Chinese nationals—North Korea nonetheless relies on its flag carrier to connect to the world, much like any other country.

The airline started life in 1945, as SOKAO, an acronym that translates to “Soviet-North Korean Airline.” SOKAO flew to the Chinese capital city of Beijing and to the Russian cities of Vladivostok and Chita, using Lisunov Li-2s and Antonov An-2s aircraft. Its services were terminated for the duration of the Korean War. After the ceasefire, the dormant entity was taken over by the Ministry of Communications and renamed UKAMPS, adding Ilyushin Il-12s and Il-14s. An additional Il-14 was given to President Kim Il Sung by Soviet leader Stalin for use as a head-of-state aircraft. Today, this aircraft, registration simply “535”, is preserved in a huge indoor space at the International Gift Exhibition outside Pyongyang, following a year of display on the ramp at Pyongyang in 2012.

In 1966, the airline acquired its first Antonov An-24, which was followed by two more from the factory in Kiev. These durable twin-prop workhorses remain in service today, serving remote towns in North Korea on tourist charters and government trips.

In 1969, UKAMPS expanded, to become a true long-haul carrier, with four-engine propjet Ilyushin Il-18s, which, for the first time, made service to Moscow possible. The I1-18s even served European points beyond Moscow, within the sphere of socialist countries, such as Sofia in Bulgaria, Belgrade in Yugoslavia, and East Berlin in the Democratic Republic of Germany. The furthest from base a Korean Il-18 is known to have flown is Havana, Cuba.

In 1975, the airline was renamed Chosonminhang, “Choson” means Korea, “Minhang” means “Airways”; in English it became known as CAAK, short for Civil Aviation Authority of Korea, in the style of China’s then flag carrier CAAC. This was just in time to receive its first jetliner, a Tu-154B, opening jet service to Moscow and beyond, although the B model of the Tu-154 was not a true long hauler, having to make fuel stops in Irkutsk and Novosibirsk.

The first Ilyushin Il-62M, P-885, was delivered in 1979, opening non-stop jet service to Moscow and more frequent services to East  Berlin and Sofia. This type became the airline’s flagship for the next three decades, serving trunk routes to Moscow and Beijing; a dedicated aircraft, P-618, became the head-of-state transport.

In 1982, the airline suffered its only fatal accident when an Il-62M, registered P-889, crashed in mountainous terrain in Guinea at the end of a long flight on a government trade misión from Pyongyang to Conakry, the capital city of the West African nation. The cause is not publicly known, although it is assumed to be pilot error, possibly compounded by crew fatigue.

In 1984, the airline received a pair of Tupolev Tu-134s, P-813 and P-814. P-813 was the first to be delivered and was personally inspected by President Kim Il Sung upon its arrival in Pyongyang. Among the last Tu-134s to be built, they were mostly used for local trips to Vladivostok in Russia and provincial Chinese cities, such as Shenyang in Manchuria, while the Il-62Ms covered Beijing and further afield.

While jet-capable runways in the provinces of North Korea exist, there have not always been scheduled domestic flights, mostly due to the short distances involved, which made train travel a more viable option. The An-24s and Tu-134s were called upon to operate to North Korean destinations, such as Sondok, serving the industrial city of Hamhung, and Samjiyon, serving the Mount Paektu region, mostly on an ad-hoc basis.  Recently, however, Air Koryo has published schedules for domestic flights for the first time in a long while.

[tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”345″]

Another rebrand came in 1993, when the airline was given its current name, Air Koryo, taken from the ancient Koryo dynasty that ruled the peninsula in the years 918–1392 AD. However, this name change was followed by the most difficult time in North Korea’s history, coinciding with both the death of President Kim Il Sung, in July 1994, and the “Arduous March” of the mid-to late-90s. Famine and hardship were caused by the disappearance of the economic constellation of socialist nations that followed the demise of the Soviet Union and of its European satellites. This hardship was exacerbated by serious flooding in the North Korean countryside, which destroyed crops essential for the survival of the population.

With the dawning of the new century, the situation in North Korea gradually began to improve and orders were placed for a pair of new modern aircraft, Tupolev Tu-204s, to replace the Il- 62Ms in frontline service. One was a standard -100 and the other a rare short body -300 “SP”. The Tu-204-300 is unusual because, while all -300s (eleven were built) are six meters (19 ft.) shorter  than the -100 baseline to extend range and performance, this particular one (and one other) were modified from the -100 in a major surgical operation, removing two barrels from the fuselage and resetting the hours on the airframe to zero.

In 2013, Air Koryo received an An-148- 100 from Antonov, once a Soviet design bureau and, since 1991, a stand-alone airframe manufacturer in post-USSR independent Ukraine. The An-148 is a regional jet with a striking resemblance to the British Aerospace BAe 146, but with two Ivchenko Progress D-436 engines instead of the 146’s four Lycomings. At one point, it was announced that Air Koryo had ordered two more, one An-148 and one stretched An-158, but those orders were cancelled and the aircraft not taken up.

Around the same time, in 2013, Air Koryo stopped operating “old” Russian hardware (the Il-62Ms, Tu-134s and Tu- 154Bs) on passenger service to foreign civilian airports. Since then, the pair of Tu-204s and the An-148 have operated all international passenger flights. The fleet that has been relegated to domestic and charter service has a new waving flag on the tail, while the international fleet retains the more sober “straight” representation of the flag.

January 2015Add to cart | View Details

In recent years, Air Koryo has opened scheduled routes to Asian ports such as Bangkok and Macau, but without lasting success, so these services have been discontinued. One destination that is showing staying power is the twice- weekly rotation to the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur for trade and tourism. The other long haul service out of Pyongyang is to Kuwait, with a technical stop in Pakistan, supplying labor to Kuwaiti construction projects.

It is worth mentioning that airline rating website Skytrax reserves a one (out of five) star rating for Air Koryo alone. In fact, service is always gracious, soft-spoken and kind, with a hot meal, usually a hamburger, and drinks served on all international sectors; imagine that in the West. Air Koryo’s poor rating does not represent the passenger experience at all, but is because some Skytrax checkboxes remain unfulfilled; for instance, the airline does not have a website.

Nonetheless, air travel is at a low level in North Korea. The sum of the airline’s scheduled operations is a near-daily service to Beijing, a couple of flights a week to Shenyang and Vladivostok, plus Kuala Lumpur and Kuwait. The only foreign carrier at Pyongyang is Air China, calling a couple of times a week with Boeing 737 service from Beijing. This adds up to only a couple of flights a day in total. For periods of the day, the passenger terminal is unattended, a fascinating contrast to airports serving other Asian capitals.

The original terminal, which had stood since the 1960s, was taken down piece by piece in 2012, to be replaced by a temporary terminal, while a new, permanent facility is being built. This is now almost complete and due for a November 2014 opening. Its appearance is that of an impressive and modern glass-fronted complex that will use jetways for the first time.

[tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”346″]

At odds with North Korea’s media image of an unwelcoming and officious country, Air Koryo has thrown its doors open to aviation enthusiasts since 2012. Juche Travel Services is a tour operator with offices in London and Beijing, run by a Brit who was sufficiently aviationliterate to know that Air Koryo’s lineup of old Russian jets, which he had seen when passing through Pyongyang airport, would be of interest to aviation enthusiasts. After months of planning, the first tour went on sale for May 2012. The line-up of types was so mouthwatering that prospective clients were hesitant to book, suspecting an Internet scam. Juche Travel Services’ boss had to resort to hosting a dinner in London to prove he was a real person and to explain that, yes, this was really going to happen!

The first tour set the template for the 16 that have since followed, including three German-language ones. The tour consisted of a round-trip to Samjiyon or Orang on the Il-18, with a night stop at the destination and a couple of daytrips to Sondok airport, which serves Hamhung on the Tu-134, Tu-154 and An-24. Subsequent tours have added the superrare Ilyushin Il-76 cargo lifter, of which Air Koryo operates three. The second tour, in June 2012, offered flights aboard the pair of government VIP Mil Mi-17 helicopters that, after a hiatus, reappeared on the menu in 2014.

Since the Il-62 stopped flying on schedules to Beijing, it has been employed for a local sightseeing flight. On the departures board in the terminal, the destination is listed as Pukchang, which is the name of the radio beacon in the Korean countryside to which the flight heads out before returning to its origin for landing after about forty minutes in the air. After takeoff, participants on these special flights have the run of the aircraft, taking pictures of interior fittings, full cabin views and wing shots. While the cockpit door stays shut in flight, the front office is open to photography after landing.

On the ramp at each port of call, the facility is open to the group to explore and photograph. One highlight is that, when the Il-18 flies up to Samjiyon, a picnic lunch for each passenger is brought along. Imagine sitting on the tarmac at a remote airfield on the NK side of the North Korea-China border, enjoying lunch and a local beer, with a 1968-vintage Ilyushin prop liner parked in front of you for company.

2015 will be the sixtieth anniversary of the DPRK and Air Koryo. For the aviation tours, there will be some special events scheduled and a new terminal building to experience. Despite the rhetoric in the Korean Peninsula remaining heated and hostile, its future hard to predict, and the reunification of the two Koreas seemingly a long way off, Air Koryo reliably serves North Korea with its pair of modern Tupolev Tu-204s, its sole Antonov An-148 and an offer of a warm welcome to all who fly there.

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Charles Kennedy

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Just a Quickie…

Not, silly—not that kind! A new accessory from Alli&Ali Designs Mainstore.

It’s the Cherry Blossom Hair Accessory, and you can pick one up right now for $L99. It has an extremely low display weight, and is designed to be worn with just about any A&A hair.

I’m wearing mine with the Dolly hairstyle, and I love it!

Cherry Blossom Hair Accessory, available now at Alli&Ali Designs Mainstore.

Grab yours today!

Aisling's Signature" Love, Aisling

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Grace In Small Things 3/5/2011

  1. Mr. X allowed me to sleep in this morning until 8am.  However, from 7am onwards, I was serenaded with Rex singing and laughing.   It was fabulous listening to him interacting with Mr. X while I got to snuggle in the warm bed.
  2. We ordered Rex’s birthday cake today!!!  We went to the fancy schmancy bakery and ordered a shamrock cake for our little St. Patrick.  Well, the cake is actually for us but we got him a cupcake to dig into and get intertwined with his luscious blonde locks.
  3. Date night with Mr. X! We went and saw Cedar Rapids.  It was awesome.
  4. Mr. X and I have become a well oiled machine when it comes to taking care of Rex.   It is a thing of beauty.
  5. Finally got back to the library.  I’ve been bereft of good reading for a while so I am looking forward to the promise of a good book!

Onwards and upwards, always.

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Calvin Klein and Anne Frank are beliebers

GrootCalvin Klein has been known for decades for his controversial advertising campaigns. His latest one, launched last week, has already been the topic of many water cooler conversations, and then some. And what does Calvin Klein have in common with Anne Frank?

Not so innovative

Schermafbeelding 2015-01-12 om 22.48.20If you thought your hipster kids were innovative by wearing half of their Björn Borg boxers sticking out of their jeans, think again. Oh, and by the way: if you are over 20 and still do it, you’re a loser, if you are over 30 you’re desperate.

CK 1989One of the first underwear brands to print their name clearly on the waistband of the briefs was Calvin Klein (CK) in the early 80s. Subsequently, they also wanted it to show, and stimulated this by photo shoots, showing how it was done. It was quickly adopted by the American gays, making CK one of the first brands to breakthrough via the gay community. This trend was taken up by the straight consumer only years later, for instance with Joe Boxer (mainly by the black community) and only 25 years later with Björn Borg.

Gay marketing

CK is one of the most famous examples where gays were considered as trend setters: already in 1982 he targeted them with special ads.

ck mark kateThe brand shot to greater fame in 1992 due to the crotch grabbing Mark Wahlberg (of Funky Bunch fame), a Herb Ritts campaign that ran in Out magazine – and later on billboards around the world, sometimes with the addition of Kate Moss in her panties. They were also in a cheeky commercial together. Kate had been a model for four years then, protagonist of the heroine chic trend, but played a minor role in the campaign. Both rose to great fame and are still A-list now, 23 years later.

Last year, the crotch grab was mimicked by 22-year-old former Disney star and Jonas Brothers band member Nick – while British TV personality Dan Osbourne chipped in too. “Copying is the highest form of flattery”.

CK Marky  ck jonas  Ck dan osbourne

Fun fact: Jamie “50 shades of grey” Dornan was CK model – without the crotch grab though (picture down below).

How it began

garrettCalvin Klein has been an openly gay (or at least bisexual) fashion designer and his success and approach to marketing made him a – disputed – gay icon of sorts.

His first order was obtained purely, and ironically, by accident when a coat buyer from Bonwit Teller got off on the wrong floor of a hotel and wandered into Klein’s studio. She placed an order for USD 50,000, which was a huge amount at that time. Soon, he was on the cover of Vogue. By 1997 sales of Calvin Klein Jeans approached half a billion dollars.

Controversial ads

Klein had long been known for his attention-getting advertisements. He first made a name for himself by designing clean, uncomplicated sportswear. But he kept his name before the public by creating sometimes shocking and always news making advertising campaigns. After all, if you are promoting underwear you have the right, if not the obligation to show almost naked models…

CK brooke kkAdvertising was a key to Klein’s success. He stoked the media with controversy that kept his name in the news. He was the first to design women’s underwear that looked like men’s jockey shorts. His television ads for jeans starred 15-year old Brooke Shields, who exclaimed: “Nothing comes between me and my Calvins.”

Fun fact 1: 30 years later, the actress claimed that, after two children and three decades, the jeans still fit her.

Fun fact 2: in 2008 the ads were ‘copied’ by present-day star Kim Kardashian for Radar magazine. In Brooke’s case there was talk about exploiting a teen. Kardashian biggest claim to fame was a leaked sex tape. We have come a long way.

A new medium: the “outsert”

WeberKlein again attracted a great deal of attention when he and noted photographer Bruce Weber created a 115-page “outsert” ad campaign incorporating rock and roll, grunge, and waif models as well as the homo-erotic and cynical-chic images of drug use. The outsert was distributed in a few major cities, featuring a fictionalized hard-body rock band and their sexily clad girlfriends, which ran in the October 1991 Vanity Fair. There were some boy-meets-boy and girl-meets-girl shots that were sexually suggestive.

Child porn?

pornCK ads of the mid-1990s featured underage teenagers (not professional models) in sexually provocative poses that were particularly risqué, and were characterized by many as socially irresponsible. Dubbed “kiddie porn” by the press, the campaign was singled out by Forbes magazine as the worst marketing campaign of 1995.

He even attracted government attention: the FBI and Justice Department investigated the company for possible violations of child pornography laws. The ads were universally denounced, but in the end, the Justice Department ruled that they were not pornography. And, yes, Klein pulled the ads, but not before the accompanying publicity had made the Calvin Klein brand name a part of everyday conversation.

The Biebs

CK bieber stoneAnd now… there is Justin Bieber. He was one of the first, if not the first, artist to get over 500 million views for a YouTube video. Idolized by millions, and despised by probably as many (so, of course, endlessly memed). The latter was enhanced by the picture of Bieber in the nude, serenading his grandma, but the coup de grace came when he stated that “Anne Frank would have been a Belieber”. Oops.

The model frolicking around with the Biebs is Dutch model Lara Stone. Fanatically tweetingSchermafbeelding 2015-01-14 om 23.34.30 teenage girls started issuing death threats: “hi bitch i hate u. touch justins d*** again and ill kill u im not joking” en “back off or i’ll kill you, please and thanks. no pressure :).” After all, you don’t touch Justin Bieber without the approval of his fans.

Stone’s Instagram account has also been flooded by trolls with messages like “Go kill yourself with a cactus” (interesting choice of weapon there), although many of the comments have now been deleted. Dealing with online death threats – even ones accompanied by emoji and bad spelling. No comments from CK or Stone yet. Is every publicity good publicity?

So – another controversial model is nothing strange for CK. But look, Justin is not the skinny kid star anymore, he has grown up nicely (partly thanks to Photoshop, no doubt) and seems to love his Calvins, even before he signed the contract. No doubt it will create enough rumour around the brand to increase sales substantially.

The dangers of Photoshop

MadonnaJust like Madonna was “outed” when a before and after picture of her Luis Vuitton photo shoot was leaked, you could almost wait for Bieber to get the same treatment.

His before and after show that his muscles had been enlarged, all of a sudden he had a six-pack – with hair on it – and a considerable bieber voor en nabulge ‘in his Calvins’. Maybe he was still the boy, and not sexy enough for CK., the site that pointed out the difference in appearance and suggested the use of Photoshop, was quickly threatened with a lawsuit, and had to 1. withdraw the post, 2. say that it had been a joke. After all, this was damaging to the Bieber brand. The obediently did, with the argument “if you say so, we must believe you”.

Reactions on internet

Of course, it did not take long before his proportions and look got a bit out of hand.

bieber big Bieb + Mark Schermafbeelding 2015-01-15 om 09.25.27 Schermafbeelding 2015-01-15 om 09.26.05

Schermafbeelding 2015-01-14 om 23.31.06There have already been some memes, and many polls as to who does it better, Markie Mark or the Biebs, or if he looks better with or without the hair on his belly.

Again, CK is engulfed in a lot of rumour. These days the social media make it much faster than in the days of child porn, which was not child porn. It will no doubt benefit his business.

Sexual Marketing & Advertising

Just like Klein would deny his campaigns to be child porn (underage teenagers in sexually provocative poses) or condoning drug addiction (decimated teens appeared to be part of an idealized drug culture), he denied his male underwear images to be “gay oriented”.

Quotes from Calvin Klein about the sexual marketing and advertising of his brand:

  • JamieDornanforCalv_2702600a“I’m a sexual person, and that’s reflected in my clothes and my advertisements.”
  • “I’m not a drug addict. My wild period wasn’t about drugs; it was about sexual freedom.”
  • “I’m not selling sex. I’m selling underwear and jeans, and I’m not trying to do it with pornography.”
  • “My men’s underwear print ads are very popular!”
  • “People read things into my commercials that don’t even exist.”
  • “It’s fun seeing my label on someone’s behind – I like that.”
  • “The only way to advertise is by not focusing on the product.”
  • “The best thing is to look natural, but it takes makeup to look natural.”
  • “There are a lot of gay people in fashion, but it’s not as if every gay person is a great creator.”

Thus spoke Calvin Klein. He is a Belieber now.

One thought on “Calvin Klein and Anne Frank are beliebers

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