Diversionary Tactics

Addicted to a Certain Kind of Sadness

2012-01-25T09:01:00.000-08:00

Another kiss is all you need...

2012-01-18T11:28:00.001-08:00

No turning back

2011-12-09T11:57:00.001-08:00

What would an angel say?

2011-12-09T11:15:00.001-08:00

You're changing your heart

2011-12-07T13:37:00.001-08:00

Everybody hates a tourist

2011-12-01T13:11:00.001-08:00

Suicidal Cain

2011-12-01T13:04:00.001-08:00

My Empire of Dirt

2011-12-01T12:57:00.001-08:00

Even Flow

2011-10-26T15:44:00.001-07:00

Blackhole Sun

2011-10-26T15:42:00.001-07:00

Moves Like Jagger, Sings like a Girl

2011-10-25T09:16:00.001-07:00

Guitar Riffs

2011-10-25T08:08:00.001-07:00

All the Hipster Kids

2011-10-24T09:19:00.001-07:00

The days go by

2011-10-12T13:45:00.001-07:00

Duet

2011-09-30T11:27:00.001-07:00

Daddy's bringing me a surprise

2011-09-30T11:11:00.001-07:00

Models

2011-09-30T09:30:00.001-07:00

Singing Underwater

2011-09-28T11:47:00.001-07:00

Outrun my Gun

2011-09-26T10:40:00.001-07:00

Another Pumped uP version

2011-09-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

Run baby run

2011-09-24T15:04:00.001-07:00

You better run faster than my bullet

2011-09-24T14:37:00.001-07:00

Song 2

2011-08-17T12:09:00.000-07:00

Service of the Queen

2011-05-05T13:21:00.000-07:00

Soul Sister cover

2011-03-31T14:21:00.001-07:00

Walk on Water

2011-03-31T11:09:00.001-07:00

Right now...

2011-03-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

Superstars

2011-03-31T09:25:00.001-07:00

Dyno-mite!

2011-03-31T09:04:00.001-07:00

Bangkok

2011-03-30T20:59:00.000-07:00

Bottle It Up

2011-03-15T12:48:00.001-07:00

Many the Miles

2011-03-15T12:47:00.001-07:00

Love Song by Sarah B

2011-03-15T12:42:00.001-07:00

A cappella cover of Dynamite

2011-03-15T12:36:00.001-07:00

Acoustic Cover of Dynamite #4

2011-03-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

Acoustic Cover of Dynamite #3

2011-03-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Cooler than Me - Homemade Video

2011-03-15T11:37:00.000-07:00

Taio Cruz - Break Your Heart

2011-03-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

Acoustic Cover of Dynamite #2

2011-03-15T11:26:00.002-07:00

Acoustic Cover of Dynamite #1

2011-03-15T11:26:00.001-07:00

Glock Torture Test

2008-03-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

During the movie In Bruges, there's a part with a Beretta 92 falls a long distance and breaks. I'm not convinced this is plausible.

Searching the web I found this Glock torture test (a different modern pistol), in the videos a gun is dropped from a plane, survives, and even functions.

Glock Torture Test Part 1: The Drop

Glock Torture Test Part 2: Gun Recovery

Not everything on the Internet is true, by any means, and this could easily be staged... just as easily as the movie, in Brubes, was staged (only less professionally).

But Glocks have a reputation for toughness and this seems reasonably plausible to me.

I'm not sure if the Beretta 92 is as tough, but the US military seem reasonably happy with its performance in several theaters of action.

I'd worry that a gun would bend and that it wouldn't cycle or function after a big fall on concrete or cobblestones, but I would be surprised if it would end up a pile of broken pieces and springs.

I still enjoyed the movie and this minor factual quibble isn't a huge deal...

Curbing the sale of stolen artwork

2006-07-25T22:38:00.000-07:00

Paint Brush fields by Ozyman.

The Unidroit Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects: An Answer to the World Problem of Illicit Trade in Cultural Property by Claudia Fox

From the Abstract:

Recent media reports have brought to the forefront of the public's attention the worldwide problem of illegal trade in stolen art. ... The court reasoned that an original owner's failure to meet the due diligence burden would foreclose that owner's right to recover property, and would encourage the illicit sales of stolen art. ... In response to the growing international concern about the extensive pillaging of archaeological and ethnological material in source countries, and the influx of stolen antiquities on the art market, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) promulgated the Convention for Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, and Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property in 1970. The UNESCO Convention is the major international treaty for the protection of cultural property during peacetime and is a cornerstone of United States policy regarding stolen international art. The UNESCO Convention prohibits the importation of cultural property illegally exported or stolen from a foreign nation. ... Some commentators argue that civil laws, which make it easier for a purchaser to acquire valid title of stolen property, may actually encourage theft by allowing thieves to "launder" stolen art. ... It also insures some security for the possessor by setting the limitations period at a maximum time in which the original owner can bring a claim.

Cite: Claudia Fox, The Unidroit Convention on Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects: An Answer to the World Problem of Illicit Trade in Cultural Property 9 American University Journal of International Law & Policy 225 (1993)|Lexis|

Merryman and a Reponse

2006-07-25T22:21:00.000-07:00

First, an article by John Henry Merryman and then a response to Merryman's views.

Two ways of Thinking about Cultural Property by John Henry Merryman

From the abstract:

One way of thinking about cultural property -- i.e., objects of artistic, archaeological, ethnological or historical interest -- is as components of a common human culture, whatever their places of origin or present location, independent of property rights or national jurisdiction. ... Another way of thinking about cultural property is as part of a national cultural heritage. ... When, as is often (but not always) the case, the source nation is relatively poor and the market nation wealthy, an unrestricted market will encourage the net export of cultural property. ... Articles 34-36 deal with protection of cultural property and provide: ... Articles 25 and 26 provide for the protection of cultural property. ... Hague 1954 contains one significant concession to nationalism: like its predecessors, it limits the protection of cultural property by the doctrine of "military necessity." ... In short, military necessity can justify the destruction of cultural property otherwise protected by the Convention. ... Instead, the dialogue is about "protection" of cultural property -- i.e., protection against removal. ... In this way, the achievements of earlier cultures of the source nation could be exhibited to a wider audience, the interest of foreigners in seeing and studying such works (their "common cultural heritage") could be accommodated, and the demand that is currently met through the illicit market could be partially satisfied by an open and licit trade in cultural property.

Cite: John Henry Merryman, Two ways of Thinking about Cultural Property 80 A.J.I.L. 831 (1986). |Lexis|

Now a response by David Rudenstine.

Cultural Property: the Hard Question of Repatriation, The Rightness and Utility of Voluntary Repatriation

nternationally prominent museums located in nation states that controlled empires into this century continue to possess cultural property taken from weaker societies during that earlier period. ... Merryman's idea that "cultural property belonging to any people whatsoever" belongs to everyone because the cultural heritage of any one people is the "cultural heritage of all mankind" seems more like a slogan in a bitter feud over cultural patrimony than an idea that illuminates. ... Fourth, it is argued that there is almost no discernible meaning and significance to the voluntary repatriation of cultural patrimony because almost all repatriated patrimony would merely go from one museum to another. ... But, does Merryman exaggerate the significance of the 200 yards that might one day separate a museum featuring the Parthenon sculptures from the Parthenon itself? If the only value at stake were the aesthetic one identified by Merryman, namely the integrity of the Parthenon as a unified building adorned with its original sculpture, then the difference between the sculptures being in their original location as part of the Parthenon and being housed in a museum would seem highly significant. ...

Cite: David Rudenstine, Cultural Property: the Hard Question of Repatriation, The Rightness and Utility of Voluntary Repatriation 19 Cardozo Arts & Ent LJ 69 (2001) |Lexis|

Cultural Property in time of War

2006-07-25T22:00:00.000-07:00

An overview of the law regarding cultural artifacts during wartime is found in The Legal Regime for Protecting Cultural Property During Armed Conflict by Captain Joshua E. Kastenberg.

From the abstract:

After World War II, codified international law recognized that historic monuments, archaeological sites, and other artwork is considered the property of all mankind, rather than that of a single state. This recognition was codified in the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, and reaffirmed in article 53 of the 1977 Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. ... This article examines the depth of customary international law -- that is the accepted practices and norms of the international community -- with respect to cultural property, the 1954 Hague Convention and Additional Protocol One, and Department of Defense and Air Force policy.

Cite: Joshua E. Kastenberg, The Legal Regime for Protecting Cultural Property During Armed Conflict, 42 Air Force Law Rev. 277 |Lexis|

Protection of Cultural Objects in Singapore

2006-07-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

Singapore Esplanade by Moritz.

Treaties, Time Limits and Treasure Trove: The Legal Protection of Cultural Objects in Singapore by Jack Tsen-ta Lee discusses the law of Singapore in protecting cultural objects in Asia.

From the abstract:

This article considers the extent to which civil and criminal law in Singapore deters the unlawful removal of cultural objects from the possession of private owners, art galleries and museums, or from archaeological sites, and provides redress to victims. Given Singapore's position as the crossroads of Asia, the law must be able to cope with the flow of objects in and out of the country. The law is currently deficient as it is not tailored to deal with issues concerning cultural heritage, and needs to be reformed in several respects. There are sound reasons for a modern State like Singapore to enact legislation, as well as to enter into regional and international treaties, to protect its national heritage and to promote global co-operation in opposing the illicit trade in unlawfully removed cultural objects.

Cite: Treaties, Time Limits and Treasure Trove: The Legal Protection of Cultural Objects in Singapore 9 Art, Antiquity & Law 237(2004)
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