#inter-american

On the Chicago & Alton

I believe this is a northbound Amtrak Inter-American; the line is the Chicago & Alton/GM&O/ICG. It’s always nice to see color-position lights, this particular design endemic to the B&O and Alton.

The location is just south of Bloomington, Illinois, photographed from the I-55/I-74 overpass with Fox Creek Road in the distance.

Amtrak’s Inter-American

Not great photographs here, but the content makes it worthwhile to inspect and interpret what was versus what remains.

This is a southbound number 21, the Inter-American, crossing College Avenue in Normal, Illinois. This is the former Chicago & Alton, later Gulf, Mobile & Ohio. One may note the distinctive B&O signals here—a result of the C&A being controlled by that major railroad. It was Illinois Central Gulf at the time of these pictures, and is now of the Union Pacific (with another group owning the line in between these last two).

The train is approaching a spot in Normal that will host a passenger station (MP 124), but at this time trains stopped a bit further down the line in Bloomington itself. One will also note the the train will meet a northbound freight with an ICG unit on point. Illinois Central’s charter line cuts across the Alton near where that train can be seen. Looking at Google Maps today, it’s clear that this historical line of the IC no longer exists here (though it does in bits and pieces in other parts of the state). And looking at Google Street View, it’s difficult to recognize anything from these vintage views—other than the high-rise buildings, which I assume are connected to Illinois State University.

The train is being powered by three E-units—two are former Union Pacific E9s (built in 1955) while the middle unit is an E8 (built in 1953) of the RF&P. Two are in Phase II paint (so-called cigar-band), while one is in the original Phase I (bloody-nose) scheme. I didn’t realize this train, the Inter-American, went all the way to Laredo, Texas, and had connecting service with National Railways of Mexico. I’ll add a timetable page above (copyright Amtrak, by way of timetables.org).

Inter-American

Amtrak’s southbound Inter-American speeds by the depot at Lexington, Illinois. The train is headed up by a rounded-nose E-unit, with a rounded-end observation bringing up the rear—how the visionary designers of the 1940s imagined how things should be.

This line belonged to the Illinois Central Gulf at the time of the photograph being made, but it was once Alton’s main line between Chicago and St. Louis, and the GM&O after that.

On the Chicago & Alton

I believe this is a northbound Amtrak Inter-American; the line is the Chicago & Alton/GM&O/ICG. And I’m not positive, but I think this is south of Bloomington, Illinois, photographed from the I-55/I-74 overpass with Fox Creek Road in the distance. It’s always nice to see color-position lights.

Today, we're venturing off the beaten path to discuss a topic that may seem unrelated to our usual focus on spiritual growth and community. However, we believe that exploring the world of international banking and its potential cross-border opportunities can have a profound impact on our collective future. As we navigate the complexities of global commerce, we want to hear from you: what level of interest do you have in international banking? Should American banks consider expanding their reach across borders, and what benefits or challenges do you see arising from this approach? Share your thoughts, comments, and level of connected interest with us, and let's spark a meaningful conversation!

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is a multilateral development bank that promotes economic growth, social progress, and cooperation among its 48 member countries in the Americas. Here's an overview:

*Mission:* To promote economic growth, social progress, and cooperation among its member countries, with a focus on reducing poverty and inequality.

*History:* Founded in 1959, the IDB is the oldest multilateral development bank in the Americas.

*Membership:* 48 member countries, including:

33 countries in Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico

15 countries from North America, Europe, and Asia

*Mandate:* To:

1. Promote economic growth: Through investments in infrastructure, trade, and competitiveness.

2. Reduce poverty and inequality_: By supporting social programs, education, and healthcare.

3. Foster regional integration_: By promoting trade, investment, and cooperation among member countries.

4. Protect the environment_: By supporting sustainable development and climate change mitigation.

*Operations:* The IDB provides:

1. Loans: To governments, private sector companies, and non-governmental organizations.

2. Grants: For specific projects and programs.

3. Technical assistance: To support institutional strengthening and capacity building.

4. Investment guarantees: To mitigate risks and attract private sector investment.

*Focus Areas:* The IDB prioritizes:

1. Education and skills: To enhance human capital and competitiveness.

2. Infrastructure and transport: To improve connectivity and trade facilitation.

3. _Energy and environment_: To promote sustainable development and climate action.

4. Financial inclusion: To expand access to financial services for underserved populations.

5. Innovation and digitalization: To drive economic growth and productivity.

*Notable Initiatives:*

1. IDB Capital Corporation: A private sector lending arm that supports entrepreneurship and innovation.

2. Innovation and Development Forum: A platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration on innovation and development.

3. Climate Change and Sustainability Group: An initiative to support climate action and sustainable development.

The Inter-American Development Bank plays a vital role in promoting economic growth, social progress, and cooperation in the Americas. Its work has a positive impact on the lives of millions of people across the region.

In case you were wondering about how to make an anvil, soap, fungicides, an ax, etc., the Institute of Inter-American Affairs has a pamphlet for that!

 (1945). How to make an anvil (Revised). Washington, DC.: Institute of Inter-American Affairs.

(1944). How to tan hides. 

(1944). How to make soap. 

(1945). How to make and use insecticides and fungicides. Washington, DC: Institute of Inter-American Affairs.

Landmark ruling for longtime UK resident Leopoldo García Lucero. Written by C. Ferstman, REDRESS.

Leopoldo García Lucero is an 80-year old torture survivor living in London. He was one of the many individuals who were brutally tortured during the Pinochet regime in 1970's Chile, forty years ago. An estimated 38,000 individuals are said to have survived torture in Chile, but the real figure of torture is much higher, given that so many died of their injuries.

García Lucero was first detained in September 1973, very soon after the military coup toppled the regime of democratically elected President Allende. He was held in the National Stadium and other locations and over a period of more than a year, was systematically and brutally abused. In June 1975, he was expelled from Chile by a government decree. He received refugee status in the United Kingdom, together with his wife and three daughters. Mr García's left arm was broken, most of his teeth were knocked out, he was given electroshocks and threatened with execution. Because of all the beatings to his head, he has a zigzag scar on his forehead which is a daily reminder of all that he suffered, and cognitive problems which have made it impossible for him to work and learn English – both of which have severely impacted his ability to integrate in the United Kingdom.

I met Mr García more than a decade ago. We brought his case to the Inter-American Commission and then the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. We argued that Chile was obligated to investigate the torture, and to provide him with an adequate and effective remedy, taking into account all that he suffered, and reflecting the fact that he is based in the United Kingdom, so cannot benefit from many of the measures the Chilean government has put in place to benefit survivors.

The judgment was publicly released at the end of October. In addition to the GPS 20,000 he was awarded in moral damages, which reflects the continuing failure of Chile to provide him with adequate remedies, the Inter-American Court recognised that:

- Governments have an obligation to ensure that torture survivors who are in exile can receive remedies that reflect the particular circumstances they face - when living outside of their home countries. Refugees may have special needs such as access to health and other benefits in their place of refuge; countries are obligated to address these needs.

- The Inter-American Court referred to a recommendation recently made by the UN Committee Against Torture, the official UN body that oversees States' compliance with the UN Convention Against Torture. When examining Chile's state party report, the UN Committee Against Torture recommended that Chile enter into cooperation agreements with countries hosting Chilean refugees, to ensure that these refugees receive all the necessary medical and psychological support to aid in their rehabilitation. So, once again, a State's duty to afford rehabilitation to torture survivors does not end when they leave the country.

- The Inter-American Court also called on Chile to publicise the Court's judgment, not only so that the public in Chile could have the opportunity to learn what was said, but in particular to publicise it internationally, so that Chileans in any part of the world where they sought refuge, could learn about the judgment.