When a group of theatre enthusiasts founded The Montevideo Players Society on the 14th July 1949, they created the first Independent Theatrical Company in Uruguay (the state-run Comedia Nacional had been created earlier that year) and also what was to become the longest-lived English-speaking amateur dramatic society in South America. After 57 years of existence, the Society has so far publicly presented a total of 100 different productions, ranging from Victorian melodrama to slap-stick comedy, and thrillers to romantic pieces. Plays by a wide assortment of authors have been presented, such as Samuel Beckett, Jean Anouilh, Tom Stoppard, Tennessee Williams, Noel Coward, Neil Simon, Alan Ayckbourn and Willy Russell, just to name a few. The group has grown from a small nomadic troupe, rehearsing in members' living rooms and presenting the productions in contracted theatres, till in 1958 they were able to rent premises for meetings, rehearsals and set-building. In 1986 they moved into their own premises - an old house at Acevedo Diaz 2324, Montevideo, Uruguay - which was purchased with funds received from the Neil Fairless legacy and a very successful Brick Campaign, and converted into a theatre, a workshop and a Pub (and a barbecue in the garden). While essentially a fascinating hobby, amateur theatre has always been taken very seriously by the Players, as we feel a responsibility to give our audiences the best possible entertainment. With this in mind, members have a lot of fun working hard, whether it be in productions or in the up-keep of the premises. There is currently a campaign to raise funds (Operation Facelift) to carry out repairs to the fabric of the building and to give it a much-needed coat of paint.
The Cures Can Be Found Act of 2007 is U.S. House of Representatives bill 457 (or H.R. 457) of the first session of the 110th Congress, "to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide credits against income tax for qualified stem cell research, the storage of qualified stem cells, and the donation of umbilical cord blood." The bill was introduced on July 26 2005, as H.R. 3444, to the first session of the 109th Congress (the Cures Can Be Found Act of 2005).
Sponsors
The bill was authored by Representative Ron Paul, Republican of the 14th district of Texas, on July 26 2005. It was cosponsored by Representative Jeff Miller, Republican of Florida, and discussed on July 19 2006. Since its reintroduction to the 110th Congress on January 12 2007, besides these original sponsors, it has attracted the following additional cosponsors:
*Rep. Roscoe Bartlett
*Rep. Michael Burgess
*Rep. Dan Burton
*Rep. George Butterfield
*Rep. William Jefferson
*Rep. Ted Poe
*Rep. Bill Sali
*Rep. Timothy Walberg
Status
This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Purpose
With an income tax credit, the bill favors research upon nonembryonic stem cells (defined as cells obtained from placentas, umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, humans after birth, or unborn human offspring who died of natural causes). Opening remarks on the bill were delivered to Congress on July 19 2006.
The author, Ron Paul, has argued that the embryonic category of stem-cell research is outside of federal jurisdiction: "Those engaged in this debate tend to split into warring camps claiming exclusive moral authority to decide the issue once and for all. On one side, those who support the President’s veto tend to argue against embryonic stem cell research, pointing to the individual rights of the embryo being discarded for use in research. On the other hand are those who argue the embryo will be discarded any way, and the research may provide valuable cures for people suffering from terrible illnesses. In Washington, these two camps generally advocate very different policies. The first group wants a federal ban on all such research, while the latter group expects the research to be federally-subsidized. Neither side in this battle seems to consider the morality surrounding the rights of federal taxpayers ...."
Sponsors
The bill was authored by Representative Ron Paul, Republican of the 14th district of Texas, on July 26 2005. It was cosponsored by Representative Jeff Miller, Republican of Florida, and discussed on July 19 2006. Since its reintroduction to the 110th Congress on January 12 2007, besides these original sponsors, it has attracted the following additional cosponsors:
*Rep. Roscoe Bartlett
*Rep. Michael Burgess
*Rep. Dan Burton
*Rep. George Butterfield
*Rep. William Jefferson
*Rep. Ted Poe
*Rep. Bill Sali
*Rep. Timothy Walberg
Status
This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Purpose
With an income tax credit, the bill favors research upon nonembryonic stem cells (defined as cells obtained from placentas, umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, humans after birth, or unborn human offspring who died of natural causes). Opening remarks on the bill were delivered to Congress on July 19 2006.
The author, Ron Paul, has argued that the embryonic category of stem-cell research is outside of federal jurisdiction: "Those engaged in this debate tend to split into warring camps claiming exclusive moral authority to decide the issue once and for all. On one side, those who support the President’s veto tend to argue against embryonic stem cell research, pointing to the individual rights of the embryo being discarded for use in research. On the other hand are those who argue the embryo will be discarded any way, and the research may provide valuable cures for people suffering from terrible illnesses. In Washington, these two camps generally advocate very different policies. The first group wants a federal ban on all such research, while the latter group expects the research to be federally-subsidized. Neither side in this battle seems to consider the morality surrounding the rights of federal taxpayers ...."
Meredith Emerson (died January 2008) was a 24-year-old woman who went missing and was presumed murdered while hiking with her dog on the Freeman Trail in Vogel State Park, located in North Georgia at the base of the Appalachian Trail. She was reported missing on January 2, 2008, and her body was discovered on January 7, 2008, at an undisclosed location in Dawson Forest wildlife management area. Emerson died from blunt force trauma to the head and was decapitated. Gary Michael Hilton of Georgia has been charged in her disappearance. Hilton was found cleaning his van of what looked like blood stains on Ashford Dunwoody Road in Atlanta, Georgia. Meredith's dog, Ella, was found wandering the parking lot of a grocery store in Forsyth County (approximately 60 miles from where Emerson was hiking), and was identified via a microchip implanted on her. Emerson's blood stained clothing and black wallet containing her drivers license and University of Georgia student ID were found in a dumpster in a convenience store parking lot, across the street from where the dog was found.
Artakha is a figure of legend in the fictional Bionicle universe, and also applies to the kingdom that he rules.
Unlike his brother Karzahni, who is remembered in Matoran legend, Artakha has been forgotten. Only his realm is remembered, as the "Great Refuge" where there is no conflict or strife.
There is also an organization known as the Hand of Artakha and an artifact called the Staff of Artakha, though the connections to either of the actual Artakhas are unknown.
The Ruler
One of the first beings made along with his brother Karzahni, he once gathered the best Matoran to his kingdom to create essential relics, artifacts, and objects of power. However, after the Brotherhood of Makuta raided his realm to steal the Mask of Light, he asked the Order of Mata Nui to erase all records of the land's location from existence. Neither Artakha or his realm have been seen by outsiders since, and both have passed into legend. There were originally a number of myths concerning Artakha's identity, such as the idea that he may be a Great Being; but now Artakha has been mostly forgotten.
Artakha is a master craftsman. He is said to wear a Kanohi Mask of Creation that, while not actually able to create anything, helps him visualize the finished product and how it must be designed. Legend says that he once entered into a contest with Karzahni for it, and Karzahni's loss is in part responsible for his failure to properly aid the Matoran. To this day, he and his workers still create and anonymously distribute vital equipment where it is needed.
The Realm
According to Matoran legend, in a time before Mata Nui came, the Matoran worked in darkness without knowing the importance of their duty. If the Matoran had done their job well, then they would go to a place of light called Artakha, the Great Refuge. However, if their job was not done acceptably then they would be condemned to the realm belonging to the dreaded ruler Karzahni.
Karzahni has confirmed that the Great Refuge does indeed exist. The Order of Mata Nui has a little more information; but not much, as the land has been closed to outsiders for several millennia. Not even its location is known, as Artakha requested that the Order erase all records of the land's location from existence.
Artakha was the first location created in the Bionicle universe. It used to be connected by a land bridge to a larger uninhabited island, but Artakha's inhabitants destroyed both island and bridge when the land entered its period of isolation. Its terrain and weather tends to reflect the current disposition of its ruler, though by use of some device rather than a special power of the ruler's.
Artakha is home to some of the world's most accomplished Matoran builders and crafters, and their work has made Artakha into what is likely the most technologically advanced city in the Bionicle world. Under their ruler's direction, these crafters have created several essential items of power:
*The Great Kanoka Disks
*The Kanohi Nuva Masks
*The Nuva Cube and Nuva Symbols
*The Avohkii Mask of Light and Kraahkan Mask of Shadows
*The first Toa was also created here, though by the Great Beings rather than Artakha or the Matoran
*Weapons used by the first Toa
Artakha still observes the rest of the universe, and when items are needed they are anonymously teleported to their destinations.
Hand of Artakha
The Hand of Artakha was a group of heroes predating the first Toa. The Hand disbanded after the Toa arrived, partially due to the fact that the Hand's members were undisciplined and caused as much damage as they prevented. The Hand was eventually secretly reorganized as the Order of Mata Nui.
Former members of the Hand are known to include Order of Mata Nui members Axonn and Hydraxon. Another Hand member briefly worked for the Dark Hunters under the codename "Shadow Stealer".
Staff of Artakha
The Staff of Artakha is an artifact that can repair and even recreate any object from even the tiniest fragment. The Dark Hunters stole it from the Metru Nui Archives some time ago, but later gave it to the Vortixx of Xia as payment for weapons; though the Vortixx do not know the staff's full value.
The staff's retrieval was included on a list of essential tasks for the Toa Nuva to perform. However, Makuta Icarax beat them to it on Xia. He then left for Karzahni, where he ambushed the Toa Nuva, but was forced to flee with the Staff when Gali summoned all of her power and unleashed a Nova Blast, destroying the realm of Karzahni in the process. Icarax managed to deliver it to the Makuta of Metru Nui near Mahri Nui, who desired the staff so that he could recreate the Nui Stone from its miniscule fragments. However, before he could do so Brutaka intervened and claimed it for the Order of Mata Nui, tossing it to Botar and letting him teleport away with it before engaging Makuta. The Order used the staff to fulfill the Nuva's task: restoring the planet and fixing damage done in the Great Cataclysm. However, it was not perfect; any devastation caused after the cataclysm has not been affected, and the staff's power could not breach the shields of Karda Nui.
Unlike his brother Karzahni, who is remembered in Matoran legend, Artakha has been forgotten. Only his realm is remembered, as the "Great Refuge" where there is no conflict or strife.
There is also an organization known as the Hand of Artakha and an artifact called the Staff of Artakha, though the connections to either of the actual Artakhas are unknown.
The Ruler
One of the first beings made along with his brother Karzahni, he once gathered the best Matoran to his kingdom to create essential relics, artifacts, and objects of power. However, after the Brotherhood of Makuta raided his realm to steal the Mask of Light, he asked the Order of Mata Nui to erase all records of the land's location from existence. Neither Artakha or his realm have been seen by outsiders since, and both have passed into legend. There were originally a number of myths concerning Artakha's identity, such as the idea that he may be a Great Being; but now Artakha has been mostly forgotten.
Artakha is a master craftsman. He is said to wear a Kanohi Mask of Creation that, while not actually able to create anything, helps him visualize the finished product and how it must be designed. Legend says that he once entered into a contest with Karzahni for it, and Karzahni's loss is in part responsible for his failure to properly aid the Matoran. To this day, he and his workers still create and anonymously distribute vital equipment where it is needed.
The Realm
According to Matoran legend, in a time before Mata Nui came, the Matoran worked in darkness without knowing the importance of their duty. If the Matoran had done their job well, then they would go to a place of light called Artakha, the Great Refuge. However, if their job was not done acceptably then they would be condemned to the realm belonging to the dreaded ruler Karzahni.
Karzahni has confirmed that the Great Refuge does indeed exist. The Order of Mata Nui has a little more information; but not much, as the land has been closed to outsiders for several millennia. Not even its location is known, as Artakha requested that the Order erase all records of the land's location from existence.
Artakha was the first location created in the Bionicle universe. It used to be connected by a land bridge to a larger uninhabited island, but Artakha's inhabitants destroyed both island and bridge when the land entered its period of isolation. Its terrain and weather tends to reflect the current disposition of its ruler, though by use of some device rather than a special power of the ruler's.
Artakha is home to some of the world's most accomplished Matoran builders and crafters, and their work has made Artakha into what is likely the most technologically advanced city in the Bionicle world. Under their ruler's direction, these crafters have created several essential items of power:
*The Great Kanoka Disks
*The Kanohi Nuva Masks
*The Nuva Cube and Nuva Symbols
*The Avohkii Mask of Light and Kraahkan Mask of Shadows
*The first Toa was also created here, though by the Great Beings rather than Artakha or the Matoran
*Weapons used by the first Toa
Artakha still observes the rest of the universe, and when items are needed they are anonymously teleported to their destinations.
Hand of Artakha
The Hand of Artakha was a group of heroes predating the first Toa. The Hand disbanded after the Toa arrived, partially due to the fact that the Hand's members were undisciplined and caused as much damage as they prevented. The Hand was eventually secretly reorganized as the Order of Mata Nui.
Former members of the Hand are known to include Order of Mata Nui members Axonn and Hydraxon. Another Hand member briefly worked for the Dark Hunters under the codename "Shadow Stealer".
Staff of Artakha
The Staff of Artakha is an artifact that can repair and even recreate any object from even the tiniest fragment. The Dark Hunters stole it from the Metru Nui Archives some time ago, but later gave it to the Vortixx of Xia as payment for weapons; though the Vortixx do not know the staff's full value.
The staff's retrieval was included on a list of essential tasks for the Toa Nuva to perform. However, Makuta Icarax beat them to it on Xia. He then left for Karzahni, where he ambushed the Toa Nuva, but was forced to flee with the Staff when Gali summoned all of her power and unleashed a Nova Blast, destroying the realm of Karzahni in the process. Icarax managed to deliver it to the Makuta of Metru Nui near Mahri Nui, who desired the staff so that he could recreate the Nui Stone from its miniscule fragments. However, before he could do so Brutaka intervened and claimed it for the Order of Mata Nui, tossing it to Botar and letting him teleport away with it before engaging Makuta. The Order used the staff to fulfill the Nuva's task: restoring the planet and fixing damage done in the Great Cataclysm. However, it was not perfect; any devastation caused after the cataclysm has not been affected, and the staff's power could not breach the shields of Karda Nui.