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<p>OWL’S HEAD, Maine —&#160;Syria, which has been percolating in and out of public view for the last two years, exploded into full sight this past week as a result of revelations that the Assad government may have used nerve gas against rebel-controlled areas.</p>
<p>With over 70,000 already dead —&#160;the result of air strikes, heavy shelling of populated areas, and other deadly conventional military means, one can legitimately wonder why the possible deaths of an additional dozen or two Syrians would cause such concern in Washington.</p>
<p>The reason, unfortunately, is another of President Obama's Middle East blunders; in this case his threat last year that the use of chemical weapons was "a red line" which the Syrian government's crossing would lead, presumably, to a US military response.</p>
<p>He upped the ante last week after the administration told Congress that Assad's forces may have used sarin gas, calling it "a game changer." Then, thankfully, the waffle factor kicked in, with the White House undermining its own stand by noting that US intelligence agencies had only "varying degrees of confidence" that such gas had actually been used. And in his press conference Tuesday, Obama hedged his threats even further.</p>
<p>When is a game changer not a game changer? One can sympathize with Obama for moving his "red line"; there are, after all, no good options with regard to Syria. Republican Senators McCain and Graham were all over the Sunday talk shows demanding Obama "take action" in Syria. They are delighted to have Obama's Syrian policy to attack and can legitimately claim US credibility is at stake as our red lines fade into pink.</p>
<p>And the timing for Republicans is ideal; after all, they've bled the Benghazi tragedy dry. More to the point, once Hillary Clinton had resigned as secretary of state, the principle target was gone (or, anyway, on hold; we'll hear more about Benghazi from the Republican right once Clinton's run for presidency takes off).</p>
<p>Obama's "red line" problem with Syria is, unfortunately, of his own making. Whether he is so taken with the sound of his own rhetoric, or just oblivious to its consequences, it's not the first time he's made inept, self-foot-shooting comments about an area where his inexperience, even fours years on, is obvious.</p>
<p>He launched an ill-prepared foray into the Israeli/Palestinian issue —&#160;a game that's not for amateurs —&#160;in the early months of his presidency with his demand that Israel cease settlement construction in the West Bank. Netanyahu disabused him of that possibility faster than you could say "shalom." Then Obama drew his ambiguous red line on Iran's nuclear activities, which, at least so far, has not caused a worse problem than the one he hopes to prevent.</p>
<p>The Syrian "game changer," it appears, won't be one, because getting indisputable proof that the Assad regime authorized the use of poison gas will, luckily, be nearly impossible. (An ironic aside: Obama, to avoid getting into the war in Syria, minimizes existing intelligence; his predecessor meanwhile hyped half-baked intelligence to get us into his Iraq war. But then Bush's inexperience in the Middle East makes Obama look like an expert. Further aside: with Washington's influence in decline worldwide, wouldn't it be nice to elect a president who actually knows something about the rest of the world.)</p>
<p>Louis XV's reported threat, "Apres moi, le deluge," turned out to be a fair prophecy, though it took a couple of decades before France was really under water. Assad, the ex-English eye doctor, may not know his pre-revolutionary French history all that well, but he has publicly advised the world that what follows his overthrow may well make us wish he were still around.</p>
<p>And, who would have thought it? But already, looking into the smoke-filled crystal ball of Syria's future, the Assad regime doesn't seem so bad.</p>
<p>The lead article in Sunday's New York Times reported that in Aleppo, Syria's largest city, rebels aligned with al-Qaeda "control the power plant, run the bakeries and head a court that applies Islamic law."</p>
<p>And Aleppo is not an isolated situation. Two years of compounding violence have radicalized the opposition and attracted Muslim extremists from across the Arab world. The result, the Times article concluded, is that "nowhere in rebel-controlled Syria is there a secular fighting force to speak of." A westerner working with the Institute for the Study of War, who has visited Syria frequently in recent months to interview rebel commanders, was quoted: "there are no seculars" left on the rebel side.</p>
<p>One thing the administration has long had under consideration, and seems now to be seriously contemplating, is providing arms to the rebels. But arming secular, pro-Western militias in the face of much more numerous and already well-armed Islamists could easily backfire.</p>
<p>At the beginning of this year, when it was clear the longer the war lasted, the stronger the Islamists would become, I suggested an attack to wipe out the Syrian air force might be worth considering. The Syrian regime apparently retains a formidable air defense system, so such an effort —&#160;in effect turning the whole country into a no-fly zone —&#160;would be costly in equipment and manpower for us. But I thought it could speed up Assad's departure, thus giving the more secular rebel forces a better chance.</p>
<p>That chance, if it ever existed, seems gone. The Islamists are too strong. And as their strength increases so too, ironically, does Assad's staying power: the minority communities of Christians and Alawites will be big losers if Islamic extremists replace Assad and so too will moderate Sunnis that make up much of the educated and business classes of Aleppo and Damascus.</p>
<p>It seems clear that it's too late for the kind of intervention in the fight against Assad that could assure "our" rebels emerge victorious. Should we then rethink our whole approach? Should we tell the Russians that, under certain conditions, we could be willing to work with them to retain a weakened Assad, with a broader-based government, in power? With all that blood on his hands? An about-face that leaves egg on our faces, blood then on our hands as well, makes the Russians look good, helps Iran, and thoroughly undermines Saudi Arabia and our other Sunni allies?</p>
<p>Of course we won't. And talking to the Russians, as surely we are doing, trying to prepare them to work with us against the pro-al Qaeda types after Assad's fall is not going to work: it merely offers them the chance to explain why we should help prop up Assad.</p>
<p>Saudi Arabia is openly arming the militants - an incredibly short-sighted policy —&#160;as once in power, they'll surely bite the monarchal hands that fed them. The Turks are as nervous about extremism on their borders as we are, but a military option is no more viable for them than for us.</p>
<p>When, after three or four more bloody years and a war that envelops Lebanon, the radical Islamists end up in power in Damascus, maybe we'll wish we had indeed helped keep Assad in power. What we know now is that there are no good options —&#160;and that the law of unintended consequences will plague whatever action we take.</p>
<p>There was a book on Buddhist meditation published in the peaceful '90s; its title: "Don't Just Do Something, Sit There." Which, unappealing as it, may be the best option for Obama as he looks at the galloping tragedy overtaking Syria.</p>
<p>Mac Deford is retired after a career as a Foreign Service officer, an international banker, and a museum director. He lives at Owls Head, Maine and still travels frequently to the Middle East.</p> | false | 3 | owls head maine 160syria percolating public view last two years exploded full sight past week result revelations assad government may used nerve gas rebelcontrolled areas 70000 already dead 160the result air strikes heavy shelling populated areas deadly conventional military means one legitimately wonder possible deaths additional dozen two syrians would cause concern washington reason unfortunately another president obamas middle east blunders case threat last year use chemical weapons red line syrian governments crossing would lead presumably us military response upped ante last week administration told congress assads forces may used sarin gas calling game changer thankfully waffle factor kicked white house undermining stand noting us intelligence agencies varying degrees confidence gas actually used press conference tuesday obama hedged threats even game changer game changer one sympathize obama moving red line good options regard syria republican senators mccain graham sunday talk shows demanding obama take action syria delighted obamas syrian policy attack legitimately claim us credibility stake red lines fade pink timing republicans ideal theyve bled benghazi tragedy dry point hillary clinton resigned secretary state principle target gone anyway hold well hear benghazi republican right clintons run presidency takes obamas red line problem syria unfortunately making whether taken sound rhetoric oblivious consequences first time hes made inept selffootshooting comments area inexperience even fours years obvious launched illprepared foray israelipalestinian issue 160a game thats amateurs 160in early months presidency demand israel cease settlement construction west bank netanyahu disabused possibility faster could say shalom obama drew ambiguous red line irans nuclear activities least far caused worse problem one hopes prevent syrian game changer appears wont one getting indisputable proof assad regime authorized use poison gas luckily nearly impossible ironic aside obama avoid getting war syria minimizes existing intelligence predecessor meanwhile hyped halfbaked intelligence get us iraq war bushs inexperience middle east makes obama look like expert aside washingtons influence decline worldwide wouldnt nice elect president actually knows something rest world louis xvs reported threat apres moi le deluge turned fair prophecy though took couple decades france really water assad exenglish eye doctor may know prerevolutionary french history well publicly advised world follows overthrow may well make us wish still around would thought already looking smokefilled crystal ball syrias future assad regime doesnt seem bad lead article sundays new york times reported aleppo syrias largest city rebels aligned alqaeda control power plant run bakeries head court applies islamic law aleppo isolated situation two years compounding violence radicalized opposition attracted muslim extremists across arab world result times article concluded nowhere rebelcontrolled syria secular fighting force speak westerner working institute study war visited syria frequently recent months interview rebel commanders quoted seculars left rebel side one thing administration long consideration seems seriously contemplating providing arms rebels arming secular prowestern militias face much numerous already wellarmed islamists could easily backfire beginning year clear longer war lasted stronger islamists would become suggested attack wipe syrian air force might worth considering syrian regime apparently retains formidable air defense system effort 160in effect turning whole country nofly zone 160would costly equipment manpower us thought could speed assads departure thus giving secular rebel forces better chance chance ever existed seems gone islamists strong strength increases ironically assads staying power minority communities christians alawites big losers islamic extremists replace assad moderate sunnis make much educated business classes aleppo damascus seems clear late kind intervention fight assad could assure rebels emerge victorious rethink whole approach tell russians certain conditions could willing work retain weakened assad broaderbased government power blood hands aboutface leaves egg faces blood hands well makes russians look good helps iran thoroughly undermines saudi arabia sunni allies course wont talking russians surely trying prepare work us proal qaeda types assads fall going work merely offers chance explain help prop assad saudi arabia openly arming militants incredibly shortsighted policy 160as power theyll surely bite monarchal hands fed turks nervous extremism borders military option viable us three four bloody years war envelops lebanon radical islamists end power damascus maybe well wish indeed helped keep assad power know good options 160and law unintended consequences plague whatever action take book buddhist meditation published peaceful 90s title dont something sit unappealing may best option obama looks galloping tragedy overtaking syria mac deford retired career foreign service officer international banker museum director lives owls head maine still travels frequently middle east | 714 |
<p>Quaid Stephens can remove mold, asbestos and lead paint from buildings. He can even drive a forklift. &#160;He has nine training certificates, including one for CPR, but he still can’t find a job.</p>
<p>At a recent job fair at the Austin Branch Library on Chicago’s West Side, Stephens, who was released from prison more than a year ago, earnestly filled out job applications.</p>
<p>“It’s like you want me to go back on the corners to sell drugs, pick the pistol back up and rob and do what I need to do to make the ends meet,” said the 44-year-old who was in federal prison for 12 ½ years for bank robbery. “I don’t want to do that. I want to earn an honest living.”</p>
<p>His story isn’t that unusual in a pocket of the city where the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high, the product of a perfect storm of issues – disinvestment, disappearing manufacturing jobs, poor public schools and high incarceration rates.</p>
<p>While the overall unemployment rate in Chicago has declined since the recession ended, the rate in African-American communities has remained high. The citywide unemployment rate was 8.4 percent in 2014, but it has been well into the double digits in neighborhoods like Austin, North Lawndale, Englewood and Garfield Park, according to a Reporter analysis.</p>
<p>The interconnection between unemployment and incarceration has made these communities least likely to share in the economic recovery, experts say. Like Stephens, who spent a portion of his youth in West Garfield Park, more than half of all <a href="http://www.urban.org/research/publication/chicago-communities-and-prisoner-reentry/view/full_report" type="external">men released to Chicago from Illinois prisons</a> return to a handful of economically depressed neighborhoods, including many on the West Side.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Historically, black joblessness has always been twice that of white unemployment, said Michael Dawson, a political science professor at the University of Chicago.</p>
<p>“African-American employment has been bad for almost half a century,” he said. “The recession can make it worse. Occasionally, it can get a little better, but it’s been very bad due to a number of different reasons. And these reasons tend to be structural – and there are not a lot of reasons for optimism in the immediately future.”</p>
<p>That lack of optimism stems from the continued <a href="" type="internal">loss of manufacturing jobs</a> and the decline of public sector or government jobs, which were an important source of employment for blacks. These jobs, Dawson said, have been replaced with low-wage service jobs that don’t have the same benefits, wages and security that came with manufacturing and public sector jobs.</p>
<p>Today, the growth of high-end service sector jobs in banking, finance, law and technology — industries in which blacks are sorely underrepresented and ill-prepared — are fueling the city’s economic fortunes.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Photo by Max Herman</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">In Woodlawn neighborhood, untapped economic opportunity</a></p>
<p>Mayor Rahm Emanuel has pushed to develop and improve downtown infrastructure to lure <a href="http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20151005/CRED02/151009933/hq-deals-could-make-hot-downtown-office-market-even-hotter" type="external">big name corporations</a> like Motorola Solutions and ConAgra Foods, and the jobs that came with them to the city’s business center. However, those jobs didn’t necessarily go to people in communities where they were most needed.</p>
<p>Austin exemplifies the divestment left in the wake of the decline of manufacturing, says Charles Perry of the <a href="http://healthauthority.org/" type="external">Westside Health Authority</a>, which provides re-entry and employment services. The agency places between 600 and 800 people a year in jobs out of the 12,000 seeking services. Like Stephens, 90 percent of them have criminal records and lack a high school diploma or a GED.</p>
<p>Stephens received his GED in prison, where he completed four of his training certificates. Before he started cycling in and out of prison for crimes from drug dealing to car theft, he had held seven jobs – all unskilled.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>The West Side was once teeming with manufacturing companies like Brach’s Candy and Western Electric. But as white flight took root, sped up by the riots following the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination in 1968, the jobs left.</p>
<p>“If you go up to Cicero, you see all these old factories. Well, they moved out and nobody moved in. Out went the jobs, in came unemployment,” Perry said.</p>
<p>What replaced them were vacant storefronts or churches and the few businesses that exist are immigrant-owned, family run and don’t hire from the community, he said.</p>
<p>“When you don’t have dollars circulating in your community, it is impossible to have employment,” Perry said.</p>
<p>And with the city losing manufacturing jobs to the suburbs, transportation now becomes a barrier to employment, said Mark Sanders of the <a href="http://www.nlen.org/" type="external">North Lawndale Employment Network.</a></p>
<p>“A large percentage of their paychecks goes just to getting back and forth from work,” said Sanders, NLEN’s director of re-entry, policy and advocacy. NLEN is a workforce development organization that provides training and job placement services to ex-offenders and other people who are hard to employ.</p>
<p>At one point, Stephens found seasonal work at a warehouse in Melrose Park. He took the CTA train to Harlem Avenue, where he caught a regional Pace bus to work. His family gave him $33 for a weekly bus pass.</p>
<p>Those lucky enough to find a job through temp agencies face sporadic employment. Oftentimes ex-offenders get caught up in this vicious cycle. They may land a “temp to perm” job, but a company may use their criminal record to keep them from becoming a permanent hire, Sanders said.</p>
<p>It’s an end run around both a <a href="http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2014/sep/mayor-emanuel-proposes-ordinance-to-remove-employment-barriers-f.html" type="external">city</a> and <a href="" type="internal">state</a> law prohibiting private employers from discriminating against people with criminal backgrounds. &#160;Both laws, which took effect last year, prevent employers from inquiring about felony convictions on job applications. The law prohibits employers from checking an applicant’s background until selected for an interview.</p>
<p>“It’s not just ‘Ban the Box,’ even though that is what they call it. It’s actually move the box because at some point they will do a background check,” Sanders said.</p>
<p>Stephens discovered that the hard way. He had three promising job leads until his background check. He said, “It’s like after they do the background check, I’m dead.”</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Black ex-offenders face double discrimination based on their race and their criminal record, said Devah Pager, a professor of sociology and public policy at Harvard University who has written extensively about the effects of incarceration.</p>
<p>Even without a criminal record and with competitive skills, black people face hiring discrimination. Pager conducted a <a href="http://scholar.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/pager/wp-content/uploads/asr_pager_etal09.pdf?m=1392395629" type="external">study in 2003 in Milwaukee</a> that showed that white people with a criminal record were more likely to be hired than black people without a record.</p>
<p>Mass incarceration reinforces broad stereotypes about all African-American men and affects hiring practices, she said.</p>
<p>“It kind of reinforces the association between race and criminality in the minds of employers, and I think that contributes to forms of direct discrimination against black men in hiring situations,” said Pager, the author of “Marked: Race, Crime, and Finding Work in an Era of Mass Incarceration.”</p>
<p>Pager said the official unemployment figures don’t capture the real employment picture in black communities.</p>
<p>“When millions of people, and disproportionately people of color, are being removed from those statistics, it gives us a biased sense of the health of our economy,” Pager said.&#160; “If all the people who are currently imprisoned were considered part of the labor force statistics, unemployment rates would be a couple of points higher, and the racial disparities would look larger.”</p>
<p>For Stephens, the issue is simple. “I need a job,” he said.</p>
<p>This is the first in a <a href="/tag/black-unemployment/" type="external">series of stories examining unemployment</a> in the African-American community.</p> | false | 3 | quaid stephens remove mold asbestos lead paint buildings even drive forklift 160he nine training certificates including one cpr still cant find job recent job fair austin branch library chicagos west side stephens released prison year ago earnestly filled job applications like want go back corners sell drugs pick pistol back rob need make ends meet said 44yearold federal prison 12 ½ years bank robbery dont want want earn honest living story isnt unusual pocket city unemployment rate remains stubbornly high product perfect storm issues disinvestment disappearing manufacturing jobs poor public schools high incarceration rates overall unemployment rate chicago declined since recession ended rate africanamerican communities remained high citywide unemployment rate 84 percent 2014 well double digits neighborhoods like austin north lawndale englewood garfield park according reporter analysis interconnection unemployment incarceration made communities least likely share economic recovery experts say like stephens spent portion youth west garfield park half men released chicago illinois prisons return handful economically depressed neighborhoods including many west side historically black joblessness always twice white unemployment said michael dawson political science professor university chicago africanamerican employment bad almost half century said recession make worse occasionally get little better bad due number different reasons reasons tend structural lot reasons optimism immediately future lack optimism stems continued loss manufacturing jobs decline public sector government jobs important source employment blacks jobs dawson said replaced lowwage service jobs dont benefits wages security came manufacturing public sector jobs today growth highend service sector jobs banking finance law technology industries blacks sorely underrepresented illprepared fueling citys economic fortunes photo max herman woodlawn neighborhood untapped economic opportunity mayor rahm emanuel pushed develop improve downtown infrastructure lure big name corporations like motorola solutions conagra foods jobs came citys business center however jobs didnt necessarily go people communities needed austin exemplifies divestment left wake decline manufacturing says charles perry westside health authority provides reentry employment services agency places 600 800 people year jobs 12000 seeking services like stephens 90 percent criminal records lack high school diploma ged stephens received ged prison completed four training certificates started cycling prison crimes drug dealing car theft held seven jobs unskilled west side teeming manufacturing companies like brachs candy western electric white flight took root sped riots following rev martin luther king jrs assassination 1968 jobs left go cicero see old factories well moved nobody moved went jobs came unemployment perry said replaced vacant storefronts churches businesses exist immigrantowned family run dont hire community said dont dollars circulating community impossible employment perry said city losing manufacturing jobs suburbs transportation becomes barrier employment said mark sanders north lawndale employment network large percentage paychecks goes getting back forth work said sanders nlens director reentry policy advocacy nlen workforce development organization provides training job placement services exoffenders people hard employ one point stephens found seasonal work warehouse melrose park took cta train harlem avenue caught regional pace bus work family gave 33 weekly bus pass lucky enough find job temp agencies face sporadic employment oftentimes exoffenders get caught vicious cycle may land temp perm job company may use criminal record keep becoming permanent hire sanders said end run around city state law prohibiting private employers discriminating people criminal backgrounds 160both laws took effect last year prevent employers inquiring felony convictions job applications law prohibits employers checking applicants background selected interview ban box even though call actually move box point background check sanders said stephens discovered hard way three promising job leads background check said like background check im dead black exoffenders face double discrimination based race criminal record said devah pager professor sociology public policy harvard university written extensively effects incarceration even without criminal record competitive skills black people face hiring discrimination pager conducted study 2003 milwaukee showed white people criminal record likely hired black people without record mass incarceration reinforces broad stereotypes africanamerican men affects hiring practices said kind reinforces association race criminality minds employers think contributes forms direct discrimination black men hiring situations said pager author marked race crime finding work era mass incarceration pager said official unemployment figures dont capture real employment picture black communities millions people disproportionately people color removed statistics gives us biased sense health economy pager said160 people currently imprisoned considered part labor force statistics unemployment rates would couple points higher racial disparities would look larger stephens issue simple need job said first series stories examining unemployment africanamerican community | 722 |
<p>Last September, a 54-year-old man with a serious mental disorder was picked up by police in Calhoun, Georgia, on suspicion that he was walking in a road drunk, a seemingly unremarkable entry on a small town's crime blotter.</p>
<p>Instead, the charge set in motion a legal odyssey that has put the man at the center of a movement to dismantle a pillar of the American criminal justice system: cash bail.</p>
<p>The man, Maurice Walker, spent a week in jail because he was unable to pay the $160 cash bond required of anyone arrested for "being a pedestrian under the influence."</p>
<p>While he waited to see a judge, a civil rights law firm took up his case, filing a lawsuit that accused the city of violating the Constitution's guarantees of due process and equal protection by keeping poor defendants accused of minor crimes jailed before trial.</p>
<p>The case drew interest around the country, with police and bondsmen siding with the city and the U.S. Department of Justice filing a brief in support of Walker. It has landed before a federal appeals court, where it is being watched as a potential bellwether for reform.</p>
<p>"It could have a huge impact on our momentum," said Phil Telfeyan, executive director of Equal Justice Under Law, which has several pending lawsuits challenging local courts' use of bail.</p>
<p>America's bail system has become a central issue in the fight to reverse mass incarceration and to ease the disproportionate burden shouldered by the poor and minorities. In courthouses, statehouses and ballot boxes across the country, civil rights lawyers and progressive policymakers are working to curb the practice of demanding money in exchange for freedom before trial, an effort tied to a broader crackdown on other money-based penalties, such as fees and fines.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">The Fight Against 'Debtors' Prisons'</a></p>
<p>Bail is a centuries-old tool that allows judges to release defendants who may be at risk of fleeing by requiring them to post a certain amount of money as a way of ensuring they'll return to court. To make bail, defendants either pay the amount themselves or get a loan from a bail bondsman, who typically charges a 10 percent fee. But bondsmen often don’t bother to lend the money to defendants facing minor offenses because the profit is too low.</p>
<p>The reformers argue that cash bail denies freedom to thousands of people who are presumed innocent but can't afford the bond. That triggers a cascade of problems, disrupting poor defendants' lives, making them more likely to plead guilty and contributing to the overcrowding of local jails — and mass incarceration nationwide, <a href="https://www.law.upenn.edu/live/news/6400-cash-bail-system-damages-defendants-may-harm#.WAjaPPkrJhE" type="external">researchers say</a>.</p>
<p>The use of bail has exploded in the past two decades, driving a 59 percent rise in the number of un-convicted jail inmates from 1996 to 2014, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/page/files/1215_cea_fine_fee_bail_issue_brief.pdf" type="external">according to a report</a> by the White House Council of Economic Advisers. Many defendants buy freedom with help from bail bondsmen, but are often unable to pay off the additional fees, the report said.</p>
<p>At the same time, the rates at which people awaiting trial were re-arrested have not declined, which "suggests that current bail policies may not be improving the safety of communities," the report said.</p>
<p>For many, the solution is simple.</p>
<p>"We're working to eliminate cash bail in the country, period," said Cherise Fanno Burdeen, chief executive officer of the Pretrial Justice Institute, which advocates for detention policies that keep low-risk people out of jail.</p>
<p>The bail bond industry sees it much differently. It criticizes the anti-bail movement as a costly threat to a fundamental cog in the wheels of justice, and says money bail provides a check on attempts by judges and prosecutors to use more arbitrary criteria to hold people before trial.</p>
<p>Instead of eliminating cash bail, courts need to make sure defendants appear before judges soon after their arrest so they can argue for lower bail, said Jeff Clayton, executive director of the American Bail Coalition, a trade association representing bail-bonding companies.</p>
<p>"Its more of an issue of due process and not being able to plead your case than whether bail is excessive or not," Clayton said. "To me that’s the central problem.”</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Sentenced to Debt: Some Tossed in Prison Over Unpaid Fines</a></p>
<p>Walker's case is one of several lawsuits targeting local and state bail practices from Alabama to California. At the same time, voters in New Mexico will decide on Nov. 8 whether to change the state constitution to prevent detention of defendants who are not dangerous or a flight risk "solely because of financial inability to post a money or property bond."</p>
<p>That ballot measure follows a successful campaign to change the state constitution in New Jersey two years ago, when voters approved a new system that focused on expanding assessments of defendants to determine whether they should be released, a change that is expected to dramatically reduce the number of people held in jail before trial. New Jersey will rely on a computerized assessment tool of the type reformers — and the Obama administration — believe can drive changes elsewhere.</p>
<p>But Clayton cites New Jersey as an example of why he thinks reformers will ultimately fail to eliminate cash bail from the American system: the price tag. New Jersey is still trying to figure out how it will cover the millions of dollars needed to run its new system.</p>
<p>Kentucky has also adopted such a tool. So have many cities and counties. New York pledged to change its bail system following the <a href="" type="internal">June 2015 suicide</a> of Kalief Browder, who spent three years, from the age of 16 to 19, at Rikers Island — much of it in solitary confinement — while awaiting trial for a burglary he said he did not commit.</p>
<p>Earlier this month, the Maryland attorney general's office told lawmakers that the state's bail system may be unconstitutional, setting up a potential campaign to eliminate cash bail there.</p>
<p>The model, for many, is Washington D.C., which has overhauled its system so thoroughly that only a small fraction of defendants are held in jail before trial.</p>
<p>In March, the Department of Justice sent a letter to judges around the country reminding them that it was illegal for poor defendants to be jailed "solely because they cannot afford to pay for their release." The letter added, "courts should consider transitioning from a system based on secured monetary bail alone to one grounded in objective risk assessments by pretrial experts."</p>
<p>It has also inserted itself into Walker's case.</p>
<p>Walker, who survives on disability payments and lives with his sister, was in the Gordon County jail in September 2015 when lawyers from the Southern Center for Human Rights happened to be there checking on complaints about poor conditions. They filed the lawsuit while he was still incarcerated, and continued the fight after he was released and paid a $160 ticket for his offense, his lawyer, Sarah Geraghty, said.</p>
<p>Walker won an early round when a federal judge ruled against the city of Calhoun. But the city, backed by the Georgia Sheriffs' Association and the American Bail Coalition, fought back, saying that its preset schedule of bail amounts tied to alleged crimes are legal, and that not having such schedules "greatly reduces the incentive for defendants to appear."</p>
<p>When the case was sent to a federal appeals court, the Justice Department <a href="" type="internal">filed a friend of the court brief</a> in support of Walker, arguing that "bail practices that incarcerate indigent individuals before trial solely because of their inability to pay for their release" violated the 14th Amendment's guarantee of equal protection.</p>
<p>Geraghty said the case marked the first time "in a good while" that a federal appellate court had the opportunity to consider the constitutionality of a city's bail policy.</p>
<p>She declined to discuss the case's potential impact.</p>
<p>Reformers say they hope that all this activity — the lawsuits, law changes, ballot questions and other initiatives — will create enough force to turn public opinion — and the opinions of judges — against one of the American criminal justice system's oldest and most embedded practices.</p>
<p>Larry Schwartztol, executive director of the newly formed Criminal Justice Policy Program at Harvard Law School, said he sees it happening already.</p>
<p>"There's been this amazing pendulum swing from what had been a bipartisan coalition in the 1990s for a punitive approach to criminal justice to a broad convergence now of people thinking about ways to be smart on crime, to move away from mass incarceration and to account for the harmful effect the criminal justice system has had," Schwartztol said.</p>
<p>He added, "I think there may be a tipping point for sweeping change."</p> | false | 3 | last september 54yearold man serious mental disorder picked police calhoun georgia suspicion walking road drunk seemingly unremarkable entry small towns crime blotter instead charge set motion legal odyssey put man center movement dismantle pillar american criminal justice system cash bail man maurice walker spent week jail unable pay 160 cash bond required anyone arrested pedestrian influence waited see judge civil rights law firm took case filing lawsuit accused city violating constitutions guarantees due process equal protection keeping poor defendants accused minor crimes jailed trial case drew interest around country police bondsmen siding city us department justice filing brief support walker landed federal appeals court watched potential bellwether reform could huge impact momentum said phil telfeyan executive director equal justice law several pending lawsuits challenging local courts use bail americas bail system become central issue fight reverse mass incarceration ease disproportionate burden shouldered poor minorities courthouses statehouses ballot boxes across country civil rights lawyers progressive policymakers working curb practice demanding money exchange freedom trial effort tied broader crackdown moneybased penalties fees fines related fight debtors prisons bail centuriesold tool allows judges release defendants may risk fleeing requiring post certain amount money way ensuring theyll return court make bail defendants either pay amount get loan bail bondsman typically charges 10 percent fee bondsmen often dont bother lend money defendants facing minor offenses profit low reformers argue cash bail denies freedom thousands people presumed innocent cant afford bond triggers cascade problems disrupting poor defendants lives making likely plead guilty contributing overcrowding local jails mass incarceration nationwide researchers say use bail exploded past two decades driving 59 percent rise number unconvicted jail inmates 1996 2014 according report white house council economic advisers many defendants buy freedom help bail bondsmen often unable pay additional fees report said time rates people awaiting trial rearrested declined suggests current bail policies may improving safety communities report said many solution simple working eliminate cash bail country period said cherise fanno burdeen chief executive officer pretrial justice institute advocates detention policies keep lowrisk people jail bail bond industry sees much differently criticizes antibail movement costly threat fundamental cog wheels justice says money bail provides check attempts judges prosecutors use arbitrary criteria hold people trial instead eliminating cash bail courts need make sure defendants appear judges soon arrest argue lower bail said jeff clayton executive director american bail coalition trade association representing bailbonding companies issue due process able plead case whether bail excessive clayton said thats central problem related sentenced debt tossed prison unpaid fines walkers case one several lawsuits targeting local state bail practices alabama california time voters new mexico decide nov 8 whether change state constitution prevent detention defendants dangerous flight risk solely financial inability post money property bond ballot measure follows successful campaign change state constitution new jersey two years ago voters approved new system focused expanding assessments defendants determine whether released change expected dramatically reduce number people held jail trial new jersey rely computerized assessment tool type reformers obama administration believe drive changes elsewhere clayton cites new jersey example thinks reformers ultimately fail eliminate cash bail american system price tag new jersey still trying figure cover millions dollars needed run new system kentucky also adopted tool many cities counties new york pledged change bail system following june 2015 suicide kalief browder spent three years age 16 19 rikers island much solitary confinement awaiting trial burglary said commit earlier month maryland attorney generals office told lawmakers states bail system may unconstitutional setting potential campaign eliminate cash bail model many washington dc overhauled system thoroughly small fraction defendants held jail trial march department justice sent letter judges around country reminding illegal poor defendants jailed solely afford pay release letter added courts consider transitioning system based secured monetary bail alone one grounded objective risk assessments pretrial experts also inserted walkers case walker survives disability payments lives sister gordon county jail september 2015 lawyers southern center human rights happened checking complaints poor conditions filed lawsuit still incarcerated continued fight released paid 160 ticket offense lawyer sarah geraghty said walker early round federal judge ruled city calhoun city backed georgia sheriffs association american bail coalition fought back saying preset schedule bail amounts tied alleged crimes legal schedules greatly reduces incentive defendants appear case sent federal appeals court justice department filed friend court brief support walker arguing bail practices incarcerate indigent individuals trial solely inability pay release violated 14th amendments guarantee equal protection geraghty said case marked first time good federal appellate court opportunity consider constitutionality citys bail policy declined discuss cases potential impact reformers say hope activity lawsuits law changes ballot questions initiatives create enough force turn public opinion opinions judges one american criminal justice systems oldest embedded practices larry schwartztol executive director newly formed criminal justice policy program harvard law school said sees happening already theres amazing pendulum swing bipartisan coalition 1990s punitive approach criminal justice broad convergence people thinking ways smart crime move away mass incarceration account harmful effect criminal justice system schwartztol said added think may tipping point sweeping change | 831 |
<p>SACRAMENTO – With Obamacare set to go into effect in January, state lawmakers anticipate millions of residents with newly obtained health insurance will tap California’s already stretched health care resources.</p>
<p>In preparation, Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, who is an optometrist, introduced three bills earlier in the year to expand the “scope of practice” for California’s para-professional medical practitioners — nurses, licensed vocational nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants — along with optometrists and pharmacists.</p>
<p><a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml" type="external">SB 491</a>,&#160;nurse practitioner licensing, <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB492&amp;search_keywords=" type="external">SB 492</a>, optometrist licensing, and <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB493&amp;search_keywords=" type="external">SB 493</a>, pharmacy practice, were scheduled for a hearing Tuesday in the <a href="http://abp.assembly.ca.gov" type="external">Assembly Business, Professions, and Consumer Protection Committee</a>.</p>
<p>SB 492, the optometrists licensing bill, was postponed until next week. SB 493 was passed unanimously by the committee.</p>
<p>However, SB 491 proved far more contentious, taking up nearly three hours in the hearing. It is still alive — but it’s on life support.</p>
<p>Based on some testimony, the <a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB491&amp;search_keywords=" type="external">measure</a> to expand the roll of nurse practitioners appears the perfect conduit to expand <a href="http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx" type="external">Medi-Cal</a>, the state’s publicly subsidized welfare health coverage. SB 491 would authorize nurse practitioners to not only work independently from doctors; they would be allowed and even encouraged to accept <a href="http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/Pages/default.aspx" type="external">Medi-Cal</a>patients.</p>
<p>As Hernandez warned, the legislation is controversial and politically charged. The sharpest focus was on the concept of “supervision,” which came up hundreds of times during the hearing. Doctors who testified were adamant that nurse practitioners provide excellent care — under the supervision of a physician.</p>
<p>Hernandez said he authored the bills because people of color,&#160;living in rural areas and inner cities, already lack access to adequate medical care. With Obamacare implementation underway, the existing doctor shortage will only be made worse when millions of currently uninsured Californians are added to the government sponsored health care plan, and more specifically, to Medi-Cal.</p>
<p>“Here in the state of California, we have a capacity issue. We have a work-force shortage,” Hernandez said. He warned the problem is already at a breaking point in inner-cities, as well as rural parts of the state. Up to 7 million uninsured Californians will be required to be insured as of next year, Hernandez said.</p>
<p>Hernandez invited Catherine Dower of the <a href="http://futurehealth.ucsf.edu/Public/Center-Research/mini-profile.aspx?asuid=6004&amp;pid=101" type="external">UCSF Center for Health Professions</a> to testify on behalf of his bills. Dower, who co-directed the Pew Health Professions Commission’s national <a href="http://www.whccamp.hhs.gov/pew.html" type="external">Taskforce on Health Care Workforce Regulation</a> and was a principal author of its reports on health professions regulation,&#160;spoke at the previous hearing on expanding the scope of practice for nurse practitioners.</p>
<p>Dower referred to a <a href="http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/The-Future-of-Nursing-Leading-Change-Advancing-Health/Report-Brief-Scope-of-Practice.aspx" type="external">study by the Institute of Medicine</a>which found the barriers should be removed from the nursing “scope of practice,” allowing more nurses to expand responsibilities.</p>
<p>At the March hearing on SB 491, Dower referenced former <a href="http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2013/03/07/creating-a-workforce-for-the-new-health-care-world/" type="external">U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle’s blog post</a>, which recommended expanding the “scope of practice” for all primary care providers, including nurses. Daschle, now a lobbyist, also recommended giving the government more power over decision making.</p>
<p>Dower said she regularly testifies on the subject around the country.&#160;“Economists are finding in the 17 states without physicians onsite, access improved for adults 16 percent to 20 percent, and 17 percent for children,” Bower said.</p>
<p>But the studies Bower referred to used nurse practitioners from medical teams, and not practitioners in sole private practice.</p>
<p>This is where doctors warned about the limitations of nurse practitioners.</p>
<p>“SB 491 is bad medicine,” said Dr. Ruth Haskins, a 30-year OB/GYN physician, and chairwoman of&#160;the legislative council of the <a href="http://www.cmanet.org" type="external">California Medical Association</a>.&#160;“The best kind of care is collaborative medicine,” Haskins said.</p>
<p>Haskins said the protocols and procedures which guide nurse practitioners how to care for their patients come from physicians. “Physician involvement is key in this process.”</p>
<p>She explained doctors have thousands more hours of training than nurse practitioners, as well as a medical degree. And she warned if SB 491 passes, 14,000 nurse practitioner will be able to prescribe <a href="http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/guide/narcotic-pain-medications" type="external">opiod medications</a> — narcotic pain medication that resembles morphine in its pharmacological effects.</p>
<p>“Nurse practitioners are already seeing patients, and most already have a full docket of patients,” Haskins said. “In teams, nurse practitioners can learn more under physician oversight.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cmanet.org/about/cma-governance/cma-executive-committee/phinney/" type="external">Paul R. Phinney</a>, a doctor who is president of the California Medical Association, warned that nurse practitioners reach their level of competence and need a physician’s supervision. And Phinney said they are not necessarily a cost-effective solution. “Nurse practitioners order more lab tests, CT scans and medications,” Phinney said.&#160; Doctors are able to more quickly make accurate and efficient diagnosis than nurse practitioners, because of training and scope of experience, according to Phinney. And Phinney reiterated the importance of the medical team, where nurse practitioners have an important role.</p>
<p>Phinney said that after Arizona passed a similar bill allowing nurse practitioners to practice independently from doctors, nurses did not flock to the rural and inner city areas. “It’s worse in California,” Phinney said. “Medi-Cal rates are the worst in the nation. What would incent nurses to flock to rural areas?”</p>
<p>“SB 491 fragments care. We need collaborative team care,” Phinney added.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.familydocs.org" type="external">California Academy of Family Physicians</a> President Dr. Carol Havens concurred, and said while the CAFP has been a longtime supporter of quality collaborative care, there is no evidence nurse practitioners will set up practices in underserved areas. “Nurse practitioners will practice for three years, before leaving for more money in lucrative practices, whereas family physicians practice more than 20 years,” Havens said.</p>
<p><a href="http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB491&amp;search_keywords=" type="external">SB 491</a> would only require nurse practitioners to practice for three years under the supervision of a physician before they can set up their own private practice. Havens warned about the many “medi-spas” springing up all over California, and the serious medical problems arising from the lack of physician supervision.</p>
<p>The California <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=bpc&amp;group=02001-03000&amp;file=2050-2079" type="external">Business and Professions Code section 2052</a> makes it a crime to practice medicine without a license.</p>
<p>While this rule precludes unlicensed individuals from performing most medical procedures without a medical license, there are exceptions that allow nurses to administer Botox and other cosmetic treatments offered at medi-spas. &#160;Some nurses perform these procedures when a doctor is not on site. However, the law says all procedures must be performed and conducted under the “supervision” of a physician, but the specific definition of doctor “supervision” is unclear. Even the Department of Consumer Affairs, which is the oversight agency, charged with overseeing both the nursing and medical boards, is unclear on the definition of supervision.</p>
<p>Consumer Affairs department spokesman Russ Heimerich recently told the&#160; <a href="http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/aug/03/camarillo-nurse-faces-felony-charges-over-botox/?print=1" type="external">Ventura County Star story</a>&#160;that defining “supervision” is “the $21 million question.” According to Heimerich, “What it’s [supervision] been taken to mean so far is that if a physician has standing orders or has confidence in the nurse and has done the medical exam to do the procedure, the physician doesn’t have to be present.” However, “the physician needs to have examined the patient first and prescribe the procedure.”</p>
<p>Havens explained the situation with nurse practitioners and doctors is similar to paralegals and lawyers; lawyers do not allow paralegals to oversee legal clients and cases without supervision.</p>
<p>The committee was divided on the vote; six committee members would not vote on the bill, &#160;five voted aye, and four &#160;voted no.&#160; SB 491 failed, but it was granted reconsideration.</p>
<p>It appears Sen. Hernandez has only one week to talk the members who declined to vote into changing their minds.</p> | false | 3 | sacramento obamacare set go effect january state lawmakers anticipate millions residents newly obtained health insurance tap californias already stretched health care resources preparation sen ed hernandez dwest covina optometrist introduced three bills earlier year expand scope practice californias paraprofessional medical practitioners nurses licensed vocational nurses nurse practitioners physician assistants along optometrists pharmacists sb 491160nurse practitioner licensing sb 492 optometrist licensing sb 493 pharmacy practice scheduled hearing tuesday assembly business professions consumer protection committee sb 492 optometrists licensing bill postponed next week sb 493 passed unanimously committee however sb 491 proved far contentious taking nearly three hours hearing still alive life support based testimony measure expand roll nurse practitioners appears perfect conduit expand medical states publicly subsidized welfare health coverage sb 491 would authorize nurse practitioners work independently doctors would allowed even encouraged accept medicalpatients hernandez warned legislation controversial politically charged sharpest focus concept supervision came hundreds times hearing doctors testified adamant nurse practitioners provide excellent care supervision physician hernandez said authored bills people color160living rural areas inner cities already lack access adequate medical care obamacare implementation underway existing doctor shortage made worse millions currently uninsured californians added government sponsored health care plan specifically medical state california capacity issue workforce shortage hernandez said warned problem already breaking point innercities well rural parts state 7 million uninsured californians required insured next year hernandez said hernandez invited catherine dower ucsf center health professions testify behalf bills dower codirected pew health professions commissions national taskforce health care workforce regulation principal author reports health professions regulation160spoke previous hearing expanding scope practice nurse practitioners dower referred study institute medicinewhich found barriers removed nursing scope practice allowing nurses expand responsibilities march hearing sb 491 dower referenced former us sen tom daschles blog post recommended expanding scope practice primary care providers including nurses daschle lobbyist also recommended giving government power decision making dower said regularly testifies subject around country160economists finding 17 states without physicians onsite access improved adults 16 percent 20 percent 17 percent children bower said studies bower referred used nurse practitioners medical teams practitioners sole private practice doctors warned limitations nurse practitioners sb 491 bad medicine said dr ruth haskins 30year obgyn physician chairwoman of160the legislative council california medical association160the best kind care collaborative medicine haskins said haskins said protocols procedures guide nurse practitioners care patients come physicians physician involvement key process explained doctors thousands hours training nurse practitioners well medical degree warned sb 491 passes 14000 nurse practitioner able prescribe opiod medications narcotic pain medication resembles morphine pharmacological effects nurse practitioners already seeing patients already full docket patients haskins said teams nurse practitioners learn physician oversight paul r phinney doctor president california medical association warned nurse practitioners reach level competence need physicians supervision phinney said necessarily costeffective solution nurse practitioners order lab tests ct scans medications phinney said160 doctors able quickly make accurate efficient diagnosis nurse practitioners training scope experience according phinney phinney reiterated importance medical team nurse practitioners important role phinney said arizona passed similar bill allowing nurse practitioners practice independently doctors nurses flock rural inner city areas worse california phinney said medical rates worst nation would incent nurses flock rural areas sb 491 fragments care need collaborative team care phinney added california academy family physicians president dr carol havens concurred said cafp longtime supporter quality collaborative care evidence nurse practitioners set practices underserved areas nurse practitioners practice three years leaving money lucrative practices whereas family physicians practice 20 years havens said sb 491 would require nurse practitioners practice three years supervision physician set private practice havens warned many medispas springing california serious medical problems arising lack physician supervision california business professions code section 2052 makes crime practice medicine without license rule precludes unlicensed individuals performing medical procedures without medical license exceptions allow nurses administer botox cosmetic treatments offered medispas 160some nurses perform procedures doctor site however law says procedures must performed conducted supervision physician specific definition doctor supervision unclear even department consumer affairs oversight agency charged overseeing nursing medical boards unclear definition supervision consumer affairs department spokesman russ heimerich recently told the160 ventura county star story160that defining supervision 21 million question according heimerich supervision taken mean far physician standing orders confidence nurse done medical exam procedure physician doesnt present however physician needs examined patient first prescribe procedure havens explained situation nurse practitioners doctors similar paralegals lawyers lawyers allow paralegals oversee legal clients cases without supervision committee divided vote six committee members would vote bill 160five voted aye four 160voted no160 sb 491 failed granted reconsideration appears sen hernandez one week talk members declined vote changing minds | 753 |
<p>UPDATE:&#160;A crowded market in the central Nigerian city of Jos was struck by two bombs on Tuesday.&#160;</p>
<p>At least 118 people were killed in the twin blasts, the National Emergency Management Agency <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/nigeria/140520/deadly-twin-blasts-the-nigerian-city-jos-kill-118" type="external">said</a>.</p>
<p>KANO, Nigeria — Two years after Boko Haram brought terror to these dusty streets, a cautious peace had returned.</p>
<p>Excited young men honked and cheered as they weaved through Kano city’s Sabon Gari area in motorized rickshaws, hyping a candidate for local elections.</p>
<p>Nearby, a hawker sold books on Western business acumen to motorists stuck in heavy traffic. Friends met for ice cream at a new shopping mall down the road.</p>
<p />
<p>On Sunday night, that fragile peace was threatened when a suicide bomber attacked a busy road of taverns in the mainly Christian area of Sabon Gari — “strangers’ quarters,” in the Hausa language.</p>
<p>Sources told GlobalPost that at least <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/140518/blast-hits-bar-district-north-nigerian-city-kano" type="external">four people were killed</a>. The full details were still emerging Sunday evening.</p>
<p>The blast was a searing reminder of the Boko Haram bombs that <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/nigeria/130729/nigeria-multiple-explosions-hit-city-kano" type="external">killed 27 people in Sabon Gari last July</a>, and the widespread <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/africa/nigeria/120126/kano-boko-haram-violence%20" type="external">attacks on Kano in January 2012</a> — the deadliest-ever until the razing of Gamboru village this month.</p>
<p>Some 185 people were killed when various government offices in Kano were bombed, and in the aftermath when militants drove around the city shooting pedestrians at random and battling police.</p>
<p>Terrified by the violence, many traders stopped coming to Kano and residents upped and left. The streets of this city of 4 million-plus people grew strangely quiet.</p>
<p>But two years on, life had started coming back to the city, thanks to a two-pronged approach by the state government. Sunday morning before the blasts it had been business as usual for Kano, Nigeria’s second-largest city and ancient commercial capital of the country’s much-maligned northern region.</p>
<p>Residents and even the governor in the last few days spoke proudly of Kano’s successes in fighting the scourge of Boko Haram. The threat had largely migrated to rural areas, particularly northeastern Borno state, where in Chibok more than <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-unraveler/nigeria-military-boko-haram" type="external">200 girls were kidnapped</a> from their boarding school.&#160;</p>
<p>All around Kano state security forces including police and army are prominent at guard posts and checkpoints. Military forces and grassroots neighborhood watch groups have come out to help keep their streets safe.</p>
<p>And with an eye to long-term security, Kano’s state government has expanded educational and training opportunities for youth who might otherwise be jobless and vulnerable to recruitment by extremists.</p>
<p>Umar Aliyu, 18, said Kano was once again attracting ambitious young job-seekers, and those who fled after the 2012 attacks are returning to the city. Aliyu himself is headed to Switzerland for university, but intended to look for a job in Kano after graduation.</p>
<p>“They’re coming back home because it’s safer here. They see opportunity here,” he explained.</p>
<p>A major initiative has been a ban on the “Almajiri” system, an old tradition in which rural families in northern Nigeria send their young sons to Koran schools in the cities. These boys — an estimated 1.2 million of them in Kano state alone — survive by begging on the streets, and are vulnerable to radicalization and to being exploited by Boko Haram.</p>
<p>“It's not an issue of just bringing police and soldiers with guns and tear gas,” Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, governor of Kano state, told GlobalPost in an interview.</p>
<p>“The issue is, engage the young men and women. Make them gainfully employed, put them in schools and institutions, talk to them, put them in entrepreneurship institutes so they can learn something.”</p>
<p>The police and military are aided by unarmed groups of community members who provide valuable on-the-ground intelligence and tips.</p>
<p>One of them is a privately-funded neighborhood watch organization somewhat confusingly known here as the “vigilantes.” There are more than 35,000 members of this group in Kano state, who are armed with small knives, sticks and slingshots, and provide information to state security authorities.</p>
<p>“We are indigenes of where we live, so we give information. So they can know where Boko Haram are living and strike there,” said Mohammad Alhaji, state commander of the vigilantes.</p>
<p>Another group is called Hisbah, which has 9,000 officers and describes itself as assisting the police and “encouraging morality” — a sort of Islamic vice squad, clamping down on prostitution, drugs and other crimes.</p>
<p>Hisbah’s director general in Kano state, Abba Saidu Sufi, said this also includes reporting on anyone exhibiting extreme ideologies at mosques.</p>
<p>“We know their ideology. We can identify them by their ideology,” Sufi said.</p>
<p>Mele Kyari, 49, a manager of a new Islamic education and cultural center in Abuja, said that in northeastern Nigeria — where Boko Haram has caused the most damage — the root of the problem isn’t being dealt with.</p>
<p>Kyari, a geologist originally from Maiduguri, capital of Borno state in the northeast, said it is the economic disparity, deprivation and extreme poverty that fuels Boko Haram.</p>
<p>“You become desperate,” he said. “You are told the elites have no care for you and that the system is designed to deprive you, and you must replace the system. It can be very attractive. People need something to believe in.”</p>
<p>A problem for soldiers fighting Boko Haram in Borno state — which includes the town of Chibok — is that they generally aren’t from the area and can’t identify the extremists.</p>
<p>“They haven’t done much to win the trust of the local community,” Kyari said.</p>
<p>"Any solution will have to involve the communities. This is not regular warfare. It is a street fight.”</p>
<p>In Kano, residents have grown more suspicious about outsiders and cautious about their neighbors.</p>
<p>Father Gabriel Ikor, a priest at Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral in the Sabon Gari area, said that because of Boko Haram there is a lingering nervousness in the city.</p>
<p>The Cathedral’s sprawling grounds are surrounded by a cement wall topped with razor wire, and a secondary metal fence. Visitors are searched, and strangers are closely questioned.</p>
<p>“The situation is getting better in Kano,” Ikor said. “But you can’t underestimate these people [Boko Haram]. When you think that all’s well, that’s when they strike.”</p> | false | 3 | update160a crowded market central nigerian city jos struck two bombs tuesday160 least 118 people killed twin blasts national emergency management agency said kano nigeria two years boko haram brought terror dusty streets cautious peace returned excited young men honked cheered weaved kano citys sabon gari area motorized rickshaws hyping candidate local elections nearby hawker sold books western business acumen motorists stuck heavy traffic friends met ice cream new shopping mall road sunday night fragile peace threatened suicide bomber attacked busy road taverns mainly christian area sabon gari strangers quarters hausa language sources told globalpost least four people killed full details still emerging sunday evening blast searing reminder boko haram bombs killed 27 people sabon gari last july widespread attacks kano january 2012 deadliestever razing gamboru village month 185 people killed various government offices kano bombed aftermath militants drove around city shooting pedestrians random battling police terrified violence many traders stopped coming kano residents upped left streets city 4 millionplus people grew strangely quiet two years life started coming back city thanks twopronged approach state government sunday morning blasts business usual kano nigerias secondlargest city ancient commercial capital countrys muchmaligned northern region residents even governor last days spoke proudly kanos successes fighting scourge boko haram threat largely migrated rural areas particularly northeastern borno state chibok 200 girls kidnapped boarding school160 around kano state security forces including police army prominent guard posts checkpoints military forces grassroots neighborhood watch groups come help keep streets safe eye longterm security kanos state government expanded educational training opportunities youth might otherwise jobless vulnerable recruitment extremists umar aliyu 18 said kano attracting ambitious young jobseekers fled 2012 attacks returning city aliyu headed switzerland university intended look job kano graduation theyre coming back home safer see opportunity explained major initiative ban almajiri system old tradition rural families northern nigeria send young sons koran schools cities boys estimated 12 million kano state alone survive begging streets vulnerable radicalization exploited boko haram issue bringing police soldiers guns tear gas rabiu musa kwankwaso governor kano state told globalpost interview issue engage young men women make gainfully employed put schools institutions talk put entrepreneurship institutes learn something police military aided unarmed groups community members provide valuable ontheground intelligence tips one privatelyfunded neighborhood watch organization somewhat confusingly known vigilantes 35000 members group kano state armed small knives sticks slingshots provide information state security authorities indigenes live give information know boko haram living strike said mohammad alhaji state commander vigilantes another group called hisbah 9000 officers describes assisting police encouraging morality sort islamic vice squad clamping prostitution drugs crimes hisbahs director general kano state abba saidu sufi said also includes reporting anyone exhibiting extreme ideologies mosques know ideology identify ideology sufi said mele kyari 49 manager new islamic education cultural center abuja said northeastern nigeria boko haram caused damage root problem isnt dealt kyari geologist originally maiduguri capital borno state northeast said economic disparity deprivation extreme poverty fuels boko haram become desperate said told elites care system designed deprive must replace system attractive people need something believe problem soldiers fighting boko haram borno state includes town chibok generally arent area cant identify extremists havent done much win trust local community kyari said solution involve communities regular warfare street fight kano residents grown suspicious outsiders cautious neighbors father gabriel ikor priest lady fatima cathedral sabon gari area said boko haram lingering nervousness city cathedrals sprawling grounds surrounded cement wall topped razor wire secondary metal fence visitors searched strangers closely questioned situation getting better kano ikor said cant underestimate people boko haram think alls well thats strike | 591 |
<p>KYIV/DONETSK, Ukraine — Church bells rang out over Kyiv's Maidan square and hundreds of mourners bowed their heads in silence on Sunday, a national day of mourning, to honor 49 Ukrainian servicemen killed by pro-Russian separatists.</p>
<p>But some 375 miles away to the east in the city of Donetsk, heart of an armed insurgency against central rule by Kyiv, there were few signs of mourning as people enjoyed a lazy stroll, sipped coffee in cafes and watched their children play.</p>
<p>Few events illustrate more clearly the bitter chasm that has opened up between east Ukraine and the rest of the country of 45 million. Heroes to some, the 49 killed when a missile hit their plane on Saturday were enemies to others.</p>
<p>"I feel desperate, like it's a betrayal. I don't know what I can do to help," Volodymyr Radchenko, an engineer in his 50s, said on the Maidan, cradle of an uprising which ousted Ukraine's Moscow-backed president in February.</p>
<p>Nearby, an Orthodox priest led prayers on a stage, flanked by men in black masks and camouflage fatigues.</p>
<p>Radchenko's depressed mood and sense of helplessness are shared by many in Kyiv, whose euphoria over Viktor Yanukovich's overthrow as president has given way to dismay as Russia annexed Crimea in March and separatists rose up in the east in April.</p>
<p>"I'm very worried," said choreographer Iryna Zhadan, starting to weep. "I cry and pray a lot for the dead soldiers."</p>
<p>Worries about the future</p>
<p>More than 100 protesters were killed in clashes on and around the Maidan before their hate figure, Yanukovich, fell. Makeshift shrines have been erected around the square and some protesters are still camping out on its edges, worried about the fragile peace and the direction the country is taking.</p>
<p>Ukraine now has a pro-European leadership and a new president, Petro Poroshenko, who has intensified a military campaign in the east since being elected on May 25 but has also launched tentative peace talks with a Russian envoy.</p>
<p>He has promised a tough response to the shooting down of the plane which some say is needed to crush the separatists but others fear could lead to all-out war with rebels armed with tanks which Kyiv and Washington say come from Russia.</p>
<p>Moscow denies backing the rebels. Facing the possibility of further Western sanctions, it disavows any plan for a military invasion to absorb mainly Russian-speaking eastern Ukraine.</p>
<p>But some Ukrainians still fear Russia and the West could fight a proxy war in Ukraine and would rather let the rebellious regions of Donetsk and Luhansk go than face such a conflict.</p>
<p>"It's awful. I just don't understand why we need Donetsk and Luhansk," said Lyudmila Shevchenko, a 60-year-old Kyiv resident. "If they like it without us, let them live on their own and we won't send our children to their deaths."</p>
<p>The downing of the military plane as it came in to land at the airport outside Luhansk killed more government servicemen than any other incident since the conflict began.</p>
<p>It has increased tension as Moscow and Kyiv try to agree how much Ukraine should pay for Russian gas before a Monday deadline for Kyiv to pay $1.95 billion in debts or have its gas cut off, that could disrupt flows to the rest of Europe.</p>
<p>It also fueled a violent protest at the Russian embassy in Kyiv and a diplomatic spat over insulting comments by Ukraine's foreign minister about President Vladimir Putin.&#160;</p>
<p>East does not mourn</p>
<p>But few sympathizers could be found in east Ukraine, where leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) ignored Poroshenko's call for a day of mourning and did not arrange a minute's silence to remember the victims.</p>
<p>"We could hold a day of mourning every day for the children and ordinary citizens who are dead because of the Ukrainians," a DPR spokesman said. "In Kyiv they're mourning the deaths of soldiers who were coming here to kill innocent people — it's unbelievable ... If they don't want soldiers to die, they shouldn't have violated Luhansk airspace."</p>
<p>In Donetsk, an industrial hub of one million people, there was as much discussion of the soccer World Cup in Brazil as of the shooting down of the plane. Many regard the Anti-Terrorist Operation, stepped up by Poroshenko, as driving a deeper rift between Ukrainians.</p>
<p>"They wanted a war, now they can have it. War brings casualties and they have to face that," said Zina Demyanova, 60, an accountant.</p>
<p>Sergei, a 35-year-old waiter, described the downing of the plane as a "legitimate military victory."</p>
<p>"I'm not sorry. I'm not mourning. We wanted to be acknowledged [by Kyiv], the east [of Ukraine] wanted only that, and they sent their killers instead," he said.</p>
<p>A retired administrative clerk who gave her name only as Iryna was among the few questioned by Reuters in the east who said openly they regretted the loss of life on both sides.</p>
<p>"This [war] is nonsense, murder. I was crying last night and I cry every day ever since this madness started because all these people have mothers and families and children," she said.</p>
<p>Others suggest few people are prepared to speak out against the rebels in the east because they are afraid.</p>
<p>"It's a horrible day and I am honestly mourning. They killed 49 people in cold blood, people who came to protect their country from this backward lot," said a student who gave her name only as Svetlana.</p>
<p>"You know, there are people in Donbass [the coal mining area of east Ukraine] who do not support this madhouse here and we are begging Kyiv to rescue us."</p>
<p>(Additional reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic in Donetsk and by Natalia Zinets, Pavel Polityuk and Margarita Chornokondratenko in Kyiv, Writing by Timothy Heritage; Editing by Gareth Jones)</p> | false | 3 | kyivdonetsk ukraine church bells rang kyivs maidan square hundreds mourners bowed heads silence sunday national day mourning honor 49 ukrainian servicemen killed prorussian separatists 375 miles away east city donetsk heart armed insurgency central rule kyiv signs mourning people enjoyed lazy stroll sipped coffee cafes watched children play events illustrate clearly bitter chasm opened east ukraine rest country 45 million heroes 49 killed missile hit plane saturday enemies others feel desperate like betrayal dont know help volodymyr radchenko engineer 50s said maidan cradle uprising ousted ukraines moscowbacked president february nearby orthodox priest led prayers stage flanked men black masks camouflage fatigues radchenkos depressed mood sense helplessness shared many kyiv whose euphoria viktor yanukovichs overthrow president given way dismay russia annexed crimea march separatists rose east april im worried said choreographer iryna zhadan starting weep cry pray lot dead soldiers worries future 100 protesters killed clashes around maidan hate figure yanukovich fell makeshift shrines erected around square protesters still camping edges worried fragile peace direction country taking ukraine proeuropean leadership new president petro poroshenko intensified military campaign east since elected may 25 also launched tentative peace talks russian envoy promised tough response shooting plane say needed crush separatists others fear could lead allout war rebels armed tanks kyiv washington say come russia moscow denies backing rebels facing possibility western sanctions disavows plan military invasion absorb mainly russianspeaking eastern ukraine ukrainians still fear russia west could fight proxy war ukraine would rather let rebellious regions donetsk luhansk go face conflict awful dont understand need donetsk luhansk said lyudmila shevchenko 60yearold kyiv resident like without us let live wont send children deaths downing military plane came land airport outside luhansk killed government servicemen incident since conflict began increased tension moscow kyiv try agree much ukraine pay russian gas monday deadline kyiv pay 195 billion debts gas cut could disrupt flows rest europe also fueled violent protest russian embassy kyiv diplomatic spat insulting comments ukraines foreign minister president vladimir putin160 east mourn sympathizers could found east ukraine leaders selfproclaimed donetsk peoples republic dpr ignored poroshenkos call day mourning arrange minutes silence remember victims could hold day mourning every day children ordinary citizens dead ukrainians dpr spokesman said kyiv theyre mourning deaths soldiers coming kill innocent people unbelievable dont want soldiers die shouldnt violated luhansk airspace donetsk industrial hub one million people much discussion soccer world cup brazil shooting plane many regard antiterrorist operation stepped poroshenko driving deeper rift ukrainians wanted war war brings casualties face said zina demyanova 60 accountant sergei 35yearold waiter described downing plane legitimate military victory im sorry im mourning wanted acknowledged kyiv east ukraine wanted sent killers instead said retired administrative clerk gave name iryna among questioned reuters east said openly regretted loss life sides war nonsense murder crying last night cry every day ever since madness started people mothers families children said others suggest people prepared speak rebels east afraid horrible day honestly mourning killed 49 people cold blood people came protect country backward lot said student gave name svetlana know people donbass coal mining area east ukraine support madhouse begging kyiv rescue us additional reporting aleksandar vasovic donetsk natalia zinets pavel polityuk margarita chornokondratenko kyiv writing timothy heritage editing gareth jones | 533 |
<p>KIBBUTZ NAAN, Israel — It may come as a surprise that the THC — the active element in cannabis — that has been used for investigations by the National Institutes of Health in Washington, DC, was <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/israel-and-palestine/130820/israel-cannabis-scientist-Raphael-Mechoulam-medical-marijuana" type="external">imported from Israel</a> at a time when no American scientist could hope to receive funding for research involving marijuana.</p>
<p>In a <a href="#v=onepage&amp;q=israeli%20cannabis%2C%20nih&amp;f=false" type="external">2010 book</a>, Israeli scientist Raphael Mechoulam, who first synthesized THC, recalls how it all began: In the mid 1960s, after a US senator inquired about the safety of his son's pot habit, Dr. Dan Efron, the National Institute of Mental Health’s head of pharmacology, flew to Israel and "took with him the ‘world’ supply of tetrahydrocannabinol [THC] … Much of the early work in the United States in the cannabis field was done with the material that Efron presumably smuggled out of Israel into the United States."</p>
<p>For serendipitous reasons — such as premier research facilities and leniency toward scientists — Israel has long been at the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/02/world/middleeast/new-insights-on-marijuana-in-israel-where-its-illegal.html?pagewanted=all" type="external">forefront</a> of cannabis research.</p>
<p>For the last 30 years, it has also been on the <a href="http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/issue97/hg97-featcannabis.html" type="external">leading edge</a> of countries that legally dispense medical cannabis.</p>
<p>The diagnosis of an array of medical miseries such as Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain grants any citizen the right to buy and use medical cannabis. (Tourists, take note: Recreational marijuana is illegal in Israel. You will not find pot cafés lining the pretty boulevards of Tel Aviv.)</p>
<p>Out of a population of 8 million, slightly over 11,000 Israelis hold prescriptions. Since the early 1990s cannabis has been grown in regulated farms and distributed via registered dispensaries, where each patient can choose among capsules, cookies, extracts, meticulously weighed dried leaves or pellets to be vaporized.</p>
<p>Inbal Sikorin has become one of the unlikeliest advocates for medical cannabis. For many years the head nurse at Hadarim, a nursing home that houses mostly catastrophic cases at Kibbutz Naan, an hour from Tel Aviv, she is famous here for successfully using cannabis to treat geriatric patients.</p>
<p>Sikorin, 44, is a chain smoker who sports a short, spiky head of jet-black hair. For many years, she never thought of medicating her patients with cannabis. In fact, the idea troubled her. She was raised in a home where marijuana was "something other people did — misfits, homeless people. It was nothing I ever had anything to do with, or wanted to," she says.</p>
<p>Then she encountered a severely disabled patient, tethered to a feeding tube. The woman screamed constantly in pain and was unresponsive to people or medications. Science’s arsenal of medicines — antipsychotics, L-Dopa drugs and analgesics — had no effect.</p>
<p>The patient's family asked Sikorin to investigate whether cannabis could help, and drew her attention to "Prescribed Grass," a documentary on the medical uses of the drug, by Tel Aviv University researcher Zach Klein. &#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Today, the patient is quiet and serene. Seated in a wheelchair in front of a TV, she turns when she hears her name, then looks back at the screen.</p>
<p>She is fed with a spoon.</p>
<p>One of the most remarkable facts about Hadarim is that not a single one of its acute care patients is on a feeding tube, a situation almost unheard of in any acute care facility.</p>
<p>Nineteen of its 36 patients are prescribed some form of cannabis.</p>
<p>"I feel like this is a God-given drug that we can give these people," Sikorin says, "but people hearing the word cannabis still react as if it were something from Satan. We face real opposition."</p>
<p>Even with liberal policies and internationally recognized research, Israel's conservative medical establishment remains skeptical and often places obstacles before professionals in the field.</p>
<p>Dr. Boaz Lev, the associate director general of the Ministry of Health, is a skeptic.</p>
<p>"Despite the fact that many patients say cannabis helped them, it is hard to prove anything," Lev says. "It is hard to conduct double-blind experiments. Most of this involves giving out smoking cannabis or oil extraction so it is kind of difficult. At this point, despite the fact that there are a lot of subjective reports of the benefits, the medical establishment does not accept cannabis as a mainstream treatment."</p>
<p>Asked about a patient like Sikorin's, Lev impatiently interrupts. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. They gave her cannabis and after a month she is dancing. So? This is not science."</p>
<p>Not everyone agrees. Avinoam Reches, a professor of neurology at Jerusalem's Hadassah Medical Center and the chairperson of the ethics committee of the Israel Medical Association, says "the proof is in the pudding. If a Parkinson's patient suffers from muscle rigidity that impedes his sleep and by smoking half a cannabis cigarette, gets muscle relaxation and calmness and is able to sleep well — and says thank you! — what scientific investigation do we need?”</p>
<p>Sikorin has teamed up with Klein, of Tel Aviv University, to conduct further research.</p>
<p>Numerous studies show that medical cannabis has a beneficial effect on Alzheimer's patients. In one of the most extensive studies conducted so far, Sikorin and Klein followed the progress of 60 dementia patients over three years.</p>
<p>The results have been astonishing. All the subjects of the study saw improvements. And, crucially, none — zero — suffered adverse side effects from the prescribed cannabis.</p>
<p>Sikorin and Klein have yet to publish their results but word has gotten out. Montel Williams, who has multiple sclerosis, recently filmed an episode of his show at Hadarim.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>"You know the biggest difference since we started using cannabis at Hadarim?" Sikorin asks, opening her arms to the main lounge. "It is this quiet. You never see something like this in an acute geriatric ward. People wail. They have spasms. They cry out. That's the norm. That's what it was like here, until this heaven-sent drug."&#160;</p> | false | 3 | kibbutz naan israel may come surprise thc active element cannabis used investigations national institutes health washington dc imported israel time american scientist could hope receive funding research involving marijuana 2010 book israeli scientist raphael mechoulam first synthesized thc recalls began mid 1960s us senator inquired safety sons pot habit dr dan efron national institute mental healths head pharmacology flew israel took world supply tetrahydrocannabinol thc much early work united states cannabis field done material efron presumably smuggled israel united states serendipitous reasons premier research facilities leniency toward scientists israel long forefront cannabis research last 30 years also leading edge countries legally dispense medical cannabis diagnosis array medical miseries crohns disease multiple sclerosis chronic pain grants citizen right buy use medical cannabis tourists take note recreational marijuana illegal israel find pot cafés lining pretty boulevards tel aviv population 8 million slightly 11000 israelis hold prescriptions since early 1990s cannabis grown regulated farms distributed via registered dispensaries patient choose among capsules cookies extracts meticulously weighed dried leaves pellets vaporized inbal sikorin become one unlikeliest advocates medical cannabis many years head nurse hadarim nursing home houses mostly catastrophic cases kibbutz naan hour tel aviv famous successfully using cannabis treat geriatric patients sikorin 44 chain smoker sports short spiky head jetblack hair many years never thought medicating patients cannabis fact idea troubled raised home marijuana something people misfits homeless people nothing ever anything wanted says encountered severely disabled patient tethered feeding tube woman screamed constantly pain unresponsive people medications sciences arsenal medicines antipsychotics ldopa drugs analgesics effect patients family asked sikorin investigate whether cannabis could help drew attention prescribed grass documentary medical uses drug tel aviv university researcher zach klein 160 today patient quiet serene seated wheelchair front tv turns hears name looks back screen fed spoon one remarkable facts hadarim single one acute care patients feeding tube situation almost unheard acute care facility nineteen 36 patients prescribed form cannabis feel like godgiven drug give people sikorin says people hearing word cannabis still react something satan face real opposition even liberal policies internationally recognized research israels conservative medical establishment remains skeptical often places obstacles professionals field dr boaz lev associate director general ministry health skeptic despite fact many patients say cannabis helped hard prove anything lev says hard conduct doubleblind experiments involves giving smoking cannabis oil extraction kind difficult point despite fact lot subjective reports benefits medical establishment accept cannabis mainstream treatment asked patient like sikorins lev impatiently interrupts yeah yeah get gave cannabis month dancing science everyone agrees avinoam reches professor neurology jerusalems hadassah medical center chairperson ethics committee israel medical association says proof pudding parkinsons patient suffers muscle rigidity impedes sleep smoking half cannabis cigarette gets muscle relaxation calmness able sleep well says thank scientific investigation need sikorin teamed klein tel aviv university conduct research numerous studies show medical cannabis beneficial effect alzheimers patients one extensive studies conducted far sikorin klein followed progress 60 dementia patients three years results astonishing subjects study saw improvements crucially none zero suffered adverse side effects prescribed cannabis sikorin klein yet publish results word gotten montel williams multiple sclerosis recently filmed episode show hadarim know biggest difference since started using cannabis hadarim sikorin asks opening arms main lounge quiet never see something like acute geriatric ward people wail spasms cry thats norm thats like heavensent drug160 | 549 |
<p>Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Barbara Francis</a>. This page will be updated weekly.</p>
<p>Brent Bowden, to First Baptist Church, Rochester, N.Y., as pastor.</p>
<p>Bob Dale, to Center for Healthy Churches, located in Clemmons, N.C., as leadership coach.</p>
<p>Dan Edwards, to First Baptist Church, White Hall, Ill., as pastor.</p>
<p>Priscilla Eppinger, to the American Baptist Historical Society, as executive director, effective Aug. 15. She comes from the Historical Society of Graceland University Community of Christ Seminary in Lamoni, Iowa, where she has been professor of religion since 2002.</p>
<p>Benjamin Harlan, to University Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, La., as minister of music.</p>
<p>Laura Heise, now serving as lead pastor at First Baptist Church, Midland, Mich. She previously served as its pastor of preaching and teaching.</p>
<p>Shannon Kiser, to Salem Baptist Church, Sparta, Va., as minister of youth, children and family discipleship.</p>
<p>Sean and Sarah Lee, to Calvary Baptist Church, Towson, Md., as co-pastors, effective in late summer.</p>
<p>Justin R. Lester, to Congdon Street Baptist Church, Providence, R.I., as pastor.</p>
<p>Robin Lunn and K. Shayla Appel, to First Baptist Church, Jaffrey, N.H., as co-pastors. Lunn is the former executive director of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists.</p>
<p>Kevin Maples, to First Baptist Church, Madisonville, Ky., as pastor.</p>
<p>Griff Martin, to First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas, as senior pastor. He comes from the pastorate of University Baptist Church, Baton Rouge, La.</p>
<p>Larry Mason, to Old Stonington (Ill.) Baptist Church, as pastor. Most recently he was interim executive minister for American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region.</p>
<p>Rory A. Naeve, to First Baptist Church, Oak Ridge, Tenn., as senior pastor, effective July 1. He comes from First Baptist Church, Claxton, Ga., where he served as senior pastor.</p>
<p>Bruce Queen, to First Baptist Church, Front Royal, Va., as intentional interim pastor.</p>
<p>Adam Smith, to First Baptist Church, Shepherdsville, Ky., as pastor.</p>
<p>Randy and Betty Rains, concluding their tenure as co-pastors of Oakland Baptist Church, Gum Spring, Va.</p>
<p>Betsy Sowers, now serving as minister for earth justice at Old Cambridge Baptist Church, Cambridge, Mass.</p>
<p>Kristie Stokes, now serving as missions and community outreach pastor at First Baptist Church, Jonesboro, Ark. She had been serving as its children’s minister.</p>
<p>Robert S. Turner, to University Baptist Church, Columbus, Ohio, as pastor.</p>
<p>Charles Warger, to First Baptist Church, Ottawa, Ill., as pastor.</p>
<p>Colby Whittaker, to Wyatt Park Baptist Church, St. Joseph, Mo., as minister of youth and education.</p>
<p>Elijah R. Zehyoue, to the New Baptist Covenant, as director of programs and communication. He most recently served on staff at Calvary Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.&#160;</p>
<p>Gary Fenton, retiring after 25 years as senior pastor of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Birmingham, Ala., effective Aug. 28.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Joe Crumpler</a>, 89, died June 10 in Cincinnati, Ohio He was pastor of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, for 30 years. He served as president of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Pastor’s Conference and trustee of the Baptist Sunday School Board (now LifeWay Christian Resources) before helping found the North Carolina affiliate of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and serving as its moderator. He is predeceased by his wife of 27 years, Eleanor; and by his wife of 25 years, Carolyn, who served as executive director of the SBC’s Woman’s Missionary Union. He is survived by three children and four grandchildren.</p>
<p>Roger Fredrickson, 95, died June 16 in Sioux Falls, S.D. He was pastor of First Baptist Church, Sioux Falls, from 1959-1975. He then became pastor of First Baptist Church, Wichita, Kansas, where he remained until his retirement in 1988. He served as president of America Baptist Churches USA and authored several books. He is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth. &#160;&#160;</p>
<p>Cornerstone Baptist Church, Warrenton, Va.; 20 years; June 26.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Wood River, Ill.; 100 years; June 12.</p>
<p>Lois Baltzer, 20 years as organist at Lexington Avenue Baptist Church, Danville, Ky.</p>
<p>Darren DeMent, 20 years as minister to students at Wilshire Baptist Church, Dallas, Texas.</p>
<p>Janet Henley, 25 years as minister of education at Clifton Park Baptist Church, Silver Spring, Md.</p>
<p>Rick Mixon, 10 years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Palo Alto, Calif.</p>
<p>Kevin Payne, 10 years as pastor of First Baptist Church, Independence, Mo.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Transitions for the week of 06.17.16</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Transitions for the week of 06.10.16</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Transitions for the week of 06.03.16</a></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Transitions for the week of 05.27.16</a></p> | false | 3 | please submit transitions including staff changes ordinations anniversaries deaths to160 barbara francis page updated weekly brent bowden first baptist church rochester ny pastor bob dale center healthy churches located clemmons nc leadership coach dan edwards first baptist church white hall ill pastor priscilla eppinger american baptist historical society executive director effective aug 15 comes historical society graceland university community christ seminary lamoni iowa professor religion since 2002 benjamin harlan university baptist church baton rouge la minister music laura heise serving lead pastor first baptist church midland mich previously served pastor preaching teaching shannon kiser salem baptist church sparta va minister youth children family discipleship sean sarah lee calvary baptist church towson md copastors effective late summer justin r lester congdon street baptist church providence ri pastor robin lunn k shayla appel first baptist church jaffrey nh copastors lunn former executive director association welcoming affirming baptists kevin maples first baptist church madisonville ky pastor griff martin first baptist church austin texas senior pastor comes pastorate university baptist church baton rouge la larry mason old stonington ill baptist church pastor recently interim executive minister american baptist churches great rivers region rory naeve first baptist church oak ridge tenn senior pastor effective july 1 comes first baptist church claxton ga served senior pastor bruce queen first baptist church front royal va intentional interim pastor adam smith first baptist church shepherdsville ky pastor randy betty rains concluding tenure copastors oakland baptist church gum spring va betsy sowers serving minister earth justice old cambridge baptist church cambridge mass kristie stokes serving missions community outreach pastor first baptist church jonesboro ark serving childrens minister robert turner university baptist church columbus ohio pastor charles warger first baptist church ottawa ill pastor colby whittaker wyatt park baptist church st joseph mo minister youth education elijah r zehyoue new baptist covenant director programs communication recently served staff calvary baptist church washington dc160 gary fenton retiring 25 years senior pastor dawson memorial baptist church birmingham ala effective aug 28 joe crumpler 89 died june 10 cincinnati ohio pastor mount carmel baptist church cincinnati ohio 30 years served president state convention baptists ohio vice president southern baptist conventions pastors conference trustee baptist sunday school board lifeway christian resources helping found north carolina affiliate cooperative baptist fellowship serving moderator predeceased wife 27 years eleanor wife 25 years carolyn served executive director sbcs womans missionary union survived three children four grandchildren roger fredrickson 95 died june 16 sioux falls sd pastor first baptist church sioux falls 19591975 became pastor first baptist church wichita kansas remained retirement 1988 served president america baptist churches usa authored several books preceded death wife ruth 160160 cornerstone baptist church warrenton va 20 years june 26 first baptist church wood river ill 100 years june 12 lois baltzer 20 years organist lexington avenue baptist church danville ky darren dement 20 years minister students wilshire baptist church dallas texas janet henley 25 years minister education clifton park baptist church silver spring md rick mixon 10 years pastor first baptist church palo alto calif kevin payne 10 years pastor first baptist church independence mo transitions week 061716 transitions week 061016 transitions week 060316 transitions week 052716 | 525 |
<p />
<p>Best Art Gallery</p>
<p>Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum</p>
<p>1661 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://renwick.americanart.si.edu" type="external">renwick.americanart.si.edu</a></p>
<p>Runner-up: The Phillips Collection</p>
<p>Renwick Gallery (Photo public domain)</p>
<p>Best Adult Store</p>
<p>Bite the Fruit</p>
<p>1723 Connecticut Ave., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://bitethefruit.com" type="external">bitethefruit.com</a></p>
<p>Runner-up: Trick Box</p>
<p>Bite the Fruit</p>
<p>Best Car Dealership</p>
<p>BMW of Fairfax</p>
<p>8427 Lee Highway, Fairfax</p>
<p>Runner-up: Audi of Tysons</p>
<p>BMW of Fairfax (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Apartment/Condo Building</p>
<p>Atlantic Plumbing</p>
<p>2112 8th St., N.W.</p>
<p>Runner-up: The Shay</p>
<p>Atlantic Plumbing (Photo courtesy Atlantic Plumbing)</p>
<p>Best Doctor/Medical Provider</p>
<p>Ray Martins, Whitman-Walker Health</p>
<p>Runner-up: Dr. Robyn Zeiger</p>
<p>Ray Martins (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Fitness or Workout Spot</p>
<p>VIDA Fitness</p>
<p>1517 15th St., N.W.</p>
<p>1612 U St., N.W.</p>
<p>999 9th St., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://vidafitness.com" type="external">vidafitness.com</a></p>
<p>(A perennial favorite in this category)</p>
<p>Runner-up: YMCA</p>
<p>VIDA Fitness (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Gayborhood</p>
<p>Shaw</p>
<p>Runner-up: Logan Circle</p>
<p>Shaw (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Hardware Store</p>
<p>Logan Hardware</p>
<p>Logan Hardware</p>
<p>1734 14th St., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://acehardwaredc.com" type="external">acehardwaredc.com</a></p>
<p>Runner-up: Annie’s Ace Hardware</p>
<p>Logan Hardware (Washington Blade photo by Antwan J. Thompson)</p>
<p>Best Home Furnishings</p>
<p>Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams</p>
<p>1526 14th St., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://mgbwhome.com" type="external">mgbwhome.com</a></p>
<p>Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams is featured on the 2016 Best of Gay DC cover.</p>
<p>Runner-up: Room &amp; Board</p>
<p>Mitchell Gold, on left, and business partner Bob Williams at their Washington store for an event in 2013. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Home Improvement Service</p>
<p>The Organizing Agency</p>
<p>811 4th St., N.W., Suite1013</p>
<p><a href="http://theorganizingagency.com" type="external">theorganizingagency.com</a></p>
<p>(Winner of last year’s Best LGBT-owned Business award)</p>
<p>Runner-up: Hourly Husbands</p>
<p>Organizing Agency founder Scott Roewer (Photo courtesy of the Organizing Agency)</p>
<p>Best Hotel</p>
<p>The W</p>
<p>515 15th St., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://wwashingtondc.com" type="external">wwashingtondc.com</a></p>
<p>(Second consecutive win in this category)</p>
<p>Runner-up: Donovan House</p>
<p>The W Hotel (Photo courtesy of the W)</p>
<p>Best House of Worship</p>
<p>Empowerment Liberation Cathedral</p>
<p>633 Sligo Ave., Silver Spring</p>
<p>240-720-7605</p>
<p><a href="http://empowermentliberationcathedral.org" type="external">empowermentliberationcathedral.org</a></p>
<p>(Second consecutive win in this category)</p>
<p>Runner-up: All Souls Unitarian</p>
<p>Bishop Allyson Abrams of the Empowerment Liberation Cathedral (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Lawyer</p>
<p>Peter Glazer</p>
<p>The Glazer Law Firm</p>
<p>Business attorney</p>
<p><a href="http://glazerlawfirm.com" type="external">glazerlawfirm.com</a></p>
<p>Runner-up: Amy Nelson</p>
<p>Peter Glazier (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best LGBT Social Group</p>
<p>Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington</p>
<p>Runner-up: D.C. Rawhides</p>
<p>The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best LGBT Support Group</p>
<p>SMYAL</p>
<p>Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders</p>
<p>410 7th St., S.E.</p>
<p><a href="http://smyal.org" type="external">smyal.org</a></p>
<p>(Second consecutive win in this category)</p>
<p>Runner-up: HIPS</p>
<p>SMYAL (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best&#160;LGBT Sports League</p>
<p>D.C. Rollergirls</p>
<p>Runner-up: Stonewall Kickball</p>
<p>Teammates on D.C. Rollergirls say the league feels like family.</p>
<p>Founded in 2006, D.C. Rollergirls is centered around the group’s love for roller derby. In addition to games, the team also prides itself on contributing to community service with organizations that promote female empowerment, physical fitness and awareness of issues women, children and families face in the D.C. area.</p>
<p>League president Dawn Sherman, also known by her team nickname Aurora Borey All-Ass, says what makes the team stand out is the diversity of its members.</p>
<p>“We have women from all different walks of life,” Sherman says. “We are an inclusive environment so we have cis-gender women and we are very open to LGBT women. The fact that we all come together for this crazy common sport that we love just makes it amazing.”</p>
<p>Women of all skill levels are welcome on the team especially beginners. JaeLee Waldschmidt, nicknamed Switch Please, says she stepped into the world of roller derby after a friend invited her to a match.</p>
<p>Waldschmidt admits she was clueless and outside her comfort zone.</p>
<p>“My friend was like, ‘You should come watch my team play.’ I was like, ‘Play what?’ ‘Roller derby,’” Waldschmidt says. “I was like, ‘What’s that?’ I watched one of their games and showed up to D.C. Armory like, ‘Where do I get in?’ and my friend was like, ‘The door. You go in through the door.’”</p>
<p>After attending roller derby boot camp Waldschmidt found herself competing on the team.</p>
<p>She encourages other women interested in trying something new to do the same. Try out sessions are open to anyone regardless of experience level. Each Sunday the team has a roller derby boot camp where anybody, with the appropriate safety gear, can learn the fundamentals of roller derby. The next try out date is Sunday, Oct. 23 at the DCRG Warehouse (5706 LaFayette Pl., Hyattsville, Md.) from 12:30-3:30 p.m. The team consists of about 40 players, including dozens of volunteers, beginner boot campers and retired derby members who still like to stay connected.</p>
<p>Another big part of being a D.C. Rollergirls team member is picking a nickname that suits you.</p>
<p>For Sherman the name was all about who she was as a person.</p>
<p>“I wanted to find something that kind of gave people a little glimpse into my life,” Sherman says. “My quirky sci-fi side. Kind of just being a general science geek and my physique. So my name is Aurora Borey All-Ass and that kind of encompasses all those things.”</p>
<p>Waldschmidt chose her name Switch Please, from the character Switch from “The Matrix.”</p>
<p>Feeling comfortable to share parts of themselves with their team is the best part about the league, Waldschmidt says.</p>
<p>“Being a trans woman, it’s kind of hard in this world trying to find a place that accepts you for who you are,” Waldschmidt says. “I mean there are pockets here and there but roller derby was like ‘Alright, cool.’ It was a really empowering opportunity to be authentic and not have to try to conform to people’s expectations of what a man or woman is, to be myself.” (Mariah Cooper)</p>
<p>D.C. Rollergirls (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best LGBT-Owned Business</p>
<p>Capital Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness</p>
<p>1330 U St., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://capitalpsychotherapy.com" type="external">capitalpsychotherapy.com</a></p>
<p>Runner-up: Town, Number Nine and Trade</p>
<p>Gregory Jones of Capital Area (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Most LGBT-Friendly Workplace</p>
<p>Human Rights Campaign</p>
<p>1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://hrc.org" type="external">hrc.org</a></p>
<p>Runner-up: Whitman-Walker Health</p>
<p>Human Rights Campaign (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Non-Profit</p>
<p>Whitman-Walker Health</p>
<p><a href="http://whitman-walker.org" type="external">whitman-walker.org</a></p>
<p>Runner-up: Capital Pride</p>
<p>Whitman Walker Health at the Walk to End HIV (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Pet Business</p>
<p>Metro Mutts</p>
<p>508 H St., N.E.</p>
<p><a href="http://metromuttsdc.com" type="external">metromuttsdc.com</a></p>
<p>Runner-up: City Dogs</p>
<p>Best Place to Buy Second-Hand Stuff</p>
<p>Miss Pixie’s Furnishings and Whatnot</p>
<p>1626 14th St., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://misspixies.com" type="external">misspixies.com</a></p>
<p>Runner-up: Buffalo Exchange</p>
<p>Miss Pixie’s (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Place to Take the Kids</p>
<p>Smithsonian’s National Zoo</p>
<p>3001 Connecticut Ave., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://nationalzoo.si.edu" type="external">nationalzoo.si.edu</a></p>
<p>(Second consecutive win in this category)</p>
<p>Runner-up: Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy of the National Zoo)</p>
<p>Best Rehoboth Business</p>
<p>Blue Moon</p>
<p>35 Baltimore Ave.</p>
<p>Rehoboth Beach, Del.</p>
<p>bluemoonrehoboth.com</p>
<p>(Also won Best Rehoboth Bar)</p>
<p>Runner-up: Purple Parrot</p>
<p>Blue Moon (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Salon/Spa</p>
<p>Logan 14 Aveda Salon &amp; Spa</p>
<p>1314 14th St., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://logan14salonspa.com" type="external">logan14salonspa.com</a></p>
<p>(Second consecutive win in this category)</p>
<p>Runner-up: Salon Quency</p>
<p>Michael Hodges of Logan 14 Aveda (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Best Reason to Go to Baltimore</p>
<p>National Aquarium</p>
<p>501 E. Pratt St., Baltimore</p>
<p><a href="http://aqua.org" type="external">aqua.org</a></p>
<p>(Second consecutive win in this category)</p>
<p>National Aquarium in Baltimore (Photo public domain)</p>
<p>Best Theater</p>
<p>Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts</p>
<p>2700 F St., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://kennedy-center.org" type="external">kennedy-center.org</a></p>
<p>(Second consecutive win in this category)</p>
<p>Runner-up: Arena Stage</p>
<p>The Kennedy Center (Photo by Steve via Wikimedia Commons)</p>
<p>Best Theater Production</p>
<p>“Kinky Boots” (Kennedy Center)</p>
<p>Runner-up: “La Cage Aux Folles” (Signature Theatre)</p>
<p>(Photo courtesy Kennedy Center)</p>
<p>Best Vet</p>
<p>CityPaws Animal Hospital</p>
<p>1823 14th St., N.W.</p>
<p><a href="http://citypawsanimalhospital.com" type="external">citypawsanimalhospital.com</a></p>
<p>(Second consecutive win in this category)</p>
<p>Runner-up: Union Veterinary Clinic</p>
<p>City Paws (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>To see winners in other categories in the Washington Blade’s Best of Gay D.C. 2016 Awards, click <a href="" type="internal">here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">All Souls Unitarian</a> <a href="" type="internal">Amy Nelson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Annie's Ace Hardware</a> <a href="" type="internal">Arena Stage</a> <a href="" type="internal">Atlantic Plumbing</a> <a href="" type="internal">Audi of Tysons</a> <a href="" type="internal">Baltimore</a> <a href="" type="internal">Bite the Fruit</a> <a href="" type="internal">Blue Moon</a> <a href="" type="internal">BMW of Fairfax</a> <a href="" type="internal">Buffalo Exchange</a> <a href="" type="internal">Capital Center for Psychotherapy and Wellness</a> <a href="" type="internal">Capital Pride</a> <a href="" type="internal">City Dogs</a> <a href="" type="internal">CityPaws Animal Hospital</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Rawhides</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C. Rollergirls</a> <a href="" type="internal">Dawn Sherman</a> <a href="" type="internal">District of Columbia</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donovan House</a> <a href="" type="internal">Empowerment Liberation Cathedral</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gay Men's Chorus of Washington</a> <a href="" type="internal">GMCW</a> <a href="" type="internal">HIPS</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hourly Husbands</a> <a href="" type="internal">Human Rights Campaign</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kennedy Center</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kinky Boots</a> <a href="" type="internal">La Cage aux Folles</a> <a href="" type="internal">Logan 14 Aveda</a> <a href="" type="internal">Logan Circle</a> <a href="" type="internal">Logan Hardware</a> <a href="" type="internal">Metro Mutts</a> <a href="" type="internal">Miss Pixie's Furnishings and Whatnot</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mitchell Gold &amp; Bob Williams</a> <a href="" type="internal">National Aquarium</a> <a href="" type="internal">Number Nine</a> <a href="" type="internal">Peter Glazer</a> <a href="" type="internal">Phillips Collection</a> <a href="" type="internal">Purple Parrot</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ray Martins</a> <a href="" type="internal">Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum</a> <a href="" type="internal">Robyn Zeiger</a> <a href="" type="internal">Room &amp; Board</a> <a href="" type="internal">Salon Quency</a> <a href="" type="internal">Shaw</a> <a href="" type="internal">Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum</a> <a href="" type="internal">Smithsonian's National Zoo</a> <a href="" type="internal">SMYAL</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stonewall Kickball</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Organizing Agency</a> <a href="" type="internal">The Shay</a> <a href="" type="internal">the W</a> <a href="" type="internal">Town</a> <a href="" type="internal">Trade</a> <a href="" type="internal">Trick Box</a> <a href="" type="internal">Union Veterinary Clinic</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vida Fitness</a> <a href="" type="internal">Whitman-Walker Health</a> <a href="" type="internal">YMCA</a></p> | false | 3 | best art gallery renwick gallery smithsonian american art museum 1661 pennsylvania ave nw renwickamericanartsiedu runnerup phillips collection renwick gallery photo public domain best adult store bite fruit 1723 connecticut ave nw bitethefruitcom runnerup trick box bite fruit best car dealership bmw fairfax 8427 lee highway fairfax runnerup audi tysons bmw fairfax washington blade photo michael key best apartmentcondo building atlantic plumbing 2112 8th st nw runnerup shay atlantic plumbing photo courtesy atlantic plumbing best doctormedical provider ray martins whitmanwalker health runnerup dr robyn zeiger ray martins washington blade photo michael key best fitness workout spot vida fitness 1517 15th st nw 1612 u st nw 999 9th st nw vidafitnesscom perennial favorite category runnerup ymca vida fitness washington blade photo michael key best gayborhood shaw runnerup logan circle shaw washington blade photo michael key best hardware store logan hardware logan hardware 1734 14th st nw acehardwaredccom runnerup annies ace hardware logan hardware washington blade photo antwan j thompson best home furnishings mitchell gold bob williams 1526 14th st nw mgbwhomecom mitchell gold bob williams featured 2016 best gay dc cover runnerup room amp board mitchell gold left business partner bob williams washington store event 2013 washington blade file photo michael key best home improvement service organizing agency 811 4th st nw suite1013 theorganizingagencycom winner last years best lgbtowned business award runnerup hourly husbands organizing agency founder scott roewer photo courtesy organizing agency best hotel w 515 15th st nw wwashingtondccom second consecutive win category runnerup donovan house w hotel photo courtesy w best house worship empowerment liberation cathedral 633 sligo ave silver spring 2407207605 empowermentliberationcathedralorg second consecutive win category runnerup souls unitarian bishop allyson abrams empowerment liberation cathedral washington blade photo michael key best lawyer peter glazer glazer law firm business attorney glazerlawfirmcom runnerup amy nelson peter glazier washington blade photo michael key best lgbt social group gay mens chorus washington runnerup dc rawhides gay mens chorus washington washington blade photo michael key best lgbt support group smyal supporting mentoring youth advocates leaders 410 7th st se smyalorg second consecutive win category runnerup hips smyal washington blade photo michael key best160lgbt sports league dc rollergirls runnerup stonewall kickball teammates dc rollergirls say league feels like family founded 2006 dc rollergirls centered around groups love roller derby addition games team also prides contributing community service organizations promote female empowerment physical fitness awareness issues women children families face dc area league president dawn sherman also known team nickname aurora borey allass says makes team stand diversity members women different walks life sherman says inclusive environment cisgender women open lgbt women fact come together crazy common sport love makes amazing women skill levels welcome team especially beginners jaelee waldschmidt nicknamed switch please says stepped world roller derby friend invited match waldschmidt admits clueless outside comfort zone friend like come watch team play like play roller derby waldschmidt says like whats watched one games showed dc armory like get friend like door go door attending roller derby boot camp waldschmidt found competing team encourages women interested trying something new try sessions open anyone regardless experience level sunday team roller derby boot camp anybody appropriate safety gear learn fundamentals roller derby next try date sunday oct 23 dcrg warehouse 5706 lafayette pl hyattsville md 1230330 pm team consists 40 players including dozens volunteers beginner boot campers retired derby members still like stay connected another big part dc rollergirls team member picking nickname suits sherman name person wanted find something kind gave people little glimpse life sherman says quirky scifi side kind general science geek physique name aurora borey allass kind encompasses things waldschmidt chose name switch please character switch matrix feeling comfortable share parts team best part league waldschmidt says trans woman kind hard world trying find place accepts waldschmidt says mean pockets roller derby like alright cool really empowering opportunity authentic try conform peoples expectations man woman mariah cooper dc rollergirls washington blade photo michael key best lgbtowned business capital center psychotherapy wellness 1330 u st nw capitalpsychotherapycom runnerup town number nine trade gregory jones capital area washington blade photo michael key lgbtfriendly workplace human rights campaign 1640 rhode island ave nw hrcorg runnerup whitmanwalker health human rights campaign washington blade photo michael key best nonprofit whitmanwalker health whitmanwalkerorg runnerup capital pride whitman walker health walk end hiv washington blade photo michael key best pet business metro mutts 508 h st ne metromuttsdccom runnerup city dogs best place buy secondhand stuff miss pixies furnishings whatnot 1626 14th st nw misspixiescom runnerup buffalo exchange miss pixies washington blade photo michael key best place take kids smithsonians national zoo 3001 connecticut ave nw nationalzoosiedu second consecutive win category runnerup smithsonians national air space museum photo courtesy national zoo best rehoboth business blue moon 35 baltimore ave rehoboth beach del bluemoonrehobothcom also best rehoboth bar runnerup purple parrot blue moon washington blade photo michael key best salonspa logan 14 aveda salon amp spa 1314 14th st nw logan14salonspacom second consecutive win category runnerup salon quency michael hodges logan 14 aveda washington blade photo michael key best reason go baltimore national aquarium 501 e pratt st baltimore aquaorg second consecutive win category national aquarium baltimore photo public domain best theater kennedy center performing arts 2700 f st nw kennedycenterorg second consecutive win category runnerup arena stage kennedy center photo steve via wikimedia commons best theater production kinky boots kennedy center runnerup la cage aux folles signature theatre photo courtesy kennedy center best vet citypaws animal hospital 1823 14th st nw citypawsanimalhospitalcom second consecutive win category runnerup union veterinary clinic city paws washington blade photo michael key see winners categories washington blades best gay dc 2016 awards click souls unitarian amy nelson annies ace hardware arena stage atlantic plumbing audi tysons baltimore bite fruit blue moon bmw fairfax buffalo exchange capital center psychotherapy wellness capital pride city dogs citypaws animal hospital dc dc rawhides dc rollergirls dawn sherman district columbia donovan house empowerment liberation cathedral gay mens chorus washington gmcw hips hourly husbands human rights campaign kennedy center kinky boots la cage aux folles logan 14 aveda logan circle logan hardware metro mutts miss pixies furnishings whatnot mitchell gold amp bob williams national aquarium number nine peter glazer phillips collection purple parrot ray martins renwick gallery smithsonian american art museum robyn zeiger room amp board salon quency shaw smithsonians national air space museum smithsonians national zoo smyal stonewall kickball organizing agency shay w town trade trick box union veterinary clinic vida fitness whitmanwalker health ymca | 1,076 |
<p>Donald Trump has long had a clear message on illegal immigration: He’s against it. But he hasn’t had a clear policy on what to do about it and it’s finally catching up to him.</p>
<p>Trump set off a wave of speculation after he met with Hispanic supporters on Saturday, some of whom came away hopeful he might soften his opposition on legalizing undocumented immigrants. Rather than tamp down the speculation, his campaign reacted ambiguously.</p>
<p>“To be determined,” campaign manager Kellyanne Conway told CNN when asked whether Trump still favored a new “deportation force” to remove undocumented immigrants.</p>
<p>Trump told Fox News on Monday that he was “not flip flopping,” on the issue but offered no specifics as to his current position. Adding to the confusion, the campaign postponed an upcoming speech in Denver that was expected to address his immigration policy on Thursday.</p>
<p>In a later appearance with Fox News' Bill O'Reilly, Trump went into more detail, but his statements provided little insight into whether he was softening his position on deportation. He said he would enforce existing laws "perhaps with a lot more energy" and "get rid of all the bad ones," citing President Obama's own record of deporting undocumented immigrants as a model.</p>
<p>But deporting criminals is relatively uncontroversial. The bigger fight between Obama and his critics was over executive orders to prioritize criminals for removal, grant work permits to young undocumented immigrants, and -- until he was stymied by the courts -- shield millions more from deportation. Trump did not explain how he would handle non-criminal cases like these himself, saying only that he would "follow the process."</p>
<p>Trump also seemed confused about how the deportation process works. He told O'Reilly that he would not house suspected illegal immigrants in "detention centers" while their cases were adjudicated. "I've never heard the term," Trump said. "I'm not going to put them in a detention center."</p>
<p>In fact, there already are <a href="http://www.npr.org/2013/11/19/245968601/little-known-immigration-mandate-keeps-detention-beds-full" type="external">immigration detention facilities all over the country that Congress requires the administration fill up with 34,000 people</a>at all times. Trump's own immigration plan -- which is still on his <a href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/immigration-reform" type="external">website</a> -- states that illegal border crossers "must be detained until they are sent home, no more catch-and-release."</p>
<p>To understand why Trump’s campaign is tying itself into knots this week, you have to understand the last few years of debates over immigration reform.</p>
<p>The issue that’s caused by far the most heartburn for Republicans is the one that’s tripping up Trump today: Whether to grant legal status, and possibly citizenship, to undocumented immigrants living in America. It's the one that pins GOP candidates awkwardly between Latino voters and business groups on one side, who favor a path to citizenship, and talk radio and nativist voters, who see any policy short of deportation as “amnesty.”</p>
<p>Trump’s border wall is his most famous proposal, but it’s actually a relatively minor part of the immigration debate by comparison. Democrats would almost certainly accept a new barrier in exchange for GOP votes on a path to citizenship. This isn’t a hypothetical scenario: The “Gang of Eight” immigration reform bill that passed the Senate in 2013 included an amendment <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/hardball/democrats-let-gop-name-their-price-immigra" type="external">requiring 700 miles of new fencing</a> along with 20,000 extra border patrol agents in order to attract conservative support.</p>
<p>Given the political sensitivities around the issue, many Republican politicians who opposed the “Gang of Eight” bill avoided pinning themselves down on legal status for fear of alienating potential supporters or poisoning future negotiations. Senator Ted Cruz pointedly refused to rule out legalizing immigrants for years before finally <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/the-super-complicated-rubio-cruz-immigration-fight-explained" type="external">bowing to conservative pressure</a> and doing so in the presidential primary season.</p>
<p>Trump cannon-balled into this carefully worded debate in 2015 with a series of confusing statements and outrageous boasts that went far beyond what even the most ardent anti-immigrant politicians had proposed.</p>
<p>Not only was Trump against “amnesty,” he bragged to Republicans he would remove all undocumented immigrants in a period <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/09/11/donald-trump-says-immigrant-deportations-done-in-two-years/" type="external">of “18 months to two years.”</a> He told MSNBC’s Morning Joe this would be accomplished using a “ <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/trump-vows-humane-deportation-force" type="external">deportation force</a>.” Asked by NBC News Chuck Todd as to whether he’d break up <a href="http://www.pewhispanic.org/2013/01/29/a-nation-of-immigrants/" type="external">millions of mixed-status families</a> that include both American citizens and undocumented immigrants, Trump responded that “they have to go.”</p>
<p>Like Trump’s call to punish women who have an abortion, which he retracted after realizing pro-life groups opposed to the concept, he seemed to be telling hardliners what he thought they wanted to hear rather than what anyone had demanded.</p>
<p>For conservatives, the primary alternative to legalization when Trump entered the race was “self-deportation,” a strategy put forward by Mitt Romney in 2012 that would encourage immigrants to leave on their own by restricting their access to work, transportation, and housing. Few public figures called for mass deportations, let alone a crackdown so sweeping that it could be accomplished in under two years.</p>
<p>“His first reaction was ‘Illegal aliens gotta go!’ in a kind of barstool opinionating sense, like your uncle George at the Thanksgiving dinner table,” Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, which favors lower levels of immigration said. “What he seems to be doing now is backing into an actual policy that’s real.”</p>
<p>Notably, Trump’s most concrete positions on deportation have come from offhand comments. His <a href="https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/immigration-reform" type="external">written plan</a> called for a major increase in immigration enforcement agents, an end to birthright citizenship, and a renewed focus on undocumented immigrants with criminal records, but was vague on broader legalization issues.</p>
<p>Trump himself seemed uncertain about his position. In the same NBC News interview in which he pledged to deport DREAMers brought to America as children, he said he would “bring them back rapidly, the good ones” after the deportations were complete. It was an odd position that he repeated at several points -- arguing for the removal of an estimated 11 million people in ways that likely require an expensive, disruptive, and Constitutionally questionable enforcement regime only to invite them right back into the country.</p>
<p>Trump has never seemed to have much of a firm take on the legalization issue. While he has long championed a border wall, he has also sounded like a dove on what to do about existing undocumented immigrants in the run-up to his presidential campaign.</p>
<p>In 2012, for example, he floated a “permanent solution” on Fox News in which some immigrants would remain. “We have to have some compassion, we can’t just throw everybody out,” he said.</p>
<p>After Romney lost that November in thanks in part to strong Democratic margins with Latino and Asian voters, Trump lashed out at his “crazy policy of self-deportation” in an interview with <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Donald-Trump-Ronald-Kessler/2012/11/26/id/465363/" type="external">Newsmax</a>. As late as August 2013, Trump told <a href="" type="internal">NBC News’ Kasie Hunt</a> he wasn’t sure about his position on the recently passed “Gang of Eight” bill or whether he might support portions of it. “I actually think it's too early to say,” he said.</p>
<p>Even at Trump’s most nativist in 2015 and 2016, he stressed he wanted a gentle approach, or as gentle as one could be while forcibly tearing parents from their children. “You're going to have a deportation force and you’re going to do it humanely,” he told MSNBC last November.</p>
<p>If the Hispanic supporters he met with on Saturday were confused by his relatively soothing tone on the issue, they wouldn’t be the first ones.</p>
<p>In August 2013, immigration activist Gaby Pacheco helped organize a meeting between Trump and DREAMers in the hopes of earning his support for policies that would allow them to stay in the country. They left with the strong impression that Trump, who lavished them with gifts from his line of branded products afterwards, had endorsed their plan. “You’ve convinced me,” Trump said, according to a meeting participant’s account to <a href="http://nbclatino.com/2013/08/22/donald-trump-tells-immigrant-advocates-youve-convinced-me/" type="external">NBC News</a> at the time.</p>
<p>Looking back now, Pacheco views the meeting differently.</p>
<p>“We left there feeling so excited,” she said. “I feel like such a fool.”</p>
<p>Pacheco recalled that Trump seemed to have a weak grasp on the issues – he seemed to believe they were undocumented by choice before they explained there was no clear way for them to earn legal status, a problem they hoped to address through legislation. Comments he made that sounded supportive sounded confused in retrospect in ways that resembled his disjointed speaking style as a presidential candidate.</p>
<p>“The first thing you see on TV, the first thing you see in his speeches, is that you have to be quick on your toes to understand what he’s saying, because he goes from point to point and doesn’t finish his sentences,” she said. “At the time we were meeting with him, he was just throwing out every idea in his head.”</p>
<p>Trump also seemed preoccupied with other concerns, asking them what they thought about future Republican rivals like Governor Chris Christie and Senator Ted Cruz and whether they would win Hispanic voters. Pacheco said she and her fellow activists had to struggle to turn the topic back to immigration, where activists explained their personal battles with their undocumented status.</p>
<p>“It was the Donald Trump everybody now in America has gotten to know,” she said. “He tells you exactly what you want to hear.”</p> | false | 3 | donald trump long clear message illegal immigration hes hasnt clear policy finally catching trump set wave speculation met hispanic supporters saturday came away hopeful might soften opposition legalizing undocumented immigrants rather tamp speculation campaign reacted ambiguously determined campaign manager kellyanne conway told cnn asked whether trump still favored new deportation force remove undocumented immigrants trump told fox news monday flip flopping issue offered specifics current position adding confusion campaign postponed upcoming speech denver expected address immigration policy thursday later appearance fox news bill oreilly trump went detail statements provided little insight whether softening position deportation said would enforce existing laws perhaps lot energy get rid bad ones citing president obamas record deporting undocumented immigrants model deporting criminals relatively uncontroversial bigger fight obama critics executive orders prioritize criminals removal grant work permits young undocumented immigrants stymied courts shield millions deportation trump explain would handle noncriminal cases like saying would follow process trump also seemed confused deportation process works told oreilly would house suspected illegal immigrants detention centers cases adjudicated ive never heard term trump said im going put detention center fact already immigration detention facilities country congress requires administration fill 34000 peopleat times trumps immigration plan still website states illegal border crossers must detained sent home catchandrelease understand trumps campaign tying knots week understand last years debates immigration reform issue thats caused far heartburn republicans one thats tripping trump today whether grant legal status possibly citizenship undocumented immigrants living america one pins gop candidates awkwardly latino voters business groups one side favor path citizenship talk radio nativist voters see policy short deportation amnesty trumps border wall famous proposal actually relatively minor part immigration debate comparison democrats would almost certainly accept new barrier exchange gop votes path citizenship isnt hypothetical scenario gang eight immigration reform bill passed senate 2013 included amendment requiring 700 miles new fencing along 20000 extra border patrol agents order attract conservative support given political sensitivities around issue many republican politicians opposed gang eight bill avoided pinning legal status fear alienating potential supporters poisoning future negotiations senator ted cruz pointedly refused rule legalizing immigrants years finally bowing conservative pressure presidential primary season trump cannonballed carefully worded debate 2015 series confusing statements outrageous boasts went far beyond even ardent antiimmigrant politicians proposed trump amnesty bragged republicans would remove undocumented immigrants period 18 months two years told msnbcs morning joe would accomplished using deportation force asked nbc news chuck todd whether hed break millions mixedstatus families include american citizens undocumented immigrants trump responded go like trumps call punish women abortion retracted realizing prolife groups opposed concept seemed telling hardliners thought wanted hear rather anyone demanded conservatives primary alternative legalization trump entered race selfdeportation strategy put forward mitt romney 2012 would encourage immigrants leave restricting access work transportation housing public figures called mass deportations let alone crackdown sweeping could accomplished two years first reaction illegal aliens got ta go kind barstool opinionating sense like uncle george thanksgiving dinner table mark krikorian executive director center immigration studies favors lower levels immigration said seems backing actual policy thats real notably trumps concrete positions deportation come offhand comments written plan called major increase immigration enforcement agents end birthright citizenship renewed focus undocumented immigrants criminal records vague broader legalization issues trump seemed uncertain position nbc news interview pledged deport dreamers brought america children said would bring back rapidly good ones deportations complete odd position repeated several points arguing removal estimated 11 million people ways likely require expensive disruptive constitutionally questionable enforcement regime invite right back country trump never seemed much firm take legalization issue long championed border wall also sounded like dove existing undocumented immigrants runup presidential campaign 2012 example floated permanent solution fox news immigrants would remain compassion cant throw everybody said romney lost november thanks part strong democratic margins latino asian voters trump lashed crazy policy selfdeportation interview newsmax late august 2013 trump told nbc news kasie hunt wasnt sure position recently passed gang eight bill whether might support portions actually think early say said even trumps nativist 2015 2016 stressed wanted gentle approach gentle one could forcibly tearing parents children youre going deportation force youre going humanely told msnbc last november hispanic supporters met saturday confused relatively soothing tone issue wouldnt first ones august 2013 immigration activist gaby pacheco helped organize meeting trump dreamers hopes earning support policies would allow stay country left strong impression trump lavished gifts line branded products afterwards endorsed plan youve convinced trump said according meeting participants account nbc news time looking back pacheco views meeting differently left feeling excited said feel like fool pacheco recalled trump seemed weak grasp issues seemed believe undocumented choice explained clear way earn legal status problem hoped address legislation comments made sounded supportive sounded confused retrospect ways resembled disjointed speaking style presidential candidate first thing see tv first thing see speeches quick toes understand hes saying goes point point doesnt finish sentences said time meeting throwing every idea head trump also seemed preoccupied concerns asking thought future republican rivals like governor chris christie senator ted cruz whether would win hispanic voters pacheco said fellow activists struggle turn topic back immigration activists explained personal battles undocumented status donald trump everybody america gotten know said tells exactly want hear | 864 |
<p>LONDON, UK — With one year to go before the general election, there’s a decidedly American scent in the air around Whitehall, the central palace that houses many government offices.</p>
<p>The Labour Party has hired David Axelrod, the campaign consultant behind President Barack Obama’s 2008 election. Not to be outdone, the Conservatives have taken on board Jim Messina, Obama’s former deputy chief of staff and 2012 campaign manager.</p>
<p>Even the idea of a yearlong campaign trail is something of a Yankee import. No general election in British history has had its date fixed so far in advance, this time thanks to an agreement struck when the coalition government was formed in 2010.</p>
<p>But whether the public will buy politicians’ flirting with American-style campaigning remains to be seen.</p>
<p>James D. Boys, a senior research fellow at King’s College London, believes a globalized media is partly responsible for the new direction.</p>
<p>“You’ve got a generation of British politicians who have come to office in the last few years who loved ‘The West Wing,’” he says, adding that they also see American strategists debating each other on CNN and think, “I want one of those. I want a war room of my own.”</p>
<p>Don’t expect confetti or crazy hats at the party conventions this fall, however. UK campaigns are a lot more low-key than America’s. Televised debates didn’t even take place until the last elections in 2010.</p>
<p>The key difference is that no one in Britain votes for a prime minister. Brits cast ballots only for their local members of parliament. The party with the majority of regional seats forms a government and its leader is typically named prime minister.</p>
<p>With less emphasis on the individual candidates and more on the party, the executive’s office is a lot less glamorous than its American counterpart. Pomp and circumstance in public life is really reserved for the Windsors, across town.</p>
<p>No British equivalent of “Hail to the Chief” starts playing as if by magic when a prime minister enters a room. The official residence at 10 Downing Street is an unassuming townhouse, not a giant white mansion.</p>
<p>Britain is the only <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/agencia-efe/140324/g7-and-eu-leaders-suspend-russia-g8" type="external">G7</a> country without an executive air fleet a la Air Force One, which leads to all kinds of “Politicians — They’re Just Like Us!” moments. Like the day in September when Prime Minister David Cameron <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/dozy-prime-minister-david-cameron-2261059" type="external">was caught</a> leaving his official government briefcase unguarded on a public commuter train while he got a snack from the dining car.</p>
<p>It’s not hard to see why some prime ministers might long for the relative deference Americans shows their political class, says Boys, the author of a forthcoming book on US foreign policy during the Clinton years.</p>
<p>“Just imagine what it must be like to be a British prime minister. You spend your time in parliament being heckled and shouted at in prime minister’s questions,” he says of the often raucous weekly sessions during which the prime minister is obliged to respond to MPs. “Then you fly to Washington. You’re courted by the Americans. You get invited to the Oval Office. You’re seen as a visiting superstar.”</p>
<p>British leaders “like what they see over there,” Boys adds.</p>
<p>Axelrod and Messina — both of whom will work remotely from the US during the UK campaign — are hardly Britain’s first electoral imports.</p>
<p>“There’s a fruitful transatlantic trade in political expertise,” says Nick Anstead of the London School of Economics.</p>
<p>In addition to Messina, the Tories have also brought on Lynton Crosby, a political consultant described as the “Australian Karl Rove.”</p>
<p>Labour has been borrowing US campaign strategies since at least 1992, when party operatives flew to Little Rock, Arkansas to meet with Democratic advisors after Bill Clinton’s victory.</p>
<p>“When you hire someone like David Axelrod, you’re hiring an idea of how politics should be done,” Anstead says — in this case, the shoe-leather, grassroots campaigning the Chicago operative favors. “It will be interesting to see how that is imported.”</p>
<p>How much Americanization takes place in British politics will be influenced by the public’s expectations of politicians, which significantly differ from US attitudes.</p>
<p>The earnest, over-the-top patriotism Americans have come to expect of presidential candidates would trigger gag reflexes among many British voters. Unlike most of their US counterparts, MPs don’t sport pins of their national flag on their lapels.</p>
<p>And while American politicians seemingly can’t get elected without repeated references to their faith in a Christian God, most Brits don’t need — or want — their politicians to get personal about religion.</p>
<p>“People in the UK do not vote with their ballot papers in one hand and their Bibles in the other,” says Eliza Filby, a lecturer at King’s College London and author of the forthcoming book “God and Mrs. Thatcher.”</p>
<p>“We are not a nation that likes or requires a leader to speak openly about religion, or even be an active believer,” she adds.</p>
<p>Of the three main party leaders, the Liberal-Democrats’ Nick Clegg is an atheist, Labour’s Ed Miliband identifies as a “Jewish atheist” and Cameron once compared his ambivalent Christian faith to the spotty radio signal in the countryside.</p>
<p>Few voters care.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/united-kingdom/140502/london-uk-russian-oligarchs-real-estate" type="external">How worried are Russia’s oligarchs?</a></p>
<p>Leaving aside Margaret Thatcher’s impromptu recitation of the Prayer of St. Francis on the day she took office, politicians and their advisors have shied away from overt references to their faith in recent history.</p>
<p>When then-Prime Minister Tony Blair was asked about his religion during a 2003 interview, his spokesman Alastair Campbell butted in to say, “We don’t do God.”</p>
<p>And when Blair proposed ending a speech with “God bless Britain” a few years later, a staff member shot him down with a curt, “I just remind you prime minister, this is not America,” Blair recalled in 2012.</p>
<p>So when Cameron remarked in a speech last month that Britain should not be afraid to identify itself as “a Christian country,” it took many people by surprise. It seemed so … un-British. So American.</p>
<p>Cynical observers noted that Cameron’s remarks expediently pushed the embarrassing resignation of a Tory minister out of the headlines, proving that co-opting God for political reasons works just as well on both sides of the Atlantic.</p>
<p>“There was clearly a hole in the ‘grid,’ the need for a new talking point,” Alastair Campbell wrote on his blog, “so someone said ‘I know, let’s get Dave to do God.’”&#160;</p> | false | 3 | london uk one year go general election theres decidedly american scent air around whitehall central palace houses many government offices labour party hired david axelrod campaign consultant behind president barack obamas 2008 election outdone conservatives taken board jim messina obamas former deputy chief staff 2012 campaign manager even idea yearlong campaign trail something yankee import general election british history date fixed far advance time thanks agreement struck coalition government formed 2010 whether public buy politicians flirting americanstyle campaigning remains seen james boys senior research fellow kings college london believes globalized media partly responsible new direction youve got generation british politicians come office last years loved west wing says adding also see american strategists debating cnn think want one want war room dont expect confetti crazy hats party conventions fall however uk campaigns lot lowkey americas televised debates didnt even take place last elections 2010 key difference one britain votes prime minister brits cast ballots local members parliament party majority regional seats forms government leader typically named prime minister less emphasis individual candidates party executives office lot less glamorous american counterpart pomp circumstance public life really reserved windsors across town british equivalent hail chief starts playing magic prime minister enters room official residence 10 downing street unassuming townhouse giant white mansion britain g7 country without executive air fleet la air force one leads kinds politicians theyre like us moments like day september prime minister david cameron caught leaving official government briefcase unguarded public commuter train got snack dining car hard see prime ministers might long relative deference americans shows political class says boys author forthcoming book us foreign policy clinton years imagine must like british prime minister spend time parliament heckled shouted prime ministers questions says often raucous weekly sessions prime minister obliged respond mps fly washington youre courted americans get invited oval office youre seen visiting superstar british leaders like see boys adds axelrod messina work remotely us uk campaign hardly britains first electoral imports theres fruitful transatlantic trade political expertise says nick anstead london school economics addition messina tories also brought lynton crosby political consultant described australian karl rove labour borrowing us campaign strategies since least 1992 party operatives flew little rock arkansas meet democratic advisors bill clintons victory hire someone like david axelrod youre hiring idea politics done anstead says case shoeleather grassroots campaigning chicago operative favors interesting see imported much americanization takes place british politics influenced publics expectations politicians significantly differ us attitudes earnest overthetop patriotism americans come expect presidential candidates would trigger gag reflexes among many british voters unlike us counterparts mps dont sport pins national flag lapels american politicians seemingly cant get elected without repeated references faith christian god brits dont need want politicians get personal religion people uk vote ballot papers one hand bibles says eliza filby lecturer kings college london author forthcoming book god mrs thatcher nation likes requires leader speak openly religion even active believer adds three main party leaders liberaldemocrats nick clegg atheist labours ed miliband identifies jewish atheist cameron compared ambivalent christian faith spotty radio signal countryside voters care globalpost160 worried russias oligarchs leaving aside margaret thatchers impromptu recitation prayer st francis day took office politicians advisors shied away overt references faith recent history thenprime minister tony blair asked religion 2003 interview spokesman alastair campbell butted say dont god blair proposed ending speech god bless britain years later staff member shot curt remind prime minister america blair recalled 2012 cameron remarked speech last month britain afraid identify christian country took many people surprise seemed unbritish american cynical observers noted camerons remarks expediently pushed embarrassing resignation tory minister headlines proving coopting god political reasons works well sides atlantic clearly hole grid need new talking point alastair campbell wrote blog someone said know lets get dave god160 | 625 |
<p>Too often scripture is contrasted with tradition on the basis that scripture is the word of God while tradition is of human origin. Not so.</p>
<p>In its biblical and theological usage tradition simply means “what is handed on.” In this sense our Christian scriptures are part of our Christian tradition. Paul tells the Corinthians, “I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions just as I handed them on to you” (1 Cor. 11:2). In 2 Thessalonians Paul, or someone writing in Paul’s name, says, “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by our letter” (2 Thess. 2:15). Paul is referring to the teachings and practices he passed on to the churches.</p>
<p>So tradition is not bad. Tradition is necessary. There would be no Christian community without Christian tradition. The biblical and theological meaning of tradition includes our sacred texts, our sacred practices, and the ways we have interpreted and made use of our texts and practices.</p>
<p>Is Christian tradition of human origin? Indeed. And this includes our Christian scriptures. Whatever biblical inspiration may or may not mean, our sacred texts emerged out of particular historical contexts and were the result of cultural and historical human processes.</p>
<p>It is extremely important to understand that the word of God is NOT limited or confined to sacred texts. The word of God is a dynamic reality, not static. As such the word of the Lord transcends scripture.</p>
<p>A scriptural document, a biblical text, whether it’s the book of Deuteronomy, the Gospel of Mark, or an epistle of Paul represents a particular stage in a faith community’s evolving faith. A biblical text is a developing tradition frozen in time. The word of God, however, is fluid and cannot be fixed forever at a point in time. The word of God is God acting in time, which for God is the eternal now.</p>
<p>The word of God is God speaking, revealing, convicting, judging, wooing, loving, and engaging our world and our personal lives right now in non-coercive, non-manipulative, and always in life-enhancing ways. The word of God is God continuously interacting with the creation.</p>
<p>This is why James says that we are given birth – we are regenerated, given new life – “by the word of truth” (1:18). James is talking about the regenerating activity of the spiritual presence and power of God in our lives. This is what the author of Hebrews is talking about when he says that “the word of God is living and active” (a written text is frozen and fixed) and “is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Both of the above texts are referencing a divine presence and activity that transcends scripture.</p>
<p>Is God’s regenerating activity mediated through scripture? Certainly. Is God’s regenerating power limited and restricted to scripture? Certainly not.</p>
<p>It’s important to keep in mind that the early Christians lived in an oral culture where there were few written texts (very few could read and write, and writing materials were expensive). Christian traditions were passed down orally. These traditions were interpreted and adapted to ever-changing circumstances. They were constantly evolving, taking on new forms and finding new expressions. The written texts reflect this oral tradition fixed in time. And while their evolving faith became fixed in time through a written text, their faith never stopped evolving. Nor should ours!</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the church-at-large has not done a very good job helping people understand this. In fact, some of our practices have muddied the waters and left false impressions. For example, a tradition in many churches is to say after the scripture is read: “This is the word of the Lord.” Is it the word of the Lord? Not literally, no. Hopefully it can be a medium through which the word of the Lord comes to the congregation, but that remains to be seen, doesn’t it? That will depend on how the scripture is presented to the congregation – how it is interpreted and proclaimed. And it will depend on the congregation’s readiness and willingness to receive and act on that word. The scripture is a medium for the word of God, but it is not literally the word of God. I cannot emphasize enough how important this distinction is. If a believer or faith community fails to make this distinction, then the likelihood that they will revere a written text over the living God increases. God can never be captured by or restricted to a text.</p>
<p>When Jesus charges the religious leaders with making void the word of God in Mark 7:13, he is not saying that they are nullifying scripture itself. Rather, he is charging them with making void or nullifying the will and purpose of God as it is understood and expressed through scripture. These religious leaders were interpreting and applying their faith traditions in ways that opposed God’s good will and purpose, thus revealing their hypocrisy and lack of authenticity.</p>
<p>The critical question is not: What is tradition and what is scripture? Scripture itself is part of our Christian tradition.</p>
<p>The critical question is: What is behind our interpretations and appropriations of our Christian traditions? What motivates, inspires, guides, and directs our use of our Christian traditions? Are we adapting and expressing them in healthy, transformative ways as part of our own dynamic, evolving faith? Do we emphasize those texts and traditions that take us three steps forward, or do we fixate on those that take us three steps back?</p>
<p>The religious leaders that Jesus confronts in Mark 7 were using their sacred traditions to actually subvert what was clearly God’s will. They used their traditions to justify their lack of compassion and greed. They tried to convince others, having already convinced themselves, that what they were actually doing demonstrated how holy and devoted they were. When in reality it showed just the opposite.</p>
<p>Jesus zeros in on where the real problem lies: “For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come . . .” (Mark 7:21). In the heart is where good and evil originate and what is allowed to settle in our hearts greatly impacts how we use our sacred traditions. An unconverted person, and by that I mean someone who has not experienced significant heart change, will use their Christian traditions in unhealthy, destructive ways.</p>
<p>On the other hand, converted persons whose hearts are honest, humble, and open to change, will make use of the same Christian traditions in healthy, life-affirming ways. Persons being transformed by the word of the Lord can readily acknowledge the petty, punitive, and oppressive biblical texts that are part of their Christian tradition (texts like 1 Tim. 2:11-15), but such persons will not allow such texts to shape or influence their own evolving faith.</p>
<p>For example, one might argue that 1 Tim 2:11-15 reflects a post-Pauline backlash against the Apostle Paul’s more egalitarian theology and practice (Gal. 3:28; Rom. 16), or one might find other interpretations more convincing. But however such a text is interpreted, it is not allowed to trump a commitment to liberation and equality, which is grounded in other scriptures such as the Jesus traditions in the Gospels. The call to pursue liberation for the oppressed and equality for all is received as the living word of God.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine someone reading 1 Timothy 2:11-15 in the contemporary church and then saying after the reading, “This is the word of the Lord.” No it is not! Certainly not today. And I seriously doubt if it functioned as a word of the Lord in that day and time as well. Texts and practices that are healthy and unhealthy, true and false, liberating and enslaving are all part of our Christian tradition. We must discern the difference.</p>
<p>One whose heart is open to the unconditional love of God will be able to “test everything” and “hold fast to what is good” (1 Thess. 5:21).&#160; The converted person will be able to hear the word of the Lord through both the good and bad of the tradition.</p> | false | 3 | often scripture contrasted tradition basis scripture word god tradition human origin biblical theological usage tradition simply means handed sense christian scriptures part christian tradition paul tells corinthians commend remember everything maintain traditions handed 1 cor 112 2 thessalonians paul someone writing pauls name says brothers sisters stand firm hold fast traditions taught us either word mouth letter 2 thess 215 paul referring teachings practices passed churches tradition bad tradition necessary would christian community without christian tradition biblical theological meaning tradition includes sacred texts sacred practices ways interpreted made use texts practices christian tradition human origin indeed includes christian scriptures whatever biblical inspiration may may mean sacred texts emerged particular historical contexts result cultural historical human processes extremely important understand word god limited confined sacred texts word god dynamic reality static word lord transcends scripture scriptural document biblical text whether book deuteronomy gospel mark epistle paul represents particular stage faith communitys evolving faith biblical text developing tradition frozen time word god however fluid fixed forever point time word god god acting time god eternal word god god speaking revealing convicting judging wooing loving engaging world personal lives right noncoercive nonmanipulative always lifeenhancing ways word god god continuously interacting creation james says given birth regenerated given new life word truth 118 james talking regenerating activity spiritual presence power god lives author hebrews talking says word god living active written text frozen fixed able judge thoughts intentions heart texts referencing divine presence activity transcends scripture gods regenerating activity mediated scripture certainly gods regenerating power limited restricted scripture certainly important keep mind early christians lived oral culture written texts could read write writing materials expensive christian traditions passed orally traditions interpreted adapted everchanging circumstances constantly evolving taking new forms finding new expressions written texts reflect oral tradition fixed time evolving faith became fixed time written text faith never stopped evolving unfortunately churchatlarge done good job helping people understand fact practices muddied waters left false impressions example tradition many churches say scripture read word lord word lord literally hopefully medium word lord comes congregation remains seen doesnt depend scripture presented congregation interpreted proclaimed depend congregations readiness willingness receive act word scripture medium word god literally word god emphasize enough important distinction believer faith community fails make distinction likelihood revere written text living god increases god never captured restricted text jesus charges religious leaders making void word god mark 713 saying nullifying scripture rather charging making void nullifying purpose god understood expressed scripture religious leaders interpreting applying faith traditions ways opposed gods good purpose thus revealing hypocrisy lack authenticity critical question tradition scripture scripture part christian tradition critical question behind interpretations appropriations christian traditions motivates inspires guides directs use christian traditions adapting expressing healthy transformative ways part dynamic evolving faith emphasize texts traditions take us three steps forward fixate take us three steps back religious leaders jesus confronts mark 7 using sacred traditions actually subvert clearly gods used traditions justify lack compassion greed tried convince others already convinced actually demonstrated holy devoted reality showed opposite jesus zeros real problem lies within human heart evil intentions come mark 721 heart good evil originate allowed settle hearts greatly impacts use sacred traditions unconverted person mean someone experienced significant heart change use christian traditions unhealthy destructive ways hand converted persons whose hearts honest humble open change make use christian traditions healthy lifeaffirming ways persons transformed word lord readily acknowledge petty punitive oppressive biblical texts part christian tradition texts like 1 tim 21115 persons allow texts shape influence evolving faith example one might argue 1 tim 21115 reflects postpauline backlash apostle pauls egalitarian theology practice gal 328 rom 16 one might find interpretations convincing however text interpreted allowed trump commitment liberation equality grounded scriptures jesus traditions gospels call pursue liberation oppressed equality received living word god cant imagine someone reading 1 timothy 21115 contemporary church saying reading word lord certainly today seriously doubt functioned word lord day time well texts practices healthy unhealthy true false liberating enslaving part christian tradition must discern difference one whose heart open unconditional love god able test everything hold fast good 1 thess 521160 converted person able hear word lord good bad tradition | 688 |
<p>The way Amanda Gormley describes her hometown, it sounds a little like "Leave It to Beaver" or "It’s a Wonderful Life." Everyone knew each other&#160;and looked out for each other.</p>
<p>And&#160;everyone was white.</p>
<p>"Literally, there was a little girl that sent her grandma a postcard and didn't know her address so she wrote 'Grandma, Elbridge, New York,'" Gormley remembers. "And it&#160;showed up at the grandma's house because everyone knows each other and they knew when the grandma’s birthday was."</p>
<p>As an adult, Gormley&#160;experiences a very different America. She converted to Islam,&#160;married a black man, started covering her head, and&#160;has mixed-race kids. Along with&#160;a lot of people in America right now, she feels like the implications of her identity are changing in the Donald Trump era.&#160;</p>
<p>The first sign Gormley got of that came the morning after the presidential election last November. Someone tagged her in a post on a new&#160;Tucson, Arizona, page for <a href="" type="internal">Pantsuit Nation</a> — a big Facebook group created to support Hillary Clinton.&#160;It got really popular during the presidential race, but also&#160;got flak from critics who said the group's&#160;white feminist voices drowned out the voices of women of color.</p>
<p />
<p>The post Gormley was tagged in was an offer from a Tucson woman volunteering&#160;to accompany Muslim women who didn’t feel safe in public. Lots of other people also offered to&#160;volunteer.</p>
<p>It actually pissed Gormley off a little. She didn’t want people to think of Muslim women as victims.</p>
<p>"We've been dealing with people staring at us and giving us weird looks and feeling a little bit out of place for a really long time," she says. "We know how to handle that pretty well."</p>
<p>Another sign of this new era came during a meeting at her mosque. Fellow Muslims said they felt like they had to prove they weren’t some kind of terrorist threat. They were doing things like taking cookies to neighbors and introducing themselves.</p>
<p>"To hear them talking about their struggle to try to prove to their neighbors that they’re good people, that don’t want to hurt anyone, was really hurtful," Gormley says. "It just made me start to feel so angry and just feel like it is not our burden to carry this. It’s not our job to teach other people who we are&#160;and that we don’t want to hurt them. That should be the assumption."</p>
<p>She was angry&#160;for a while. A little defiant, too. But things seemed to get worse fast. Lynn Hourani, an&#160; <a href="http://www.ictucson.org/about/" type="external">Islamic Center of Tucson</a>&#160;board member, remembers getting a call from a young Muslim woman who’d woken up to find herself in the desert. The last thing she remembered was being out with friends.&#160;</p>
<p>"She had her drink drugged. She was taken and she was basically beaten and raped and left by the side of the road," Hourani says. "When we picked her up she just kept saying, 'they're going to kill all the Muslims' and 'they hate us' and that for me was — it was a shock."</p>
<p>Gormley started imagining frightening scenarios, like people showing up at her front door to take her kids. Things like that felt possible now.</p>
<p>Suddenly taking cookies to the neighbors seemed like a pretty good idea. But Gormley wanted to do something more meaningful. She messaged two other members of the new Tucson Pantsuit Nation group: Emily Joseph, a local scientist who’d put up that original post, offering to escort Muslim women; and Esther Brilliant, a local county public defender. Both are from social-justice-minded Jewish families. Brilliant says,&#160;until the election, she thought she understood the extent of American racism.</p>
<p>"Now that I&#160;say that out loud, it’s super naive," Brilliant says. "But I mean, Barack Obama was president. You know what I mean — like, I thought things were OK."</p>
<p>The three of them agreed to meet at Joseph’s house.</p>
<p>“I’ve never cleaned my house that quickly in my life," Joseph says. "None of us had any idea what we were doing."</p>
<p>"I think Amanda kind of did," Brilliant responds. "Amanda had agendas made up for meetings and things like that, when I was just like 'we’ll just go and talk about it.' And she was like, 'that’ll be a nightmare. You don’t know what you’re doing.' In a very nice way."</p>
<p>Their next meeting, with a bigger group, still had some flaws. There were too many white people, Brilliant&#160;says.</p>
<p>"We had to examine that — how we were going to not be awful, I guess," she says.&#160;</p>
<p>The three of them — Gormley, Joseph&#160;and Brilliant&#160;— agreed the Tucson Pantsuit Nation group's&#160;basic philosophy should be&#160;to amplify unheard voices and to get people to listen to each other. That middle path really made sense to Gormley, as she tried to navigate being both a white woman with privilege, and a member of the Muslim community.</p>
<p>"I'm trying to find a way to be more for my community and also at the same time be less, because I don't want to take up space the other people maybe could be occupying and telling their story," she says.</p>
<p>So they organized dinners and moderated difficult discussions about all kinds of things. When Trump announced his travel ban, the Tucson Pantsuit Nation group raised thousands of dollars for the American Civil Liberties Union. By the time summer started, their group had 5,000 members. They were on a roll. Joseph and Brilliant felt like they were finally getting activism right. Gormley&#160;felt empowered. They planned to go even bigger, and bought the domain pntucson.org, for Pantsuit Nation Tucson.</p>
<p>Then, a funny thing happened.&#160;The national Pantsuit Nation group seemed to change&#160;course, and go in a less political direction. The Tucson group decided that wasn't good enough for them.</p>
<p>"They wanted to be just about storytelling. And we weren’t about that," Brilliant says. "Politics is life. These decisions are affecting every aspect of our lives."</p>
<p>Later, Pantsuit Nation founder Libby Chamberlain told Otherhood that the Tucson group (along with many other former Pantsuit Nation groups) had misunderstood;&#160;the national group remains political. But&#160;Brilliant, Gormley and Joseph decided to break away, hoping they could still keep their momentum going. They brainstormed for a new name that, preferably, started with P and N, since they’d already bought a domain with those letters.</p>
<p>"So 'Project Nexus' came out of that struggle," Gormley laughs. "But we think it's a good fit."</p>
<p><a href="https://www.pntucson.org/" type="external">Project Nexus Tucson</a> conveys what they hope to continue building —&#160;a connected group of diverse people who recognize their own privilege,&#160;listen to each other, and look out for each other. Just like people did back in Gormley's hometown, in New York.</p> | false | 3 | way amanda gormley describes hometown sounds little like leave beaver wonderful life everyone knew other160and looked and160everyone white literally little girl sent grandma postcard didnt know address wrote grandma elbridge new york gormley remembers it160showed grandmas house everyone knows knew grandmas birthday adult gormley160experiences different america converted islam160married black man started covering head and160has mixedrace kids along with160a lot people america right feels like implications identity changing donald trump era160 first sign gormley got came morning presidential election last november someone tagged post new160tucson arizona page pantsuit nation big facebook group created support hillary clinton160it got really popular presidential race also160got flak critics said groups160white feminist voices drowned voices women color post gormley tagged offer tucson woman volunteering160to accompany muslim women didnt feel safe public lots people also offered to160volunteer actually pissed gormley little didnt want people think muslim women victims weve dealing people staring us giving us weird looks feeling little bit place really long time says know handle pretty well another sign new era came meeting mosque fellow muslims said felt like prove werent kind terrorist threat things like taking cookies neighbors introducing hear talking struggle try prove neighbors theyre good people dont want hurt anyone really hurtful gormley says made start feel angry feel like burden carry job teach people are160and dont want hurt assumption angry160for little defiant things seemed get worse fast lynn hourani an160 islamic center tucson160board member remembers getting call young muslim woman whod woken find desert last thing remembered friends160 drink drugged taken basically beaten raped left side road hourani says picked kept saying theyre going kill muslims hate us shock gormley started imagining frightening scenarios like people showing front door take kids things like felt possible suddenly taking cookies neighbors seemed like pretty good idea gormley wanted something meaningful messaged two members new tucson pantsuit nation group emily joseph local scientist whod put original post offering escort muslim women esther brilliant local county public defender socialjusticeminded jewish families brilliant says160until election thought understood extent american racism i160say loud super naive brilliant says mean barack obama president know mean like thought things ok three agreed meet josephs house ive never cleaned house quickly life joseph says none us idea think amanda kind brilliant responds amanda agendas made meetings things like like well go talk like thatll nightmare dont know youre nice way next meeting bigger group still flaws many white people brilliant160says examine going awful guess says160 three gormley joseph160and brilliant160 agreed tucson pantsuit nation groups160basic philosophy be160to amplify unheard voices get people listen middle path really made sense gormley tried navigate white woman privilege member muslim community im trying find way community also time less dont want take space people maybe could occupying telling story says organized dinners moderated difficult discussions kinds things trump announced travel ban tucson pantsuit nation group raised thousands dollars american civil liberties union time summer started group 5000 members roll joseph brilliant felt like finally getting activism right gormley160felt empowered planned go even bigger bought domain pntucsonorg pantsuit nation tucson funny thing happened160the national pantsuit nation group seemed change160course go less political direction tucson group decided wasnt good enough wanted storytelling werent brilliant says politics life decisions affecting every aspect lives later pantsuit nation founder libby chamberlain told otherhood tucson group along many former pantsuit nation groups misunderstood160the national group remains political but160brilliant gormley joseph decided break away hoping could still keep momentum going brainstormed new name preferably started p n since theyd already bought domain letters project nexus came struggle gormley laughs think good fit project nexus tucson conveys hope continue building 160a connected group diverse people recognize privilege160listen look like people back gormleys hometown new york | 611 |
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<p><a href="" type="internal" />Paramilitary tactics may be necessary in California to prepare for, or head off, an apocalyptic future with flooded coastal communities, scorched central valleys and rampant wildfires in the Sierras. That was the advice and prediction from one of the experts at a recent hearing on climate change adaptation by the state watchdog agency the <a href="http://www.lhc.ca.gov/" type="external">Little Hoover Commission</a>.</p>
<p>Said <a href="http://law.loyno.edu/bio/robert-r-m-verchick" type="external">Robert Verchick</a>, an environmental law professor at Loyola University, New Orleans:</p>
<p>“The way that you build resilience and robustness is to think about everything at once and then move forward in some kind of regimented, maybe paramilitary, way. Because it’s essential. It’s the only way you’re going to save money in this state. And it’s the only way that you’re going to save lives….</p>
<p>“The thing to understand is that we’re locked into a future already in California and elsewhere. A future that’s going to be hotter, it’s going to be wetter, it’s going to be drier. It’s going to be wilder with many more kinds of extreme events coming up. California, with all of its valuable coastal assets, its expansive farming, its areas that are prone to flood and other areas that are prone to extreme drought and heat waves, you are in the bull’s eye.”</p>
<p>Verchick was one of several speakers who warned about California’s future warming hell.</p>
<p>Snowfall may be cut in half by mid-century, while wildfires will increase and shift to summer instead of fall, according to <a href="http://www.environment.ucla.edu/news/article.asp?parentid=12673" type="external">Alex Hall</a>, UCLA professor of atmospheric and oceanic sciences. California’s temperature will increase 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit by mid-century and 8 degrees by the end of the century under a “business as usual” scenario, he said. Inland areas will be hit much harder by warming than coastal areas.</p>
<p>To prepare, Verchick called for the creation of a strong central agency responsible for the state’s climate change response.“[It’s] important to create a bottleneck where this stuff goes in and there’s accountability in place,” he said. “Because if you don’t have accountability in place, then you just have agencies sort of trying to do things on their own.”</p>
<p>But that view contrasted with several other speakers who believe that state government doesn’t need another layer of bureaucracy. There was widespread agreement, however, that much of the adaptation strategies will take place on the regional level, whether local governments like it or not.</p>
<p>Climate change adaptation is likely to include increasingly stringent regulations on what can and can’t be built in the state, particularly along the coast or in the Sierras. The pressure for eminent domain property takings to help “save the planet” will likely increase.</p>
<p>The potential impact of those regulations and military-style enforcement concerned two commissioners. Chairman <a href="http://www.lhc.ca.gov/about/commissioners/shapiro.html" type="external">Jonathan Shapiro</a> said that no one had addressed one major issue:</p>
<p>“Which is the public’s relationship to the government. And the government’s responsibility to them and to their expectations. It occurs to me that everything we’re talking about, whether it is a military like response to this issue, the need to adapt or die, evolve or die, touches upon the most fundamental questions about private property ownership rights, expectations of the law, what people will think the government should do for them, what the government can’t do for them. And managing the expectations on both sides.</p>
<p>“I don’t hear anyone – one of the reasons we are having these hearings – talk about what the impact will be on our democracy, and what the expectations are among property owners. And should that be something that we also look at as we go forward?”</p>
<p>Those questions went largely unanswered during six hours of testimony from 15 climate change professionals in two hearings. Also not mentioned was the current <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2485772/Global-warming-pause-20-years-Arctic-sea-ice-started-recover.html" type="external">15-year halt in global warming</a> or the recent dramatic expansion of the Arctic ice pack, suggesting that climate change science may be far from settled.</p>
<p>Also concerned about the social toll that climate change restrictions could take on Californians is Vice Chairman <a href="http://www.lhc.ca.gov/about/commissioners/schwarz.html" type="external">David Schwarz</a>:</p>
<p>“First is the stresses that these issues are putting on the expectations of a democracy. We are talking about unbelievably huge costs. Paramilitary type responses to unanticipated and difficult-to-predict events. Stresses on private property. Because ultimately that’s where the ‘get’ will be if we really have to make hard choices in terms of preservation. And a failure to really manage expectations, ‘because everybody’s water is going to keep coming on every time I turn the tap.’ Unrealistically, perhaps, high expectations.</p>
<p>“So as I think about what we might be able to say to the folks who are legislating in this building, how are you going to build in three things to the legislative process:</p>
<p>Much of the discussion by the climate change professionals would have fit well in an Al Gore film.</p>
<p>Charles Lester, executive director of the <a href="http://www.coastal.ca.gov/" type="external">California Coastal Commission</a>, believes the debate over global warming is — or should be — over. He said:</p>
<p>“I believe it is well past the time we move forward with the reality of climate change in our state. Climate change is going to exacerbate and accelerate these changes. We know with increasing certitude that this will happen. The <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/" type="external">Natural Resources Defense Council</a> has recently projected that sea level will rise from 1.4 to 5.5 feet south of Cape Mendocino, and about a half foot to almost 5 feet north of the cape by 2100.</p>
<p>“Rising seas, combined with larger storms, will result in more coastal flooding, erosion and more risk to our critical development and infrastructure resources. As well as loss of critical statewide resources such as public beach recreation, wetlands and other sensitive habitats. It is time to act.”</p>
<p>California is already seeing the impacts of global warming with floods, fires and droughts, said Krista Kline, managing director of the <a href="http://www.environment.ucla.edu/larc/" type="external">Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action and Sustainability</a>. She said:</p>
<p>“Climate change is just causing them to occur more often, be more severe and longer duration. My fear is what happens if wildfires do occur earlier in the summer and are not spread out throughout the year. We have mutual aid in place with a lot of our responders. What happens if that system breaks down because there’s too many fires at once? That’s something that we have to think about and deal with.”</p>
<p>Los Angeles will be hit significantly harder by climate change than the rest of the state, according to Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of <a href="http://climateresolve.org/" type="external">Climate Resolve</a>. He said:</p>
<p>“Of the 10 million Californians potentially affected by extreme heat, Los Angeles is home to 4 million of them. Water supply poses a unique threat. LA imports 89 percent of its water. With declines in the Sierra snowpack, maintaining the current volume of imported water is highly doubtful. Seventy-five percent of power is brought in by transmission into LA. If transmission lines go down due to wildfire the energy system is at risk. There are thousands of miles of vulnerable points along transmission grids where fire could disrupt power with increasing regularity.”</p>
<p>Parfrey made three suggestions:</p>
<p>1) Curb the effects of the urban heat island by reducing asphalt roofs and roads.</p>
<p>2) Increase the local water supply.</p>
<p>3) Modernize the electrical grid.</p>
<p>“These three are on the easy side,” he said. “There are thornier questions with no easy answers. If homes are built on a flood plain and they are inundated and rebuilt, and it happens again and again, do we have the procedures in place where we can tell them they should not refinance the building of that home again?”</p>
<p>Emily Young, vice president of environment initiatives for <a href="http://www.sdfoundation.org/" type="external">The San Diego Foundation</a>, warned that due to future flooding in her city one day, “Mission Beach might be a missing beach. A 100 years flood might be more like an annual flood in 2050. You could see a 12-to-18 inches sea level rise. Sea walls are probably not your best idea. Mission Beach has an Ocean Beach and a Bay Beach. If you put sea walls on the ocean side then you’re going to flood Mission Beach on the other side because it displaces the water.”</p>
<p>Zachary Wasserman, chairman of the <a href="http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/" type="external">San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission</a>, believes San Francisco Bay will rise 16 inches by mid-century. “Are there places today that will be underwater [in 37 years]? Yes.” he said. “Now, when, where and how that happens is very, very unclear.”</p>
<p>Given all of the apocalyptic gloom-and-doom, Schwarz asked Lester whether California should just stop building:</p>
<p>“If as inexorable as the waves are and erosion of the beach, why not just create the certainty that comes from an absolute moratorium on development, period? Rather than an incremental creep toward the kinds of things that create the uncertainty, why not go all the way and just adopt very stringent moratoria on development? Because inevitably, if as you suggest it is beyond dispute, climate change is the reality that requires us to just embrace the fact that future development is antithetical to our environmental protection. So let’s just have a moratorium.”</p>
<p>Lester responded:</p>
<p>“That may have merit in certain contexts. But I think it oversimplifies the reality of our coastline. [Recently] the commission approved a redevelopment or addition to an existing home on a bluff that is not eroding. So the conditions there don’t warrant a moratorium. We need to look very carefully at each case and figure out what is the right balance here.”</p>
<p>It remains to be seen whether that will occur. One of the challenges is that the folks running the show are learning on the job.</p>
<p>“For better or worse, climate change is a brave new world for all of us,” said Ann Chan, <a href="http://resources.ca.gov/" type="external">California Natural Resources Agency</a> deputy secretary for climate change and energy.&#160; “There’s a lot of learning in the process. Even when we have bodies of knowledge about climate change, there’s a certain trial and error. Try some things, may need to go back and refine management options when we see whether its working or not.”</p>
<p>Chan’s department is in the midst of an update of the state’s first <a href="http://resources.ca.gov/climate_adaptation/docs/Statewide_Adaptation_Strategy.pdf" type="external">climate change adaptation report</a> in 2009. Chapters on emergency management and energy have been added. The draft report is scheduled to be released by the end of the year, and finalized in the first quarter of 2014.</p> | false | 3 | 160 paramilitary tactics may necessary california prepare head apocalyptic future flooded coastal communities scorched central valleys rampant wildfires sierras advice prediction one experts recent hearing climate change adaptation state watchdog agency little hoover commission said robert verchick environmental law professor loyola university new orleans way build resilience robustness think everything move forward kind regimented maybe paramilitary way essential way youre going save money state way youre going save lives thing understand locked future already california elsewhere future thats going hotter going wetter going drier going wilder many kinds extreme events coming california valuable coastal assets expansive farming areas prone flood areas prone extreme drought heat waves bulls eye verchick one several speakers warned californias future warming hell snowfall may cut half midcentury wildfires increase shift summer instead fall according alex hall ucla professor atmospheric oceanic sciences californias temperature increase 45 degrees fahrenheit midcentury 8 degrees end century business usual scenario said inland areas hit much harder warming coastal areas prepare verchick called creation strong central agency responsible states climate change responseits important create bottleneck stuff goes theres accountability place said dont accountability place agencies sort trying things view contrasted several speakers believe state government doesnt need another layer bureaucracy widespread agreement however much adaptation strategies take place regional level whether local governments like climate change adaptation likely include increasingly stringent regulations cant built state particularly along coast sierras pressure eminent domain property takings help save planet likely increase potential impact regulations militarystyle enforcement concerned two commissioners chairman jonathan shapiro said one addressed one major issue publics relationship government governments responsibility expectations occurs everything talking whether military like response issue need adapt die evolve die touches upon fundamental questions private property ownership rights expectations law people think government government cant managing expectations sides dont hear anyone one reasons hearings talk impact democracy expectations among property owners something also look go forward questions went largely unanswered six hours testimony 15 climate change professionals two hearings also mentioned current 15year halt global warming recent dramatic expansion arctic ice pack suggesting climate change science may far settled also concerned social toll climate change restrictions could take californians vice chairman david schwarz first stresses issues putting expectations democracy talking unbelievably huge costs paramilitary type responses unanticipated difficulttopredict events stresses private property ultimately thats get really make hard choices terms preservation failure really manage expectations everybodys water going keep coming every time turn tap unrealistically perhaps high expectations think might able say folks legislating building going build three things legislative process much discussion climate change professionals would fit well al gore film charles lester executive director california coastal commission believes debate global warming said believe well past time move forward reality climate change state climate change going exacerbate accelerate changes know increasing certitude happen natural resources defense council recently projected sea level rise 14 55 feet south cape mendocino half foot almost 5 feet north cape 2100 rising seas combined larger storms result coastal flooding erosion risk critical development infrastructure resources well loss critical statewide resources public beach recreation wetlands sensitive habitats time act california already seeing impacts global warming floods fires droughts said krista kline managing director los angeles regional collaborative climate action sustainability said climate change causing occur often severe longer duration fear happens wildfires occur earlier summer spread throughout year mutual aid place lot responders happens system breaks theres many fires thats something think deal los angeles hit significantly harder climate change rest state according jonathan parfrey executive director climate resolve said 10 million californians potentially affected extreme heat los angeles home 4 million water supply poses unique threat la imports 89 percent water declines sierra snowpack maintaining current volume imported water highly doubtful seventyfive percent power brought transmission la transmission lines go due wildfire energy system risk thousands miles vulnerable points along transmission grids fire could disrupt power increasing regularity parfrey made three suggestions 1 curb effects urban heat island reducing asphalt roofs roads 2 increase local water supply 3 modernize electrical grid three easy side said thornier questions easy answers homes built flood plain inundated rebuilt happens procedures place tell refinance building home emily young vice president environment initiatives san diego foundation warned due future flooding city one day mission beach might missing beach 100 years flood might like annual flood 2050 could see 12to18 inches sea level rise sea walls probably best idea mission beach ocean beach bay beach put sea walls ocean side youre going flood mission beach side displaces water zachary wasserman chairman san francisco bay conservation development commission believes san francisco bay rise 16 inches midcentury places today underwater 37 years yes said happens unclear given apocalyptic gloomanddoom schwarz asked lester whether california stop building inexorable waves erosion beach create certainty comes absolute moratorium development period rather incremental creep toward kinds things create uncertainty go way adopt stringent moratoria development inevitably suggest beyond dispute climate change reality requires us embrace fact future development antithetical environmental protection lets moratorium lester responded may merit certain contexts think oversimplifies reality coastline recently commission approved redevelopment addition existing home bluff eroding conditions dont warrant moratorium need look carefully case figure right balance remains seen whether occur one challenges folks running show learning job better worse climate change brave new world us said ann chan california natural resources agency deputy secretary climate change energy160 theres lot learning process even bodies knowledge climate change theres certain trial error try things may need go back refine management options see whether working chans department midst update states first climate change adaptation report 2009 chapters emergency management energy added draft report scheduled released end year finalized first quarter 2014 | 933 |
<p>Photo by Max Herman</p>
<p>“We’re always reminding ourselves that the most important thing is to decolonize Puerto Rico,” Oscar López Rivera says at his homecoming celebration at the Humboldt Park Boathouse on May 18, 2017, when López Rivera was released after spending 35 years behind bars. His sentence was commuted by President Barack Obama.</p>
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<p>Photo by Max Herman</p>
<p>Oscar López Rivera greets the crowd at his homecoming celebration at La Casita de Don Pedro, flanked by Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th), his brother José E. López, Congressman Luis Gutiérrez, Ald. Joe Moreno (1st), and Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th).</p>
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<p>“The struggle for Puerto Rican independence has been criminalized,” says Moses Cintrón, originally from Puerto Rico, as he awaits the arrival of Oscar López Rivera at La Casita de Don Pedro.</p>
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<p>Oscar López Rivera, with Congressman Luis Gutiérrez at his side, walks down West Division Street towards Humboldt Park during his homecoming celebration after spending 35 years in prison.</p>
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<p>Several Oscar López Rivera supporters gather their flags to cover up a sign being held by a protestor against the festivities in Humboldt Park on May 18, 2017.</p>
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<p>The Honorary Oscar López Rivera Way is unveiled in Humboldt Park on May 18, 2017.</p>
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<p>Hundreds of Oscar López Rivera supporters gather at the Humboldt Park Boathouse for Oscar López Rivera’s homecoming celebration on May 18, 2017.</p>
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<p>Oscar López Rivera is greeted by members of the Latin American Motorcycle Association at the Humboldt Park Boathouse during his homecoming celebration on May 18, 2017.</p>
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<p>Congressman Luis Gutiérrez speaks in support of Oscar López Rivera during the homecoming celebration for the Puerto Rican nationalist at the Humboldt Park Boathouse on May 18, 2017.</p>
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<p>“We’re always reminding ourselves that the most important thing is to decolonize Puerto Rico,” Oscar López Rivera says at his homecoming celebration at the Humboldt Park Boathouse on May 18, 2017, when López Rivera was released after spending 35 years behind bars. His sentence was commuted by President Barack Obama.</p>
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<p>Oscar López Rivera greets the crowd at his homecoming celebration at La Casita de Don Pedro, flanked by Ald. Roberto Maldonado (26th), his brother José E. López, Congressman Luis Gutiérrez, Ald. Joe Moreno (1st), and Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th).</p>
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<p>Earlier this year, former President Barack Obama commuted the sentence for Oscar López Rivera, who served 35 years in prison for seditious conspiracy and charges related to his work with the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacionala (FALN). The militant Puerto Rican independence group claimed responsibility for a series of bombings beginning in the 1970s that resulted in <a href="http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/05/17/528787071/puerto-rican-nationalist-oscar-l-pez-rivera-is-released" type="external">five deaths</a>. López Rivera’s supporters argue that prosecutors presented no evidence linking him to any FALN act that resulted in casualties.</p>
<p>On Thursday, López Rivera returned to his home neighborhood of Humboldt Park.&#160; In 1967, after serving in the Vietnam War, he became an organizer in the community, where he led a campaign to create Roberto Clemente High School and open an <a href="http://pachs-chicago.org/" type="external">alternative school</a> for Puerto Rican dropouts. He also co-founded El Rincon health services for drug addicts and helped establish a local office of ASPIRA, which supports the educational and leadership development of Latino youth.</p>
<p>His release from prison comes at a time of escalating crisis for Puerto Rico.&#160; In recent weeks, Puerto Rico <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/03/business/dealbook/puerto-rico-debt.html" type="external">declared</a> a form of bankruptcy, a first for an American state or territory, and the Justice Department <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/adriancarrasquillo/justice-department-says-no-to-funding-vote-on-puerto-rican" type="external">denied</a> the island $2.5 million to pay for a referendum on its status as a commonwealth.&#160; Last year, <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/here-s-how-promesa-aims-tackle-puerto-rico-s-debt-n601741" type="external">Congress handed over control</a> of Puerto Rico’s finances to an unelected federal board that aims to resolve the territory’s crippling $72 billion debt through austerity measures such as <a href="https://apnews.com/ef5de9ccefe4419aaadc8ba7b791e373" type="external">mass school closures</a>. More Puerto Ricans already live outside the island than on it, and conditions there threaten to fuel more migration from the territory.</p>
<p>We spoke to José E. López, who is the executive director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Chicago, about his brother’s role in the independence movement.</p>
<p>Photo by Yingxu Jane Hao</p>
<p>José E. López is the co-founder and executive director of The Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Chicago. His brother, Puerto Rican independence leader Oscar López Rivera, had his prison sentence commuted by President Barack Obama and is being released after serving 35 years behind bars.</p>
<p>Can you tell me more about your family? When did you move from Puerto Rico?</p>
<p>My father came here in the late ’40s, which is part of a massive migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States. The entire family moved to Chicago in 1959. We’ve lived here our entire life in this area.&#160; So when Oscar gets here, were celebrating 50 years of his community-building legacy.</p>
<p>As someone growing up in Chicago, how and why did you and your brother become so connected to the Puerto Rican independence movement?</p>
<p>Even though we were citizens of the United States, it became very clear that there was some dynamic here at work, some unnatural causes that were really behind the high unemployment, the low school achievement of our youth, the inequities in health, the absentee landlords in relationship to the living situation here.</p>
<p>So it’s against the backdrop of the marginalization of the Puerto Rican community in the United States in which we begin to think, well, we are a colony of the United States. Because Puerto Rico has been a colony of the United States since 1898, defined by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1922 in a case called Balzac v. the People of Porto Rico … the U.S. Supreme Court says Puerto Rico belongs to but it’s not a part of the United States. We’re not a part of the United States. We are a piece of possession of the United States. We’re a piece of property of the United States. So the United States can do whatever it wants with Puerto Rico.</p>
<p>Even though we were made citizens of the United States 100 years ago in 1917 … what does U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans mean? Two things: It means Puerto Ricans have the right to leave Puerto Rico without papers to the United States and to die in the U.S. armed forces, because Puerto Ricans would immediately be drafted into the First World War. And ever since the First World War, almost 400,000 Puerto Ricans have served in the U.S. armed forces. As a matter of fact, Puerto Ricans constituted the only Latino segregated military unit in the U.S. Army, the Borinqueneers, which is the 65th Regiment of the U.S. Army. I tell you that because it shows you at every level how marginalized, even at the level where we’re ready to die for the United States, we were marginalized as a people.</p>
<p>In many ways, I think you have to understand a little bit of the Puerto Rican presence here and the Puerto Rican independence movement, sort of how you understand the development of the independence movement in India. It’s Gandhi in South Africa organizing primarily Indians in South Africa that led him to go to India ultimately and begin the struggle for independence in India because he saw the marginalization of Indian people in South Africa in a colonial setting. So I think that’s the way one has to view the relationship of Puerto Rico to the United States and the Puerto Rican presence in the United States vis-à-vis our struggles.</p>
<p>Do you think the current crisis in Puerto Rico changes the goals of the independence movement? Or do you see these all as symptoms of colonialism?</p>
<p>I believe all of this are symptoms of colonialism. In a crisis situation, what has the United States done? It’s responded not by making investments in Puerto Rico, not by helping to develop an economy, but by saying Puerto Rico must pay the debt. The Puerto Rican worker must pay the debt.</p>
<p>But the Puerto Rican people did not incur that debt. And even you could say, ‘Oh the Puerto Rican governors [incurred the debt].’ No. You have to say what led to that debt is the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States, because Puerto Ricans have never been able to fully develop and exercise their full economic self-determination. Nothing in Puerto Rico is controlled by Puerto Ricans.</p>
<p>You’ve compared your brother to Nelson Mandela. Why do you consider your brother a political prisoner?</p>
<p>All you have to do is study how many times in the 20th century has seditious conspiracy been used in the United States. You will see that overwhelmingly it has been used against the Puerto Rican independence movement, beginning in 1936 with the incarceration of the leader of the Nationalist Party, Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos. So we’re talking about almost 80 years or more that it’s been used almost exclusively against the Puerto Rican independence movement. Why would you use a charge like seditious conspiracy? So let’s look at how the law reads. The law says whenever two or more conspire to overthrow the legitimate authority of the U.S. government.&#160; Where is the legitimate authority of the U.S. government vis-à-vis Puerto Rico? International law recognizes that Puerto Rico is a colony of the United States. So what’s their legitimate authority? For you to have sedition, you must be a part of the United States.</p>
<p>What do you see as your brother’s role in the movement moving forward?</p>
<p>What is interesting to me is that my brother, who is coming home almost 36 years after being incarcerated, will come out becoming the emblematic figure of Puerto Rican unity in a country that has historically experienced deep political divisions that have totally torn families apart. My brother is coming out where every political party and every political tendency [supports him]. As a matter of fact, in the last election, there were seven candidates for the governorship.&#160; All of them agree on one thing—that my brother should be free.&#160; My brother received the support of all the religious bodies in Puerto Rico, all of the labor movement. He has [the support of] over 50 Nobel Peace Prize winners. Last year on June 20, there were activities in 45 countries calling for his release. Presidents of Latin America called for his release. The pope called for his release. I mean he’s become, just through his resilience, the power of his inner peace, I think my brother today has become the unifying figure of the Puerto Rican people.</p>
<p>This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | photo max herman always reminding important thing decolonize puerto rico oscar lópez rivera says homecoming celebration humboldt park boathouse may 18 2017 lópez rivera released spending 35 years behind bars sentence commuted president barack obama permalink photo max herman oscar lópez rivera greets crowd homecoming celebration la casita de pedro flanked ald roberto maldonado 26th brother josé e lópez congressman luis gutiérrez ald joe moreno 1st ald carlos ramirezrosa 35th permalink photo max herman struggle puerto rican independence criminalized says moses cintrón originally puerto rico awaits arrival oscar lópez rivera la casita de pedro permalink photo max herman oscar lópez rivera congressman luis gutiérrez side walks west division street towards humboldt park homecoming celebration spending 35 years prison permalink photo max herman several oscar lópez rivera supporters gather flags cover sign held protestor festivities humboldt park may 18 2017 permalink photo max herman honorary oscar lópez rivera way unveiled humboldt park may 18 2017 permalink photo max herman hundreds oscar lópez rivera supporters gather humboldt park boathouse oscar lópez riveras homecoming celebration may 18 2017 permalink photo max herman oscar lópez rivera greeted members latin american motorcycle association humboldt park boathouse homecoming celebration may 18 2017 permalink photo max herman congressman luis gutiérrez speaks support oscar lópez rivera homecoming celebration puerto rican nationalist humboldt park boathouse may 18 2017 permalink photo max herman always reminding important thing decolonize puerto rico oscar lópez rivera says homecoming celebration humboldt park boathouse may 18 2017 lópez rivera released spending 35 years behind bars sentence commuted president barack obama permalink photo max herman oscar lópez rivera greets crowd homecoming celebration la casita de pedro flanked ald roberto maldonado 26th brother josé e lópez congressman luis gutiérrez ald joe moreno 1st ald carlos ramirezrosa 35th permalink earlier year former president barack obama commuted sentence oscar lópez rivera served 35 years prison seditious conspiracy charges related work fuerzas armadas de liberación nacionala faln militant puerto rican independence group claimed responsibility series bombings beginning 1970s resulted five deaths lópez riveras supporters argue prosecutors presented evidence linking faln act resulted casualties thursday lópez rivera returned home neighborhood humboldt park160 1967 serving vietnam war became organizer community led campaign create roberto clemente high school open alternative school puerto rican dropouts also cofounded el rincon health services drug addicts helped establish local office aspira supports educational leadership development latino youth release prison comes time escalating crisis puerto rico160 recent weeks puerto rico declared form bankruptcy first american state territory justice department denied island 25 million pay referendum status commonwealth160 last year congress handed control puerto ricos finances unelected federal board aims resolve territorys crippling 72 billion debt austerity measures mass school closures puerto ricans already live outside island conditions threaten fuel migration territory spoke josé e lópez executive director puerto rican cultural center chicago brothers role independence movement photo yingxu jane hao josé e lópez cofounder executive director puerto rican cultural center chicago brother puerto rican independence leader oscar lópez rivera prison sentence commuted president barack obama released serving 35 years behind bars tell family move puerto rico father came late 40s part massive migration puerto ricans united states entire family moved chicago 1959 weve lived entire life area160 oscar gets celebrating 50 years communitybuilding legacy someone growing chicago brother become connected puerto rican independence movement even though citizens united states became clear dynamic work unnatural causes really behind high unemployment low school achievement youth inequities health absentee landlords relationship living situation backdrop marginalization puerto rican community united states begin think well colony united states puerto rico colony united states since 1898 defined us supreme court 1922 case called balzac v people porto rico us supreme court says puerto rico belongs part united states part united states piece possession united states piece property united states united states whatever wants puerto rico even though made citizens united states 100 years ago 1917 us citizenship puerto ricans mean two things means puerto ricans right leave puerto rico without papers united states die us armed forces puerto ricans would immediately drafted first world war ever since first world war almost 400000 puerto ricans served us armed forces matter fact puerto ricans constituted latino segregated military unit us army borinqueneers 65th regiment us army tell shows every level marginalized even level ready die united states marginalized people many ways think understand little bit puerto rican presence puerto rican independence movement sort understand development independence movement india gandhi south africa organizing primarily indians south africa led go india ultimately begin struggle independence india saw marginalization indian people south africa colonial setting think thats way one view relationship puerto rico united states puerto rican presence united states visàvis struggles think current crisis puerto rico changes goals independence movement see symptoms colonialism believe symptoms colonialism crisis situation united states done responded making investments puerto rico helping develop economy saying puerto rico must pay debt puerto rican worker must pay debt puerto rican people incur debt even could say oh puerto rican governors incurred debt say led debt relationship puerto rico united states puerto ricans never able fully develop exercise full economic selfdetermination nothing puerto rico controlled puerto ricans youve compared brother nelson mandela consider brother political prisoner study many times 20th century seditious conspiracy used united states see overwhelmingly used puerto rican independence movement beginning 1936 incarceration leader nationalist party dr pedro albizu campos talking almost 80 years used almost exclusively puerto rican independence movement would use charge like seditious conspiracy lets look law reads law says whenever two conspire overthrow legitimate authority us government160 legitimate authority us government visàvis puerto rico international law recognizes puerto rico colony united states whats legitimate authority sedition must part united states see brothers role movement moving forward interesting brother coming home almost 36 years incarcerated come becoming emblematic figure puerto rican unity country historically experienced deep political divisions totally torn families apart brother coming every political party every political tendency supports matter fact last election seven candidates governorship160 agree one thingthat brother free160 brother received support religious bodies puerto rico labor movement support 50 nobel peace prize winners last year june 20 activities 45 countries calling release presidents latin america called release pope called release mean hes become resilience power inner peace think brother today become unifying figure puerto rican people interview edited condensed clarity160 | 1,045 |
<p>Peter Bogdanovich has had an interesting life from the time he was literally in the womb. While his mother was pregnant, his Jewish parents moved to the U.S. to escape Nazi-occupied Austria. His 1971 movie, The Last Picture Show, was named a National Treasure by the Library of Congress. He was living with the 1980 Playboy Playmate of the Year, Dorothy Stratten, when she was murdered by her jealous husband, from whom she was separated. He’s collaborated with some of Hollywood’s biggest legends.</p>
<p>His latest film is <a href="http://lionsgatepremiere.com/shesfunnythatway" type="external">She’s Funny That Way</a>. In the film, director Arnold Albertson (Owen Wilson) casts his call girl-turned-actress Isabella “Izzy” Patterson (Imogen Poots) in a new play to star alongside his wife Delta (Kathryn Hahn) and her ex-lover Seth Gilbert (Rhys Ifans). Jennifer Aniston plays Izzy’s therapist Jane, who is consumed with her own failing relationship with Arnold’s playwright Joshua Fleet (Will Forte), who is also developing a crush on Izzy.</p>
<p>Bogdanovich recently talked about some of legendary collaborators, his inspiration for his latest film and weighed in on the Pete Rose/Hall of Fame controversy.</p>
<p>You’ve had a fascinating life. Between the people you’ve worked with and the people you’ve been friends with, you could have your own version of the Algonquin Round Table.</p>
<p>I’ve met a lot of interesting people, that’s true.</p>
<p>If you were going to have your own version of the Algonquin Round Table, who from your past would you want and why?</p>
<p>Oh wow. Orson [Welles] obviously. He’s a talker. Jimmy Stewart. Cary Grant. What a great meal that would be. [Stagecoach director] John Ford to make things awkward. [The Big Sleep director] Howard Hawkes. Jean Renoir. [Alfred] Hitchcock. You can’t put more than one director in the same room, but it’s an imaginary dinner.</p>
<p>Is that why it would be awkward with John Ford?</p>
<p>John Ford was always awkward. He was always so crusty.</p>
<p>You said Orson Welles was a talker.</p>
<p>He could talk about anything and keep it interesting.</p>
<p>I’m from Ohio originally and I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask about the Pete Rose film, Hustle [which Bogdanovich directed]. What are your thoughts about Pete Rose and his Hall of Fame ban?</p>
<p>I think he earned [his way into] the Hall of Fame with what he did as a player. What he did as a coach wasn’t very kosher. It’s hard to make a judgment. He should be in the Hall of Fame for what he did as a player with an asterisk since he didn’t behave very well after he stopped playing. Tom Sizemore was very good in that part [as Pete Rose]. He’s a brilliant actor.</p>
<p>So let’s talk about the actual movie we’re here to discuss, She’s Funny That Way. It seemed to me to be a throwback to the farces made in the Golden Age of Hollywood that they don’t make too often anymore. When you wrote the script, were there any particular movies that inspired you?</p>
<p>I’ve made so many pictures by now that I have a pretty good sense of how to make a picture. I like certain comedies from the 30s and 40s. For some reason in movies, we don’t say farce. I don’t know why. It’s either ‘screwball comedy’ or ‘romantic comedy’ or something. It’s the same thing with what [Pulitzer and Tony winner] George Kaufman said about satire. The definition is satire is what closes Saturday night. [Kaufman co-authored many popular comedies—and satires—but he felt that satire is often lost on an audience and is difficult to write successfully. Broadway shows often officially open on a Friday, so a Saturday closing means a quick death to a show.]</p>
<p>[She’s Funny That Way] is basically a screwball comedy. We wanted to make a comedy in that style with the complications and coincidences. I was most influenced, as I think many filmmakers were, by a French writer, Georges Feydeau, who sort of invented the farce. He had a golden rule which was ‘the one person who must not come into the room, must come into the room.’</p>
<p>[Co-screenwriter and ex-wife] Louise [Stratten] and I only had two thoughts. We were going through a hard time – not in our marriage – just a tough time and we started writing the script with two ideas. One was the [original] title, Squirrels to the Nuts. That comes from an [Ernst] Lubitsch film, Cluny Brown where it’s a running gag. We wanted [Squirrels to the Nuts] to be the name of the picture, but we were talked out of it because [studio execs thought it] thought it sounded like a kids picture.</p>
<p>The other notion was wouldn’t it be funny if a guy paid an escort not to be an escort and gets in trouble for that. The idea for that came from the fact that I did something like that in Singapore when I was making Saint Jack in 1978. Have you ever seen the picture? It’s about pimps.</p>
<p>I saw it a while ago before I probably should have.</p>
<p>It’s about pimps so we did some research with various madams and hookers and pimps. We got to know a few of them and used some escorts in the picture. One or two of them really [figuratively] touched me and they wanted to go home. I paid them for [their work in] the picture and gave them a little extra to go home and they did. Then I knew a girl in Brooklyn who was kind of an escort and that’s where we got the idea for [Imogen Poots’] Brooklyn accent.</p>
<p>How were you able to get some pretty big name actors in smaller roles in the movie?</p>
<p>You mean like Cybil [Shepherd] and Richard [Lewis]?</p>
<p>Right. Like Tova [Feldshuh from The Walking Dead] and Ileana [Douglas].</p>
<p>We just asked them. [Boardwalk Empire’s] Mike Shannon wanted to be in the picture. There’s a long story about Mike Shannon. I had hired him back in Chicago in the 90s with Sidney Poitier for a movie called To Sir, with Love II. Sidney didn’t like Michael Shannon so I had to fire him and I felt terrible about it. I liked him. I thought he was good, but Sidney didn’t like him.</p>
<p>Mike talked about that experience with David Letterman or with Jimmy Kimmel or somebody. The producers saw it and said, ‘why don’t we ask him to be in this picture?’ and [producer] Holly [Wiersma] did ask him. Michael came up to me years later and asked, ‘why didn’t Sidney like me?’ I said, ‘he thought you were weird.’</p>
<p>With Cybil [Shepherd], I just asked her to do me a favor and the same with Richard Lewis. There’s a funny story about Tatum [O’Neal]. When we finished shooting Paper Moon, she had just turned nine. It was before anyone had seen it since we had just wrapped. I said, ‘Tatum, do you want to make more movies?’ She said, ‘only small parts, like a waitress.’ So I called her and asked her if she wanted to play a waitress. I don’t know if she even remembers that she said that.</p>
<p>Kathryn is hilarious and I thought her and Owen had great chemistry.</p>
<p>And they ad-libbed a lot of it. The whole cab scene was ad-libbed, almost entirely. There were some written lines, but they worked it out together and just did it. That whole business with the cab driver was all Owen. He’s brilliant. He started out as a writer with [She’s Funny That Way executive producer] Wes [Anderson], so he thinks like a writer.</p>
<p>Speaking of Wes, him and Noah [Baumbach] are producers and I could feel their fingerprints on the film.</p>
<p>They liked the script and Louise said that we should ask Wes and Noah to executive produce it. They got us to UTA, which was their agency to help us get the financing. And that’s how we got Jen [Aniston]. We sent Jennifer the script and asked her to play Owen’s wife. She said ‘no, I want to play the therapist. Why don’t you use Kathryn Hahn?’ Jennifer also heartily recommended Will Forte.</p>
<p>They laughed a lot in Venice when we showed it there and got a 10 minute standing ovation. It was amazing. They just kept applauding.</p>
<p>She’s Funny That Way is now playing in select theaters and on Video on Demand.</p>
<p /> | false | 3 | peter bogdanovich interesting life time literally womb mother pregnant jewish parents moved us escape nazioccupied austria 1971 movie last picture show named national treasure library congress living 1980 playboy playmate year dorothy stratten murdered jealous husband separated hes collaborated hollywoods biggest legends latest film shes funny way film director arnold albertson owen wilson casts call girlturnedactress isabella izzy patterson imogen poots new play star alongside wife delta kathryn hahn exlover seth gilbert rhys ifans jennifer aniston plays izzys therapist jane consumed failing relationship arnolds playwright joshua fleet forte also developing crush izzy bogdanovich recently talked legendary collaborators inspiration latest film weighed pete rosehall fame controversy youve fascinating life people youve worked people youve friends could version algonquin round table ive met lot interesting people thats true going version algonquin round table past would want oh wow orson welles obviously hes talker jimmy stewart cary grant great meal would stagecoach director john ford make things awkward big sleep director howard hawkes jean renoir alfred hitchcock cant put one director room imaginary dinner would awkward john ford john ford always awkward always crusty said orson welles talker could talk anything keep interesting im ohio originally id remiss didnt ask pete rose film hustle bogdanovich directed thoughts pete rose hall fame ban think earned way hall fame player coach wasnt kosher hard make judgment hall fame player asterisk since didnt behave well stopped playing tom sizemore good part pete rose hes brilliant actor lets talk actual movie discuss shes funny way seemed throwback farces made golden age hollywood dont make often anymore wrote script particular movies inspired ive made many pictures pretty good sense make picture like certain comedies 30s 40s reason movies dont say farce dont know either screwball comedy romantic comedy something thing pulitzer tony winner george kaufman said satire definition satire closes saturday night kaufman coauthored many popular comediesand satiresbut felt satire often lost audience difficult write successfully broadway shows often officially open friday saturday closing means quick death show shes funny way basically screwball comedy wanted make comedy style complications coincidences influenced think many filmmakers french writer georges feydeau sort invented farce golden rule one person must come room must come room coscreenwriter exwife louise stratten two thoughts going hard time marriage tough time started writing script two ideas one original title squirrels nuts comes ernst lubitsch film cluny brown running gag wanted squirrels nuts name picture talked studio execs thought thought sounded like kids picture notion wouldnt funny guy paid escort escort gets trouble idea came fact something like singapore making saint jack 1978 ever seen picture pimps saw ago probably pimps research various madams hookers pimps got know used escorts picture one two really figuratively touched wanted go home paid work picture gave little extra go home knew girl brooklyn kind escort thats got idea imogen poots brooklyn accent able get pretty big name actors smaller roles movie mean like cybil shepherd richard lewis right like tova feldshuh walking dead ileana douglas asked boardwalk empires mike shannon wanted picture theres long story mike shannon hired back chicago 90s sidney poitier movie called sir love ii sidney didnt like michael shannon fire felt terrible liked thought good sidney didnt like mike talked experience david letterman jimmy kimmel somebody producers saw said dont ask picture producer holly wiersma ask michael came years later asked didnt sidney like said thought weird cybil shepherd asked favor richard lewis theres funny story tatum oneal finished shooting paper moon turned nine anyone seen since wrapped said tatum want make movies said small parts like waitress called asked wanted play waitress dont know even remembers said kathryn hilarious thought owen great chemistry adlibbed lot whole cab scene adlibbed almost entirely written lines worked together whole business cab driver owen hes brilliant started writer shes funny way executive producer wes anderson thinks like writer speaking wes noah baumbach producers could feel fingerprints film liked script louise said ask wes noah executive produce got us uta agency help us get financing thats got jen aniston sent jennifer script asked play owens wife said want play therapist dont use kathryn hahn jennifer also heartily recommended forte laughed lot venice showed got 10 minute standing ovation amazing kept applauding shes funny way playing select theaters video demand | 709 |
<p>By Bob Allen</p>
<p>Today’s National Day of Prayer is a constitutionally suspect government endorsement of religion that ought to be abandoned, according to Americans United for Separation of Church and State.</p>
<p>“The government should not be giving out prayer instructions,” <a href="https://www.au.org/media/press-releases/national-day-of-prayer-undermines-religious-freedom-says-americans-united" type="external">said</a> AU Executive Director Barry Lynn, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. “Those who want to pray are more than capable of doing so without government coercion; those who do not wish to pray surely do not appreciate a federal directive endorsing belief over non-belief.”</p>
<p>Brent Walker, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, said in 2011 there is nothing wrong with Americans getting together to pray on a certain day. “In fact every day should be a day of national prayer,” said Walker, who has both a law degree and a master of divinity degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.</p>
<p>“The problem with the National Day of Prayer is that it is an official act of the government urging citizens to engage in a religious exercise,” Walker said.</p>
<p>While tradition of national leaders issuing calls for prayer dates back to the founding of the United States, the practice wasn’t formalized until 1952, during the Korean War.</p>
<p>Evangelist Billy Graham, after preaching a six-week revival in Washington, D.C., was invited by House Speaker <a href="http://history.house.gov/Historical-Highlights/1851-1900/Speaker-of-the-House-Sam-Rayburn-of-Texas/" type="external">Sam Rayburn</a> (D-Texas) to deliver a speech on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, in which he issued a call for a day of national prayer.</p>
<p>“What a thrilling, glorious thing it would be to see the leaders of our country today kneeling before Almighty God in prayer,” Graham said. “What a thrill would sweep this country. What renewed hope and courage would grip the Americans at this hour of peril.”</p>
<p>The next day Rep. Percy Priest (D-Tenn.), a Southern Baptist deacon and Sunday school teacher, introduced a bill to establish a “National Day of Prayer.” In addressing House members, Priest said the country was “challenged yesterday by the suggestion made on the east steps of the Capitol by Billy Graham that Congress call on the president for a proclamation of a day of prayer.</p>
<p>U.S. Sen. A. Willis Robertson (D-Va.) father of religious broadcaster Pat Robertson, introduced the bill in the Senate, describing it as a measure against “the corrosive forces of communism which seek simultaneously to destroy our democratic way of life and the faith in an Almighty God on which it is based.”</p>
<p>President Truman signed the joint resolution approved on April 17, 1952, measure and became the first president to declare a National Day of Prayer. Every president since has done the same.</p>
<p>In 1983 Campus Crusade for Christ co-founder Vonette Bright <a href="http://www.cru.org/about/our-leadership/our-founders.html" type="external">formed</a> the National Day of Prayer Task Force to promote evangelical Christian prayer day events across the country. In 1988 she backed legislation to establish a particular day for the observance on the first Thursday of May.</p>
<p>Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush each held one NDP Task Force prayer event. President George W. Bush held one in the White House each year he was in office. President Clinton held informal meetings but did not participate in NDP events. Neither has President Obama.</p>
<p>Critics of the National Day of Prayer Task Force accuse the group of hijacking the observance and presenting it as a for-Christians-only event.</p>
<p>“In recent years, the majority of NDP observances have been coordinated by private Religious Right groups like the National Day of Prayer Task Force,” Americans United said in a press release.</p>
<p>Americans United said the task force, now led by Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, “promotes the myth that the U.S. is an officially ‘Christian nation’ and restricts its events to members of Judeo-Christian traditions.”</p>
<p>The Pluralism Project at Harvard University <a href="http://pluralism.org/reports/view/66" type="external">says</a> “two different visions of religious America collide on the National Day of Prayer.”</p>
<p>“One reflects a vision of America as solely a Christian country, and supports a politicized version of conservative evangelical Christianity,” the group said. “This religious America is founded on these Christian prayers, and seeks to strengthen the nation through emphasizing one version of its majority faith.”</p>
<p>“The other vision of America recognizes that our religious landscape contains far more than a single interpretation of Christianity, and that this diversity is in itself a strength. At these events, people are not asked to set aside their different faiths, but rather to draw on each one’s beliefs, bringing all the varied prayers for compassion, peace, and dreams of a better world together.”</p>
<p>In his day of prayer proclamation May 6, President Obama invited citizens “to give thanks, in accordance with their own faiths and consciences, for our many freedoms and blessings.”</p>
<p>“And I join all people of faith in asking for God’s continued guidance, mercy and protection as we seek a more just world,” Obama said.</p>
<p>Former Southern Baptist Convention President Jack Graham, this year’s honorary chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, offered his <a href="http://www.charismanews.com/us/49031-2015-national-day-of-prayer-themed-lord-hear-our-cry" type="external">prayer</a> in Jesus’ name.</p>
<p>In 2011 the 7th&#160;U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that private citizens cannot challenge the National Day of Prayer in court because if the law burdens anyone it is only the president.</p>
<p>“There is little if any coercion of anyone’s conscience, and most Americans are unaware of the occasion,” Holly Hollman, general counsel of the Baptist Joint Committee, <a href="http://bjconline.org/baptist-group-says-national-day-of-prayer-is-misguided-unnecessary-unwise/" type="external">said</a> in 2011. “But actual coercion has never been the standard for judging whether government has overstepped its bounds in promoting religion.”</p>
<p>“Even though the National Day of Prayer was not held to be unconstitutional, it is certainly unwise,” Hollman said.</p> | false | 3 | bob allen todays national day prayer constitutionally suspect government endorsement religion ought abandoned according americans united separation church state government giving prayer instructions said au executive director barry lynn ordained minister united church christ want pray capable without government coercion wish pray surely appreciate federal directive endorsing belief nonbelief brent walker executive director baptist joint committee religious liberty said 2011 nothing wrong americans getting together pray certain day fact every day day national prayer said walker law degree master divinity degree southern baptist theological seminary problem national day prayer official act government urging citizens engage religious exercise walker said tradition national leaders issuing calls prayer dates back founding united states practice wasnt formalized 1952 korean war evangelist billy graham preaching sixweek revival washington dc invited house speaker sam rayburn dtexas deliver speech steps us capitol issued call day national prayer thrilling glorious thing would see leaders country today kneeling almighty god prayer graham said thrill would sweep country renewed hope courage would grip americans hour peril next day rep percy priest dtenn southern baptist deacon sunday school teacher introduced bill establish national day prayer addressing house members priest said country challenged yesterday suggestion made east steps capitol billy graham congress call president proclamation day prayer us sen willis robertson dva father religious broadcaster pat robertson introduced bill senate describing measure corrosive forces communism seek simultaneously destroy democratic way life faith almighty god based president truman signed joint resolution approved april 17 1952 measure became first president declare national day prayer every president since done 1983 campus crusade christ cofounder vonette bright formed national day prayer task force promote evangelical christian prayer day events across country 1988 backed legislation establish particular day observance first thursday may presidents ronald reagan george hw bush held one ndp task force prayer event president george w bush held one white house year office president clinton held informal meetings participate ndp events neither president obama critics national day prayer task force accuse group hijacking observance presenting forchristiansonly event recent years majority ndp observances coordinated private religious right groups like national day prayer task force americans united said press release americans united said task force led shirley dobson wife focus family founder james dobson promotes myth us officially christian nation restricts events members judeochristian traditions pluralism project harvard university says two different visions religious america collide national day prayer one reflects vision america solely christian country supports politicized version conservative evangelical christianity group said religious america founded christian prayers seeks strengthen nation emphasizing one version majority faith vision america recognizes religious landscape contains far single interpretation christianity diversity strength events people asked set aside different faiths rather draw ones beliefs bringing varied prayers compassion peace dreams better world together day prayer proclamation may 6 president obama invited citizens give thanks accordance faiths consciences many freedoms blessings join people faith asking gods continued guidance mercy protection seek world obama said former southern baptist convention president jack graham years honorary chairman national day prayer task force offered prayer jesus name 2011 7th160us circuit court appeals ruled private citizens challenge national day prayer court law burdens anyone president little coercion anyones conscience americans unaware occasion holly hollman general counsel baptist joint committee said 2011 actual coercion never standard judging whether government overstepped bounds promoting religion even though national day prayer held unconstitutional certainly unwise hollman said | 556 |
<p>BUENOS AIRES, Argentina - Just two years ago, the fall of Argentina's first elected female president seemed complete.</p>
<p>Her party had suffered a humiliating defeat in midterm elections. There was even speculation that she would resign.</p>
<p>But now Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner holds a <a href="" type="external">commanding</a> lead going into next month's presidential elections. Her approval ratings are approaching 60 percent.</p>
<p>Her resurgence, analysts say, can be attributed to the booming economy, social welfare programs, a weak opposition and the death of her husband a year ago.</p>
<p>Though Fernandez has offered few concrete indications of what she might tackle in her second term, she is likely to continue the interventionist economic and social policies that have marked her party's rule.</p>
<p>Over the last eight years, Argentina has reveled in significant economic growth. But business leaders have often criticized the government's policies, saying they drive away investment.</p>
<p>More on Argentina: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/que-pasa/inflation-argentina-imf" type="external">Checking the numbers</a></p>
<p>Shortly after taking office in 2007, Fernandez imposed tax increases on grain exports. Argentina is one of the world's largest agricultural exporters, and farmers responded by blockading major highways and halting sales. Argentines had to cope with repeated strikes, skyrocketing food prices and rationing.</p>
<p>Fernandez's popularity plummeted, and she was forced to withdraw the taxes after they were voted down in the Senate.</p>
<p>"It was a disaster for her, and it took more than two and a half years for her to recover," said Sergio Berensztein, director of Poliarquia, a political consulting firm in Buenos Aires.</p>
<p>In her first years as president, she also nationalized $30 billion in private pensions, a move her critics saw as a cash grab. And before she even took office, accusations surfaced that a Venezuelan businessman had tried to sneak $800,000 in campaign contributions into the country. (There was never any evidence directly linking her to the money.)</p>
<p>Then, after midterm elections, her Peronist party lost its majority in Congress. Observers referred to the defeat as - <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124626067196167517.html" type="external">a mortal blow</a>" that - <a href="" type="external">dashed any dreams</a> the couple had of extending their political dynasty."</p>
<p>But last October, Fernandez's husband and predecessor as president, Nestor Kirchner, died from a heart attack, leaving his widow alone at the head of the country.</p>
<p>More on Argentina: <a href="" type="external">Nestor Kirchner dies</a></p>
<p>Kirchner had been credited with helping bring Argentina back from economic ruin. Rather than seek a second term, he had stepped aside and supported his wife.</p>
<p>Before his death, Kirchner was her "political boss," said Carlos Germano, a political analyst in Buenos Aires. Fernandez was officially the president, but her husband made "80 percent" of the decisions, Berensztein said.&#160;</p>
<p>While Kirchner had earned unrivaled support as president, his popularity had waned in the following years, and many Argentines grew tired of his aggressive and heavy-handed approach to governing.</p>
<p>"Cristina is the much more adept politician," said Steven Levitsky, a professor of government at Harvard University. "When she needs to cool it down, and cool down the rhetoric and stop picking fights, she's much better able to do that than Nestor."</p>
<p>Argentines responded to Kirchner's death with overwhelming empathy for his wife. "Only after his death did Cristina become as popular as she is today," Berensztein said. "She became a different kind of leader vis-a-vis what she was in the first three years of her term."</p>
<p>Fernandez, 58, was born in La Plata, the capital of the province of Buenos Aires. She is a lawyer by training and served as a senator in the Argentine Congress, including during her husband's term as president.</p>
<p>The world is a big quagmire, Fernandez <a href="http://www.presidencia.gov.ar/discursos/25321-palabras-de-la-presidenta-al-finalizar-las-elecciones-primarias" type="external">said</a> after winning the August primary, and Argentina needs leadership with the wisdom to continue the policies that allowed it to successfully endure the 2008-2009 financial crisis.</p>
<p>She owes part of her recent popularity to a number of social welfare policies. Her government began paying out monthly per-child allowances to parents who are unemployed or work in the informal sector, as long as their children stay in school and keep up-to-date on vaccinations and health checkups.</p>
<p>But Fernandez for the most part had little to do with her own success - in particular Argentina's economic recovery, said Levitsky.&#160;</p>
<p>The International Monetary Fund said last week that it expects the country's economy to expand by 8 percent this year, the fastest rate in Latin America.</p>
<p>The global commodities boom has been good news for Argentina, a leading exporter of beef, corn and soybeans. Though inflation is high - private estimates put it above 20 percent - wages have roughly been keeping pace.</p>
<p>"Argentina, a country with a lot of economic instability through its history, achieved relative stability in the last eight years," Germano said. "That is doing a lot to consolidate the political project of Cristina Fernandez."</p>
<p>Additionally, the opposition in Argentina is remarkably weak. In the presidential primary last month, Fernandez won about 50 percent of the vote. Her nearest rival barely cleared 12 percent.</p>
<p>The opposition was already fragmented in 2007, said Berensztein, and now only more so. Four or five candidates end up competing for half of the votes.</p>
<p>"The weakness of the opposition is as much the story as the success and the strength of Cristina Kirchner," Levitsky said.</p>
<p>And while Fernandez may be riding high going into the election, analysts point out that Argentina isn't without its problems. The inflation rate is one of the highest worldwide, many of the government's fiscal policies are seen as unsustainable and there's significant capital flight out of the country.</p>
<p>"We really don't have an idea still how resilient she is in the middle of a crisis," Berensztein said. "She's a very, very smart person. We'll see how strong she is."</p>
<p>The election is Oct. 23. The winner must take 45 percent of the vote or 40 percent with a 10-point lead over the nearest competitor to avoid a second-round runoff.</p> | false | 3 | buenos aires argentina two years ago fall argentinas first elected female president seemed complete party suffered humiliating defeat midterm elections even speculation would resign cristina fernandez de kirchner holds commanding lead going next months presidential elections approval ratings approaching 60 percent resurgence analysts say attributed booming economy social welfare programs weak opposition death husband year ago though fernandez offered concrete indications might tackle second term likely continue interventionist economic social policies marked partys rule last eight years argentina reveled significant economic growth business leaders often criticized governments policies saying drive away investment argentina checking numbers shortly taking office 2007 fernandez imposed tax increases grain exports argentina one worlds largest agricultural exporters farmers responded blockading major highways halting sales argentines cope repeated strikes skyrocketing food prices rationing fernandezs popularity plummeted forced withdraw taxes voted senate disaster took two half years recover said sergio berensztein director poliarquia political consulting firm buenos aires first years president also nationalized 30 billion private pensions move critics saw cash grab even took office accusations surfaced venezuelan businessman tried sneak 800000 campaign contributions country never evidence directly linking money midterm elections peronist party lost majority congress observers referred defeat mortal blow dashed dreams couple extending political dynasty last october fernandezs husband predecessor president nestor kirchner died heart attack leaving widow alone head country argentina nestor kirchner dies kirchner credited helping bring argentina back economic ruin rather seek second term stepped aside supported wife death kirchner political boss said carlos germano political analyst buenos aires fernandez officially president husband made 80 percent decisions berensztein said160 kirchner earned unrivaled support president popularity waned following years many argentines grew tired aggressive heavyhanded approach governing cristina much adept politician said steven levitsky professor government harvard university needs cool cool rhetoric stop picking fights shes much better able nestor argentines responded kirchners death overwhelming empathy wife death cristina become popular today berensztein said became different kind leader visavis first three years term fernandez 58 born la plata capital province buenos aires lawyer training served senator argentine congress including husbands term president world big quagmire fernandez said winning august primary argentina needs leadership wisdom continue policies allowed successfully endure 20082009 financial crisis owes part recent popularity number social welfare policies government began paying monthly perchild allowances parents unemployed work informal sector long children stay school keep uptodate vaccinations health checkups fernandez part little success particular argentinas economic recovery said levitsky160 international monetary fund said last week expects countrys economy expand 8 percent year fastest rate latin america global commodities boom good news argentina leading exporter beef corn soybeans though inflation high private estimates put 20 percent wages roughly keeping pace argentina country lot economic instability history achieved relative stability last eight years germano said lot consolidate political project cristina fernandez additionally opposition argentina remarkably weak presidential primary last month fernandez 50 percent vote nearest rival barely cleared 12 percent opposition already fragmented 2007 said berensztein four five candidates end competing half votes weakness opposition much story success strength cristina kirchner levitsky said fernandez may riding high going election analysts point argentina isnt without problems inflation rate one highest worldwide many governments fiscal policies seen unsustainable theres significant capital flight country really dont idea still resilient middle crisis berensztein said shes smart person well see strong election oct 23 winner must take 45 percent vote 40 percent 10point lead nearest competitor avoid secondround runoff | 560 |
<p>There are two Kosovos. The one south of the Ibar River and the one north of it.</p>
<p>To the south, where 1.8 million people live, Kosovo is a truly independent country, home to a largely Albanian population. To the north of the Ibar, home to the largest concentration of Serbs in Kosovo, the country is more of a de facto Serbian province.</p>
<p>Even though Serbian forces officially withdrew from Kosovo in 1999, when the war ended, this northern tip has, in practice, remained an extension of Serbia, which nurtured the region with millions of dollars and government institutions. It stands in contrast to the Serb communities in other parts of Kosovo, which have, to varying degrees, adjusted to life in independent Kosovo.</p>
<p>The Ibar River runs through the city of Mitrovica. Like these two Kosovos, the city is divided. The south is mostly Albanian, while the north is mostly Serb. Prone to violence and unrest, it has come to symbolize ethnic division in Kosovo.</p>
<p>While the long-running troubles between Serbs and Albanians haven’t disappeared, they’ve been eclipsed by a conflict among Serbs themselves. And the last few months have been especially bad in north Mitrovica, with bombs going off with some frequency.</p>
<p>“You can feel the tension everywhere,” says Duska, watching her two grandchildren play at a fountain in a square in North Mitrovica.</p>
<p>These days, she’s not letting her grandchildren out of her sight. “They’re small and the situation is the way it is,” Duska says.</p>
<p>No one has been killed in the blasts, but they’ve rattled nerves ahead of Sunday’s local elections. At issue isn’t so much who’s running - it’s a more basic question about whether or not to participate at all. Those taking a stand on either side have been targeted.&#160;</p>
<p>In the past, Serbs in the north have largely boycotted Kosovo elections. The government in Serbia actively encouraged that and has held parallel elections of its own. But now Serbia is actively encouraging Kosovo Serbs to vote in elections organized by Kosovo — and is even promoting a slate of candidates.</p>
<p>While Serbia is still holding the line and not recognizing Kosovo as a country, it has been improving and normalizing relations as part of its effort to join the European Union. A major breakthrough happened in April, when Serbia agreed to relinquish its de-facto control of the north. These elections are a big step in that direction, because the representatives elected will come into office under the umbrella of Kosovo the country, including its laws and constitutions.</p>
<p>All this leaves people like Duska with a dilemma — whether to vote.</p>
<p>“Well, it’s up to me, it’s my decision, no one can make it for me. No one can order me to do it,” Duska says. “Of course, someone can point at me and say I’m a traitor if I go out and vote. That is why I have to decide.”</p>
<p>Duska won’t say what she plans to do on Sunday, and that’s probably a wise move on her part. She’s an engineer who works for the Trepca mining complex. Once the most important economic engine in Kosovo during Yugoslav times, it is now split between the Kosovo and Serbian governments, who claim ownership over it. The Serbian government pays Duska’s salary, but she rarely shows up for work.</p>
<p>Thousands of people here are on the Serbian government’s payroll, and in many cases, they’re paid for jobs that only exist on paper. Serbia has done this as a social assistance of sorts to encourage Serbs to stay in economically strapped Kosovo.</p>
<p>Now the Serbian government in Belgrade is counting on them to vote. Leaders, including Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, once the spokesman for the late Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic, have said doing so is in the best interest of Kosovo Serbs, as well as Serbia’s future in the European Union.</p>
<p>But if Duska heeds Belgrade’s call, she’ll have to contend with people like Nebojsa Jovic.</p>
<p>“I’ll probably go to church with my family in the morning, to pray to God and Saint Demetrios, the saint who’s helped us stay here in Kosovo for the past 14 years,” Jovic says of his election day plans.&#160; “After that, my brothers, friends and I will go out on the street to see if anyone’s going to do something against their own people.”</p>
<p>Jovic is one of the leaders of the campaign to boycott the vote. For him, a vote is basically an endorsement of Kosovo as an independent state, which he’ll never accept.</p>
<p>“The biggest punishment for anyone who votes will be God’s punishment and our scorn. We just want to look those people in the eyes and ask ‘How can you do this?’ Jovic says, insisting there won’t be any violence.</p>
<p>Few are expected to vote on Sunday. Most Serbs here want nothing to do with an independent Kosovo. It’s reflected in a&#160; <a href="http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/most-kosovo-serbs-in-the-north-not-ready-to-vote" type="external">recent UN survey</a>&#160;that&#160;found only 16 percent of Serbs in the north plan to vote.</p>
<p>Jovic is himself an elected representative on a local assembly established by Serbia — one that is sure to be rendered irrelevant after the elections. He says these elections show that Belgrade is giving up on Kosovo Serbs in a big way, like it did in 1999, when Serbia withdrew its forces at the end of the war</p>
<p>“When you are forcing your own people to recognize some other country knowing that we can’t survive, that’s the same betrayal we went through in 1999 when [Slobodan] Milosevic left Serbs here on their own,” Jovic says.</p>
<p>Beyond the sense of betrayal, Jovic fears the jobs provided by Serbia will also go away.</p>
<p>Jovic works for the Serbian state telecom. He’s clinging to hope that Serbia will reverse its current course of unwinding from Kosovo. But, at the same time, he’s realistic that the likelihood seems quite low.</p>
<p>“It’s a bit hard when you have Belgrade, Pristina, Brussels, Washington all against you,” Jovic says. “But we don’t have an alternative; we must stay firm.”</p>
<p>He’s also preparing himself for the possibility that Serbia could one day recognize Kosovo as an independent country, even though leaders in Belgrade insist that’s out of the question. If that happens, Jovic says, he and thousands of other Serbs will leave.</p>
<p>"But until that, we will fight until the end by any democratic means,” he says.</p> | false | 3 | two kosovos one south ibar river one north south 18 million people live kosovo truly independent country home largely albanian population north ibar home largest concentration serbs kosovo country de facto serbian province even though serbian forces officially withdrew kosovo 1999 war ended northern tip practice remained extension serbia nurtured region millions dollars government institutions stands contrast serb communities parts kosovo varying degrees adjusted life independent kosovo ibar river runs city mitrovica like two kosovos city divided south mostly albanian north mostly serb prone violence unrest come symbolize ethnic division kosovo longrunning troubles serbs albanians havent disappeared theyve eclipsed conflict among serbs last months especially bad north mitrovica bombs going frequency feel tension everywhere says duska watching two grandchildren play fountain square north mitrovica days shes letting grandchildren sight theyre small situation way duska says one killed blasts theyve rattled nerves ahead sundays local elections issue isnt much whos running basic question whether participate taking stand either side targeted160 past serbs north largely boycotted kosovo elections government serbia actively encouraged held parallel elections serbia actively encouraging kosovo serbs vote elections organized kosovo even promoting slate candidates serbia still holding line recognizing kosovo country improving normalizing relations part effort join european union major breakthrough happened april serbia agreed relinquish defacto control north elections big step direction representatives elected come office umbrella kosovo country including laws constitutions leaves people like duska dilemma whether vote well decision one make one order duska says course someone point say im traitor go vote decide duska wont say plans sunday thats probably wise move part shes engineer works trepca mining complex important economic engine kosovo yugoslav times split kosovo serbian governments claim ownership serbian government pays duskas salary rarely shows work thousands people serbian governments payroll many cases theyre paid jobs exist paper serbia done social assistance sorts encourage serbs stay economically strapped kosovo serbian government belgrade counting vote leaders including prime minister ivica dacic spokesman late serbian leader slobodan milosevic said best interest kosovo serbs well serbias future european union duska heeds belgrades call shell contend people like nebojsa jovic ill probably go church family morning pray god saint demetrios saint whos helped us stay kosovo past 14 years jovic says election day plans160 brothers friends go street see anyones going something people jovic one leaders campaign boycott vote vote basically endorsement kosovo independent state hell never accept biggest punishment anyone votes gods punishment scorn want look people eyes ask jovic says insisting wont violence expected vote sunday serbs want nothing independent kosovo reflected a160 recent un survey160that160found 16 percent serbs north plan vote jovic elected representative local assembly established serbia one sure rendered irrelevant elections says elections show belgrade giving kosovo serbs big way like 1999 serbia withdrew forces end war forcing people recognize country knowing cant survive thats betrayal went 1999 slobodan milosevic left serbs jovic says beyond sense betrayal jovic fears jobs provided serbia also go away jovic works serbian state telecom hes clinging hope serbia reverse current course unwinding kosovo time hes realistic likelihood seems quite low bit hard belgrade pristina brussels washington jovic says dont alternative must stay firm hes also preparing possibility serbia could one day recognize kosovo independent country even though leaders belgrade insist thats question happens jovic says thousands serbs leave fight end democratic means says | 549 |
<p>NA’ALEHU, Hawaii — When dictator Kim Jong Un executed his uncle Jang Song Taek last week, he left hungry and oppressed North Koreans bereft of the man who could have become the country’s greatest hero, according to the latest news from South Korea.</p>
<p>Jang, we learn, had been plotting to overthrow the Kim regime not just briefly but for nearly two decades, living courageously in the very belly of the beast while risking discovery all the while.</p>
<p>It’s an account that makes sense. &#160;</p>
<p>Let’s begin the tale in February 1997, when Hwang Jang Yop, former secretary of the ruling Workers Party, appeared at a reception in Tokyo. Three or four foreign correspondents approached the 74-year-old senior official to sound him out on such current issues as the awful North Korean economy and the regime’s nuclear program.</p>
<p>We got nowhere. Hwang was totally uncommunicative. He seemed distracted, downcast.</p>
<p>Later the reason became apparent: Hwang was trying to defect. He had planned to make his break while in Japan, but North Korean security officers were watching him too closely. At his next stop, Beijing, he did manage to defect, first taking refuge in the South Korean embassy.</p>
<p>In South Korea he devoted the remaining 13 years of his life to spilling the details of the Pyongyang regime’s inner workings, and warning against underestimating its capacity for evil.</p>
<p>To one obvious question — whether there was anyone remaining inside North Korea who had the capability to take over from the second-generation ruler Kim Jong Il — Hwang answered yes. But then he refused to identify publicly the person he had in mind, for obvious reasons. He did give the name confidentially to South Korean security officials, though.</p>
<p>And now <a href="" type="external">according</a> to the Seoul daily JoongAng Ilbo Hwang’s answer can be told — because there is no longer anything the Pyongyang regime can do to the man of whom Hwang was speaking: Jang Song Taek.</p>
<p>Jang’s death sentence last Thursday for treason against his nephew by marriage, the current North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un, was carried out immediately, the regime <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/north-korea/131212/kim-jong-un-braces-world-hurt" type="external">announced</a>.</p>
<p>According to the paper’s unnamed official source, Hwang told South Korean officials the real reason for his own defection: The regime was catching on to his unfulfilled plot, hatched in 1996, to overthrow then-ruler Kim Jong Il and assassinate him. Allied with him in that plot, he’s now quoted as saying, was none other than Jang, who was married to Kim Jong Il’s sister.</p>
<p>The JoongAng Ilbo story passes various plausibility tests. For one thing, it suggests a more pressing reason for Hwang to have fled than the weak one he <a href="http://www.fas.org/news/dprk/1997/bg152.html" type="external">recited</a> for public consumption back in 1997: disillusionment with the regime, and criticism from Kim Jong Il that suggested Hwang was to be put out to pasture, excluded from the inner circle, with no further overseas travel privileges after that trip.</p>
<p>Students of North Korea who interview defectors quickly learn that very few of them have left merely because of disaffection.</p>
<p>Normally, uprooting themselves so drastically takes some event that threatens their ability to survive in their home country in reasonable comfort. Getting caught plotting a coup definitely qualifies as such a life-changing event.</p>
<p>Some people hearing his earlier version felt Hwang had been dishonorable to leave his family behind to die for his betrayal (his wife and son were executed). Others thought there might be more to the story because Hwang’s character as it became known was that of an honorable man.</p>
<p>What we know for sure is that it was the rule in North Korea that three generations of the families of political criminals must suffer punishment along with the actual perps.</p>
<p>If the new story is correct about the gravity of the charges Hwang would have faced, we can guess that returning most likely would not have spared his loved ones grievous suffering. Meanwhile, we would not have the information Hwang was determined to bring out with him.</p>
<p>Adding to the newspaper story’s plausibility is the horrible situation that Kim misrule had created for the population by the mid-1990s. Virtually all North Koreans would agree: That was the low point since the formation of a communist state after World War II.</p>
<p>A famine — which experts blame largely on poor policies carried out by leaders who valued their own luxuries and the development of nuclear armament more than the lives of the people — killed multitudes. At least 600,000 died and some estimates put the number in the millions. Somebody within the official apparatus had to find that unacceptable. According to the new story, Jang was prominent among those who, secretly, did.</p>
<p>Also adding to the plausibility of JoongAng Ilbo’s story is that it offers a persuasive narrative that can explain why the young Kim’s action against his uncle last week was so ferocious. That requires explanation because Jang had been known for years as a corrupt official, a womanizer and boozer with views somewhat sympathetic to China’s reform and opening policies. All those were charges against him in his “trial.” But with only that sort of evidence, why would Kim have been surprised and angry enough to have his uncle offed with such haste?</p>
<p>A <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/12/13/north-korean-blood-feud-is-richard-iii-with-nukes.html" type="external">theory</a> to explain that ferocity that had been gaining ground was that sex was at the root of it. Gossip <a href="http://news.ifeng.com/world/special/zhangchengzeluoma/content-5/detail_2013_12/13/32091422_0.shtml#_rightinnewsdoc" type="external">reported</a> in South Korea and China had it that Jang had been involved sexually with Kim’s beautiful wife, entertainer Ri Sol Ju, before her marriage to Kim and had even made sex tapes with her. This theory fit with the fact that Ri, once a staple on national television, had not been seen on TV since October. Kim was said to be in the market for a new first lady.</p>
<p>The sex theory lost ground over the weekend when Ri <a href="http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/12/16/2013121601007.html" type="external">was shown</a> once again on national TV.&#160; (Also reappearing in the news was the name of Kim Jong Un’s aunt, Kim Kyong Hui, whose fate had been in question after her longtime husband was put to death. She was reported to be high on the list of personages to attend another dead official’s funeral. Reports <a href="http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2982092&amp;cloc=joongangdaily%7Chome%7Ctop" type="external">say</a> she divorced Jang before the sentence was carried out.)</p>
<p>We don’t particularly need that gossip-based sex theory now that we have better evidence for an alternative explanation of why Kim would want to dispose of his uncle so brutally: specificially, that the charges Jang was plotting a coup — charges that he <a href="http://www.wikitree.us/story/1461" type="external">allegedly admitted</a> to — were true.</p>
<p>With proper understanding, who knows? Maybe much of the rest of the world will shout “Nice try!” and mourn the fallen Jang.</p>
<p>It’s true that the mantle of mythic would-be savior may not now appear to rest well on Jang’s very human figure. But perhaps some day, when the Kims are gone and the northern part of the Korean peninsula needs a hero from this period to put in the history books, we’ll read that his dissolute behavior was part of an act he put on as disguise — to survive while he watched and waited for a chance to carry out his coup.</p>
<p>And don’t forget that the indictment against him says he confessed that his plan was to wait for Kim’s misrule to collapse, then take over the government and use the piles of money he had squirreled away around the world to rebuild the economy. (Next question: Where is that money? And who will grab it now? Kim? The US Treasury?)</p>
<p>Maybe we’ll even learn that his extreme corruption, grabbing a cut out of every deal to the point foreign investors called him “North Korea’s Mister 10 Percent,” was for the common good.</p>
<p>Maybe. But of course it’s North Korea we’re trying to read here and there is no country more inherently unreadable.</p>
<p>Veteran Asia correspondent Bradley K. Martin is the author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Under-Loving-Care-Fatherly-Leader/dp/0312323220/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_pap?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1387183332&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=under+the+loving+care+of+the+fatherly+leader+north+korea+and+the+kim+dynasty" type="external">Under the Loving Care of the Fatherly Leader: North Korea and the Kim Dynasty</a>.</p> | false | 3 | naalehu hawaii dictator kim jong un executed uncle jang song taek last week left hungry oppressed north koreans bereft man could become countrys greatest hero according latest news south korea jang learn plotting overthrow kim regime briefly nearly two decades living courageously belly beast risking discovery account makes sense 160 lets begin tale february 1997 hwang jang yop former secretary ruling workers party appeared reception tokyo three four foreign correspondents approached 74yearold senior official sound current issues awful north korean economy regimes nuclear program got nowhere hwang totally uncommunicative seemed distracted downcast later reason became apparent hwang trying defect planned make break japan north korean security officers watching closely next stop beijing manage defect first taking refuge south korean embassy south korea devoted remaining 13 years life spilling details pyongyang regimes inner workings warning underestimating capacity evil one obvious question whether anyone remaining inside north korea capability take secondgeneration ruler kim jong il hwang answered yes refused identify publicly person mind obvious reasons give name confidentially south korean security officials though according seoul daily joongang ilbo hwangs answer told longer anything pyongyang regime man hwang speaking jang song taek jangs death sentence last thursday treason nephew marriage current north korean ruler kim jong un carried immediately regime announced according papers unnamed official source hwang told south korean officials real reason defection regime catching unfulfilled plot hatched 1996 overthrow thenruler kim jong il assassinate allied plot hes quoted saying none jang married kim jong ils sister joongang ilbo story passes various plausibility tests one thing suggests pressing reason hwang fled weak one recited public consumption back 1997 disillusionment regime criticism kim jong il suggested hwang put pasture excluded inner circle overseas travel privileges trip students north korea interview defectors quickly learn left merely disaffection normally uprooting drastically takes event threatens ability survive home country reasonable comfort getting caught plotting coup definitely qualifies lifechanging event people hearing earlier version felt hwang dishonorable leave family behind die betrayal wife son executed others thought might story hwangs character became known honorable man know sure rule north korea three generations families political criminals must suffer punishment along actual perps new story correct gravity charges hwang would faced guess returning likely would spared loved ones grievous suffering meanwhile would information hwang determined bring adding newspaper storys plausibility horrible situation kim misrule created population mid1990s virtually north koreans would agree low point since formation communist state world war ii famine experts blame largely poor policies carried leaders valued luxuries development nuclear armament lives people killed multitudes least 600000 died estimates put number millions somebody within official apparatus find unacceptable according new story jang prominent among secretly also adding plausibility joongang ilbos story offers persuasive narrative explain young kims action uncle last week ferocious requires explanation jang known years corrupt official womanizer boozer views somewhat sympathetic chinas reform opening policies charges trial sort evidence would kim surprised angry enough uncle offed haste theory explain ferocity gaining ground sex root gossip reported south korea china jang involved sexually kims beautiful wife entertainer ri sol ju marriage kim even made sex tapes theory fit fact ri staple national television seen tv since october kim said market new first lady sex theory lost ground weekend ri shown national tv160 also reappearing news name kim jong uns aunt kim kyong hui whose fate question longtime husband put death reported high list personages attend another dead officials funeral reports say divorced jang sentence carried dont particularly need gossipbased sex theory better evidence alternative explanation kim would want dispose uncle brutally specificially charges jang plotting coup charges allegedly admitted true proper understanding knows maybe much rest world shout nice try mourn fallen jang true mantle mythic wouldbe savior may appear rest well jangs human figure perhaps day kims gone northern part korean peninsula needs hero period put history books well read dissolute behavior part act put disguise survive watched waited chance carry coup dont forget indictment says confessed plan wait kims misrule collapse take government use piles money squirreled away around world rebuild economy next question money grab kim us treasury maybe well even learn extreme corruption grabbing cut every deal point foreign investors called north koreas mister 10 percent common good maybe course north korea trying read country inherently unreadable veteran asia correspondent bradley k martin author loving care fatherly leader north korea kim dynasty | 722 |
<p>The U.S. Senate confirmed Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>The U.S. Senate confirmed on Friday Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court much to the dismay of LGBT rights supporters who think he’ll oppose LGBT rights and Democrats who say the seat was unfairly awarded to him.</p>
<p>The Senate confirmed him to the seat by a largely party-line vote of 54-45, although Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) joined Republicans to confirm the nominee. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), who’s recovering from back surgery, missed the vote.</p>
<p>Russell Roybal, deputy executive director for the National LGBTQ Task Force, said in a statement the confirmation amounts to “the triumph of bullying over moderation.”</p>
<p>“Taking their lead from the Bully-in-Chief Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell twisted and turned the rules of the Senate to ram this extremist nominee through — slashing and burning safeguards for moderation, such as the rule calling for a 60 votes threshold needed to confirm an Associate Supreme Court Justice,” Roybal said. “We now have a new Justice who is so conservative that he makes Antonin Scalia look moderate,”</p>
<p>The Gorsuch confirmation is a win for President Trump after a first 100 days in office marked by questions about his presidential campaign’s relationship with Russia, the failure of legislation he endorsed to repeal Obamacare and national security challenges in Syria and North Korea.</p>
<p>But Democrats put up a fight in the road to confirmation, citing Senate Republicans’ unwillingness to even hold a hearing for President Obama’s choice for the seat — U.S. Circuit Judge Merrick Garland — when it was first made open by the death of the U.S. Associate Justice Antonin Scalia last year.</p>
<p>Democrats on Thursday successfully filibustered by the nomination after speaking out on the Senate floor against Gorsuch on the Senate. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who said he’d filibuster any nominee other than Garland, spoke for 15 hours on the Senate floor against Trump’s nominee.</p>
<p>In the end, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was able to move forward by changing the rules and exercising the “nuclear option,” which ended the ability for senators to filibuster nominees to the Supreme Court. McConnell cited as precedent for this action former Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid ending the filibuster in 2013 for administrative appointments and lower court judicial nominees.</p>
<p>Commending McConnell for his actions to ensure the confirmation of Gorsuch was Tony Perkins, president of the anti-LGBT Family Research Council.</p>
<p>“Leader McConnell is to be commended for holding fast to historical precedent of not allowing an outgoing president to pack the Court with ideological jurists on his way out of the White House,” Perkins said. “The Supreme Court vacancy after the death of Justice Scalia became a defining issue of the 2016 presidential election. President Trump made history by telling voters who he would appoint to the Court by providing a list — the American people chose him and he in turn chose from the list, keeping his promise.”</p>
<p>LGBT rights supporters have expressed concerns about Gorsuch largely because of his record as a judge on the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.</p>
<p>Chief among those concerns is a ruling the Hobby Lobby case in which he determined the retail chain should afforded “religious freedom” despite requirements under Obamacare to deny contraceptive coverage for female employees. Many LGBT rights supporters say that could be a prelude to Gorsuch being willing to institute “religious freedom” carve-outs in LGBT non-discrimination laws.</p>
<p>Other LGBT criticism over Gorsuch relates to his decisions on transgender rights. In 2015, Gorsuch joined an 11th Circuit decision against a transgender inmate who alleged she was denied transition-related hormone therapy and unfairly housed in an all-male facility. In 2009, Gorsuch also joined an unpublished opinion finding the provision against sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 doesn’t apply to transgender people.</p>
<p>In a 2005 op-ed for the National Review “Liberals &amp; Lawsuits,” Gorsuch excoriated the progressive movement for seeking advancements in the courts, identifying same-sex marriage an issue that should be decided elsewhere a decade before the Supreme Court would rule for marriage equality nationwide.</p>
<p>Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO of GLAAD, condemned Senate Republicans for the confirmation of Gorsuch in a statement based on his anti-LGBT rulings and writings.</p>
<p>“Republicans in the Senate just destroyed a steadfast American tradition for the purpose of confirming a person to the U.S. Supreme Court who will most certainly vote in opposition to the safety and well-being of the LGBTQ community and many marginalized groups for his entire career on the bench,” Ellis said. “With his history of siding against transgender Americans and arguing against marriage equality, Neil Gorsuch is yet another reprehensible pawn in the Trump Administration’s goal of erasing the LGBTQ community from the fabric of America.”</p>
<p>During his confirmation hearing, Gorsuch said the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage is “settled law,” but added “there is ongoing litigation about its impact and application right now,” suggesting he thinks limitations to the ruling are still on the table. According to the Human Rights Campaign, Gorsuch also refused to answer in response to written questions from the Senate whether he thinks LGBT people are eligible for protections under current federal civil rights laws.</p>
<p>Stan Sloan, CEO of the Family Equality Council, said in a statement he hopes concerns about Gorsuch’s views on legal protections for LGBT people prove incorrect now that the jurist has been confirmed to the Supreme Court.</p>
<p>“Family Equality Council opposed the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court, and we are disappointed that this confirmation is now a reality,” Sloan said. “We hope that our fears concerning his ability to assure fair treatment of LGBTQ individuals and families — and members of all marginalized communities — will now be proven wrong, and that Justice Gorsuch rises to support and protect the civil liberties of all Americans.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Family Equality Council</a> <a href="" type="internal">National LGBTQ Task Force</a> <a href="" type="internal">Neil Gorsuch</a> <a href="" type="internal">Russell Roybal</a> <a href="" type="internal">Stan Sloan</a></p> | false | 3 | us senate confirmed neil gorsuch us supreme court washington blade photo michael key us senate confirmed friday neil gorsuch us supreme court much dismay lgbt rights supporters think hell oppose lgbt rights democrats say seat unfairly awarded senate confirmed seat largely partyline vote 5445 although sens joe manchin dwva joe donnelly dind heidi heitkamp dnd joined republicans confirm nominee sen johnny isakson rga whos recovering back surgery missed vote russell roybal deputy executive director national lgbtq task force said statement confirmation amounts triumph bullying moderation taking lead bullyinchief donald trump mitch mcconnell twisted turned rules senate ram extremist nominee slashing burning safeguards moderation rule calling 60 votes threshold needed confirm associate supreme court justice roybal said new justice conservative makes antonin scalia look moderate gorsuch confirmation win president trump first 100 days office marked questions presidential campaigns relationship russia failure legislation endorsed repeal obamacare national security challenges syria north korea democrats put fight road confirmation citing senate republicans unwillingness even hold hearing president obamas choice seat us circuit judge merrick garland first made open death us associate justice antonin scalia last year democrats thursday successfully filibustered nomination speaking senate floor gorsuch senate sen jeff merkley dore said hed filibuster nominee garland spoke 15 hours senate floor trumps nominee end senate majority leader mitch mcconnell rky able move forward changing rules exercising nuclear option ended ability senators filibuster nominees supreme court mcconnell cited precedent action former senate democratic leader harry reid ending filibuster 2013 administrative appointments lower court judicial nominees commending mcconnell actions ensure confirmation gorsuch tony perkins president antilgbt family research council leader mcconnell commended holding fast historical precedent allowing outgoing president pack court ideological jurists way white house perkins said supreme court vacancy death justice scalia became defining issue 2016 presidential election president trump made history telling voters would appoint court providing list american people chose turn chose list keeping promise lgbt rights supporters expressed concerns gorsuch largely record judge us 11th circuit court appeals chief among concerns ruling hobby lobby case determined retail chain afforded religious freedom despite requirements obamacare deny contraceptive coverage female employees many lgbt rights supporters say could prelude gorsuch willing institute religious freedom carveouts lgbt nondiscrimination laws lgbt criticism gorsuch relates decisions transgender rights 2015 gorsuch joined 11th circuit decision transgender inmate alleged denied transitionrelated hormone therapy unfairly housed allmale facility 2009 gorsuch also joined unpublished opinion finding provision sex discrimination title vii civil rights act 1964 doesnt apply transgender people 2005 oped national review liberals amp lawsuits gorsuch excoriated progressive movement seeking advancements courts identifying samesex marriage issue decided elsewhere decade supreme court would rule marriage equality nationwide sarah kate ellis ceo glaad condemned senate republicans confirmation gorsuch statement based antilgbt rulings writings republicans senate destroyed steadfast american tradition purpose confirming person us supreme court certainly vote opposition safety wellbeing lgbtq community many marginalized groups entire career bench ellis said history siding transgender americans arguing marriage equality neil gorsuch yet another reprehensible pawn trump administrations goal erasing lgbtq community fabric america confirmation hearing gorsuch said us supreme court ruling favor samesex marriage settled law added ongoing litigation impact application right suggesting thinks limitations ruling still table according human rights campaign gorsuch also refused answer response written questions senate whether thinks lgbt people eligible protections current federal civil rights laws stan sloan ceo family equality council said statement hopes concerns gorsuchs views legal protections lgbt people prove incorrect jurist confirmed supreme court family equality council opposed confirmation neil gorsuch supreme court disappointed confirmation reality sloan said hope fears concerning ability assure fair treatment lgbtq individuals families members marginalized communities proven wrong justice gorsuch rises support protect civil liberties americans family equality council national lgbtq task force neil gorsuch russell roybal stan sloan | 618 |
<p>There’s a Dunkin’ Donuts at the corner of 31st and Halsted in west Chicago where Peter Nickeas likes to hang out between shootings. It’s open all night, which means an endless supply of cheap coffee, and a clean bathroom. “You kinda need a home base,” he tells The Trace.</p>
<p>Usually the&#160;breaks don’t last very long. When he hears reports of a homicide crackle on&#160;the police scanner, Nickeas slams his&#160;car in gear&#160;and speeds&#160;in that direction. After four years of covering crime and breaking news for the Chicago Tribune, he&#160;knows the city’s layout almost by heart.</p>
<p>Climbing out of the car, he will start to take in the scene: cops unfurling crime tape, neighbors wandering over, the blinking lights of police cars casting a bluish hue over the motionless human form on the ground.</p>
<p>Then, he waits. “You just try to keep your eyes open and your mouth shut,” he says. One night in late October, Nickeas reached the scene of a homicide before the victim’s family members had arrived. He watched as they began to show up: a sister, a brother, a mother. He watched as a cop shone his flashlight on the victim’s face so the sister could identify him. He saw the young woman nod, then go sit in the squad car and weep. When she had stopped crying, Nickeas went over to her and the mother. He introduced himself, and asked if they felt like talking. They began to tell him all about the boy who’d been killed.</p>
<p>“You guys seem remarkably collected,” he said.</p>
<p>“What are you gonna do?” replied the mother, resigned. She told Nickeas her son had been gangbanging since he was 12, and that she’d been expecting this night for a long time.</p>
<p>Knowing when to approach someone requires patience and perceptiveness. Sometimes he waits three or four hours before trying to interview a family member. “You’re dealing with people on the worst day of their lives. Be respectful of it,” Nickeas, 29, often tells junior reporters in training. “I personally won’t talk to a mother if she’s grieving or if she’s crying.” Nine times out of 10, people want nothing to do with him. “We strike out more than we connect,” he says.</p>
<p>55/Halsted man shot <a href="http://t.co/roZO584afj" type="external">pic.twitter.com/roZO584afj</a></p>
<p>— Peter Nickeas (@PeterNickeas) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterNickeas/status/641161326434193409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" type="external">September 8, 2015</a></p>
<p />
<p>This is the craft of the crime reporters who make a living documenting their cities’ bloodshed. Every night, by the yellow glow of streetlamps or the candlelight at prayer vigils, they jot names and ages of victims in lined notebooks. Behind each daily headline is another story, this one about the reporters determined to document the violence, hoping&#160;that readers might&#160;care,&#160;risking they’ll&#160;see something they&#160;can’t&#160;forget.</p>
<p>Jonathan Bullington, 33, is a breaking news and crime reporter for NOLA.com |&#160;The Times-Picayune. He tries to convey to readers the feel of a crime scene in New Orleans, Louisiana — in particular, how often children seem to be around. One morning in early September, he went to cover a triple shooting in the Central City neighborhood. A young girl had been outside her house when shots were fired. She wasn’t hit, but she saw three people fall to the ground. Afterward, Bullington approached the girl and her mother. He asked the girl how old she was. She held up a little thumb, pointer finger, and middle finger: three. “They shoot,” she explained.</p>
<p>The most stressful part of the job — by far — is the stress of watching and absorbing the range of emotion after someone loses a loved one.&#160;There’s going to be grief, and anger, and a lot of volatility and tension.”</p>
<p>“There’s kids outside playing just on the other side of police tape,” he says.&#160;“That’s really messed up, that this is a thing that they just see.”</p>
<p>Crime reporting can come with occupational hazards. Bullington says he’s been threatened at a murder scene. Beneath his Timberland jacket, Nickeas wears a bulletproof vest. He insists he’s more worried about getting hit by a drunk driver than a stray bullet. Still, it’s a safety precaution police said he was crazy not to take. “I’ve been close enough to gunfire to hear it ringing in your ear,” he says.</p>
<p>Much harder to protect is a reporter’s psyche. “The most stressful part of the job — by far — is the stress of watching and absorbing the range of emotion after someone loses a loved one,” Nickeas wrote in an email. “There’s going to be grief, and anger, and a lot of volatility and tension.” He recounts one night when two mothers dragged their teenage sons out of bed and forced them to look at a 14-year-old boy lying dead in the street. The boys stood half-dressed and bleary-eyed as the women hollered at them, saying they could be next. “I want y’all to see firsthand,” said one.</p>
<p />
<p>The worst is hearing people scream — especially mothers — at the sight of a dead loved one. “It’s a wail and a cry and it’s pain and anger and confusion and disbelief,” says Bullington. “I don’t care how many movies you watch, how great the actors are, they will never get it right. It’s just a sound … It’s tough to get out of your head.”</p>
<p>There’s no formula for how long crime reporters last before burning out, or if they ever will. Chuck Rabin, who’s been reporting for the Miami Herald&#160;in Florida for 35 years, estimates that “four or five years” is about as long as most journalists stay on the crime beat before switching to something lighter. But with some newsrooms short-staffed, that’s not always an option. Jody Callahan has been writing for&#160;The Commercial Appeal&#160;in Memphis, Tennessee, since 1994, and has focused on crime for the last decade. Reporting on so much death has warped his sense of tragedy, to the point that he’s no longer shocked by 16 and 17-year-old gunshot victims. These days he finds it tough to have positive thoughts about his city. “I think it’s largely because of the crap I have to cover. It grates on you, the evil and the stupidity that you see.</p>
<p>“That said,” he adds, “if somebody else slams my town I’m going to get in their face about it, because they don’t live here. You keep your trap shut.”</p>
<p>This job has made me more sensitive. A lot more sensitive. You just figure, you do something enough, you’re just gonna get hard, you’re just gonna become callous. But for us to be able to do our jobs well you need to be able to convey emotion.”</p>
<p>It’s a familiar pattern: Reporters eventually leave every crime scene they visit, but some scenes never leave them. “I try to, I think all reporters try to compartmentalize things. But it’s hard. I’d be a liar if I said it didn’t creep in,” says Bullington. “I find myself being depressed about things or sad or frustrated, or feeling hopeless about stuff.” A few weeks ago, while sitting in Jackson Square with his wife, he started to feel nervous around all the people, and wanted to leave.</p>
<p>There are times he asks himself, “Why the hell am I doing this? Why would anyone do this?”</p>
<p>Nickeas has an answer: “There’s nothing that touches so much of the city. It touches economics. It speaks to development of neighborhoods. It touches kids in a way that I think is probably underreported.”</p>
<p>At the beginning of 2015, Nickeas had been to about 550 crime scenes. Then he stopped keeping track. He doesn’t think any single one has altered him permanently. “When I’m at a scene, I lock it down,” he says. But under layers of jacket and hoodie, and the bulletproof vest he wears just in case, he tries to keep part of himself exposed. “This job has made me more sensitive. A lot more sensitive.” He goes on. “You just figure, you do something enough, you’re just gonna get hard, you’re just gonna become callous. But for us to be able to do our jobs well you need to be able to convey emotion.”</p>
<p>When he first started covering crime on the overnight shift four years ago, Nickeas saw it as a foot in the door. He planned to do it for a few years and eventually work his way to another beat. But as he went to more crime scenes, something shifted. “Instead of it being something I wanted to get off of as quickly as possible … it became what it is now.”</p>
<p>When he’s off the clock, he goes fishing in the harbor and practices woodworking. Recently, he made his own kitchen table. The hobbies take his mind away from work for a moment, and equip him for the long haul. “It’s draining, but the response isn’t to do less journalism. It’s to figure out ways to deal with it.”</p>
<p>[Photo:&#160;Michael DeMocker, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune]</p> | false | 3 | theres dunkin donuts corner 31st halsted west chicago peter nickeas likes hang shootings open night means endless supply cheap coffee clean bathroom kinda need home base tells trace usually the160breaks dont last long hears reports homicide crackle on160the police scanner nickeas slams his160car gear160and speeds160in direction four years covering crime breaking news chicago tribune he160knows citys layout almost heart climbing car start take scene cops unfurling crime tape neighbors wandering blinking lights police cars casting bluish hue motionless human form ground waits try keep eyes open mouth shut says one night late october nickeas reached scene homicide victims family members arrived watched began show sister brother mother watched cop shone flashlight victims face sister could identify saw young woman nod go sit squad car weep stopped crying nickeas went mother introduced asked felt like talking began tell boy whod killed guys seem remarkably collected said gon na replied mother resigned told nickeas son gangbanging since 12 shed expecting night long time knowing approach someone requires patience perceptiveness sometimes waits three four hours trying interview family member youre dealing people worst day lives respectful nickeas 29 often tells junior reporters training personally wont talk mother shes grieving shes crying nine times 10 people want nothing strike connect says 55halsted man shot pictwittercomrozo584afj peter nickeas peternickeas september 8 2015 craft crime reporters make living documenting cities bloodshed every night yellow glow streetlamps candlelight prayer vigils jot names ages victims lined notebooks behind daily headline another story one reporters determined document violence hoping160that readers might160care160risking theyll160see something they160cant160forget jonathan bullington 33 breaking news crime reporter nolacom 160the timespicayune tries convey readers feel crime scene new orleans louisiana particular often children seem around one morning early september went cover triple shooting central city neighborhood young girl outside house shots fired wasnt hit saw three people fall ground afterward bullington approached girl mother asked girl old held little thumb pointer finger middle finger three shoot explained stressful part job far stress watching absorbing range emotion someone loses loved one160theres going grief anger lot volatility tension theres kids outside playing side police tape says160thats really messed thing see crime reporting come occupational hazards bullington says hes threatened murder scene beneath timberland jacket nickeas wears bulletproof vest insists hes worried getting hit drunk driver stray bullet still safety precaution police said crazy take ive close enough gunfire hear ringing ear says much harder protect reporters psyche stressful part job far stress watching absorbing range emotion someone loses loved one nickeas wrote email theres going grief anger lot volatility tension recounts one night two mothers dragged teenage sons bed forced look 14yearold boy lying dead street boys stood halfdressed blearyeyed women hollered saying could next want yall see firsthand said one worst hearing people scream especially mothers sight dead loved one wail cry pain anger confusion disbelief says bullington dont care many movies watch great actors never get right sound tough get head theres formula long crime reporters last burning ever chuck rabin whos reporting miami herald160in florida 35 years estimates four five years long journalists stay crime beat switching something lighter newsrooms shortstaffed thats always option jody callahan writing for160the commercial appeal160in memphis tennessee since 1994 focused crime last decade reporting much death warped sense tragedy point hes longer shocked 16 17yearold gunshot victims days finds tough positive thoughts city think largely crap cover grates evil stupidity see said adds somebody else slams town im going get face dont live keep trap shut job made sensitive lot sensitive figure something enough youre gon na get hard youre gon na become callous us able jobs well need able convey emotion familiar pattern reporters eventually leave every crime scene visit scenes never leave try think reporters try compartmentalize things hard id liar said didnt creep says bullington find depressed things sad frustrated feeling hopeless stuff weeks ago sitting jackson square wife started feel nervous around people wanted leave times asks hell would anyone nickeas answer theres nothing touches much city touches economics speaks development neighborhoods touches kids way think probably underreported beginning 2015 nickeas 550 crime scenes stopped keeping track doesnt think single one altered permanently im scene lock says layers jacket hoodie bulletproof vest wears case tries keep part exposed job made sensitive lot sensitive goes figure something enough youre gon na get hard youre gon na become callous us able jobs well need able convey emotion first started covering crime overnight shift four years ago nickeas saw foot door planned years eventually work way another beat went crime scenes something shifted instead something wanted get quickly possible became hes clock goes fishing harbor practices woodworking recently made kitchen table hobbies take mind away work moment equip long haul draining response isnt less journalism figure ways deal photo160michael democker nolacom timespicayune | 793 |
<p>A growing number of parents seem to be intrigued by <a href="http://www.wbez.org/news/more-standardized-tests-more-chicago-parents-looking-ways-out-103965" type="external">the idea of “opting out” from CPS tests</a>, but are wondering about the implications of not having their children sit for the exams.</p>
<p>About 75 people attended a Raise Your Hand forum on testing Thursday night. Also, a Facebook group called Opt Out Chicago now has about 100 members.</p>
<p>Terry Walter, an officer for the district’s Office of Curriculum and Instruction, told the people at the forum that “we are listening” and that the issue of test prep instruction and high stakes accountability “is real.”</p>
<p>“The folks I am working with at Central Office are really trying to think through a rational approach to this,” she said.</p>
<p>A report released by the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research in fall 2011 <a href="http://ccsr.uchicago.edu/publications/trends-chicagos-schools-across-three-eras-reform-full-report" type="external">found that</a> a focus on test prep at low-achieving schools <a href="http://gapersblock.com/mechanics/2011/10/04/finding-more-in-the-chicago-school-consortiums-findings/" type="external">may have actually lowered students’ scores in those schools</a> during the period when CPS switched from the Iowa Test to the ISAT.</p>
<p>Panelist Noah Sobe, associate professor of cultural and educational policy studies at Loyola University Chicago, said that high-stakes testing is a new occurrence.</p>
<p>“It’s a misconception that we’ve always done it, and that there is no alternative,” Sobe said.</p>
<p>Sobe says assessments have always aimed to help people understand what is going on in schools, going back to the 19th-century spelling bee and continuing through the science fairs we have today. &#160;But standardized tests began in the early 20th century, with intelligence tests, and aren’t well geared toward measuring critical thinking skills. “How many of us, in our daily lives, encounter a situation where there is a right answer to a question?” Sobe asked.</p>
<p>Madeline Kobayashi, who teaches 7th- and 8th-grade language arts at Rogers Elementary, spoke of watching “kids freak out, panic, cry” because of fear that they would fail the 8t- grade tests and be held back.</p>
<p>Kobayashi added that even teachers who oppose test prep feel like they must spend some time on it because “no matter if I like it or not, my scores are going to be looked at.”</p>
<p>A teacher’s dilemma</p>
<p>“It is really hard for teachers out there who are trying to do good by our kids, and also realize we will be judged by our test scores,” she said.</p>
<p>Mike Byrley, whose child is in kindergarten at Goethe Elementary, says his main concern about testing is the loss of instruction time for students.</p>
<p>“Their teacher is being occupied for an hour at a time [doing tests rather than teaching] – that’s what we have witnessed firsthand,” says Byrley, who volunteers at the school. “We are interested in seeing some major change in the big picture. We would like our child to opt out if it doesn’t harm the school.”</p>
<p>Some parents were concerned about possible blowback to schools and teachers from missed standardized tests. One asked if it would create more work for her children’s teachers if she opted them out of standardized testing.</p>
<p>“If I had students that were opting out, I would have them gladly read a book,” replied panelist Anne Carlson, a 4th– through 6th-grade teacher at Drummond Montessori.</p>
<p>Kylene Young, a teacher at Pulaski International School and Teach Plus Policy Fellow, asked the group about how opting out of test scores would affect a child’s chance at getting into selective enrollment schools. “We are very serious with our 7th-grade students” about the importance of those scores, she said. (Results on 7th-grade test figure into admission to selective-enrollment schools.)</p>
<p>A risky decision for kids</p>
<p>Raise Your Hand Founder Wendy Katten replied that she “would say it’s a bad idea” for a 7th-grade student who wants to apply to a selective enrollment school to sit out the ISAT.</p>
<p>But Goethe parent Cassie Creswell chimed in, “If enough people stand up and say, `it’s wrong… are we going cut all these people out of applying to selective enrollment?’”</p>
<p>Eben Credit, a community representative on Julian High School’s local school council, said he intended to take information back to parents at his school. He thinks they would be interested in having their students opt out of tests but added that many don’t know it is an option.</p>
<p>“Information like this, they don’t really get,” Credit said.</p>
<p>However, opting out is in a gray area of CPS policy, with the action taking place at the school level. The parent group PURE offers this <a href="http://pureparents.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/57/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/OptOutlegalreferences.pdf" type="external">fact sheet</a>.</p>
<p>Erica Clark, of Parents 4 Teachers, said that “to change course, it’s going to take more than a few of us deciding to opt out.”</p>
<p>“We need to start thinking about what are some ways we can build a broader movement,” Clark said, even floating the possibility of a “mass system-wide boycott.”</p>
<p>Calls for a boycott</p>
<p>Near the end of the forum, organizers had the audience break into small groups and discuss possible strategies.</p>
<p>“People seem to think that opting out is like, ‘I don’t want my kids to take this test.’ But I think that if enough people do it, it’s direct action, it’s civil disobedience,” Creswell said.</p>
<p>Carol Caref, the Chicago Teachers Union’s Quest Center coordinator who was sitting across from Creswell, added that “what’s important is that this is a social issue, it’s not an individual issue of my kid taking or not taking the test.”</p>
<p>Increased concern about testing in CPS is not just about multiple-choice, standardized tests, but also the performance tasks in the REACH assessment system, used in part to evaluate teachers.</p>
<p>Performance tasks are viewed as more relevant to coursework than the ISAT. Students show their work, and teachers score the results on a 4-point scale. This kind of assessment is aimed at better capturing content knowledge, critical thinking skills and activities teachers cover in class.</p>
<p>However, the REACH assessments have been <a href="http://catalyst-chicago.org/2012/11/new-performance-tasks-show-promise-also-problems/" type="external">hampered by several logistical problems this year,</a> likely because of the short time frame to develop and pilot them.</p>
<p>Diane Munoz, who teaches English and English Language Learner classes at Mather High School, complained that her children sat through many consecutive hours of testing in the same day due to the REACH performance tasks being administered in every class.</p>
<p>“It really saddens me to think there is an 8th-grade student who has to sit through six [REACH performance tasks],” Walter said. “The REACH performance tasks are for a teacher to give, not necessarily for a student to get in every subject.”</p>
<p>This article has been corrected to indicate the school where Cassie Creswell is a parent.</p> | false | 3 | growing number parents seem intrigued idea opting cps tests wondering implications children sit exams 75 people attended raise hand forum testing thursday night also facebook group called opt chicago 100 members terry walter officer districts office curriculum instruction told people forum listening issue test prep instruction high stakes accountability real folks working central office really trying think rational approach said report released university chicago consortium school research fall 2011 found focus test prep lowachieving schools may actually lowered students scores schools period cps switched iowa test isat panelist noah sobe associate professor cultural educational policy studies loyola university chicago said highstakes testing new occurrence misconception weve always done alternative sobe said sobe says assessments always aimed help people understand going schools going back 19thcentury spelling bee continuing science fairs today 160but standardized tests began early 20th century intelligence tests arent well geared toward measuring critical thinking skills many us daily lives encounter situation right answer question sobe asked madeline kobayashi teaches 7th 8thgrade language arts rogers elementary spoke watching kids freak panic cry fear would fail 8t grade tests held back kobayashi added even teachers oppose test prep feel like must spend time matter like scores going looked teachers dilemma really hard teachers trying good kids also realize judged test scores said mike byrley whose child kindergarten goethe elementary says main concern testing loss instruction time students teacher occupied hour time tests rather teaching thats witnessed firsthand says byrley volunteers school interested seeing major change big picture would like child opt doesnt harm school parents concerned possible blowback schools teachers missed standardized tests one asked would create work childrens teachers opted standardized testing students opting would gladly read book replied panelist anne carlson 4th 6thgrade teacher drummond montessori kylene young teacher pulaski international school teach plus policy fellow asked group opting test scores would affect childs chance getting selective enrollment schools serious 7thgrade students importance scores said results 7thgrade test figure admission selectiveenrollment schools risky decision kids raise hand founder wendy katten replied would say bad idea 7thgrade student wants apply selective enrollment school sit isat goethe parent cassie creswell chimed enough people stand say wrong going cut people applying selective enrollment eben credit community representative julian high schools local school council said intended take information back parents school thinks would interested students opt tests added many dont know option information like dont really get credit said however opting gray area cps policy action taking place school level parent group pure offers fact sheet erica clark parents 4 teachers said change course going take us deciding opt need start thinking ways build broader movement clark said even floating possibility mass systemwide boycott calls boycott near end forum organizers audience break small groups discuss possible strategies people seem think opting like dont want kids take test think enough people direct action civil disobedience creswell said carol caref chicago teachers unions quest center coordinator sitting across creswell added whats important social issue individual issue kid taking taking test increased concern testing cps multiplechoice standardized tests also performance tasks reach assessment system used part evaluate teachers performance tasks viewed relevant coursework isat students show work teachers score results 4point scale kind assessment aimed better capturing content knowledge critical thinking skills activities teachers cover class however reach assessments hampered several logistical problems year likely short time frame develop pilot diane munoz teaches english english language learner classes mather high school complained children sat many consecutive hours testing day due reach performance tasks administered every class really saddens think 8thgrade student sit six reach performance tasks walter said reach performance tasks teacher give necessarily student get every subject article corrected indicate school cassie creswell parent | 610 |
<p>Establishing small groups within a large church — heralded by some as a remedy to the drawbacks of burgeoning congregation size — is “good medicine,” but not a cure-all, according to a national study by Baylor University sociologists.</p>
<p>“Simply having a small-group program in a church is no guarantee of success,” said <a href="http://www.baylor.edu/sociology/index.php?id=65036" type="external">Kevin Dougherty</a>, an assistant professor in Baylor’s department of sociology and co-author of the article “A Place to Belong: Small Group Involvement in Religious Congregations,” published in the March issue of the journal Sociology of Religion.</p>
<p />
<p>What matters is that the groups meet regularly, members trust one another enough to divulge matters they would not tell to a stranger, and they tackle tough issues in one another’s lives, Dougherty said. He and Andrew Whitehead, a Baylor graduate student in sociology, conducted the study.</p>
<p>Members of small groups — whether in small churches or megachurches with 2,000 or more members — are more likely to attend worship, tithe and volunteer, Dougherty said.</p>
<p>“Highly committed members make a church strong, whether big or small,” he said.</p>
<p>A growing number of Americans attend large congregations. Nearly a third of worshippers attend congregations with a weekly attendance of 1,000 or more, although fewer than 3 percent of the country’s congregations are that size. Past research by Dougherty and others shows that people in large congregations typically attend less, give less financially and feel less belonging than people in smaller congregations.</p>
<p>Dougherty and Whitehead tested the effectiveness of small groups at raising levels of participation and belonging. They studied the role of Bible study and prayer groups, using national data obtained from the <a href="http://www.thearda.com/Archive/Files/Descriptions/USCLSRA.asp" type="external">2001 U.S. Congregational Life Survey</a>, with 78,474 respondents in 401 congregations, as well as data from a survey of 1,014 participants within an unidentified megachurch referred to in the study as Central Texas Megachurch. The church began in 1999 with an emphasis on cell groups. Today the church has more than 100 cell groups and attracts more than 3,000 worshippers weekly.</p>
<p>Study findings support the importance of small groups.</p>
<p>“Any type of small group will benefit a church, whether it’s a Sunday school, a service group or a basketball league, because of the belonging and commitment they foster,” Dougherty said. “But small Bible study and prayer groups are better at promoting discipleship and spiritual growth.”</p>
<p>Almost 90 percent of the nondenominational Central Texas church’s participants are in a small group, with groups typically consisting of eight to 15 members, usually in the same life stage. They gather in homes to sing, discuss, pray and receive instruction. “Small groups are the center of the church — not just one of many programs,” Dougherty said.</p>
<p>Frequency of attendance is more important for successful small groups than is length of attendance, he said, and “small size and regular interaction help foster trust. When people trust one another, they open themselves to deeper inspection and reflection. Great possibilities for change result.”</p>
<p>At <a href="http://www.theheights.org/" type="external">The Heights Baptist Church</a> in Richardson, Texas, with about 3,000 weekly worshippers, many small groups have been started by worshippers who said they wanted to “go deeper,” said Chris Havard, pastor of spiritual growth and formation.</p>
<p>He suggested topics they explore — such as prayer and building mates’ self-esteem—and accompanying questions, Bible passages and books. “It’s not tons of work, but it’s practical,” he said.</p>
<p>At <a href="http://cbcwaco.com/" type="external">Calvary Baptist Church in Waco</a>, Texas, with about 200 worshippers, “life groups” that began several years ago “just exploded,” said Kessa Payne, who served on an interim basis in Calvary’s small-group ministry.</p>
<p>“Once the first group had been around for eight months, they started new ones, from four groups to a peak of 27 groups,” Payne said. “Part of the philosophy is that you don’t lead a group until you’ve been part of one. Another part is ‘No one ever leads alone.’”</p>
<p>They share meals and life stories and choose what they wish to study. Members are more apt to be involved on Sunday mornings and serve one another and the community — a low-income, high-crime neighborhood — during the week by mentoring youths or tending a community garden, she said.</p>
<p>Small groups risk crossing the line from intimacy to cliquishness. By constantly adding new members, “you can’t go very deep, because it takes time to build relationships and trust,” Havard said. “But a closed group, while it’s good for intimacy, lends itself to being inward-based. We want them to serve and think outside themselves.”</p>
<p>At <a href="http://fbcrichmond.org/" type="external">First Baptist Church in Richmond, Va.</a>, with about 1,200 worshippers, church members are trying a “microchurch” approach as well as traditional worship and Bible study and small groups. Pastor Jim Somerville encourages “a very flexible, loose format,” said Steve Booth, associate pastor for Christian formation. Sermons are telecast and streamed live, and some members meet in homes to view and discuss sermon clips, sing or incorporate other activities.</p>
<p>While many churches have opened multiple campuses, the microchurches “are an answer to multisites instead of opening full-blown campuses,” Booth said. “It’s an open form of small groups. Our philosophy is that not everyone is ready for [more structured] small groups.”</p>
<p>The best way to get people into small groups is by personal invitation, Dougherty said, while the challenge is to help new members find a group.</p>
<p>“For growing churches, this can occur by regularly forming new groups,” he said. “A second approach is to limit the time period for which groups meet. For example, groups might exist for one year and then be expected to split or multiply or be reconfigured in some other way.</p>
<p>“In congregations where people are empowered to form groups around shared interests, there should never be a shortage of groups to join. And more groups mean more active members, if done right.”</p> | false | 3 | establishing small groups within large church heralded remedy drawbacks burgeoning congregation size good medicine cureall according national study baylor university sociologists simply smallgroup program church guarantee success said kevin dougherty assistant professor baylors department sociology coauthor article place belong small group involvement religious congregations published march issue journal sociology religion matters groups meet regularly members trust one another enough divulge matters would tell stranger tackle tough issues one anothers lives dougherty said andrew whitehead baylor graduate student sociology conducted study members small groups whether small churches megachurches 2000 members likely attend worship tithe volunteer dougherty said highly committed members make church strong whether big small said growing number americans attend large congregations nearly third worshippers attend congregations weekly attendance 1000 although fewer 3 percent countrys congregations size past research dougherty others shows people large congregations typically attend less give less financially feel less belonging people smaller congregations dougherty whitehead tested effectiveness small groups raising levels participation belonging studied role bible study prayer groups using national data obtained 2001 us congregational life survey 78474 respondents 401 congregations well data survey 1014 participants within unidentified megachurch referred study central texas megachurch church began 1999 emphasis cell groups today church 100 cell groups attracts 3000 worshippers weekly study findings support importance small groups type small group benefit church whether sunday school service group basketball league belonging commitment foster dougherty said small bible study prayer groups better promoting discipleship spiritual growth almost 90 percent nondenominational central texas churchs participants small group groups typically consisting eight 15 members usually life stage gather homes sing discuss pray receive instruction small groups center church one many programs dougherty said frequency attendance important successful small groups length attendance said small size regular interaction help foster trust people trust one another open deeper inspection reflection great possibilities change result heights baptist church richardson texas 3000 weekly worshippers many small groups started worshippers said wanted go deeper said chris havard pastor spiritual growth formation suggested topics explore prayer building mates selfesteemand accompanying questions bible passages books tons work practical said calvary baptist church waco texas 200 worshippers life groups began several years ago exploded said kessa payne served interim basis calvarys smallgroup ministry first group around eight months started new ones four groups peak 27 groups payne said part philosophy dont lead group youve part one another part one ever leads alone share meals life stories choose wish study members apt involved sunday mornings serve one another community lowincome highcrime neighborhood week mentoring youths tending community garden said small groups risk crossing line intimacy cliquishness constantly adding new members cant go deep takes time build relationships trust havard said closed group good intimacy lends inwardbased want serve think outside first baptist church richmond va 1200 worshippers church members trying microchurch approach well traditional worship bible study small groups pastor jim somerville encourages flexible loose format said steve booth associate pastor christian formation sermons telecast streamed live members meet homes view discuss sermon clips sing incorporate activities many churches opened multiple campuses microchurches answer multisites instead opening fullblown campuses booth said open form small groups philosophy everyone ready structured small groups best way get people small groups personal invitation dougherty said challenge help new members find group growing churches occur regularly forming new groups said second approach limit time period groups meet example groups might exist one year expected split multiply reconfigured way congregations people empowered form groups around shared interests never shortage groups join groups mean active members done right | 580 |
<p>Call it the Drought War. Democratic California Sen. Dianne Feinstein is fighting with three Republican U.S. representatives over water policy in this parched state.</p>
<p>On Jan. 17, Minority Whip Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield, Rep. Devin Nunes of Tulare and Rep. David Valadao of Hanford sent <a href="http://mavensnotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Nunes-et-al-to-Feinstein.pdf" type="external">a joint letter</a> on the drought to Feinstein. The letter inquired about&#160;her solutions to the currently emerging California historic drought.&#160;</p>
<p>The&#160; <a href="http://mavensnotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Nunes-et-al-to-Feinstein.pdf" type="external">letter</a>&#160;did not ask for a suspension of the Endangered Species Act.</p>
<p>However, the three congressmen last week <a href="http://blog.sfgate.com/nov05election/2014/01/22/central-valley-republicans-drafting-drought-bill/" type="external">&#160;joined House Speaker John Boehner</a>, R-Ohio,&#160;in visiting drought stricken farmers in Bakersfield.&#160; They called for a federal waiver of&#160; <a href="http://www.restoresjr.net/program_library/01-General_Outreach/Q&amp;AlegFactSheet0409.pdf" type="external">H.R. 146, The San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Act of 2009</a>, which Feinstein had sponsored.</p>
<p>H.R. 146 implements a 2006 federal court order to permit the diversion of water from farmers into the San Joaquin River to reestablish salmon runs to the ocean. According to this summary:</p>
<p>Plaintiffs asserted that the Bureau’s operation of the dam violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the California Fish and Game Code (section 5937), which requires dam operators to release sufficient water to maintain “good fish populations.”&#160;</p>
<p>Feinstein replied to the three congressmen with <a href="http://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/files/serve/?File_id=55f11bed-f237-42f9-942c-9eceadc9a93a" type="external">a Jan. 22 letter</a>&#160;that detailed her involvement in water issues and legislation in recent years. But she also wrote,&#160;“As long as conditions remain dry, there is very little gain to be made by relaxing ESA (Endangered Species Act) requirements.”</p>
<p>Also at issue is California Gov. Jerry Brown’s recent <a href="http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=18368" type="external">California Drought Declaration</a> in which he suspended the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act for any emergency drought relief measures.&#160; Brown’s action raises the necessity of also obtaining a waiver of the federal Endangered Species Act before Brown’s suspension could be acted upon.&#160; But once again, that is not what the three Congressmen requested in their letter.</p>
<p>Feinstein pleaded for GOP leaders to “move beyond partisan divisions, and work together to provide relief to those Californians suffering from this drought.”</p>
<p>But to do that both the Democrats and the GOP are going to have to get beyond speaking only to their respective constituencies, and instead start speaking to each other.</p>
<p>Feinstein’s letter addresses the fears of her party’s powerful environmental lobby that the Endangered Species Act would be abrogated.</p>
<p>She documents her efforts to try to provide legislation authorizing the Federal Bureau of Reclamation to undertake water banking, water transfers and water storage studies. And she says she “championed” the CALFED-Bay-Delta Restoration Program.&#160;She says she received “very little support from House Republicans to pass these provisions.”</p>
<p>The congressmen’s letter refers to the GOP’s powerful farm lobby’s concerns about the unintended consequences of Feinstein’s H.R. 146 allowing 800,000 acre-feet of water in the San Joaquin River to flow to the ocean in 2012 for fish restoration. &#160;The foreseeable consequence of that action is that there now is no water stored for what appears to be an historical drought.</p>
<p>Both letters don’t directly address solutions to the issues raised by farmers themselves.&#160; However, the GOP’s call for a federal waiver of H.R. 146 is closer to the mark, albeit a congressional waiver cannot abrogate a court order. But it possibly could suspend the policy of releasing water to flow to the sea in an historic drought.</p>
<p>The concern of <a href="http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=4cb25d8354074de431962d4d0&amp;id=d007e82092&amp;e=b807afaf51" type="external">Tom Nassif</a>, head of Western Growers, is not about suspending the California Environmental Quality Act or the Endangered Species Act.&#160; Nassif’s concern is that Feinstein’s <a href="http://www.restoresjr.net/program_library/01-General_Outreach/Q&amp;AlegFactSheet0409.pdf" type="external">H.R. 146</a> has taken $180 million from farmers in higher water rates to fund fish restoration of the San Joaquin River — only to end up with farmers subsidizing the death of the very farm water economy on which they depend.</p>
<p>The drought has cut federal farm water allocations by 95 percent.&#160; But the water from prior wet years that could have been stored or banked has been squandered along with the $180 million in higher water rates that won’t restore salmon runs in a drought anyway.</p>
<p>Neither side in the emerging drought war is talking about such possible measures as:</p>
<p>* A water bill rebate to farmers;</p>
<p>* Use of unspent state water bond monies for drought alleviation actions;</p>
<p>* How a water transfer of federal water into the State Water Project could be accomplished expeditiously without any environmental clearances;</p>
<p>* How federal water could be rented by farmers to withstand the drought with the payment of rent deferred.</p>
<p>A discussion of any such measures is already too late, however, as pointed out by <a href="http://hydrowonk.com/blog/2014/01/16/californias-driest-year-on-record-why-we-must-all-plan-better-to-ensure-long-term-water-supplies/#more-1128" type="external">Jeff Simonetti</a>, a water policy analyst for Stratecon Inc. at the HydroWonk Blog.</p>
<p>The bigger problem seems to have been addressed by California State Sen.&#160; <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_O4RQ_j4Qc" type="external">Jean Fuller</a>,&#160;R-Bakersfield, during an interview at Boehner’s rally to fight drought.&#160; There may not be enough water in either the federal or state water systems to weather a drought of this kind.</p>
<p>Fuller said farmers and Southern California counties have water banks and contingency plans to manage droughts, but Northern California cities don’t.&#160; Water storage hasn’t been needed in recent droughts.</p>
<p>But for the first time in <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/California-drought-Water-officials-look-to-rules-5156261.php" type="external">37 years</a>, Northern California communities are already rationing water. There is no state drought contingency plan for them.</p>
<p>California’s prioritization of environmental water diversions for fish has diverted attention away from basic lifeline planning for droughts.</p> | false | 3 | call drought war democratic california sen dianne feinstein fighting three republican us representatives water policy parched state jan 17 minority whip rep kevin mccarthy bakersfield rep devin nunes tulare rep david valadao hanford sent joint letter drought feinstein letter inquired about160her solutions currently emerging california historic drought160 the160 letter160did ask suspension endangered species act however three congressmen last week 160joined house speaker john boehner rohio160in visiting drought stricken farmers bakersfield160 called federal waiver of160 hr 146 san joaquin river restoration settlement act 2009 feinstein sponsored hr 146 implements 2006 federal court order permit diversion water farmers san joaquin river reestablish salmon runs ocean according summary plaintiffs asserted bureaus operation dam violated national environmental policy act nepa endangered species act esa california fish game code section 5937 requires dam operators release sufficient water maintain good fish populations160 feinstein replied three congressmen jan 22 letter160that detailed involvement water issues legislation recent years also wrote160as long conditions remain dry little gain made relaxing esa endangered species act requirements also issue california gov jerry browns recent california drought declaration suspended provisions california environmental quality act emergency drought relief measures160 browns action raises necessity also obtaining waiver federal endangered species act browns suspension could acted upon160 three congressmen requested letter feinstein pleaded gop leaders move beyond partisan divisions work together provide relief californians suffering drought democrats gop going get beyond speaking respective constituencies instead start speaking feinsteins letter addresses fears partys powerful environmental lobby endangered species act would abrogated documents efforts try provide legislation authorizing federal bureau reclamation undertake water banking water transfers water storage studies says championed calfedbaydelta restoration program160she says received little support house republicans pass provisions congressmens letter refers gops powerful farm lobbys concerns unintended consequences feinsteins hr 146 allowing 800000 acrefeet water san joaquin river flow ocean 2012 fish restoration 160the foreseeable consequence action water stored appears historical drought letters dont directly address solutions issues raised farmers themselves160 however gops call federal waiver hr 146 closer mark albeit congressional waiver abrogate court order possibly could suspend policy releasing water flow sea historic drought concern tom nassif head western growers suspending california environmental quality act endangered species act160 nassifs concern feinsteins hr 146 taken 180 million farmers higher water rates fund fish restoration san joaquin river end farmers subsidizing death farm water economy depend drought cut federal farm water allocations 95 percent160 water prior wet years could stored banked squandered along 180 million higher water rates wont restore salmon runs drought anyway neither side emerging drought war talking possible measures water bill rebate farmers use unspent state water bond monies drought alleviation actions water transfer federal water state water project could accomplished expeditiously without environmental clearances federal water could rented farmers withstand drought payment rent deferred discussion measures already late however pointed jeff simonetti water policy analyst stratecon inc hydrowonk blog bigger problem seems addressed california state sen160 jean fuller160rbakersfield interview boehners rally fight drought160 may enough water either federal state water systems weather drought kind fuller said farmers southern california counties water banks contingency plans manage droughts northern california cities dont160 water storage hasnt needed recent droughts first time 37 years northern california communities already rationing water state drought contingency plan californias prioritization environmental water diversions fish diverted attention away basic lifeline planning droughts | 543 |
<p>What does the international teenage pop sensation Lorde have to do with the Israeli Palestinian conflict? Nothing, until one Israeli musician set out to partner with a Palestinian artist for a Lorde tribute album.</p>
<p>Yuval Ben-Ami is pushing 40, a self-proclaimed Schubert enthusiast, who also is in love with Lorde.</p>
<p>“She’s fantastic,” Ben-Ami said in an interview. “It’s authentically spectacular and spectacularly authentic music.”</p>
<p>Ben-Ami usually listens to folk, or classical, or jazz. “And suddenly I’m drawn to this album, and I find myself experiencing authentic fandom — which hasn’t happened since I was in sixth grade and I was into the Beatles,” he said.</p>
<p>Ben-Ami is an author and musician, and so he started translating Lorde’s songs into Hebrew, and putting his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/yuvalbenami/videos" type="external">recordings</a> up on YouTube.</p>
<p>He wanted to take things one step further and record a serious musical tribute to Lorde. But not just any musical tribute.</p>
<p>Ben-Ami is a liberal Israeli, and he recently started working with a Palestinian tour guide, taking tourists around Israel and also across the Israeli separation barrier to the West Bank.</p>
<p>“I had to be honest with what I see,” said Ben-Ami. “What I see is a country where two societies live, and they ignore one another. People travel here without passing through the sphere where the alphabet is different from their own. They turn on the radio, they hear music they don’t like, they immediately switch to the music they do like — or to global pop music. That is another way in which Lorde’s music is an asset here. It’s present on both sides of separation barrier.”</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Ben-Ami started looking for a Palestinian musician with whom to partner — and he documented the odyssey.</p>
<p>At one point, he concocted a plan to hitch a ride with famous local singer Mira Awad, so he could try to recruit her for the Lorde project.</p>
<p>But Lorde? Why Lorde? She didn’t get it, he said.</p>
<p>Ben-Ami tried to find other Palestinians to join the project with him and Israeli music producer Yaron Fishman, but with no success. There is a Palestinian “anti-normalization” movement that advocates against cultural partnerships with Israelis, the idea being that even singing Lorde together would only be pretending that Israelis and Palestinians are on equal footing.</p>
<p>“There was a war last summer that left hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of dead civilians in Gaza,” said Ben-Ami. “What would it mean for a Palestinian to come to a studio with me, or even into Yaron’s living room, and sing a popular hit? There would have been a time when that would have had very hopeful meaning. But right now it’s just this really awkward political or non-political statement.”</p>
<p>So Ben-Ami started to rethink the project.</p>
<p>“I said, 'Look. Maybe if I turn my microphone on Israeli society, maybe if I start listening to diversity within it,'” Ben-Ami said. “Maybe if there weren’t just two identities, Israeli versus Palestinian, maybe if Israeli society is made up of a lot of languages and lot of different ways of thinking — we break up the binary and we can put it back together.”</p>
<p>That’s when the music began.</p>
<p>The Djamchid sisters in Jerusalem recorded Lorde’s biggest hit, Royals, in their mother’s native French. It’s a language many Israelis speak — immigrants from North Africa, and a wave of recent arrivals from France.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>The Technicalities, a Yiddish singing duo, recorded this cover of Team, from Lorde’s debut studio album “Pure Heroine.” One of the lines from the song goes: “Living in ruins of a palace&#160;within my dreams.”</p>
<p>“That sounds like the experience of Yiddish lovers. It’s a dying language. It’s the ‘ruins of a palace,’ a language that was used for so much literature, so much theater, so much poetry, and now, really dying, dying with the older generation,” said Ben-Ami. “Taking it out like that is doing it an honor that honors us.”</p>
<p>The project features a Russian cover of “Yellow Flicker Beat,” from the soundtrack of the third “Hunger Games” movie, translated by Vlady Dvoyris and sung by Diana Gern — two of the one million-plus Russian speakers who flocked to Israel after the fall of the Soviet Union.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Ben-Ami recorded his own 90s Hebrew rock version of Lorde’s song, “Buzzcut Season.” And he had almost given up on finding an Arabic-speaking musician, until a friend of a friend referred him to Rasha Nahas. an 18-year-old singer-songwriter from Haifa, in northern Israel.</p>
<p>Nahas “looks like Lorde, basically,” Ben-Ami said. “She has those black curls. She doesn’t sing like Lorde, she’s a totally different musician. She’s raspy. She’s a bit more of a local Tom Waits, I think.”</p>
<p>Nahas recorded a cover of Lorde’s song, “Biting Down.” Ben-Ami said it was probably the most free spirited of all the covers in the tribute album.</p>
<p>“In a way, by the time Rasha came, it was less about Israeli versus Palestinian. It was more about all of us making music, and breaking down the dichotomies,” Ben-Ami said. “I thought of her less as a Palestinian and more as an 18-year-old, and I felt that I could learn a lot from that.”</p>
<p>When Ben-Ami was around Nahas’ age — and Lorde’s age — he had hope. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was leading Israel on a path toward peace with the Palestinians, and Ben-Ami's father was serving as the premier’s adviser.</p>
<p>In 1995, Rabin was assassinated. The peace process —&#160;and Yuval’s optimism — has been on a downward spiral ever since.</p>
<p>But for the first time in a long time, Ben-Ami says, he has something to be hopeful about: what he calls the cutting edge musicality of Lorde, and of Nahas.</p>
<p>Ben-Ami said there is a “strength that listening to the music that comes from that generation gives me. And I need that strength to move forward in the current climate here.”</p>
<p>Ben-Ami wrote an <a href="http://972mag.com/special/the-israel-palestine-lorde-diaries/" type="external">online novella</a> documenting all the twists and turns of his Lorde project, featured on the liberal blog 972.</p>
<p>“Putting together an homage to your favorite singer is a trivial thing,” Ben-Ami writes, “If you live in a normal country.”</p> | false | 3 | international teenage pop sensation lorde israeli palestinian conflict nothing one israeli musician set partner palestinian artist lorde tribute album yuval benami pushing 40 selfproclaimed schubert enthusiast also love lorde shes fantastic benami said interview authentically spectacular spectacularly authentic music benami usually listens folk classical jazz suddenly im drawn album find experiencing authentic fandom hasnt happened since sixth grade beatles said benami author musician started translating lordes songs hebrew putting recordings youtube wanted take things one step record serious musical tribute lorde musical tribute benami liberal israeli recently started working palestinian tour guide taking tourists around israel also across israeli separation barrier west bank honest see said benami see country two societies live ignore one another people travel without passing sphere alphabet different turn radio hear music dont like immediately switch music like global pop music another way lordes music asset present sides separation barrier benami started looking palestinian musician partner documented odyssey one point concocted plan hitch ride famous local singer mira awad could try recruit lorde project lorde lorde didnt get said benami tried find palestinians join project israeli music producer yaron fishman success palestinian antinormalization movement advocates cultural partnerships israelis idea even singing lorde together would pretending israelis palestinians equal footing war last summer left hundreds hundreds hundreds dead civilians gaza said benami would mean palestinian come studio even yarons living room sing popular hit would time would hopeful meaning right really awkward political nonpolitical statement benami started rethink project said look maybe turn microphone israeli society maybe start listening diversity within benami said maybe werent two identities israeli versus palestinian maybe israeli society made lot languages lot different ways thinking break binary put back together thats music began djamchid sisters jerusalem recorded lordes biggest hit royals mothers native french language many israelis speak immigrants north africa wave recent arrivals france technicalities yiddish singing duo recorded cover team lordes debut studio album pure heroine one lines song goes living ruins palace160within dreams sounds like experience yiddish lovers dying language ruins palace language used much literature much theater much poetry really dying dying older generation said benami taking like honor honors us project features russian cover yellow flicker beat soundtrack third hunger games movie translated vlady dvoyris sung diana gern two one millionplus russian speakers flocked israel fall soviet union benami recorded 90s hebrew rock version lordes song buzzcut season almost given finding arabicspeaking musician friend friend referred rasha nahas 18yearold singersongwriter haifa northern israel nahas looks like lorde basically benami said black curls doesnt sing like lorde shes totally different musician shes raspy shes bit local tom waits think nahas recorded cover lordes song biting benami said probably free spirited covers tribute album way time rasha came less israeli versus palestinian us making music breaking dichotomies benami said thought less palestinian 18yearold felt could learn lot benami around nahas age lordes age hope israeli prime minister yitzhak rabin leading israel path toward peace palestinians benamis father serving premiers adviser 1995 rabin assassinated peace process 160and yuvals optimism downward spiral ever since first time long time benami says something hopeful calls cutting edge musicality lorde nahas benami said strength listening music comes generation gives need strength move forward current climate benami wrote online novella documenting twists turns lorde project featured liberal blog 972 putting together homage favorite singer trivial thing benami writes live normal country | 556 |
<p>HONG KONG — Like an odd business hex, two little words strike fear in Chinese companies on Wall Street: Muddy Waters.</p>
<p>Named for a Chinese proverb that roughly means “muddy waters make it easy to catch fish,” Muddy Waters is a New York-based research firm that has carved a niche for itself alleging massive fraud among Chinese firms listed in North America.</p>
<p>The model is simple: Muddy Waters issues a research report detailing alleged fraud, publicizes it, and profits by betting that the price will plunge.</p>
<p>The firm does not disclose how much money it makes off of these bets, but it claims a record of forcing four companies to delist from Western stock exchanges over the last three and a half years.</p>
<p>By one estimate, Muddy Waters has single-handedly wiped out over $7 billion in market value from the companies it has targeted.</p>
<p>In 2011, for instance, the firm alleged that Chinese lumber giant Sino-Forest was rotten to its roots. Within a year, Sino-Forest had been felled. Its share price plummeted from about $18.50 until the Ontario Securities Commission suspended it from the Toronto exchange in Canada, citing alleged fraud. It eventually filed for bankruptcy.</p>
<p>The allegations allowed Muddy Waters to borrow shares, sell them when the price was high, then pay back the lenders when the price was low — a sell high, buy low strategy known as shorting.</p>
<p>Since then, Muddy Waters — and its flamboyant, outspoken founder, the American lawyer Carson Block — have become perhaps the most famous scourges of Chinese companies accused of fraud. Over the last three years, they have gone after nine firms with hard-hitting “strong sell” reports that sent share prices cratering.</p>
<p>The pattern goes like this: On some unsuspecting day, Muddy Waters blasts out a report featuring bold, colorful language. (A subtitle of New Oriental Education’s <a href="http://www.muddywatersresearch.com/research/edu/initiating-coverage-edu/" type="external">report</a> was “Magna Cum Fraude,” the commodities supplier Olam was <a href="http://www.muddywatersresearch.com/research/olam/initiating-coverage-olam/" type="external">dubbed</a> a “black box” with “uncanny” similarities to Enron, NQ Mobile was <a href="http://www.muddywatersresearch.com/research/nq/initiating-coverage-nq/" type="external">called</a>, simply enough, “a massive fraud.”) Hours later, the stock price tanks. Shareholders flee. The company scrambles to defend itself. And then…</p>
<p>Well, that’s where the pattern gets a little wobbly. &#160;</p>
<p>In some cases, Muddy Waters’ targets have essentially imploded and been delisted. In addition to Sino-Forest, that was the fate of China Media Express, and, most recently, Duoyuan Global Water, which was taken off the New York Stock Exchange in January 2012.</p>
<p>In other cases, the stock price gets battered, but the company hobbles along. That’s what happened to Orient Paper, which has seen its shares limp around $2.75 from a level of $8.50 before the takedown.</p>
<p>And then, in the last two years, more cases have emerged where companies have, bounced back after being subjected to a Muddy Waters assault.</p>
<p>That happened to New Oriental Education, which has seen its shares exceed their level before Muddy Waters’ 2012 report. And it happened to American Tower Corporation, which the firm continues to say should be valued at $44.58 per share, but is currently trading around $78.</p>
<p>So has Muddy Waters started to lose its touch?</p>
<p>That’s the question swirling around its most recent report on NQ Mobile, a Chinese mobile security company based in Beijing and Dallas. On October 25, Block published a report calling NQ a “total fraud,” arguing that 90 percent of its revenue was fake.</p>
<p>The initial selloff was ferocious. The company’s market capitalization shrank by hundreds of millions. The stock price fell <a href="http://www.google.com/finance?chdnp=1&amp;chdd=1&amp;chds=1&amp;chdv=1&amp;chvs=maximized&amp;chdeh=0&amp;chfdeh=0&amp;chdet=1386709200000&amp;chddm=50048&amp;chls=IntervalBasedLine&amp;q=NYSE:NQ&amp;ntsp=0&amp;ei=BHmnUqj7GMG3sQfgXA" type="external">62 percent overnight</a>.</p>
<p>NQ hit back hard at the allegations. In a 90-page report, the company responded to Block’s accusations, showing pictures of one of its major client’s headquarters, which Muddy Waters had said was “an empty shell with no discernible operation.”</p>
<p>NQ <a href="http://ir.nq.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=243152&amp;p=irol-newsarticle&amp;id=1871380&amp;highlight=" type="external">announced</a> it was calling in outside auditors to verify the books, and promised to publicly demonstrate it had millions of dollars in liquidity. The company later released screenshots of bank statements showing accounts with a balance in excess of $100 million in cash.</p>
<p>In the two ensuing months, in fits and bursts, the stock price has crawled back upward — though nowhere near its original level. At the beginning of the year, shares of NQ traded around $6. Just before the Muddy Waters report, they hit a high of about $25. Now, they’re trading at around $12.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>In fact, investor Jim Oberweis, founder of the top-performing China-focused fund, Oberweis Asset Management, doubled his stake after Carson Block’s sell-call to more than 540,000 shares.</p>
<p>Whether he’s proved right or not, the public fracas between Block and NQ has intensified questions investors have about Muddy Waters’ staying power as a bloodhound of financial foul play.</p>
<p>“[Carson Block] is masterful at using the media to use shock and awe to drive down prices whether or not he’s right. It’s unfair that he never tells us what his position is, whether he’s made money, whether or not he’s out of position,” says Bill Bishop, an investor and commentator in Beijing.</p>
<p>“What he’s doing is legal, but there’s no accountability if he’s wrong and he’s done a lot of damage to a stock.”</p>
<p>Paul Gillis, a respected accounting scholar and professor at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, also <a href="http://www.chinaaccountingblog.com/weblog/scorecard-on-nq-mobile.html" type="external">raised questions</a> about whether the fraud could go to the extent alleged by Muddy Waters.</p>
<p>“If the cash is there [in NQ’s accounts], I see no way that any fraud could be of the scale alleged by Muddy Waters. The company is taking some extraordinary steps to clear this issue up,” Gillis wrote on his website, China Accounting Blog. &#160;</p>
<p>On November 1, NQ Mobile announced it had transferred $13 million into bank accounts, bringing the cash balance up to $54 million. On November 6, the company <a href="http://ir.nq.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=243152&amp;p=irol-newsarticle&amp;id=1873130&amp;highlight=" type="external">said</a> that it brought that total up to $103 million in a Standard Chartered bank account.</p>
<p>In email exchanges with GlobalPost, Carson Block maintained his stance on NQ, and said that the company’s vociferous defense is exactly what you would expect from one that’s been called out for malpractice.</p>
<p>“NQ is a complete fraud. Its actions have been predictable and expected. We release a detailed report, and NQ released a lengthy response designed to confuse the issues and give investors the false impression that NQ provided satisfactory answers to our report. NQ opened a new bank account, and took much longer to transfer in the money than it should have, given its prior insistence that its term deposits were as liquid as cash. This delay strongly indicates that cash had to be obtained from sources other than the company's own accounts,” he wrote.</p>
<p>Asked about why some companies such as New Oriental Education have bounced back since the initial sell-off, Block said he “should have done more to expose” New Oriental, but that at the time of the report, China’s Ministry of State Security had “interdicted” an employee of Muddy Waters and his family.</p>
<p>“It was a personally anxious, and ultimately painful, time for us. I was unable to muster the focus needed to continue writing about EDU.”</p>
<p>NQ Mobile, for its part, told GlobalPost that it operates with the “utmost transparency,” citing its hiring of PWC, Deloitte &amp; Touche, and Shearman &amp; Sterling to “undertake an independent audit and review of our finances and operations.”</p>
<p>The company further said that “we're simply not inclined to take any short-seller’s false claims, misleading information and malicious inaccuracies seriously, especially an individual who won’t disclose profit motives, operations or methodologies, let alone a business address or even the names or qualifications of an alleged research team.”</p>
<p>NQ Mobile has said it is filing a lawsuit against Muddy Waters in China.</p>
<p>While there’s no doubt that Carson Block has done valuable — and presumably profitable — work uncovering corporate malfeasance, some investors have started to call for the short seller to show more transparency about his own stake.</p>
<p>When asked by GlobalPost the size of Muddy Waters’ position on NQ Mobile, and whether it had cashed out, this was Carson Block’s response:</p>
<p>“As our disclaimer says, you can assume we continue to be short NQ as we believe this company is a zero,” he wrote. “We don't disclose our investments or performance because, unlike NQ, we haven't raised money from the public. We are transparent about our motivations, which are financial and moral, and our intention is to see NQ de-listed.”</p>
<p>The battle with NQ Mobile could end in any number of ways. If Block succeeds in proving his claims, then Muddy Waters will have cemented its influence with China-focused short sellers. But if it’s wrong, the demands may become a bit louder and more insistent for Block’s team to bring some clarity to the (if we may say so) muddy waters of its own affairs.</p>
<p>“I think [Block’s] credibility has been weakened a bit,” says Bill Bishop, the investor. “If he’s right on NQ, which he very well may be, then everything is forgotten. But if it turns out that he’s not right on NQ then it’s going to be interesting.”</p>
<p>“You have to listen to him. You can’t ignore him. But what you’re seeing from sophisticated investors is, there’s more of a willingness to buy after the crater and then sort of figure it out. There was a period where he was right almost all the time, but he’s not been that right lately, so there’s a lot of skepticism. It doesn’t mean he’s not a smart guy, it doesn’t mean he’s not right about NQ. But it’s gotten a lot harder now to find that fraud.”</p> | false | 3 | hong kong like odd business hex two little words strike fear chinese companies wall street muddy waters named chinese proverb roughly means muddy waters make easy catch fish muddy waters new yorkbased research firm carved niche alleging massive fraud among chinese firms listed north america model simple muddy waters issues research report detailing alleged fraud publicizes profits betting price plunge firm disclose much money makes bets claims record forcing four companies delist western stock exchanges last three half years one estimate muddy waters singlehandedly wiped 7 billion market value companies targeted 2011 instance firm alleged chinese lumber giant sinoforest rotten roots within year sinoforest felled share price plummeted 1850 ontario securities commission suspended toronto exchange canada citing alleged fraud eventually filed bankruptcy allegations allowed muddy waters borrow shares sell price high pay back lenders price low sell high buy low strategy known shorting since muddy waters flamboyant outspoken founder american lawyer carson block become perhaps famous scourges chinese companies accused fraud last three years gone nine firms hardhitting strong sell reports sent share prices cratering pattern goes like unsuspecting day muddy waters blasts report featuring bold colorful language subtitle new oriental educations report magna cum fraude commodities supplier olam dubbed black box uncanny similarities enron nq mobile called simply enough massive fraud hours later stock price tanks shareholders flee company scrambles defend well thats pattern gets little wobbly 160 cases muddy waters targets essentially imploded delisted addition sinoforest fate china media express recently duoyuan global water taken new york stock exchange january 2012 cases stock price gets battered company hobbles along thats happened orient paper seen shares limp around 275 level 850 takedown last two years cases emerged companies bounced back subjected muddy waters assault happened new oriental education seen shares exceed level muddy waters 2012 report happened american tower corporation firm continues say valued 4458 per share currently trading around 78 muddy waters started lose touch thats question swirling around recent report nq mobile chinese mobile security company based beijing dallas october 25 block published report calling nq total fraud arguing 90 percent revenue fake initial selloff ferocious companys market capitalization shrank hundreds millions stock price fell 62 percent overnight nq hit back hard allegations 90page report company responded blocks accusations showing pictures one major clients headquarters muddy waters said empty shell discernible operation nq announced calling outside auditors verify books promised publicly demonstrate millions dollars liquidity company later released screenshots bank statements showing accounts balance excess 100 million cash two ensuing months fits bursts stock price crawled back upward though nowhere near original level beginning year shares nq traded around 6 muddy waters report hit high 25 theyre trading around 12 160 fact investor jim oberweis founder topperforming chinafocused fund oberweis asset management doubled stake carson blocks sellcall 540000 shares whether hes proved right public fracas block nq intensified questions investors muddy waters staying power bloodhound financial foul play carson block masterful using media use shock awe drive prices whether hes right unfair never tells us position whether hes made money whether hes position says bill bishop investor commentator beijing hes legal theres accountability hes wrong hes done lot damage stock paul gillis respected accounting scholar professor peking universitys guanghua school management also raised questions whether fraud could go extent alleged muddy waters cash nqs accounts see way fraud could scale alleged muddy waters company taking extraordinary steps clear issue gillis wrote website china accounting blog 160 november 1 nq mobile announced transferred 13 million bank accounts bringing cash balance 54 million november 6 company said brought total 103 million standard chartered bank account email exchanges globalpost carson block maintained stance nq said companys vociferous defense exactly would expect one thats called malpractice nq complete fraud actions predictable expected release detailed report nq released lengthy response designed confuse issues give investors false impression nq provided satisfactory answers report nq opened new bank account took much longer transfer money given prior insistence term deposits liquid cash delay strongly indicates cash obtained sources companys accounts wrote asked companies new oriental education bounced back since initial selloff block said done expose new oriental time report chinas ministry state security interdicted employee muddy waters family personally anxious ultimately painful time us unable muster focus needed continue writing edu nq mobile part told globalpost operates utmost transparency citing hiring pwc deloitte amp touche shearman amp sterling undertake independent audit review finances operations company said simply inclined take shortsellers false claims misleading information malicious inaccuracies seriously especially individual wont disclose profit motives operations methodologies let alone business address even names qualifications alleged research team nq mobile said filing lawsuit muddy waters china theres doubt carson block done valuable presumably profitable work uncovering corporate malfeasance investors started call short seller show transparency stake asked globalpost size muddy waters position nq mobile whether cashed carson blocks response disclaimer says assume continue short nq believe company zero wrote dont disclose investments performance unlike nq havent raised money public transparent motivations financial moral intention see nq delisted battle nq mobile could end number ways block succeeds proving claims muddy waters cemented influence chinafocused short sellers wrong demands may become bit louder insistent blocks team bring clarity may say muddy waters affairs think blocks credibility weakened bit says bill bishop investor hes right nq well may everything forgotten turns hes right nq going interesting listen cant ignore youre seeing sophisticated investors theres willingness buy crater sort figure period right almost time hes right lately theres lot skepticism doesnt mean hes smart guy doesnt mean hes right nq gotten lot harder find fraud | 923 |
<p>NAIROBI, Kenya—This, says Samuel Wambiri, is how corruption can disrupt a life in Kenya.</p>
<p>Ten years ago, the 54-year-old father of three purchased a small plot of land on the outskirts of Nairobi for a modest 315,000 shillings. That's about $3,700, which Wambiri agreed to pay over 10-years. And upon that land, Wambiri built a home where he and his wife could retire.&#160;</p>
<p>But last month, just as Wambiri had finished paying it off, the agency that sold him the land announced some troubling news: Wambiri would have to pay 920,000 shillings, or $10,824 more — four times more than his original investment. That’s because the Nairobi County governor decided Kenya’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF), which sold the land, needed to build a sewage system and access roads through it at significant cost.</p>
<p>The NSSF announced it would transfer the cost of the utilities to the landowners themselves.</p>
<p>“I was happy that I had finally finished paying for my land,” Wambiri said. “I was looking for somewhere to settle, and I settled.”</p>
<p>But now, Wambiri and an estimated 5,500 fellow small-parcel landowners in Nairobi’s Tassia II neighborhood may be forced to vacate their new land altogether if they don’t find a way to pay the bill.</p>
<p>“More than half the occupants here have not finished to pay the first 315,000” shillings required by the contract over a 10-year period, Wambiri said. “How do you expect them to pay 920,000?”</p>
<p>As if the land issue wasn’t enough, last month NSSF board member Jacqueline Mugo accused the NSSF leadership of awarding the sewage and road contract to a Chinese firm in a secret process—and at a highly inflated price. China Jiangxi was hurriedly awarded the $59 million contract in December just two months after the tender was announced. In a breach of the official tender process, the NSSF management did not consult members of its board during the interim.</p>
<p>“I did not approve of the project because it was not profitable,” Mugo said during a parliamentary hearing this month over what has quickly become one of Kenya’s two most prominent political scandals. “The idea of spending a colossal sum of 5 billion shillings … is indeed ill-advised.”</p>
<p>Kenya’s parliamentary investments committee is expected to decide whether to revoke the Chinese contract and re-auction it in a more transparent process. It will also decide who—the small landowners or the NSSF—should pay for the utility construction.</p>
<p>If the NSSF is forced to pay, 1.5 million workers who contribute to the fund fear their retirement payments will be delayed on account of the fund’s mismanagement and resulting reduction in cash. Precedent may justify their concern: 52,000 Kenyan teachers are still waiting for their pension checks from a similar government pension fund some 17 years after they retired.</p>
<p>If the landowners are forced to pay, many may default and face eviction. Both the landowners and the union members say the so-called “Tassia II scandal” is a setback for a growing Kenyan middle class that is buying land, building homes and accumulating pensions with the hope of a stable retirement.</p>
<p>“This is a criminal case, and if anybody cares about Kenyan workers these people should have been arrested long ago,” said Francis Atwoli, Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU), an umbrella organization that encompasses several unions whose members’ pensions rest in the NSSF fund. In January, the energy workers’ union and others vowed a nationwide strike over the matter.</p>
<p>“You want people’s confidence in a pension fund to invest, so they’re willing to put more money into it… it’s about creating confidence, changing people’s attitudes towards savings,” said David Cartwright, an Australian businessman whose Kenyan tech employees will soon begin contributing to the $1.5 billion NSSF pension fund.</p>
<p>Cartwright said that unlike in Australia, Kenyan workers have no choice where their pensions are held.</p>
<p>“If I have to put my money in the NSSF, that doesn’t lend itself well to a competitive environment,” he said.</p>
<p>On a slow afternoon on the controversial Tassia II land, men in hard hats push wheelbarrows of dry cement toward a partially finished apartment building. Around them, the shells of homes and buildings in various phases of construction give the impression of an up-and-coming, middle-class neighborhood.</p>
<p>The NSSF has owned the Tassia II land since the early 1990s. In 2003, as Nairobi residents clamored for new land and housing, its board of trustees decided the time was ripe to sell it. They did, dividing it into 5,500 plots, which went to developers, squatters and middle-class businessmen like Wambiri.</p>
<p>In the decade that followed, Wambiri built his home slowly, room by room, using money from his job distributing milk to restaurants and cafes.</p>
<p>“I came here because the land was cheap, because I heard there was land I could afford,” he said. “It is a good location because it is right by the airport, the industrial zone. It is right by one of the main roads in Kenya, (and) the airport.”</p>
<p>Wambiri says he’s frustrated by the government's demand for more money beyond what was agreed to in the original contracts.</p>
<p>“I was happy that I had finally finished paying for my land. I was given my certificate of clearance last year and am awaiting my title deed,” he said.</p>
<p>Now, Wambiri is working to organize the other residents of Tassia II to bring a lawsuit against the NSSF for failing to respect their contracts.</p>
<p>In the meantime, he waits to see who Kenya’s Parliament will stick with the bill for the controversial Chinese contract.</p>
<p>Anthony Langat is a political journalist working for the Center for African Journalists in Nairobi. Originally from Nakuru County, Kenya, he holds degree in journalism from Egerton University. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Communication Studies at the University of Nairobi. &#160;</p> | false | 3 | nairobi kenyathis says samuel wambiri corruption disrupt life kenya ten years ago 54yearold father three purchased small plot land outskirts nairobi modest 315000 shillings thats 3700 wambiri agreed pay 10years upon land wambiri built home wife could retire160 last month wambiri finished paying agency sold land announced troubling news wambiri would pay 920000 shillings 10824 four times original investment thats nairobi county governor decided kenyas national social security fund nssf sold land needed build sewage system access roads significant cost nssf announced would transfer cost utilities landowners happy finally finished paying land wambiri said looking somewhere settle settled wambiri estimated 5500 fellow smallparcel landowners nairobis tassia ii neighborhood may forced vacate new land altogether dont find way pay bill half occupants finished pay first 315000 shillings required contract 10year period wambiri said expect pay 920000 land issue wasnt enough last month nssf board member jacqueline mugo accused nssf leadership awarding sewage road contract chinese firm secret processand highly inflated price china jiangxi hurriedly awarded 59 million contract december two months tender announced breach official tender process nssf management consult members board interim approve project profitable mugo said parliamentary hearing month quickly become one kenyas two prominent political scandals idea spending colossal sum 5 billion shillings indeed illadvised kenyas parliamentary investments committee expected decide whether revoke chinese contract reauction transparent process also decide whothe small landowners nssfshould pay utility construction nssf forced pay 15 million workers contribute fund fear retirement payments delayed account funds mismanagement resulting reduction cash precedent may justify concern 52000 kenyan teachers still waiting pension checks similar government pension fund 17 years retired landowners forced pay many may default face eviction landowners union members say socalled tassia ii scandal setback growing kenyan middle class buying land building homes accumulating pensions hope stable retirement criminal case anybody cares kenyan workers people arrested long ago said francis atwoli secretary general central organization trade unions cotu umbrella organization encompasses several unions whose members pensions rest nssf fund january energy workers union others vowed nationwide strike matter want peoples confidence pension fund invest theyre willing put money creating confidence changing peoples attitudes towards savings said david cartwright australian businessman whose kenyan tech employees soon begin contributing 15 billion nssf pension fund cartwright said unlike australia kenyan workers choice pensions held put money nssf doesnt lend well competitive environment said slow afternoon controversial tassia ii land men hard hats push wheelbarrows dry cement toward partially finished apartment building around shells homes buildings various phases construction give impression upandcoming middleclass neighborhood nssf owned tassia ii land since early 1990s 2003 nairobi residents clamored new land housing board trustees decided time ripe sell dividing 5500 plots went developers squatters middleclass businessmen like wambiri decade followed wambiri built home slowly room room using money job distributing milk restaurants cafes came land cheap heard land could afford said good location right airport industrial zone right one main roads kenya airport wambiri says hes frustrated governments demand money beyond agreed original contracts happy finally finished paying land given certificate clearance last year awaiting title deed said wambiri working organize residents tassia ii bring lawsuit nssf failing respect contracts meantime waits see kenyas parliament stick bill controversial chinese contract anthony langat political journalist working center african journalists nairobi originally nakuru county kenya holds degree journalism egerton university currently pursuing masters communication studies university nairobi 160 | 556 |
<p>WASHINGTON (RNS) — A presidential inauguration is by tradition the grandest ritual of America’s civil religion, but President Obama took the oath of office on Jan. 21 in a ceremony that was explicit in joining theology to the nation’s destiny and setting out a biblical vision of equality that includes race, gender, class, and, most controversially, sexual orientation.</p>
<p>Obama’s speech, his second inaugural address, repeatedly cited civic and religious doctrines — namely the God-given equality extolled by the “founding creed” of the Declaration of Independence — to essentially reconsecrate the country to the common good and to the dignity of each person.</p>
<p />
<p>It was a faith-infused event that recognized both the original sins as well as the later atonements of America’s history, especially on race, which was front and center as the nation’s first African-American president took the oath on the holiday commemorating Martin Luther King Jr.</p>
<p>And Obama and other speakers vividly traced the nation’s tortuous path from slavery to civil rights — from the Emancipation Proclamation 150 years ago to the March on Washington 50 years ago, the latter presided over by King.</p>
<p>Yet Obama also declared that this tumultuous past was not an occasion for despair; rather, he said, it should inspire Americans to renew a joint pilgrimage that would never be finished but must always be carried forward as each generation adapts to new challenges, whether on the economy or identity.</p>
<p>“For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts,” Obama told hundreds of thousands of cheering onlookers gathered on a chilly day on the Mall in front of the Capitol.</p>
<p>“Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law,” he added, “for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well.”</p>
<p>The president also included immigrants and the working classes in his vision of a future American equality. But his inclusion of gay rights was especially pointed in that the first pastor he chose to deliver the day’s benediction — Louie Giglio, a prominent evangelical — stepped aside earlier this month after anti-gay remarks he made in the 1990s surfaced.</p>
<p>Giglio was replaced by Luis Leon, rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church across Lafayette Square from the White House.</p>
<p>In his closing prayer on Monday, Leon asked that God allow Americans to see each other as a reflection of the divine image, “whether brown, black or white, male or female, first generation or immigrant American, or daughter of the American Revolution, gay or straight, rich or poor.”</p>
<p>Preceding Leon was another Latino, and a gay man, poet Richard Blanco, whose presence further underscored the shifts in public acceptance of gays and lesbians as well as the president’s increasing embrace of gay equality.</p>
<p>New responses</p>
<p>Americans, the president said, “have always understood that when times change, so must we; that fidelity to our founding principles requires new responses to new challenges; that preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action.”</p>
<p>That theme of renewed unity — spiritual and communal, crossing the many divides in U.S. society — was perhaps the central thread of this inauguration. It was a theme grounded in the national struggle for civil rights, a history that was everywhere present.</p>
<p>“As we sing the words of belief, ‘this is my country,’ let us act upon the meaning that everyone is included,” Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, who was killed by a white supremacist in 1963, said in her prayer to start the inauguration.</p>
<p>Evers-Williams, Obama and the other speakers framed that history in a way that evoked the nation’s past while setting out a new agenda for the future.</p>
<p>They refuted the bitter polarization that has gripped national politics by deploying the language and cadence of Scripture, of Christian anthems and national hymns, and not surprisingly a reference by the president to the most famous second inaugural address, that of Abraham Lincoln, one of Obama’s heroes.</p>
<p>“If you had any doubt that we are in the middle of a Fourth Great Awakening, you just missed one of the greatest inauguration speeches in American history,” Diana Butler Bass, a historian of American religion, wrote on Facebook as she watched the speech.</p>
<p>Direct rejoinder</p>
<p>The religious language and symbols of the day could also be read as a direct rejoinder to the president’s die-hard opponents, many of whom insist that he is not a Christian and that he does not believe in America’s divine mantle.</p>
<p>Obama instead embraced American exceptionalism and repeatedly cited God’s will. The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sang The Battle Hymn of the Republic and icons of popular culture performed. “American Idol” star Kelly Clarkson sang My Country, ‘Tis of Thee and Beyonce the national anthem.</p>
<p>The other traditional elements of a presidential inauguration were also on display: Obama swore on historic Bibles used by King and Abraham Lincoln, and of course used the phrase “So help me God” at the conclusion of the oath of office, a later and unofficial addition.</p>
<p>The Obamas began the day in church on Monday — after attending services, as did Vice President Biden — on Sunday, and the religious ceremonies were to continue on Tuesday with a prayer service at Washington National Cathedral, led by Methodist preacher Adam Hamilton.</p>
<p>Yet the events were hardly a celebration of national or spiritual triumphalism. There was a profound awareness of the challenges overcome, yes, but also the obstacles — and internal divisions — to be faced if the country is to move forward.</p>
<p>In perhaps the most important, and little-noted, passage in his speech, Obama invoked the kind of Christian realism that was a hallmark of one of his favorite theologians, Reinhold Niebuhr. It is a theology that the president views as the kind of approach that should inspire leaders to reason together and act, however flawed the process or results may be.</p>
<p>“We cannot mistake absolutism for principle, or substitute spectacle for politics, or treat name-calling as reasoned debate,” Obama said toward the end of his address.</p>
<p>“We must act, knowing that our work will be imperfect. We must act, knowing that today’s victories will be only partial, and that it will be up to those who stand here in four years and 40 years and 400 years hence to advance the timeless spirit once conferred to us in a spare Philadelphia hall.”</p>
<p>David Gibson is a national reporter for Religion News Service.</p> | false | 3 | washington rns presidential inauguration tradition grandest ritual americas civil religion president obama took oath office jan 21 ceremony explicit joining theology nations destiny setting biblical vision equality includes race gender class controversially sexual orientation obamas speech second inaugural address repeatedly cited civic religious doctrines namely godgiven equality extolled founding creed declaration independence essentially reconsecrate country common good dignity person faithinfused event recognized original sins well later atonements americas history especially race front center nations first africanamerican president took oath holiday commemorating martin luther king jr obama speakers vividly traced nations tortuous path slavery civil rights emancipation proclamation 150 years ago march washington 50 years ago latter presided king yet obama also declared tumultuous past occasion despair rather said inspire americans renew joint pilgrimage would never finished must always carried forward generation adapts new challenges whether economy identity journey complete wives mothers daughters earn living equal efforts obama told hundreds thousands cheering onlookers gathered chilly day mall front capitol journey complete gay brothers sisters treated like anyone else law added truly created equal surely love commit one another must equal well president also included immigrants working classes vision future american equality inclusion gay rights especially pointed first pastor chose deliver days benediction louie giglio prominent evangelical stepped aside earlier month antigay remarks made 1990s surfaced giglio replaced luis leon rector st johns episcopal church across lafayette square white house closing prayer monday leon asked god allow americans see reflection divine image whether brown black white male female first generation immigrant american daughter american revolution gay straight rich poor preceding leon another latino gay man poet richard blanco whose presence underscored shifts public acceptance gays lesbians well presidents increasing embrace gay equality new responses americans president said always understood times change must fidelity founding principles requires new responses new challenges preserving individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action theme renewed unity spiritual communal crossing many divides us society perhaps central thread inauguration theme grounded national struggle civil rights history everywhere present sing words belief country let us act upon meaning everyone included myrlie everswilliams widow civil rights leader medgar evers killed white supremacist 1963 said prayer start inauguration everswilliams obama speakers framed history way evoked nations past setting new agenda future refuted bitter polarization gripped national politics deploying language cadence scripture christian anthems national hymns surprisingly reference president famous second inaugural address abraham lincoln one obamas heroes doubt middle fourth great awakening missed one greatest inauguration speeches american history diana butler bass historian american religion wrote facebook watched speech direct rejoinder religious language symbols day could also read direct rejoinder presidents diehard opponents many insist christian believe americas divine mantle obama instead embraced american exceptionalism repeatedly cited gods brooklyn tabernacle choir sang battle hymn republic icons popular culture performed american idol star kelly clarkson sang country tis thee beyonce national anthem traditional elements presidential inauguration also display obama swore historic bibles used king abraham lincoln course used phrase help god conclusion oath office later unofficial addition obamas began day church monday attending services vice president biden sunday religious ceremonies continue tuesday prayer service washington national cathedral led methodist preacher adam hamilton yet events hardly celebration national spiritual triumphalism profound awareness challenges overcome yes also obstacles internal divisions faced country move forward perhaps important littlenoted passage speech obama invoked kind christian realism hallmark one favorite theologians reinhold niebuhr theology president views kind approach inspire leaders reason together act however flawed process results may mistake absolutism principle substitute spectacle politics treat namecalling reasoned debate obama said toward end address must act knowing work imperfect must act knowing todays victories partial stand four years 40 years 400 years hence advance timeless spirit conferred us spare philadelphia hall david gibson national reporter religion news service | 618 |
<p>April 10, 2012</p>
<p>By Katy Grimes</p>
<p>For more than 100 years, California was known as a great manufacturing state. It could be again if a new bill passes.</p>
<p>For decades, businesses clamored to come to the Golden State, and entrepreneurs armed only with a great idea built fabulous businesses.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>But the last decade in California has seen manufacturing disappear faster than the <a href="http://www.prbo.org/calpif/htmldocs/species/riparian/yellow-billed_cuckoo.htm" type="external">Cuckoo bird</a>.</p>
<p>“A robust manufacturing industry is an indicator of a nation’s ability to foster innovation and drive broad, sustained economic growth, and no state has been more important to U.S. manufacturing competitiveness than California,” the <a href="http://www.milkeninstitute.org/pdf/CAManufacturing.pdf" type="external">Milken Institute wrote</a> in 2002.</p>
<p>From 1997-2000, California had 5.6 percent of all manufacturing investments in the country. By 2001, it dropped to 1.9 percent, when a sales tax on equipment became a barrier to new investment.</p>
<p>Through increasingly invasive and expensive taxes, California politicians have killed off the taxpaying goose that laid the golden egg, leaving very little manufacturing left in the state.</p>
<p>Increasing costly regulations and hefty business-killing taxes have caused many businesses with little or no profits to close, or move to other states.</p>
<p>For many years, California has been double-taxing manufacturers through a sales and use tax on equipment. Any time a business purchases equipment in California, the equipment seller must collect the sales tax, paid by the purchaser.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>However, Assemblywoman Alyson Huber, D-El Dorado Hills, has introduced <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/AB_1972/20112012/" type="external">AB 1972,</a> which seeks to provide a tax exemption to businesses for the purchase of manufacturing equipment, or for research and development. Tax consideration such as this goes a long way toward stimulating business investment, resulting in job creation.</p>
<p>“California has struggled to attract or retain jobs in the manufacturing sector as many of the state’s manufacturers have struggled to keep their doors open here,” an <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/billtrack/analysis.html?aid=241018" type="external">analysis</a> of AB 1972 found. “From 2001 to 2011, California has lost 613,000 jobs in this sector according to EDD statistics cited by the California Manufactures and Technology Association.”</p>
<p>There is no doubt that California’s tax and regulatory climate is a direct contributor to these job losses. According to the <a href="http://www.milkeninstitute.org/pdf/CAManufacturing.pdf" type="external">Milken Institute Report</a>, <a href="http://www.milkeninstitute.org/pdf/CAManufacturing.pdf" type="external">Manufacturing 2.0</a>, the key reasons for the state’s loss in manufacturing jobs are the harsh&#160;regulatory climate, tax burden and business-unfriendly reputation. This report compares California to seven states — Arizona, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Oregon, Texas and Washington — that saw an increase in their share of the nation’s manufacturing jobs.</p>
<p>During a Revenue and Taxation hearing Monday, Huber said that other states recognize that taxing the input as well as the final manufactured product is double taxation and discourages investment. But double taxation does even more than just discourage investment—it prevents manufacturing businesses from making necessary investments back into equipment so they may stay competitive and grow. Double taxation also renders California businesses unable to compete with even our closest states, which do not tax business equipment purchases.</p>
<p>The current policy has resulted in less production in California.&#160;Out-of-state companies elect to grow elsewhere and in-state companies continue to shift workers or facilities to other regions that do not burden capital investments with excess taxation.</p>
<p>Huber also warned that, with <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California's_AB_32,_the_%22Global_Warming_Solutions_Act_of_2006%22" type="external">AB 32</a>, California’s <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php/California's_AB_32,_the_%22Global_Warming_Solutions_Act_of_2006%22" type="external">Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006</a>,&#160;currently being implemented, businesses will be required to purchase new equipment and make expensive retrofits.</p>
<p>The Milken Institute <a href="http://www.milkeninstitute.org/pdf/CAManufacturing.pdf" type="external">recommended</a>:</p>
<p>• Streamlining the regulatory procedure for manufacturers, increasing transparency and accountability in&#160;the regulatory process and encouraging long-term investment through new policy tools—all of which can&#160;be achieved without relaxing or changing a single regulatory standard.</p>
<p>• Enhancing public incentives for manufacturers through better planning, coordination across government&#160;agencies and partnering with the private sector.</p>
<p>• Launching an industry-led campaign to encourage Californians to pursue careers in manufacturing,&#160;highlighting the attributes of modern manufacturing, its importance to the economy, its record of&#160;environmental stewardship and its high wages.</p>
<p>• Creating a network of education, training, research, and business incubation centers around the&#160;state to develop a highly qualified manufacturing work force, to invent and commercialize advanced&#160;manufacturing techniques, and to assist start-up businesses.</p>
<p>• Creating a public-private initiative to conduct research, develop new technologies and processes, and&#160;commercialize more efficient and environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices with incentives to&#160;facilitate adoption of new standards.</p>
<p>However, there is one outstanding flaw in the bill’s analysis: “Any sales and use tax paid by a business will, however, be factored into the price it charges for goods, which in turn, may be subject to taxation.” This is an assumption regularly used at the Capitol by people unfamiliar with business. Businesses can only charge what the market will bear, including equipment manufacturers. Sometimes added costs can be passed on, but many times they cannot. It isn’t always the end consumer/purchaser who picks up the increase.</p>
<p>With California continually adding taxes onto the backs of businesses, the very reason so many are leaving and closing up for good is because so many of the state’s costs cannot be passed along. Double taxation renders California businesses uncompetitive.</p>
<p>Huber said that while initially this tax exemption will decrease state revenues, it has been proved time and time again that within a few years the state not only recovers the revenue, revenues increase. Once manufacturers have had the time to reinvest in new equipment and the new jobs which come from equipment purchases, California’s economy may have a chance. But this bill needs to be passed first.</p> | false | 3 | april 10 2012 katy grimes 100 years california known great manufacturing state could new bill passes decades businesses clamored come golden state entrepreneurs armed great idea built fabulous businesses last decade california seen manufacturing disappear faster cuckoo bird robust manufacturing industry indicator nations ability foster innovation drive broad sustained economic growth state important us manufacturing competitiveness california milken institute wrote 2002 19972000 california 56 percent manufacturing investments country 2001 dropped 19 percent sales tax equipment became barrier new investment increasingly invasive expensive taxes california politicians killed taxpaying goose laid golden egg leaving little manufacturing left state increasing costly regulations hefty businesskilling taxes caused many businesses little profits close move states many years california doubletaxing manufacturers sales use tax equipment time business purchases equipment california equipment seller must collect sales tax paid purchaser however assemblywoman alyson huber del dorado hills introduced ab 1972 seeks provide tax exemption businesses purchase manufacturing equipment research development tax consideration goes long way toward stimulating business investment resulting job creation california struggled attract retain jobs manufacturing sector many states manufacturers struggled keep doors open analysis ab 1972 found 2001 2011 california lost 613000 jobs sector according edd statistics cited california manufactures technology association doubt californias tax regulatory climate direct contributor job losses according milken institute report manufacturing 20 key reasons states loss manufacturing jobs harsh160regulatory climate tax burden businessunfriendly reputation report compares california seven states arizona indiana kansas minnesota oregon texas washington saw increase share nations manufacturing jobs revenue taxation hearing monday huber said states recognize taxing input well final manufactured product double taxation discourages investment double taxation even discourage investmentit prevents manufacturing businesses making necessary investments back equipment may stay competitive grow double taxation also renders california businesses unable compete even closest states tax business equipment purchases current policy resulted less production california160outofstate companies elect grow elsewhere instate companies continue shift workers facilities regions burden capital investments excess taxation huber also warned ab 32 californias global warming solutions act 2006160currently implemented businesses required purchase new equipment make expensive retrofits milken institute recommended streamlining regulatory procedure manufacturers increasing transparency accountability in160the regulatory process encouraging longterm investment new policy toolsall can160be achieved without relaxing changing single regulatory standard enhancing public incentives manufacturers better planning coordination across government160agencies partnering private sector launching industryled campaign encourage californians pursue careers manufacturing160highlighting attributes modern manufacturing importance economy record of160environmental stewardship high wages creating network education training research business incubation centers around the160state develop highly qualified manufacturing work force invent commercialize advanced160manufacturing techniques assist startup businesses creating publicprivate initiative conduct research develop new technologies processes and160commercialize efficient environmentally sustainable manufacturing practices incentives to160facilitate adoption new standards however one outstanding flaw bills analysis sales use tax paid business however factored price charges goods turn may subject taxation assumption regularly used capitol people unfamiliar business businesses charge market bear including equipment manufacturers sometimes added costs passed many times isnt always end consumerpurchaser picks increase california continually adding taxes onto backs businesses reason many leaving closing good many states costs passed along double taxation renders california businesses uncompetitive huber said initially tax exemption decrease state revenues proved time time within years state recovers revenue revenues increase manufacturers time reinvest new equipment new jobs come equipment purchases californias economy may chance bill needs passed first | 539 |
<p>Achieving a successful long-term fitness plan requires starting with a healthy psychological view of yourself.</p>
<p>Being a trainer and helping people achieve their fitness and health goals for 15 years has given me a lot of data on what has worked and what hasn’t worked. It’s also given me insight on what barriers many people face when attempting to make a healthy lifestyle change.</p>
<p>I’ve had the blessing of working with more than a thousand people and had the honor of talking about health to a thousand more. Though I’ve connected with the rich and poor, CEOs and blue-collar workers, black and white, male and female, and any other combo you can think of, they all present many of the same barriers to becoming fit and healthy. The most common barrier I see keeping people from achieving their goals comes from a lack of self-worth.</p>
<p>When we speak about self-worth, I could care less about how much is in your bank account or what your credit score is. This is a different type of currency that makes you intangibly rich. Self-worthiness employs the basic fact that you feel, believe and act upon the premise that you deserve greatness in everything you do. Most minorities can relate to this feeling or breaking point because most civil rights movements come from a general place of worth. How each group acts upon it varies of course, but whether you are marching in the street, lobbying with Congress, using economic influence or all of the above, your movement starts from a place of self-worth. Your healthy lifestyle will start from the same place.</p>
<p>“Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” “With great rewards come great sacrifice.” Sure we’ve all heard quotes like these, but rarely do we hear that we are worth the sacrifice. The first barrier most of my clients have is getting to a point where they decide they are worth the sacrifice it will take in order to put their health and fitness as a consistent priority in their life. For some, the sacrifice is money, for others it’s time, but for most, the hardest part is getting to a point mentally of believing that they are worth the sacrifice.</p>
<p>It’s taking a step back and saying to yourself that I love myself so much that I will be selfish. The second step to this is actually backing this idea up with actions that show you and the world that you actually believe what you’re saying. In general, I’ve found that people are much more willing to sacrifice for others and commit for others than they are for themselves. Think about the times you’ve done something because someone has asked you, but you wouldn’t have done the same for yourself and your own happiness.</p>
<p>I always think about your friend’s expensive birthday dinner that you’re willing to go to for the other person, but you’d never treat yourself to. This also resonates with parents who want the best for their kids and will sacrifice everything, including time, money and sometimes sanity, but refuse to sacrifice any of the above for their own health or happiness. Think about the parent who cooks and eats an unhealthy dinner to satisfy their kids but won’t take the time to cook what is on their personal eating plan. There’s also the parent who would spend a limitless budget on putting their kids into sports activities, but won’t invest a dime into their own fitness. By sacrificing for others, even our family, at every decision, you send a strong message to yourself and the world that you’re not important.</p>
<p>Changing this starts in realizing that when you’re at your best, you are also the best for others. The best teachers are the ones who live their own creed. The best parents don’t just tell their kids to do things, they reinforce it by setting a positive example. If you want your kids to eat healthy, then you need to eat healthy. If you want your kids to adopt a consistent healthy active lifestyle, then you must do the same. Your health is worth the same sacrifices that you would make for others and not only that, you are better for your family, friends and society in general when you do.</p>
<p>“I must not fear. Fear is a mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear.” (Frank Herbert) “Conquer fear and conquer your life.”</p>
<p>The second barrier I see prevent most people from sticking with or even getting started with a new health and fitness plan is fear. Fear of failing. Fear of looking stupid. Fear of the work it’ll take.&#160; Fear of not being as good as everyone else. Fear of everything. You are worth the fear. You are worth not only having these legitimate feelings, but you are worth facing those fears and overcoming them. Facing and overcoming these fears will mold you into a better you.</p>
<p>Think of it like this — every great change and challenge in your life has started with fear. First day of school. First day at a new job. Moving to a new city. Getting married. Getting divorced. No matter what it was, if it was new in life, there was fear. Though the degree of the fear varies from person to person and situation to situation, the presence of fear is always there. The acknowledgment of this fear is OK and to some degree healthy, but it’s important that this fear is a moment and not a movement.</p>
<p>When I meet with people starting a new training plan with me, I like to ask them what are they afraid of. Most answers circle around how others will perceive them and how they perceive themselves as compared to themselves during another time in their life. They think they will disappoint me, be judged by other people or that they’re not as fit as they once were. Though changing this behavior, of course, doesn’t happen in one session, I have found the most success in getting people to refocus on who they came here for and teaching them how to be in the moment. I totally agree that the gym can be an intimidating place especially for a novice, but only if you are valuing your worth and success on the scale set by other people. If you can commit to defining your success by yourself and for yourself, then what others are doing or how they perceive you will not mean anything to you.</p>
<p>I understand this is easier said than done, but this may be one of the most important habits that you must work to create. There’s always going to be someone more experienced than you and not as far along as you. Your journey is your journey. When it comes to overcoming the comparisons to the old you or to the you that you think you should be, it really comes back to defining your own success.&#160; We can take it to the next level by defining your success in this moment. If you were a millionaire who went broke, your current financial goals can’t be set on your previous rich status. You have to work on getting that first dollar and building on that. Same in the gym. We have to honestly assess where we are and allow ourselves to be in that moment. You are worth facing these fears and allowing yourself to reach your goals.</p>
<p>“I did a good job.” The last barrier keeping many people from staying consistent in a long-term program, is the lack of acknowledgment of their success. We all love to be told “good job.” Most of us are very willing to tell others when they have done a good job, but we rarely give ourselves that intangible pat on the back. We stay consistent in things where we feel like we are challenged and getting better.</p>
<p>If you never acknowledge the successes you’ve achieved, then you won’t think you’re getting any better when you are. This again stems from a place of worth. You are worth taking the time to compliment yourself and even reward yourself.</p>
<p>A little exercise I use with clients is something I call the “what-would-you-tell-a-stranger?” game. I’ll take a client’s personal successes and give it to a stranger. Then we analyze it objectively. If a stranger told you that last year they worked out one time a week and ate unhealthy five times a week, but this year they are working out and eating healthy five times a week, would you rank them as successful?</p>
<p>The answer is almost always, “Well that’s great, but …” I tell them, “No buts.” If it’s good enough for someone else, then it’s good enough for you. I suggest that monthly you reassess your progress from day one and allow yourself to check back in on your progress. This will help keep you motivated to stay in the game for the long haul. You are worth the compliment.</p>
<p>Self-worth and self-discovery are all part of the process of building a healthier happier you. The fitter, happier you starts from a space of believing that you are worth the journey that a lifestyle change will take you on. There will be ups and downs, but the key is to stay on the ride. People who have long term success with their fitness plan run into snags, but are always able to bounce back. If your goals are centered at your worth, then when those bumps in the road occur refocus on your worth to find your way back on the wagon. No matter what your New Year’s resolutions are, center them at your self-worth and 2017, 2018 and 2019 will be everything you imagined and more.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">fitness 2017</a> <a href="" type="internal">psychology of fitness</a> <a href="" type="internal">what's holding you back?</a> <a href="" type="internal">workout goals</a></p> | false | 3 | achieving successful longterm fitness plan requires starting healthy psychological view trainer helping people achieve fitness health goals 15 years given lot data worked hasnt worked also given insight barriers many people face attempting make healthy lifestyle change ive blessing working thousand people honor talking health thousand though ive connected rich poor ceos bluecollar workers black white male female combo think present many barriers becoming fit healthy common barrier see keeping people achieving goals comes lack selfworth speak selfworth could care less much bank account credit score different type currency makes intangibly rich selfworthiness employs basic fact feel believe act upon premise deserve greatness everything minorities relate feeling breaking point civil rights movements come general place worth group acts upon varies course whether marching street lobbying congress using economic influence movement starts place selfworth healthy lifestyle start place heavy head wears crown great rewards come great sacrifice sure weve heard quotes like rarely hear worth sacrifice first barrier clients getting point decide worth sacrifice take order put health fitness consistent priority life sacrifice money others time hardest part getting point mentally believing worth sacrifice taking step back saying love much selfish second step actually backing idea actions show world actually believe youre saying general ive found people much willing sacrifice others commit others think times youve done something someone asked wouldnt done happiness always think friends expensive birthday dinner youre willing go person youd never treat also resonates parents want best kids sacrifice everything including time money sometimes sanity refuse sacrifice health happiness think parent cooks eats unhealthy dinner satisfy kids wont take time cook personal eating plan theres also parent would spend limitless budget putting kids sports activities wont invest dime fitness sacrificing others even family every decision send strong message world youre important changing starts realizing youre best also best others best teachers ones live creed best parents dont tell kids things reinforce setting positive example want kids eat healthy need eat healthy want kids adopt consistent healthy active lifestyle must health worth sacrifices would make others better family friends society general must fear fear mind killer fear little death brings total obliteration face fear frank herbert conquer fear conquer life second barrier see prevent people sticking even getting started new health fitness plan fear fear failing fear looking stupid fear work itll take160 fear good everyone else fear everything worth fear worth legitimate feelings worth facing fears overcoming facing overcoming fears mold better think like every great change challenge life started fear first day school first day new job moving new city getting married getting divorced matter new life fear though degree fear varies person person situation situation presence fear always acknowledgment fear ok degree healthy important fear moment movement meet people starting new training plan like ask afraid answers circle around others perceive perceive compared another time life think disappoint judged people theyre fit though changing behavior course doesnt happen one session found success getting people refocus came teaching moment totally agree gym intimidating place especially novice valuing worth success scale set people commit defining success others perceive mean anything understand easier said done may one important habits must work create theres always going someone experienced far along journey journey comes overcoming comparisons old think really comes back defining success160 take next level defining success moment millionaire went broke current financial goals cant set previous rich status work getting first dollar building gym honestly assess allow moment worth facing fears allowing reach goals good job last barrier keeping many people staying consistent longterm program lack acknowledgment success love told good job us willing tell others done good job rarely give intangible pat back stay consistent things feel like challenged getting better never acknowledge successes youve achieved wont think youre getting better stems place worth worth taking time compliment even reward little exercise use clients something call whatwouldyoutellastranger game ill take clients personal successes give stranger analyze objectively stranger told last year worked one time week ate unhealthy five times week year working eating healthy five times week would rank successful answer almost always well thats great tell buts good enough someone else good enough suggest monthly reassess progress day one allow check back progress help keep motivated stay game long haul worth compliment selfworth selfdiscovery part process building healthier happier fitter happier starts space believing worth journey lifestyle change take ups downs key stay ride people long term success fitness plan run snags always able bounce back goals centered worth bumps road occur refocus worth find way back wagon matter new years resolutions center selfworth 2017 2018 2019 everything imagined fitness 2017 psychology fitness whats holding back workout goals | 772 |
<p>GOP's 2014 Senate Advantage -- An Expanded Map:</p>
<p>Democrats have enjoyed a good April -- eight million have enrolled in the health-care exchanges, their candidates have begun fighting back on health care, and polling suggests that the political obituaries for the Southern Democrats up for re-election may have been a bit premature.</p>
<p>The bad news for Democrats is that Republicans have expanded the map -- they have multiple paths to winning back the Senate in November (or December, if there's a runoff in Louisiana). Case in point is the new Quinnipiac poll showing a neck-and-neck race in Colorado between Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) and Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO). The fact is that even as Democrats improve their situation in the red states, Republicans continue to make more progress in the blue states (see Michigan, Iowa and even Oregon), leaving the national environment still tilted toward the GOP.</p>
<p>A further illustration of this expanded GOP map is our Top 10 Senate takeover list, in which Republicans have nine of the 10 best pickup opportunities. Democrats finally have some momentum on their side, but Republicans continue to have the map advantage.</p>
<p>Our Senate list (ranking in order of most likely to switch parties):</p>
<p>1. West Virginia (Open-D): She still has a May 13 primary to contend with, but Rep. Shelley Moore Capito is the strong favorite to succeed retiring Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D). Democrats got a relatively strong challenger in Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, but Moore Capito will be tough to beat. And unlike most of the Republicans on this list, she is not having to deal with a major tea party challenge and has been able to run more comfortably as a pro-government Republican, which in a state so reliant on federal dollars is a good place to be.</p>
<p>2. South Dakota (Open-D): While national Democrats stubbornly refuse to get behind their candidate Rick Weiland, he does one potential advantage at allowing Democrats a chance at this seat.-- a third party candidate. Former Gov. Mike Rounds (R) has the clear edge in nabbing the GOP nomination and is still a strong favorite in November. But, the fact that former GOP Sen. Larry Pressler is running as independent could complicate things for Rounds. On the other hand, Republicans argue Pressler, an Obama supporter, could hurt Weiland almost as much as Rounds.</p>
<p>3. Montana (Open-D): Republicans have a better than 50-50 shot for a Senate majority thanks to Sen. Max Baucus' (D) decision to retire and Brian Schweitzer's (D) decision not to run for the seat. Dems elevated John Walsh to temporarily fill Baucus' seat, but GOP Rep. Steve Daines has the early edge. And Walsh still has to deal with a competitive primary. Democrats are a tad more committed at trying to help Walsh over the next few months, at least more so than his primary opponents. But will they be there for Walsh on Labor Day?</p>
<p>4. Arkansas (D): Welcome to the beginning of our more competitive senate race rankings. No candidate has seen his fortunes "perception wise" in Washington change more in the last 3 weeks than Sen. Mark Pryor (D), who is either leading or tied in multiple recent polls. He still has to run a nearly flawless campaign to beat Rep. Tom Cotton (R), but the good news for him is that he has a strong pulse with six months to go before Election Day. There had been a real concern 3 months ago that Pryor was slipping into Blanche Lincoln territory. Clearly not an issue now.</p>
<p>5. Louisiana (D): The true race here likely won't be in November during the candidate free-for-all; rather, it will be the December runoff if no one surpasses 50%. It's very possible the battle for Senate control will come down to a December runoff when the entire political world descends on the Bayou State. Oh, and the runoff would take place on the same day as the SEC Championship in college football. We're not sure if as political junkies and college football fanatics whether we should be celebrating this likelihood or lamenting it.</p>
<p>6. Alaska (D): It's hard to get a good feel for this race. Sen. Mark Begich (D) has incumbency and a famous name on his side (his father was the late Congressman Nick Begich). But the GOP has a big registration edge. And Republican establishment favorite Dan Sullivan seems to be in solid shape (for now) to win the GOP primary. One thing to keep in mind, it is EXTREMELY rare for any Democrat to get over 50% in Alaska. The good news for Begich, he may not need it.</p>
<p>7. North Carolina (D): We said it earlier in the week: This contest is likely your bellwether for 2014 -- your perfect "generic D" vs. "generic R" race. All eyes will be on the May 6 GOP primary: Establishment favorite Thom Tillis has the advantage. The question is the runoff if no one gets more than 40%. Democrats are not-so-quietly trying to help the more tea party favorite candidate, Greg Brannon.</p>
<p>8. Colorado (D): Look no further than the Quinnipiac poll, which had Sen. Mark Udall (D) at 45% and Rep. Cory Gardner (R) at 44%. But can Gov. John Hickenlooper, whose approval is above 50%, pull Udall across the finish line?</p>
<p>9. Michigan (Open-D): We have a feeling that Rep. Gary Peters (D) vs. Terri Lynn Land (R) might be one of the roughest races in the country. And one of the closest, but it is still Michigan and Peters has to be considered the slight favorite unless he stumbles badly.</p>
<p>10. Kentucky (R): Finally at No. 10, Democrats have their first pickup opportunity on the list. And just like in Colorado, it promises to be close, assuming GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell wins his May 20 primary. The New York Times/Kaiser poll had it McConnell 44%, Alison Grimes (D) 43%.</p>
<p>Five more to watch:</p>
<p>11. Iowa</p>
<p>12. Georgia</p>
<p>13. New Hampshire</p>
<p>14. Mississippi</p>
<p>15. Oregon</p>
<p><a href="http://is.gd/ccxyrR" type="external">Click here to sign up for First Read emails.</a> Text FIRST to 622639, to sign up for First Read alerts to your mobile phone. Check us out on <a href="http://is.gd/TzuR1b" type="external">Facebook</a>and also on <a href="http://is.gd/hkhSDT" type="external">Twitter</a>. Follow us @ <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/chucktodd" type="external">chucktodd</a>, @ <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/mmurraypolitics" type="external">mmurraypolitics</a>,</p> | false | 3 | gops 2014 senate advantage expanded map democrats enjoyed good april eight million enrolled healthcare exchanges candidates begun fighting back health care polling suggests political obituaries southern democrats reelection may bit premature bad news democrats republicans expanded map multiple paths winning back senate november december theres runoff louisiana case point new quinnipiac poll showing neckandneck race colorado sen mark udall dco rep cory gardner rco fact even democrats improve situation red states republicans continue make progress blue states see michigan iowa even oregon leaving national environment still tilted toward gop illustration expanded gop map top 10 senate takeover list republicans nine 10 best pickup opportunities democrats finally momentum side republicans continue map advantage senate list ranking order likely switch parties 1 west virginia opend still may 13 primary contend rep shelley moore capito strong favorite succeed retiring sen jay rockefeller democrats got relatively strong challenger secretary state natalie tennant moore capito tough beat unlike republicans list deal major tea party challenge able run comfortably progovernment republican state reliant federal dollars good place 2 south dakota opend national democrats stubbornly refuse get behind candidate rick weiland one potential advantage allowing democrats chance seat third party candidate former gov mike rounds r clear edge nabbing gop nomination still strong favorite november fact former gop sen larry pressler running independent could complicate things rounds hand republicans argue pressler obama supporter could hurt weiland almost much rounds 3 montana opend republicans better 5050 shot senate majority thanks sen max baucus decision retire brian schweitzers decision run seat dems elevated john walsh temporarily fill baucus seat gop rep steve daines early edge walsh still deal competitive primary democrats tad committed trying help walsh next months least primary opponents walsh labor day 4 arkansas welcome beginning competitive senate race rankings candidate seen fortunes perception wise washington change last 3 weeks sen mark pryor either leading tied multiple recent polls still run nearly flawless campaign beat rep tom cotton r good news strong pulse six months go election day real concern 3 months ago pryor slipping blanche lincoln territory clearly issue 5 louisiana true race likely wont november candidate freeforall rather december runoff one surpasses 50 possible battle senate control come december runoff entire political world descends bayou state oh runoff would take place day sec championship college football sure political junkies college football fanatics whether celebrating likelihood lamenting 6 alaska hard get good feel race sen mark begich incumbency famous name side father late congressman nick begich gop big registration edge republican establishment favorite dan sullivan seems solid shape win gop primary one thing keep mind extremely rare democrat get 50 alaska good news begich may need 7 north carolina said earlier week contest likely bellwether 2014 perfect generic vs generic r race eyes may 6 gop primary establishment favorite thom tillis advantage question runoff one gets 40 democrats notsoquietly trying help tea party favorite candidate greg brannon 8 colorado look quinnipiac poll sen mark udall 45 rep cory gardner r 44 gov john hickenlooper whose approval 50 pull udall across finish line 9 michigan opend feeling rep gary peters vs terri lynn land r might one roughest races country one closest still michigan peters considered slight favorite unless stumbles badly 10 kentucky r finally 10 democrats first pickup opportunity list like colorado promises close assuming gop senate leader mitch mcconnell wins may 20 primary new york timeskaiser poll mcconnell 44 alison grimes 43 five watch 11 iowa 12 georgia 13 new hampshire 14 mississippi 15 oregon click sign first read emails text first 622639 sign first read alerts mobile phone check us facebookand also twitter follow us chucktodd mmurraypolitics | 603 |
<p>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - The federal spending bill signed into law by President Barack Obama on Friday finally picks up the pieces from an initiative that set NASA on a course beyond Earth orbit a decade earlier — a program called Constellation.</p>
<p>Back in 2004, President George W. Bush <a href="" type="internal">set the wheels in motion</a> for Project Constellation, at the same time that he set the stage for the completion of the International Space Station and the retirement of the space shuttle fleet.</p>
<p>Constellation would have given NASA two sets of rockets suitable for a wide range of missions, with emergency abort systems and safety measures that the space shuttles never had. These rockets, known as Ares 1 and Ares 5, could have taken astronauts anywhere in our solar system. Constellation offered the quickest route to keep NASA's astronauts flying, and would send them beyond Earth orbit for the first time since 1972.</p>
<p>The station was finished and the shuttles were retired — but the follow-on Ares rocket program was canceled.</p>
<p>NASA was forced to buy seats on Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft to keep the International Space Station staffed. Meanwhile, three years of infighting and knock-down, drag-out arguments failed to build a better mousetrap for going beyond Earth orbit.</p>
<p>Neil Armstrong, who became the first man to walk on the moon in 1969, had this to say in 2010 when he testified before Congress:</p>
<p>"The lunar vicinity is an exceptional location to learn about traveling to more distant places. Largely removed from Earth gravity and Earth’s magnetosphere, it provides many of the challenges of flying far from Earth. ...</p>
<p>"Flying in the lunar vicinity would typically provide low radiation exposure than those expected in interplanetary flight. The long communication delays to destinations beyond the moon mandate new techniques and procedure for spacecraft operations. Mission Control cannot provide a Mars crew their normal helpful advice (while landing) if the time delay of the radar, communications and telemetry back to Earth are minutes away.</p>
<p>"Flight experience at lunar distances can provide valuable insights into practical solutions for handling such challenges. I am persuaded that a return to the moon would be the most productive path to expanding the human presence in the solar system."</p>
<p>Those who had tossed out Constellation hurried back to retrieve pieces of the plan from Washington's waste dump. In 2011, at the direction of Congress, <a href="" type="internal">NASA reinstated the big heavy-lift rocket</a>. It's called the Space Launch System, or SLS for short.</p>
<p>'A big win'NASA fared well in the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill that was <a href="" type="internal">cleared by Congress on Thursday</a>. The legislation includes funding for the agency’s major space and science initiatives, including a crewed mission to Mars by the 2030s. That mission would be sent out on the Space Launch System.</p>
<p>"This is a big win," said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., who chairs the Senate subcommittee that handles space policy.</p>
<p>NASA officials voiced their pleasure as well. "The bill keeps NASA’s deep-space exploration program on track and will continue to spur American innovation and keep the U.S. the world leader in space exploration," said David Weaver, NASA’s associate administrator for communications.</p>
<p>Here's the bottom line: NASA’s Space Launch System will be the world’s most powerful rocket, capable of flying many kinds of deep-space missions. It can help keep our planet safe through missions to redirect asteroids or anything else that's headed our way.</p>
<p>Not only will it boost astronauts to a multitude of destinations in our solar system, it will be capable of carrying huge scientific spacecraft and telescopes to the far reaches of our solar system.</p>
<p>To do all these tasks, the SLS will be outfitted with a multipurpose crew vehicle called Orion.</p>
<p>Plans for deep spaceIt all gets under way this September at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. A United Launch Alliance Delta 4 rocket will boost the first uncrewed Orion to an altitude of 3,600 miles. The test spacecraft will then head back at 20,000 mph. Its heat shield will serve as the protective armor against re-entry temperatures that can reach 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,200 degrees Celsius).</p>
<p>The speed will match that of an Orion craft returning from deep space — almost an exact duplication of the fiery re-entries that were experienced by Armstrong and the other Apollo astronauts.</p>
<p>The performance of Orion during its first heat shield test will tell NASA if the ship is ready for deep-space journeys.</p>
<p>If it is, in 2017 Orion will be placed atop the first SLS heavy-lift rocket — still without a crew — and head out beyond the moon and back. The spacecraft will shoot for a stable lunar orbit, 40,000 miles above the moon's surface. NASA wants to use a robotic probe to redirect an asteroid into that type of parking orbit as early as 2021. Then the space agency would send astronauts to the asteroid in an Orion capsule, to study the object and bring back some of its treasures.</p>
<p>It will be the beginning of a new and exciting time. More important, it will be another step needed for humans to leave their cradle on Earth — to learn about our celestial neighborhood, and to learn about traveling to more distant places.</p>
<p>NBC News correspondent Jay Barbree is the only journalist to cover every spaceflight flown by astronauts from Cape Canaveral. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Neil-Armstrong-A-Life-Flight/dp/125004071X" type="external">"Neil Armstrong: A Life of Flight,"</a> Barbree's book about the first to walk on a place other than Earth, is due for release in July.</p> | false | 3 | cape canaveral fla federal spending bill signed law president barack obama friday finally picks pieces initiative set nasa course beyond earth orbit decade earlier program called constellation back 2004 president george w bush set wheels motion project constellation time set stage completion international space station retirement space shuttle fleet constellation would given nasa two sets rockets suitable wide range missions emergency abort systems safety measures space shuttles never rockets known ares 1 ares 5 could taken astronauts anywhere solar system constellation offered quickest route keep nasas astronauts flying would send beyond earth orbit first time since 1972 station finished shuttles retired followon ares rocket program canceled nasa forced buy seats russias soyuz spacecraft keep international space station staffed meanwhile three years infighting knockdown dragout arguments failed build better mousetrap going beyond earth orbit neil armstrong became first man walk moon 1969 say 2010 testified congress lunar vicinity exceptional location learn traveling distant places largely removed earth gravity earths magnetosphere provides many challenges flying far earth flying lunar vicinity would typically provide low radiation exposure expected interplanetary flight long communication delays destinations beyond moon mandate new techniques procedure spacecraft operations mission control provide mars crew normal helpful advice landing time delay radar communications telemetry back earth minutes away flight experience lunar distances provide valuable insights practical solutions handling challenges persuaded return moon would productive path expanding human presence solar system tossed constellation hurried back retrieve pieces plan washingtons waste dump 2011 direction congress nasa reinstated big heavylift rocket called space launch system sls short big winnasa fared well 11 trillion omnibus spending bill cleared congress thursday legislation includes funding agencys major space science initiatives including crewed mission mars 2030s mission would sent space launch system big win said sen bill nelson dfla chairs senate subcommittee handles space policy nasa officials voiced pleasure well bill keeps nasas deepspace exploration program track continue spur american innovation keep us world leader space exploration said david weaver nasas associate administrator communications heres bottom line nasas space launch system worlds powerful rocket capable flying many kinds deepspace missions help keep planet safe missions redirect asteroids anything else thats headed way boost astronauts multitude destinations solar system capable carrying huge scientific spacecraft telescopes far reaches solar system tasks sls outfitted multipurpose crew vehicle called orion plans deep spaceit gets way september cape canaveral air force station florida united launch alliance delta 4 rocket boost first uncrewed orion altitude 3600 miles test spacecraft head back 20000 mph heat shield serve protective armor reentry temperatures reach 4000 degrees fahrenheit 2200 degrees celsius speed match orion craft returning deep space almost exact duplication fiery reentries experienced armstrong apollo astronauts performance orion first heat shield test tell nasa ship ready deepspace journeys 2017 orion placed atop first sls heavylift rocket still without crew head beyond moon back spacecraft shoot stable lunar orbit 40000 miles moons surface nasa wants use robotic probe redirect asteroid type parking orbit early 2021 space agency would send astronauts asteroid orion capsule study object bring back treasures beginning new exciting time important another step needed humans leave cradle earth learn celestial neighborhood learn traveling distant places nbc news correspondent jay barbree journalist cover every spaceflight flown astronauts cape canaveral neil armstrong life flight barbrees book first walk place earth due release july | 545 |
<p>When a persistent infection put farmer Batula Ismail in and out of the hospital this summer, her rows of carrots became consumed with weeds.</p>
<p>In another town, her plot might have stayed that way. But Ismail farms collectively with more than a dozen recent Somali Bantu immigrants in Lewiston, Maine. And her colleagues put off their own needy fields to crouch down together and hand-weed until Ismail’s frilly carrot tops emerged that uncharacteristically wet June.</p>
<p>As Ismail convalesced, her eldest daughter, a new mother herself, assumed daily farm tasks while Ismail’s eldest son delivered food to clients and manned her farmers’ market booths.</p>
<p>Ismail and her fellow Somali Bantu refugees refuse to let the weeds overtake their hard-won fields near Maine’s second largest city. That they’ve come to embrace farming as exalted work is significant, given the ethnic minority’s history. Farming was about the last thing Somali Bantus expected to do after fleeing their country, which collapsed into civil war in 1991.</p>
<p>For 200 years, the Bantus had toiled as subsistence farmers along the fertile floodplains of the Juba Valley in Somalia, where they had been brought as slaves from Tanzania, Mozambique and Malawi.</p>
<p>“In Somalia, farming is low-caste,” says Daniel Van Lehman, a Bantu expert who worked as a UN field officer in the Kenyan refugee camps and assisted early US efforts to resettle the persecuted group here. “It’s like the untouchables in India — oh, let the Bantus do the farming. They did it because they had to. They were forced to do it by the Omanis, by the Italians, by the nomadic ruling Somalis and they’re forced to do it again today by the al-Shabab warlords.”</p>
<p>In Maine, however, Ismail and her fellow refugees found farmers revered as community pillars. Ismail, who is approximately 42 (Somali Bantus don’t traditionally track their age or date of birth) is a grandmother of six and single mother of nine. She came to Maine, by way of Baltimore, alone, as resettlement terms separated her from her husband, who had three other wives.</p>
<p>Others flocked here from Atlanta, Dallas and Syracuse, drawn by affordable housing, good schools and, importantly, access to land. About&#160;13,000 Somali Bantus were resettled from Kenyan refugee camps to the US by 2007.&#160;Now they farm and garden around the country, but perhaps nowhere as intensively as in Maine, where one of the greatest concentrations of Somalis — roughly 5,000 (about 1,500 Bantus) — has resettled in Lewiston housing projects and abandoned multiplexes.</p>
<p>Even in a patriarchal, polygynous culture, Bantu women had long farmed in Somalia. They often controlled their own fields, accessed through landowning sons or husbands. But what is revolutionary now, here in the US, says Colby College anthropologist Catherine Besteman, is for such a low-income population to consume such an abundance of fresh vegetables that they grow themselves, since the health of refugees generally declines under the influence of cheap fast food in the US.</p>
<p>Resettlement agencies gradually realized farming could help these otherwise low-skilled refugees (who didn’t know how to drive and lacked literacy even in their native dialects) learn some English while improving their physical and mental health. There’s now a whole resettlement movement focused on agriculture, with scores of programs around the country since the US Office of Refugee Resettlement started funding such efforts in 1998. In 2004, the USDA signed a joint memorandum to significantly fund these programs, though money for such beginning and socially-disadvantaged farmers lapsed when the Farm Bill expired last fall.</p>
<p>And in Maine, women such as Ismail — who, unlike men, lacked job options outside the home — were among the first to enlist.</p>
<p>Maine’s New America Sustainable Agriculture Project, or NASAP, is a movement leader. Conceived in 2002, the project has helped nearly 100 recent immigrants (primarily Somali Bantu but also South Sudanese, Guatemalan and Mexican) grow from community gardeners into managers of a 30-acre incubator on a land trust-protected family farm.</p>
<p>The program broadened in 2009, when NASAP merged with the youth gardening non-profit Cultivating Community. The farmers, who collaboratively market as Fresh Start Farms, sold more than $150,000 of produce this season to 300 CSA (community supported agriculture) customers, at 20 Maine farmers’ markets and to several restaurants. As the first group of farmers — nine of them, including Ismail — graduate from the program this fall, they’ll still lease land together and receive technical and business support.</p>
<p>“It’s really a great resource for people to be in a community of other farmers,” says NASAP director Daniel Ungier. “We try to be aware of the fact that sustainable agriculture is moving towards ‘interdependence.’ We don’t want to push them in the opposite direction by asking people to do it on their own.”</p>
<p>A decade ago, none of the refugees could have anticipated the rock star treatment they received at their recent graduation, which took place in a repurposed Portland church. The standing room-only crowd of 150 included young girls sporting jaunty headscarves, art school hipsters and graying retirees. Cultivating Community was selling its new locally-designed “Beyond the Vegetable” cookbook, featuring photographer Amy Temple’s vivid color portraits and recipes for farmer Hawa Ibrahim’s stewed spinach and green beans, farmer Seynab Ali’s sambusas and her son Hussein Muktar’s collards with onions and tomatoes.</p>
<p>The Somali women hung back as one of their male compatriots took to the stage, telling his migration story through Muktar, the farm’s translator, who mastered English attending school in the refugee camps.</p>
<p>“We’re so proud to be here,” Muktar relays. “We couldn’t have this opportunity without your support, and we appreciate it.”</p>
<p>Agriculture in Maine is at a crossroads. Some 250,000 acres of farmland could change hands as aging farmers retire in the coming decade. As this graduating class leaves, they make space for 50 new farmers at Cultivating Community. Many, including recent Congolese refugees, desire land to plant African crops such as amaranth leaves, spinach-like molokia and, especially, their beloved staple dried corn.</p>
<p>“There’s so much energy and enthusiasm around local agriculture, but there’s going to be a big change, too,” Ungier said at the graduation. “We’re so fortunate that we have a wave of people coming to Maine, with a history in farming, who really see farming as a way to make a home here and a way to give back to the place that’s been able to welcome them.”</p>
<p>Reporting for this story was supported by <a href="http://newamericamedia.org/" type="external">New America Media</a> through its Women Immigrants Fellowship program. It was originally published in <a href="http://modernfarmer.com/" type="external">Modern Farmer</a>.</p> | false | 3 | persistent infection put farmer batula ismail hospital summer rows carrots became consumed weeds another town plot might stayed way ismail farms collectively dozen recent somali bantu immigrants lewiston maine colleagues put needy fields crouch together handweed ismails frilly carrot tops emerged uncharacteristically wet june ismail convalesced eldest daughter new mother assumed daily farm tasks ismails eldest son delivered food clients manned farmers market booths ismail fellow somali bantu refugees refuse let weeds overtake hardwon fields near maines second largest city theyve come embrace farming exalted work significant given ethnic minoritys history farming last thing somali bantus expected fleeing country collapsed civil war 1991 200 years bantus toiled subsistence farmers along fertile floodplains juba valley somalia brought slaves tanzania mozambique malawi somalia farming lowcaste says daniel van lehman bantu expert worked un field officer kenyan refugee camps assisted early us efforts resettle persecuted group like untouchables india oh let bantus farming forced omanis italians nomadic ruling somalis theyre forced today alshabab warlords maine however ismail fellow refugees found farmers revered community pillars ismail approximately 42 somali bantus dont traditionally track age date birth grandmother six single mother nine came maine way baltimore alone resettlement terms separated husband three wives others flocked atlanta dallas syracuse drawn affordable housing good schools importantly access land about16013000 somali bantus resettled kenyan refugee camps us 2007160now farm garden around country perhaps nowhere intensively maine one greatest concentrations somalis roughly 5000 1500 bantus resettled lewiston housing projects abandoned multiplexes even patriarchal polygynous culture bantu women long farmed somalia often controlled fields accessed landowning sons husbands revolutionary us says colby college anthropologist catherine besteman lowincome population consume abundance fresh vegetables grow since health refugees generally declines influence cheap fast food us resettlement agencies gradually realized farming could help otherwise lowskilled refugees didnt know drive lacked literacy even native dialects learn english improving physical mental health theres whole resettlement movement focused agriculture scores programs around country since us office refugee resettlement started funding efforts 1998 2004 usda signed joint memorandum significantly fund programs though money beginning sociallydisadvantaged farmers lapsed farm bill expired last fall maine women ismail unlike men lacked job options outside home among first enlist maines new america sustainable agriculture project nasap movement leader conceived 2002 project helped nearly 100 recent immigrants primarily somali bantu also south sudanese guatemalan mexican grow community gardeners managers 30acre incubator land trustprotected family farm program broadened 2009 nasap merged youth gardening nonprofit cultivating community farmers collaboratively market fresh start farms sold 150000 produce season 300 csa community supported agriculture customers 20 maine farmers markets several restaurants first group farmers nine including ismail graduate program fall theyll still lease land together receive technical business support really great resource people community farmers says nasap director daniel ungier try aware fact sustainable agriculture moving towards interdependence dont want push opposite direction asking people decade ago none refugees could anticipated rock star treatment received recent graduation took place repurposed portland church standing roomonly crowd 150 included young girls sporting jaunty headscarves art school hipsters graying retirees cultivating community selling new locallydesigned beyond vegetable cookbook featuring photographer amy temples vivid color portraits recipes farmer hawa ibrahims stewed spinach green beans farmer seynab alis sambusas son hussein muktars collards onions tomatoes somali women hung back one male compatriots took stage telling migration story muktar farms translator mastered english attending school refugee camps proud muktar relays couldnt opportunity without support appreciate agriculture maine crossroads 250000 acres farmland could change hands aging farmers retire coming decade graduating class leaves make space 50 new farmers cultivating community many including recent congolese refugees desire land plant african crops amaranth leaves spinachlike molokia especially beloved staple dried corn theres much energy enthusiasm around local agriculture theres going big change ungier said graduation fortunate wave people coming maine history farming really see farming way make home way give back place thats able welcome reporting story supported new america media women immigrants fellowship program originally published modern farmer | 654 |
<p>WoW! Issue 6, that feels good to say.</p>
<p>Today I am reminded that 61 years ago more than 130,000 Allies flew, glided, jumped and boated their way to France and onward. President Dwight D Eisenhower gave the following words on June 6, 1944:</p>
<p>Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Forces: &#160;You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory! Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.</p>
<p>I am currently reading We Will Prevail, a book of President George W. Bush’s speeches and remarks since September 11, 2001. There are so many inspiring and notable quotes it is hard for me to pick one. One I like is on page 55. “We have a renewed appreciation of the character of America. We are a generous people, a thoughtful people who hurt, and share the sadness when people lose their lives or when people are hurt… We have shown in difficult times that we’re not just a world power, that we’re a good and kind and courageous people.” And I like his resolve when he says, “We will not fail.” Certainly a man cannot say things like this without being a man of great faith. I say this because I know of all the failure in my life. All the striving I have done to try and make something of myself and prove myself, and in the end I know the truth of the Proverb that says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”</p>
<p>My time here in the desert has been one that has helped me get in touch with God in a way that I could not do back home. Too many distractions. I continually learn to even greater extents how badly I need my perfect father (God), and how much I need each of you. How many different ways I have attempted to make my life into something, my many attempts to survive the wounds of life. All that striving only caused more pain, or death as the Proverb puts it. I have not always been a man of faith. In fact I would have to say in my 33 years I have only lived 2 years in actual faith living. But I believe the same thing Presidents Eisenhower and Bush believe, I cannot accept anything “less than full victory.” I “will not fail.”</p>
<p>For instance, since Sunday I have felt a spirit of heaviness on me. Many attacks have come it seems lately, to the point that at times I just want to give up the fight. But that’s not my style. Tonight, it was made clear to me. I began a “band of brothers,” which is a group of men who gather to recover who they are as men made in God’s image. At the meeting one of the guys says, “I have just felt this spirit of heaviness on me since Sunday.” And it hit me, like I was talking to myself. We need to go to battle. So we did. As brothers we charged into the fray agreeing and casting that spirit off and into it’s judgment. I feel so much better. It is gone. The power of God to take us into the battle and defeat the enemy on our behalf. Can I say it again, I cannot accept anything “less than full victory;” I “will not fail.”</p>
<p><a href="http://1648o73kablq2rveyn64glm1-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/chuck6.png" type="external" />This week so many things. All off base activity has been cancelled for the chapel staff. It seems that it has just gotten too dangerous to go off base. We are all disappointed, but not afraid. The picture is of me and a SSgt who works at the CASF ( <a href="http://www.dodlive.mil/index.php/tag/contingency-aeromedical-staging-facility/" type="external">Contingent Aeromedical Staging Facility</a>). The CASF holds patients who are scheduled to go to a hospital in the rear. We fly several missions a week, and I usually wind up staying up past 2 a.m. just to help them onto airplanes. It is very rewarding. These are our nation’s best. They stay at the CASF a day or two until their flight comes in. So we get to see all those who are injured in Iraq before they move to hospitals in different places in the world. As I made my rounds I met one man who was hit by a mortar. In all of his brokenness and pain, he mostly just wanted me to pray for his wife who would be traveling to meet him. He continued to ask me, what he did wrong to get hit. He was the only one in his group to get injured by the blast. He was so simple in his question and so much like I see God looking at us. How childlike I must seem to God when I speak to him. How loving he treats me in return. Of course I continued to tell the man that this was not his fault and that he could rest assured he was not doing anything wrong. Please pray for his recovery. You do not need his name, God knows who I am speaking of.</p>
<p>Also, be in prayer for my band of brothers. They will experience incredible attack this week because the enemy certainly does not want them to get free from his hold on their life. I have already seen one person get free and is on the road to recover his true self and I know there will be others to follow. Speaking of recovery. The hospital staff finally got rid of whatever was in my system making me sick for the last month. A little cypro will do you wonders… J</p>
<p>Well, I am going long this week so I better close. Yours in freedom, thanks to the lives of many who paid the price. May we not forget them on this day.</p>
<p>ABPnews will publish one entry a week from the journal then-Capt. Charles Seligman kept while deployed to Iraq as an Air Force chaplain in 2005. Now a major, Seligman currently serves as the deputy wing chaplain for the 59th Medical Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He is endorsed by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">You can read more of his story published September 11, 2013</a>. You can also&#160; <a href="" type="internal">read older journal entries from Maj. Seligman</a>.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | wow issue 6 feels good say today reminded 61 years ago 130000 allies flew glided jumped boated way france onward president dwight eisenhower gave following words june 6 1944 soldiers sailors airmen allied expeditionary forces 160you embark upon great crusade toward striven many months eyes world upon hopes prayers libertyloving people everywhere march company brave allies brothersinarms fronts bring destruction german war machine elimination nazi tyranny oppressed peoples europe security free world task easy one enemy well trained well equipped battlehardened fight savagely year 1944 much happened since nazi triumphs 194041 united nations inflicted upon germans great defeats open battle mantoman air offensive seriously reduced strength air capacity wage war ground home fronts given us overwhelming superiority weapons munitions war placed disposal great reserves trained fighting men tide turned free men world marching together victory full confidence courage devotion duty skill battle accept nothing less full victory good luck let us beseech blessing almighty god upon great noble undertaking currently reading prevail book president george w bushs speeches remarks since september 11 2001 many inspiring notable quotes hard pick one one like page 55 renewed appreciation character america generous people thoughtful people hurt share sadness people lose lives people hurt shown difficult times world power good kind courageous people like resolve says fail certainly man say things like without man great faith say know failure life striving done try make something prove end know truth proverb says way seems right man end leads death time desert one helped get touch god way could back home many distractions continually learn even greater extents badly need perfect father god much need many different ways attempted make life something many attempts survive wounds life striving caused pain death proverb puts always man faith fact would say 33 years lived 2 years actual faith living believe thing presidents eisenhower bush believe accept anything less full victory fail instance since sunday felt spirit heaviness many attacks come seems lately point times want give fight thats style tonight made clear began band brothers group men gather recover men made gods image meeting one guys says felt spirit heaviness since sunday hit like talking need go battle brothers charged fray agreeing casting spirit judgment feel much better gone power god take us battle defeat enemy behalf say accept anything less full victory fail week many things base activity cancelled chapel staff seems gotten dangerous go base disappointed afraid picture ssgt works casf contingent aeromedical staging facility casf holds patients scheduled go hospital rear fly several missions week usually wind staying past 2 help onto airplanes rewarding nations best stay casf day two flight comes get see injured iraq move hospitals different places world made rounds met one man hit mortar brokenness pain mostly wanted pray wife would traveling meet continued ask wrong get hit one group get injured blast simple question much like see god looking us childlike must seem god speak loving treats return course continued tell man fault could rest assured anything wrong please pray recovery need name god knows speaking also prayer band brothers experience incredible attack week enemy certainly want get free hold life already seen one person get free road recover true self know others follow speaking recovery hospital staff finally got rid whatever system making sick last month little cypro wonders j well going long week better close freedom thanks lives many paid price may forget day abpnews publish one entry week journal thencapt charles seligman kept deployed iraq air force chaplain 2005 major seligman currently serves deputy wing chaplain 59th medical wing lackland air force base texas endorsed cooperative baptist fellowship read story published september 11 2013 also160 read older journal entries maj seligman160 | 614 |
<p>LONDON, United Kingdom - Last week it was a crisis of decency. This week, the News of the World scandal is a crisis of national security.</p>
<p>Late yesterday it became clear that a full-scale assault on the privacy of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown was under way for almost a decade during Labour's time in office. The trawl for private data was not confined to the News of the World. At least two other Rupert Murdoch-owned newspapers, The Sun and The Sunday Times, have been accused of participating.</p>
<p>Nor was phone hacking the only means for obtaining info. Actors and fraudsters made calls to collect confidential info on Brown including tax records, legal files and family medical records.</p>
<p>And if you consider that the Royal Family is not just for show - but fulfills a real constitutional function - then the news that a senior policeman on the Royal Protection squad was selling personal data about Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall adds to the idea that this scandal now is about how government functions when it is being "hacked."</p>
<p>The Brown case demonstrates just how far News International, the Rupert-Murdoch owned company whose newspapers account for 40 percent of the total newspaper circulation in Britain, was willing to go to get dirt on the Labour leader.</p>
<p>In an interview with the BBC today Brown claimed, "I had my bank account broken into. I had my legal files effectively broken into. My tax returns went missing at one point. Medical records were broken into." All of the data searched is protected by privacy laws - obtaining it without permission is illegal.</p>
<p>The former prime minister then alleged, "I do know that in two instances there is absolute proof that News International hired people to do this and the people who are doing this are criminals, known criminals in some cases with records of violence and fraud."</p>
<p>The prying into Brown's personal files began as early as 2000 when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer and oversaw most of the Labour government's domestic agenda. His phone wasn't hacked. Instead, it is reported, a con-man was hired by The Sunday Times to "blag" the information through subterfuge.</p>
<p>Perhaps the worst example came when medical records concerning his older son, Fraser, were obtained by The Sun, edited at the time by News International chief executive, Rebekah Brooks. Brown and his wife, Sarah, wanted to keep the news that Fraser had cystic fibrosis private. A gentleman's agreement had shielded his predecessor Tony Blair's children from press scrutiny. The Browns hoped for the same space. Instead, Brooks let him know The Sun had found out about Fraser's condition and was going to publish something about it.</p>
<p>Given their earlier loss of their first-born child and natural desire for privacy, The Sun's threat was devastating to the couple. In <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14118880" type="external">recounting the story to the BBC today</a>, Brown appeared close to tears. He also implied that only illegal means could have been used to obtain the news of Fraser's condition.</p>
<p>Brown suggested the reason for News International's assault on his privacy was, "We stood up to News International and refused to support their commercial ambitions when we thought they were against the public interest."</p>
<p>Beyond the question of legality and decency in this example is something more important: How can government function when its key figures are having to deal with these intrusions from the shadows? How many hours of the day was Brown, then Chancellor of the Exchequer but planning for a transition to Prime Minister, involved in dealing with the emotional fallout? How did it affect his performance and relationships with others? The former PM was notoriously volatile - did this make him even more so?</p>
<p>Beyond the specifics offered by Gordon Brown there are other troubling allegations relating to Britain's national security. Labour MP Denis MacShane served as Minister for Europe in Tony Blair's cabinet from 2002-2005. The Murdoch papers are notoriously anti-EU. Glen Mulcaire, the private investigator who did much of the hacking for the News of the World, obtained information on MacShane.</p>
<p>In an e-mail interview, MacShane says police have recently shown him pages from Mulcaire's logs. The investigator had made notes not only of MacShane's number but also those of his brother, his doctor and other intimates.</p>
<p>More critically, Mulcaire had noted four trips to Spain. MacShane was involved in confidential negotiations with the Spanish government on the status of Gibraltar, the tiny British overseas territory at the bottom of the Iberian peninsula.MacShane doesn't recall any stories appearing in the paper about the trips. But he is astonished that a private detective had notes about what were meant to be secret missions.</p>
<p>"It is disturbing that Murdoch's editors thought it was in order to try and intercept a senior minister's phone," MacShane writes. "In pre Blackberry age mobile phones were used to convey all sorts of information to ministers on the road."</p>
<p>MacShane adds, "One assumed newspapers would not commit illegal acts."</p>
<p>The other issue of national security relates to policing. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/12/world/europe/12yard.html?hp" type="external">The New York Times</a> this morning reports that back in 2006, five police involved in the initial investigation into illegal phone hacking "discovered that their own cellphone messages had been targeted by the tabloid and had most likely been listened to."</p>
<p>Did this knowledge effect the thoroughness with which they conducted their investigations? Subsequent events have shown the initial inquiry fell laughably short of uncovering the industrial-sized hacking operations that were going on at the News of the World. Were the police afraid of reading about their own private lives in what was Britain's largest selling Sunday newspaper?</p>
<p>Who guards the guardians is an old question. The answer that it might be con-men, convicted felons and amoral private investigators is another aspect of this scandal the public won't forgive.</p>
<p>Where this goes now is anyone's guess. Will the contagion in Rupert Murdoch's British operations spread overseas? A Washington Lobby group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington ( <a href="http://www.citizensforethics.org/legal-filings/entry/crew-calls-for-congressional-investigation-into-news-corp" type="external">CREW</a>), is calling on Congress to investigate whether Murdoch's British reporters hacked into American citizens' voice mail messages.</p>
<p>Tomorrow the House of Commons will hold an emergency debate on Murdoch's multi-billion pound attempt to purchase 61 percent of British satellite cable broadcaster BSkyB. The motion being debated is "This House believes that it is in the public interest for Rupert Murdoch and News Corporation to withdraw their bid for BSkyB." The non-binding resolution is expected to pass unopposed.</p>
<p>Editor's note: This story has been updated.</p> | false | 3 | london united kingdom last week crisis decency week news world scandal crisis national security late yesterday became clear fullscale assault privacy former prime minister gordon brown way almost decade labours time office trawl private data confined news world least two rupert murdochowned newspapers sun sunday times accused participating phone hacking means obtaining info actors fraudsters made calls collect confidential info brown including tax records legal files family medical records consider royal family show fulfills real constitutional function news senior policeman royal protection squad selling personal data prince charles duchess cornwall adds idea scandal government functions hacked brown case demonstrates far news international rupertmurdoch owned company whose newspapers account 40 percent total newspaper circulation britain willing go get dirt labour leader interview bbc today brown claimed bank account broken legal files effectively broken tax returns went missing one point medical records broken data searched protected privacy laws obtaining without permission illegal former prime minister alleged know two instances absolute proof news international hired people people criminals known criminals cases records violence fraud prying browns personal files began early 2000 chancellor exchequer oversaw labour governments domestic agenda phone wasnt hacked instead reported conman hired sunday times blag information subterfuge perhaps worst example came medical records concerning older son fraser obtained sun edited time news international chief executive rebekah brooks brown wife sarah wanted keep news fraser cystic fibrosis private gentlemans agreement shielded predecessor tony blairs children press scrutiny browns hoped space instead brooks let know sun found frasers condition going publish something given earlier loss firstborn child natural desire privacy suns threat devastating couple recounting story bbc today brown appeared close tears also implied illegal means could used obtain news frasers condition brown suggested reason news internationals assault privacy stood news international refused support commercial ambitions thought public interest beyond question legality decency example something important government function key figures deal intrusions shadows many hours day brown chancellor exchequer planning transition prime minister involved dealing emotional fallout affect performance relationships others former pm notoriously volatile make even beyond specifics offered gordon brown troubling allegations relating britains national security labour mp denis macshane served minister europe tony blairs cabinet 20022005 murdoch papers notoriously antieu glen mulcaire private investigator much hacking news world obtained information macshane email interview macshane says police recently shown pages mulcaires logs investigator made notes macshanes number also brother doctor intimates critically mulcaire noted four trips spain macshane involved confidential negotiations spanish government status gibraltar tiny british overseas territory bottom iberian peninsulamacshane doesnt recall stories appearing paper trips astonished private detective notes meant secret missions disturbing murdochs editors thought order try intercept senior ministers phone macshane writes pre blackberry age mobile phones used convey sorts information ministers road macshane adds one assumed newspapers would commit illegal acts issue national security relates policing new york times morning reports back 2006 five police involved initial investigation illegal phone hacking discovered cellphone messages targeted tabloid likely listened knowledge effect thoroughness conducted investigations subsequent events shown initial inquiry fell laughably short uncovering industrialsized hacking operations going news world police afraid reading private lives britains largest selling sunday newspaper guards guardians old question answer might conmen convicted felons amoral private investigators another aspect scandal public wont forgive goes anyones guess contagion rupert murdochs british operations spread overseas washington lobby group citizens responsibility ethics washington crew calling congress investigate whether murdochs british reporters hacked american citizens voice mail messages tomorrow house commons hold emergency debate murdochs multibillion pound attempt purchase 61 percent british satellite cable broadcaster bskyb motion debated house believes public interest rupert murdoch news corporation withdraw bid bskyb nonbinding resolution expected pass unopposed editors note story updated | 603 |
<p>Antione Day, 52, expected more from the place he loved and was raised.</p>
<p>He had already served a decade of his 60-year sentence when the prosecution dropped his murder and attempted murder charges in 2002. On his release, there was no fanfare or outrage that the justice system had failed an innocent man. He recalls standing for three hours in the rain on the grayish steps of the Cook County Criminal Courthouse and soaking in the injustices the state had committed against him.</p>
<p>“I never thought that the place you come from could treat you so bad,” said Day, who grew up in the Austin neighborhood. “Even when they made a mistake, even when they know and acknowledge it, they kick you out and treat you like trash.”</p>
<p>His experience with the criminal justice system changed the course of his life. Before his wrongful conviction, Day was traveling across the country as the drummer in a band. Even after his charges were dropped, Day found it difficult to find work. Only in 2010 did Judge Paul Biebel grant Day a certificate of innocence.</p>
<p>Day wants other exonerees to have a smoother reentry into society. As outreach coordinator for prison reentry at the <a href="http://howardarea.org/" type="external">Howard Area Community Center</a>, Day helps those reentering society find whatever they need, including medical attention and mentorship. The one area the center does not assist with is housing. Consequently, in 2012, along with Jarrett Adams, Day co-founded <a href="http://lifeafterjustice.org/" type="external">Life After Justice</a>. Day is currently working on constructing a three-story home for exonerees in the Austin neighborhood.</p>
<p>The Chicago Reporter sat down with Day to talk about his plans for Life After Justice and the hurdles exonerees face when acclimating to society.</p>
<p>Talk about your work with Life After Justice and the Howard Area Community Center.</p>
<p>I’m Life After Justice, and my employment with Howard Area has completely unified the two, giving me the resources and access to computer skills, job employment skills, training skills that [Howard Area] shares with men and women coming home from prison. And the connection is me. I’m on both sides of it. This company really allows me to help a lot of people. … What Howard doesn’t do is housing. What [Howard] does is refer people out, but most of the people coming home with a [criminal] background can’t get in certain situations because they haven’t been exonerated. Because that’s a problem, what I’m doing is having a safe environment where [exonerees] don’t have to run over here and run over there. They can go directly to a place, and they can have safe housing, safe shelter.</p>
<p>What led you to start Life After Justice?</p>
<p>I came home from prison and was put on 26th Street and California Avenue with nothing, absolutely nothing — no money in my pocket, there was no big reception, no cameras, no fanfare. I stood in the rain on 26th and California for three hours. … When they put me out of the county jail, they just told me to go into this room. It was a pretty large room. They had a large amount of clothes just stacked up. They said, “Grab something. We don’t care what it is.” They said, “If you don’t take something out of this pile, you can’t go home because you have to take the uniform off.” So I did. … This is how they put me out of jail. … I stood [at 26th and California] until a friend of mine found me. He saw me standing there, and he asked me if I needed a ride. These are the things that we don’t want people to go through again. There’s a lot of hardship involved with coming home. It’s not easy. This is what Life After Justice is doing. We’re preparing a much easier transition — a much, much easier transition by making sure that a guy has all the essentials he needs.</p>
<p>What hurdles did you face when you got out of prison?</p>
<p>After coming home, nobody wanted to give me a job. Nobody wanted to hire me or say “OK, I’ll take a chance on you.” Actually, I got hired. A friend of mine who works downtown told me that there may be a position open in their building. My paperwork was fine. The interview was fine. She hired me on a Friday, and she fired me Monday morning. When I went in for the job, they gave me my passkey, my uniform, my locker code, my assignment. When I went in for the job on Monday, she told me she couldn’t hire me because my background just came up. I wasn’t exonerated. At the time [I] came out, they didn’t exonerate me. I had to fight for my exoneration. That’s why I came home in 2002, but I got exonerated in 2012.</p>
<p>When I came home, I just wanted to get my life together. When I came home, I was so messed up. I didn’t like people. I didn’t want to be around anybody. I didn’t have trauma. It’s just that after being involved in these different prisons and different personalities and being treated terribly, you begin not to trust.</p>
<p>How did your experience in the criminal justice change you?</p>
<p>I became a man in prison. I say that because I was grown, but I didn’t have the mindset that I should have had prior to going. I should have read more books. I should have had more knowledge of what was happening to me. So while in prison, I began to teach myself. I became a paralegal in prison. I learned how to shepardize cases [which is research to find similar cases] … It taught me how to relate to other people who were having a hard time as well. Most people don’t relate to you because they don’t want your problems to become their problems. But if it’s helping someone else find his or her way, then why not? That’s how I made it out of prison and tried to stay as positive as I could.</p>
<p>How do you envision the re-entry housing?</p>
<p>I have a very broad vision. I envision a nice six-unit or eight-unit building. … The first floor will be used as a general area. The men and women will be able to come here, a clean environment, where they can start getting stable. I see each apartment with separate rooms where they have their own key, their own privacy. I see a nice big garden outside of the building … that we can share with senior citizens in the community … Being stable is being able to say I got a job now, I got a safe place, I can save a little money and I can continue to make my life better.</p> | false | 3 | antione day 52 expected place loved raised already served decade 60year sentence prosecution dropped murder attempted murder charges 2002 release fanfare outrage justice system failed innocent man recalls standing three hours rain grayish steps cook county criminal courthouse soaking injustices state committed never thought place come could treat bad said day grew austin neighborhood even made mistake even know acknowledge kick treat like trash experience criminal justice system changed course life wrongful conviction day traveling across country drummer band even charges dropped day found difficult find work 2010 judge paul biebel grant day certificate innocence day wants exonerees smoother reentry society outreach coordinator prison reentry howard area community center day helps reentering society find whatever need including medical attention mentorship one area center assist housing consequently 2012 along jarrett adams day cofounded life justice day currently working constructing threestory home exonerees austin neighborhood chicago reporter sat day talk plans life justice hurdles exonerees face acclimating society talk work life justice howard area community center im life justice employment howard area completely unified two giving resources access computer skills job employment skills training skills howard area shares men women coming home prison connection im sides company really allows help lot people howard doesnt housing howard refer people people coming home criminal background cant get certain situations havent exonerated thats problem im safe environment exonerees dont run run go directly place safe housing safe shelter led start life justice came home prison put 26th street california avenue nothing absolutely nothing money pocket big reception cameras fanfare stood rain 26th california three hours put county jail told go room pretty large room large amount clothes stacked said grab something dont care said dont take something pile cant go home take uniform put jail stood 26th california friend mine found saw standing asked needed ride things dont want people go theres lot hardship involved coming home easy life justice preparing much easier transition much much easier transition making sure guy essentials needs hurdles face got prison coming home nobody wanted give job nobody wanted hire say ok ill take chance actually got hired friend mine works downtown told may position open building paperwork fine interview fine hired friday fired monday morning went job gave passkey uniform locker code assignment went job monday told couldnt hire background came wasnt exonerated time came didnt exonerate fight exoneration thats came home 2002 got exonerated 2012 came home wanted get life together came home messed didnt like people didnt want around anybody didnt trauma involved different prisons different personalities treated terribly begin trust experience criminal justice change became man prison say grown didnt mindset prior going read books knowledge happening prison began teach became paralegal prison learned shepardize cases research find similar cases taught relate people hard time well people dont relate dont want problems become problems helping someone else find way thats made prison tried stay positive could envision reentry housing broad vision envision nice sixunit eightunit building first floor used general area men women able come clean environment start getting stable see apartment separate rooms key privacy see nice big garden outside building share senior citizens community stable able say got job got safe place save little money continue make life better | 536 |
<p>MECHANICSVILLE, Va. — Baptists must acknowledge their reputation is suffering in many quarters of American life, but society has regarded Baptists with suspicion since the movement was born in the 17th century.</p>
<p>That was the assessment of church historian Bill Leonard, who joined pastor Darryl Aaron to discuss was it means to be Baptist in the 21st century at the recent annual General Assembly of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia.</p>
<p>Leonard, professor of church history at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, and Aaron, senior pastor of First Baptist Church-Highland Avenue in Winston-Salem, N.C., were featured speakers at the General Assembly, which drew several hundred people to Walnut Grove Baptist Church in Mechanicsville for two days of speakers, missional workshops and strategic discussions about CBFVA’s future.</p>
<p>“When I speak around, someone always asks me why they should keep the word ‘Baptist’ on their front church sign,” said Leonard. “The fact is, Baptists have an image problem and they need to own it. But Baptists have had an image problem since their beginnings in 1609.</p>
<p />
<p>“Baptists were scandalous from the beginning primarily because the primary issue in Baptist identity is this — the church should be composed only of believers, those who have confessed their own personal faith in Christ,” he said. “And from that idea comes the conviction that faith is uncoerced and because of that, neither an established church nor a Christianized state can dictate the boundaries of faith to its citizens.”</p>
<p>While Baptists are characterized by several beliefs and practices, a believers’ church is their defining distinction and foundational identity, said Leonard.</p>
<p>Aaron — who is Leonard’s pastor — said Baptists in the 21st century must find a biblical pattern that is adapted to their cultural settings.</p>
<p>“Every church must break its own code and find its own way to be transformative,” said Aaron. “Specific Baptist churches have used specific formulas, but replicating models won’t suffice in a society that is rapidly changing.”</p>
<p>One way to “break the code” is to listen to the experiences of church members, Aaron maintained.</p>
<p>“The church is always moving from message to incarnation,” he said. “People are changed by how they describe their experiences. Something unplanned happens when we share our stories. Testimony is not about God fixing people — it is about God making wholeness.”</p>
<p>If Baptists are to have an impact in society, they must find a way to be transformative, Aaron said.</p>
<p>“Transformation will not allow a person just to be,” he said. “Change is the result. Too often the church believes that change is secular and anti-Christian. But the Bible says change is of the Holy Spirit. If the church is to be alive today in a world where everything is shifting, it must be open to the breath of God.”</p>
<p>In looking toward their own future, General Assembly participants explored four “innovations” for the CBFVA proposed by its coordinating council.</p>
<p>“These innovations are just outlines — nothing is engraved in stone,” said CBFVA treasurer Dennis Sacrey of Fredericksburg, Va. “We are dialoguing.”</p>
<p>The innovations include:</p>
<p>• Officially incorporate the organization. “A few years ago Virginia made it legal for churches to incorporate and some congregations have done that,” said Sacrey. “The primary reason a religious organization would incorporate is to have better liability protection. It’s a shame that we have to think about that but in this day and age that’s the way it is. Incorporation protects our leaders and our assets.” The assembly later authorized the coordinating council to pursue plans for incorporation.</p>
<p>• Change its fiscal year to match that of the national Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Currently the CBFVA’s fiscal year is April 1-March 31; the national CBF’s is Oct. 1-Sept. 30. “There’s an exchange of funds between the two organizations and sometimes things don’t mesh [because of the different fiscal years],” said Sacrey.</p>
<p>• Move from one annual General Assembly to four annual regional assemblies across Virginia. “We think this would increase the ability of folks to attend CBFVA meetings,” said Sacrey. Each assembly likely would be a one-night meeting, he said.</p>
<p>• Move the vote on the CBFVA budget and its leadership to the state meeting held during the annual General Assembly of the national CBF. Currently both are adopted during the annual state General Assembly held in Virginia. Sacrey said such a move would be necessary if the CBFVA moved to four regional meetings. But&#160; he added that attendance at the state meeting during the national General Assembly is typically larger than at the annual meeting in Virginia. “It would be good to give all our constituents a vote,” he said.</p>
<p>In a report to the assembly, CBFVA field coordinator Rob Fox said the description of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospel of Luke — to proclaim good news to the poor, free the prisoners and the oppressed, and bring sight to the blind — has “become the core of what we are about.”</p>
<p>“What I find curious is that we are connecting in mission but missing the mark in connecting with laity,” said Fox. “As we look to the future, I think you’re going to see us making new connections, especially to those who sit in the pews.”</p>
<p>In other action, the CBFVA:</p>
<p>• Elected a slate of officers for the next year, including Sacrey, who will serve as moderator, succeeding Bert Browning of Richmond, Va. Jennifer Clatterbuck of Danville, Va., was elected moderator-elect.</p>
<p>• Recognized Harvey Skinner as he concludes 10 years as the CBFVA’s reference and referral administrator. “We appreciate your work in helping us keep on task and connect churches and ministers. Thank you for a job well done,” Browning told Skinner and his wife, Barbara.</p>
<p>• Adopted a budget of $128,807 for 2011-2012. The amount is less than the $138,000 budgeted for this year, but Sacrey said the reduction reflected in part the retirement of Skinner, whose position will not be filled.</p>
<p>In a closing sermon, Tiffany Hall told participants that if they claim the spirit of Christ, they can carry out the same mission he did.</p>
<p>“It’s not a question of whether we have the spirit, but whether we will give it freedom to move and whether we will recognize it, both individually and collectively, as white Baptists, black Baptists and even as postmodern Baptists,” said Hall, who is program director for the Micah Initiative at Richmond Hill, a retreat center near downtown Richmond.</p>
<p>The Micah Initiative is a partnership among churches, synagogues, mosques and other communities of faith in Richmond and the Richmond public schools to support education and nurture of the city’s children.</p>
<p>“If we are followers of Christ and Christ’s mission was to preach good news to the poor and release the captives and recover sight, to free the oppressed and proclaim the year of jubilee, are we willing to make that our mission?” she asked. “My prayer is that we Baptists, we sisters and brothers in Christ, whites and blacks together, would respond with a collective ‘yes.’ ”</p> | false | 3 | mechanicsville va baptists must acknowledge reputation suffering many quarters american life society regarded baptists suspicion since movement born 17th century assessment church historian bill leonard joined pastor darryl aaron discuss means baptist 21st century recent annual general assembly cooperative baptist fellowship virginia leonard professor church history wake forest university school divinity aaron senior pastor first baptist churchhighland avenue winstonsalem nc featured speakers general assembly drew several hundred people walnut grove baptist church mechanicsville two days speakers missional workshops strategic discussions cbfvas future speak around someone always asks keep word baptist front church sign said leonard fact baptists image problem need baptists image problem since beginnings 1609 baptists scandalous beginning primarily primary issue baptist identity church composed believers confessed personal faith christ said idea comes conviction faith uncoerced neither established church christianized state dictate boundaries faith citizens baptists characterized several beliefs practices believers church defining distinction foundational identity said leonard aaron leonards pastor said baptists 21st century must find biblical pattern adapted cultural settings every church must break code find way transformative said aaron specific baptist churches used specific formulas replicating models wont suffice society rapidly changing one way break code listen experiences church members aaron maintained church always moving message incarnation said people changed describe experiences something unplanned happens share stories testimony god fixing people god making wholeness baptists impact society must find way transformative aaron said transformation allow person said change result often church believes change secular antichristian bible says change holy spirit church alive today world everything shifting must open breath god looking toward future general assembly participants explored four innovations cbfva proposed coordinating council innovations outlines nothing engraved stone said cbfva treasurer dennis sacrey fredericksburg va dialoguing innovations include officially incorporate organization years ago virginia made legal churches incorporate congregations done said sacrey primary reason religious organization would incorporate better liability protection shame think day age thats way incorporation protects leaders assets assembly later authorized coordinating council pursue plans incorporation change fiscal year match national cooperative baptist fellowship currently cbfvas fiscal year april 1march 31 national cbfs oct 1sept 30 theres exchange funds two organizations sometimes things dont mesh different fiscal years said sacrey move one annual general assembly four annual regional assemblies across virginia think would increase ability folks attend cbfva meetings said sacrey assembly likely would onenight meeting said move vote cbfva budget leadership state meeting held annual general assembly national cbf currently adopted annual state general assembly held virginia sacrey said move would necessary cbfva moved four regional meetings but160 added attendance state meeting national general assembly typically larger annual meeting virginia would good give constituents vote said report assembly cbfva field coordinator rob fox said description jesus ministry gospel luke proclaim good news poor free prisoners oppressed bring sight blind become core find curious connecting mission missing mark connecting laity said fox look future think youre going see us making new connections especially sit pews action cbfva elected slate officers next year including sacrey serve moderator succeeding bert browning richmond va jennifer clatterbuck danville va elected moderatorelect recognized harvey skinner concludes 10 years cbfvas reference referral administrator appreciate work helping us keep task connect churches ministers thank job well done browning told skinner wife barbara adopted budget 128807 20112012 amount less 138000 budgeted year sacrey said reduction reflected part retirement skinner whose position filled closing sermon tiffany hall told participants claim spirit christ carry mission question whether spirit whether give freedom move whether recognize individually collectively white baptists black baptists even postmodern baptists said hall program director micah initiative richmond hill retreat center near downtown richmond micah initiative partnership among churches synagogues mosques communities faith richmond richmond public schools support education nurture citys children followers christ christs mission preach good news poor release captives recover sight free oppressed proclaim year jubilee willing make mission asked prayer baptists sisters brothers christ whites blacks together would respond collective yes | 644 |
<p>CURWOOD: The proposed Pebble Mine in Southeast Alaska would be located at the headwaters of some of the most productive salmon rivers in the world. The potential threat there prompted conservation groups, fishermen, and native tribes to oppose the mine. And recently, the international mining giant Anglo American decided to pull out of the partnership to develop the site. But as the mine could produce some $300 billion worth of minerals including gold and copper, Mike Mason, the news director at public radio station KDLG in Bristol Bay, says that might not be the end of the story. It's a classic case of the riches of mining versus the riches of nature. MASON: Well it is basically a very pristine environment. Theres very little population up there, and it is basically at the headwaters of the Bristol Bay drainages, or at least two of the major drainages, the Nushagak and Kvichak river drainages, which are two of the largest salmon producing rivers on Earth and definitely very vital to the environment here in Bristol Bay, and the mine potentially would be located just north of Lake Iliamna which is considered the largest salmon producing lake on Earth. Upper Talarik Creek near the proposed Pebble Mine. (David Allnutt, US EPA Region 10) CURWOOD: Describe the proposed mine for me. They call it Pebble Mine, but I dont think theyre mining pebbles! And tell me about the concerns locally about the possible environmental impact. MASON: Well, perhaps we should start on what we dont know, and what we dont know is the size and the scope of the proposed mine. Many people believe that it would be massive, likely the largest mine in Alaska, and likely one of the largest mines in North America. The plan potentially would include a massive open pit, but like I said, much of that is unknown because the developer, now Northern Dynasty Minerals, has not released a mine plan, nor have they filed for the necessary permits that would start the NEPA [National Environmental Protection Act] permitting process. So what we know is a little bit, but we dont know the full scope of it. We were hoping we would get the mine plan later this year, and with the goal they were saying of potentially going into permitting by the end of this year or early next year, but all of that appears to be on hold with the recent decision by Anglo American to pull out of the project. CURWOOD: Now, why did the mining company decide to pull out of this project? MASON: Well, thats the big question. They were undergoing a review of all of the projects that were basically in their pipeline, and Anglo American is a mining giant worldwide - theyve got projects all over the world - and they did an assessment of all their projects as part of their budget process and they came up with the decision that basically there were other projects it seemed like that were further along in development and would not be as risky as this project. So they basically looked like they cut their losses, and walked away from it. Looks like they invested about $500 million so far, and its anticipated the companys going to take a loss of another $300 million to get out of the Pebble Limited Partnership that was formed in 2007 between Anglo American and now the lone company involved here, Northern Dynasty Minerals. CURWOOD: I gather that Northern Dynasty really doesnt have that much experience in terms of mining on a scale like this. What are their plans going forward? Who might be the potential partners? MASON: Well, that also is another big question mark. Northern Dynasty Minerals itself has never itself done a mine. One of the obvious potential partners is the giant mining company Rio Tinto, which owns basically nearly a 20 percent stake in Northern Dynasty Minerals, however Rio Tinto has said repeatedly that they will only support the project if it were developed using underground mining techniques instead of utilizing an open pit. It looks like to many people that Northern Dynasty Minerals are basically trying to shop this around to another mining company, or perhaps a partnership of several mining companies or smelting companies. They held a conference call, I believe it was the day of the Anglo American announcement, and one of the questions that was posed near the end of that conference call was about interest from overseas investors, like the Chinese, and the person that was leading the conference call, the CEO of Northern Dynasty Minerals confirmed that over the years they have had conversations with several Chinese mining companies, and that is very concerning to a lot of people here in the region just based on some of the environmental records of some of the Chinese companies, and the fact that a very aggressive new company could come in here and kind of revitalize this project that many people celebrated as left for dead when Anglo American pulled out on September 16. CURWOOD: Now I understand that this project is also at risk from the review by the Environmental Protection Agency. Can you tell me about that? MASON: Thats one of the most fascinating aspects of this. Back in 2010, a number of tribal entities here in the Bristol Bay region and some other opponents basically went to the EPA and asked them to use their 404(c) veto authority under the Clean Water Act to prevent the issuance of necessary permits that would allow this mine to go forward with development. The catch is that the tribal entities and many of the others are asking the EPA to step in preemptively and use that veto authority before the issuance of permits, before we go into the NEPA permitting process, before we write the EIS [Environmental Impact Statement] and all of that, and that has never been done before. There is some thought here in the region that allowing the EPA to step in and use that veto authority could be a legacy move by President Obama, in the last couple of years of his term is basically to allow the EPA to set this precedent, preemptively come in and veto this project in this very sensitive area, and that that would be kind of a nice legacy move by President Obama. Many people do not believe that is going to happen next year because our junior senator is up for election. Hes a Democrat in a very Republican state. Many people believe that they would not make this move until after the midterm elections to kind of protect Senator Mark Begich from some of the fallout if such a move were made. CURWOOD: Is there a political divide over this or are Alaskans on a bipartisan basis very concerned about this? MASON: The project is widely unpopular here in the Bristol Bay region, and especially where I am in Dillingham which sits along the Nushagak River. Some recent polling done by the regional native corporation put the opposition 80 percent or more. Its believed that it is also opposed by a very large percent of the population in the state of Alaska, though if you know anything about Alaska, it is a resource development state. Theres a large number of people that believe in oil and gas and mining as well, and the state of Alaska seems to be committed to allowing this project to go through the permitting process, to see if it can actually be done and meet all of the standards out there, and since the mining plains are on state land, there is the thought out there that the state of Alaska, wanting this to go forward, or at least into the permitting phase, it actually could happen at some point. CURWOOD: Mike Mason is the news director at KDLG, thats the public radio station in Alaskas Bristol Bay. Mike, thanks for taking the time with us today. MASON: Thank you so much.</p> | false | 3 | curwood proposed pebble mine southeast alaska would located headwaters productive salmon rivers world potential threat prompted conservation groups fishermen native tribes oppose mine recently international mining giant anglo american decided pull partnership develop site mine could produce 300 billion worth minerals including gold copper mike mason news director public radio station kdlg bristol bay says might end story classic case riches mining versus riches nature mason well basically pristine environment theres little population basically headwaters bristol bay drainages least two major drainages nushagak kvichak river drainages two largest salmon producing rivers earth definitely vital environment bristol bay mine potentially would located north lake iliamna considered largest salmon producing lake earth upper talarik creek near proposed pebble mine david allnutt us epa region 10 curwood describe proposed mine call pebble mine dont think theyre mining pebbles tell concerns locally possible environmental impact mason well perhaps start dont know dont know size scope proposed mine many people believe would massive likely largest mine alaska likely one largest mines north america plan potentially would include massive open pit like said much unknown developer northern dynasty minerals released mine plan filed necessary permits would start nepa national environmental protection act permitting process know little bit dont know full scope hoping would get mine plan later year goal saying potentially going permitting end year early next year appears hold recent decision anglo american pull project curwood mining company decide pull project mason well thats big question undergoing review projects basically pipeline anglo american mining giant worldwide theyve got projects world assessment projects part budget process came decision basically projects seemed like along development would risky project basically looked like cut losses walked away looks like invested 500 million far anticipated companys going take loss another 300 million get pebble limited partnership formed 2007 anglo american lone company involved northern dynasty minerals curwood gather northern dynasty really doesnt much experience terms mining scale like plans going forward might potential partners mason well also another big question mark northern dynasty minerals never done mine one obvious potential partners giant mining company rio tinto owns basically nearly 20 percent stake northern dynasty minerals however rio tinto said repeatedly support project developed using underground mining techniques instead utilizing open pit looks like many people northern dynasty minerals basically trying shop around another mining company perhaps partnership several mining companies smelting companies held conference call believe day anglo american announcement one questions posed near end conference call interest overseas investors like chinese person leading conference call ceo northern dynasty minerals confirmed years conversations several chinese mining companies concerning lot people region based environmental records chinese companies fact aggressive new company could come kind revitalize project many people celebrated left dead anglo american pulled september 16 curwood understand project also risk review environmental protection agency tell mason thats one fascinating aspects back 2010 number tribal entities bristol bay region opponents basically went epa asked use 404c veto authority clean water act prevent issuance necessary permits would allow mine go forward development catch tribal entities many others asking epa step preemptively use veto authority issuance permits go nepa permitting process write eis environmental impact statement never done thought region allowing epa step use veto authority could legacy move president obama last couple years term basically allow epa set precedent preemptively come veto project sensitive area would kind nice legacy move president obama many people believe going happen next year junior senator election hes democrat republican state many people believe would make move midterm elections kind protect senator mark begich fallout move made curwood political divide alaskans bipartisan basis concerned mason project widely unpopular bristol bay region especially dillingham sits along nushagak river recent polling done regional native corporation put opposition 80 percent believed also opposed large percent population state alaska though know anything alaska resource development state theres large number people believe oil gas mining well state alaska seems committed allowing project go permitting process see actually done meet standards since mining plains state land thought state alaska wanting go forward least permitting phase actually could happen point curwood mike mason news director kdlg thats public radio station alaskas bristol bay mike thanks taking time us today mason thank much | 698 |
<p>It’s happened again. Fortunately, this time no one was shot or killed, so we can breathe a collective sigh of relief. That is, relief in the sense that innocent black children were “only” traumatized, their lives were “only” threatened and not stolen, during the recent events. Welcome to our lives.</p>
<p>By now, you have probably seen snippets of the infamous video on the news or on YouTube, and if your Facebook newsfeed is anything like mine, you have probably seen dozens of articles about what happened. Some are outraged. Others are proud of the police response. While some of the facts are still unclear about the events at the pool in McKinney, Texas, we know this: Upon getting a “disturbance” call McKinney Police Officer Eric Casebolt barrel rolled (see: tripped and fell in his excitement) onto the scene, verbally abused teenagers, body slammed and virtually sexually assaulted a 14-year-old bikini clad girl as he pressed his body against her to “restrain” her, and pulled his loaded gun on a group of black youth.</p>
<p>Upon reading the above facts, some may be tempted to say something along the lines of, “Well, that sounds bad, but we don’t have all the facts.” And while that is true, in this case, it’s irrelevant because these are the facts that are important and these are the facts that should horrify us. An adult male, paid by taxes of the citizens of McKinney (black and white) to “serve and protect,” abused his power in verbally and physically assaulting children young enough to be his own.</p>
<p>While the video and the entire situation is hard to swallow, what’s worse has been the response of many people society still respects. I thought this video for sure would quell any skepticism that racialized police brutality is a problem in America! Unfortunately, it has not. The same people who defended George Zimmerman, Darren Wilson, Officer Pantaleo and the Cleveland police officer who shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice, are now defending Casebolt, too. And while, admittedly, I’m not surprised by this, it still hurts.</p>
<p>It hurts to see children who could be in my youth group treated more aggressively than biker gangs that murdered nine people and targeted the police. It hurts to see young black kids address a police officer with respect, even calling him “sir,” while he treats them like animals. It hurts to see a hundred-pound black girl slammed to the ground as though she had just been caught fleeing from a murder scene. It hurts to live in a country where people run to the aid of an officer with a gun, a badge and the full force of the law on his side but ignore the jolting and agonizing screams of a young girl calling for her mother. It hurts to be a minister of a Baptist church, knowing that so many others who share our denominational name probably don’t care about those kids and see them as criminals, too. It hurts to live in country where every month this year we have been forcefully and violently reminded that when it comes to the police, black lives do not matter!</p>
<p>In his “ <a href="http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html" type="external">Letter From A Birmingham Jail</a>,” Dr. King said the following:</p>
<p>I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to “order” than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice.</p>
<p>Sadly, I think the words of Dr. King still ring true in our yet to be post-racial society. Black voices rail loudly against police brutality and the institutions that allow it, and will remain against them as long as it persists. However, our voices alone are not enough. We need white moderate voices too. For too long, many white moderate voices have remained silent about black oppression. For too long many white moderates remain sunbathing around the pool staring into their magazines instead of defending black children who get accosted by their neighbors. For too long many white moderates remain more interested in “preserving” their neighborhoods and thanking racist and brutal police for “protecting” their neighborhoods than they are interested in being good neighbors to black youth.</p>
<p>As a black minister in a white church, it is my charge to my church and to all predominantly white churches that the time has now come for them to join the ongoing efforts for black dignity. The time has come during this #blacklivesmatter movement for us to say to the black kids in McKinney, and the black kids in Ferguson, and the black kids in Baltimore, and the black kids on every corner of this country, that we will stand up for them because their lives matter. We must say to our peers who profile them, brutalize them, and kill them, that whatever they do against them they do to us. We must remind our police departments and our elected officials that separate but equal was outlawed 60 years ago, so they can no longer treat black youth differently from white youth.</p>
<p>We must also say to those who question the “decency” and “morality” of our children that the Christian mandate to love and defend the oppressed and vulnerable has nothing to do with how they dress, what they say, and who are they appear to be; it only has to do with whether or not we see them as our brothers and sisters, our sons or daughters.</p>
<p>Do you see these teens as your children? Do you see them as the adolescents they are, terrified for their lives?</p>
<p>In the fifth chapter of the Gospel of John, there was a man who had been hanging out by a restrictive pool for 38 years waiting to be healed. Each time the man tried to enter the pool, the other sick people would beat him to the pool and undermine his efforts to get there. Jesus encountered this man and asked him “Do you want to be made well?”</p>
<p>While the question was directed at the man, I think it is a question for us and our society, too. I hear Jesus asking, “America, do you want to be made well?” I hear Jesus saying, “If so, stand up, take up your mats, and go and tend to my children.” I hear Jesus saying that his black and brown children remain waiting by our restrictive pools, our underfunded schools, our segregated neighborhoods, our indifferent churches and brutal police, hoping that someone will come by, notice their pain, and make America well (and work), for them. I hear Jesus telling us that if we want to be made well, we must stand up with our children as they fight for dignity, freedom and even the right to play. I hear Jesus saying, if we want to be made well, we must loudly say “No!” to restrictive pools and “No!” to police brutality, while boldly professing that black lives matter!</p> | false | 3 | happened fortunately time one shot killed breathe collective sigh relief relief sense innocent black children traumatized lives threatened stolen recent events welcome lives probably seen snippets infamous video news youtube facebook newsfeed anything like mine probably seen dozens articles happened outraged others proud police response facts still unclear events pool mckinney texas know upon getting disturbance call mckinney police officer eric casebolt barrel rolled see tripped fell excitement onto scene verbally abused teenagers body slammed virtually sexually assaulted 14yearold bikini clad girl pressed body restrain pulled loaded gun group black youth upon reading facts may tempted say something along lines well sounds bad dont facts true case irrelevant facts important facts horrify us adult male paid taxes citizens mckinney black white serve protect abused power verbally physically assaulting children young enough video entire situation hard swallow whats worse response many people society still respects thought video sure would quell skepticism racialized police brutality problem america unfortunately people defended george zimmerman darren wilson officer pantaleo cleveland police officer shot 12yearold tamir rice defending casebolt admittedly im surprised still hurts hurts see children could youth group treated aggressively biker gangs murdered nine people targeted police hurts see young black kids address police officer respect even calling sir treats like animals hurts see hundredpound black girl slammed ground though caught fleeing murder scene hurts live country people run aid officer gun badge full force law side ignore jolting agonizing screams young girl calling mother hurts minister baptist church knowing many others share denominational name probably dont care kids see criminals hurts live country every month year forcefully violently reminded comes police black lives matter letter birmingham jail dr king said following must confess past years gravely disappointed white moderate almost reached regrettable conclusion negros great stumbling block stride toward freedom white citizens counciler ku klux klanner white moderate devoted order justice prefers negative peace absence tension positive peace presence justice sadly think words dr king still ring true yet postracial society black voices rail loudly police brutality institutions allow remain long persists however voices alone enough need white moderate voices long many white moderate voices remained silent black oppression long many white moderates remain sunbathing around pool staring magazines instead defending black children get accosted neighbors long many white moderates remain interested preserving neighborhoods thanking racist brutal police protecting neighborhoods interested good neighbors black youth black minister white church charge church predominantly white churches time come join ongoing efforts black dignity time come blacklivesmatter movement us say black kids mckinney black kids ferguson black kids baltimore black kids every corner country stand lives matter must say peers profile brutalize kill whatever us must remind police departments elected officials separate equal outlawed 60 years ago longer treat black youth differently white youth must also say question decency morality children christian mandate love defend oppressed vulnerable nothing dress say appear whether see brothers sisters sons daughters see teens children see adolescents terrified lives fifth chapter gospel john man hanging restrictive pool 38 years waiting healed time man tried enter pool sick people would beat pool undermine efforts get jesus encountered man asked want made well question directed man think question us society hear jesus asking america want made well hear jesus saying stand take mats go tend children hear jesus saying black brown children remain waiting restrictive pools underfunded schools segregated neighborhoods indifferent churches brutal police hoping someone come notice pain make america well work hear jesus telling us want made well must stand children fight dignity freedom even right play hear jesus saying want made well must loudly say restrictive pools police brutality boldly professing black lives matter | 604 |
<p>In November, Beverly Tunney, president of the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association, retired after 37 years as a teacher and administrator in the Chicago public schools. For the last 18 years, she had been principal of Healy Elementary School in Bridgeport. During that time, student performance improved in all subjects and grades. Eighth-grade scores on the reading section of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills increased almost two grade levels, bringing the average to the national norm. The percentage of 8th-graders exceeding the national average in math rose from 38 percent in 1990 to 57 percent in 1995. Tunney’s comments below were excerpted from an interview conducted by John Simmons, president of the management consulting firm Participation Associates, and Sarah Nordgren, a Chicago journalist who writes about children’s issues.</p>
<p>The loss of clout</p>
<p>When I was named principal in 1978, Healy was 65 percent white and 35 percent Hispanic. At that time, families placed a low priority on education, primarily because the school is located in Chicago’s 11th Ward, longtime home to several of Chicago’s previous mayors including Edward J. Kelly, Richard J. Daley and Michael Bilandic. Political jobs were readily available to 11th Ward residents, and children knew that garbage collectors earned as much money as teachers. When Jane Byrne became mayor, the scene changed. Political jobs were no longer taken for granted.</p>
<p>Other changes in education at Healy occurred because of a great immigration here from Hong Kong and China. Chinatown could not house all of the new residents, and Bridgeport, on its southern border, was a natural place for immigrants to settle.</p>
<p>In 1978, most teachers were products of the Catholic school system. All teachers bring their own experiences to a classroom and, thus, Healy teachers were stern disciplinarians, and classrooms were tightly controlled. Desks and chairs were arranged uniformly, six to eight rows, six or eight desks deep. Most of the teaching was the didactic, lecture type.</p>
<p>I am a product of very different teaching styles. Even 30 years ago, I did not have rows of chairs in my classroom. I realized early on that if you haven’t experienced anything different, you cannot bring it to your classroom. Thus, when hiring teachers, it is important to look for those who have a rich background—those who have had happy experiences as students.</p>
<p>Making change</p>
<p>You can tell people what you want forever and not ever get it. When the classroom door is closed, the teachers can do whatever they want. What a principal needs to do is create a climate that encourages teachers to explore and be creative. You then recognize creativity in a way that does not ostracize a teacher from the rest of the faculty. Everything has to be done very discretely.</p>
<p>We all have something to contribute to the lives of students, and we each do it differently. Over the nine-year period of elementary school, students should obtain a good education and be exposed to some teachers who look at things in new ways. As a principal, I was not interested in lock-step teaching, but I did want to make sure teachers were very aware of my expectations.</p>
<p>Life is a process of adjusting to people, and children should be exposed to different kinds.</p>
<p>When I came to Healy, students were reading below grade level. In analyzing why, I discovered that teachers had low expectations for their students, and that they weren’t necessarily aware of student progress—or lack of it. This was unacceptable, so I instituted a process for profiling each student in school.</p>
<p>In the beginning, I compiled the information myself, since we didn’t have computers. I developed a form that listed a student’s age, grade level, reading level, Iowa scores for the past four years in reading and math, and enrollment in any kind of special education or bilingual program. In the comments column of the form, I showed a student’s last evaluation for special ed and bilingual language skills.</p>
<p>Teachers could then easily see, for example, if a child was reading a year below grade level, and this would serve as a red flag that we needed to do something with this student. We began to think about one year’s growth in one year’s teaching. I needed to do something that would get teachers to stay on task. From my own experience as a teacher, I knew that pacing was the most difficult part of my first year. How much material did we need to cover? So we mapped it in 10-week periods. Then we could see if we were on target.</p>
<p>The profiling forms also gave parents a bird’s-eye view of their children’s progress. If a child’s math scores were low, for example, we needed to develop intervention strategies. How much time did this student work on math at home?</p>
<p>Teachers also gave me monthly reports on students’ reading progress, indicating movement. If the movement was upward, that was great. If we saw a student moving downward, we questioned what we should do. Was there something going on in their family that was keeping this student from being successful, and what kind of service could we give?</p>
<p>Another problem when I first came to Healy was that teachers wanted to be told what to do. It was very difficult for them to actively participate in analyzing problems and creating solutions because they had never before had that opportunity. Some did not want the responsibility. Teachers were much happier being able to do what they had been doing all along. I made it clear to them that their involvement was important, but that is something that didn’t happen overnight.</p>
<p>There still are some holdouts who don’t want to participate in decision making.</p>
<p>I have done everything I can short of demanding that they change, but I won’t do that. Then, whatever they did with kids would be done grudgingly, and I don’t want that to occur.</p>
<p>Support for teachers</p>
<p>We have done a lot of things that have enabled teachers to work together as a group. For example, there are weekly grade-level meetings so that teachers spend 80 minutes a week planning, sharing, working on curriculum and looking at ways to improve. We did this by creating back-to-back prep periods. Now, as we are working on assessments, we have explored portfolios, as well as other performance assessments. This enables teachers to get together as a group. You can do this even in a large school.</p>
<p>We provide regular inservices, aiming for at least one quality presentation a month. The focus here is serious and concentrates on curriculum.</p>
<p>My management style is a reaction to all the principals with whom I have worked. I once had a lovely principal who would start something that was really great and then not follow through with the project or activity. During the first month, we would be very excited and then the enthusiasm would diminish and then stop. As a principal, when I started something, I followed through, building and improving projects that work.</p>
<p>Making parents feel welcome</p>
<p>Parents play a critical role in the success of a school. It is the success of a school—[it is] the parent who sets the goals and expectations for each child from birth on. We needed to capitalize on that. We needed to get parents involved in their child’s educational growth.</p>
<p>We knew that most of our parents were not comfortable in school. Their own school experiences were not happy ones, and anytime they were called to school, it was to tell them their child was not doing well. We also got feedback that they really wanted to help their child, but didn’t know how.</p>
<p>In the spring of 1993, we invited parents to come to school every Thursday morning for “A Second Cup of Coffee.” We focused on one curriculum area each month. Parents did science fair projects, created their own art works, participated in Family Math and took field trips to museums and places of interest. We averaged about 60 parents. We had five different translations going so that parents would really understand and participate.</p>
<p>We then got requests from working parents who felt left out. In the fall of 1993, we started “Family Nights.” On the third Thursday evening of each month, parents would bring their children and participate in a learning activity. We had Family Reading Night, Science Night, Art Night, History Night, etc. Our attendance averaged over 600 each session.</p>
<p>These activities have encouraged our parents to fully participate in our school program. They work with us to see that homework is completed and set high expectations for their children. Our parents feel good about school and good about learning.</p>
<p>Academics plus</p>
<p>When the profiling project began, we focused only on reading. During my third year here, I realized that writing was very important. I collected student compositions from each teacher, read every one and put comments on them. I wanted the kids to know that I was reading their work. Teachers still share student writing. We have exceeded state writing norms every year.</p>
<p>But I did more than that. I looked back on my schooling and considered the memorable parts. They weren’t reading and writing. It was events that took place in the school—the fairs we had that related to the curriculum. So we started having events at Healy. And it brought out the best in everyone. We made school fun. We had a yearly event until about four years ago. Now, we’ve gone to a thematic approach for teaching and have many activities over the year around that theme.</p>
<p>Probably the change of which I am most proud is the attendance rate at Healy, which has gone from 87 percent to 96 percent. In the beginning, we rewarded students with perfect attendance with movies because there were no video stores. At one time we also had a carnival. Now we have monthly and quarterly activities for students with perfect attendance. Parents also make cupcakes every month to take to the classrooms that have 98 percent or better attendance.</p>
<p>The role of reform</p>
<p>It’s important to realize that changes in the schools are not just the result of school reform. But reform has given principals discretionary funds, money with which to complete or build on a vision or dream. The discretionary money from state Chapter 1 funds has enabled us to do many different things. Healy School receives $875,000 per year. If I can’t make something work with that kind of budget, then there is something wrong with my management skills. Reform has also allowed principals to choose their own staffs, which I feel is a real plus. I have learned a lot from this and am very careful now in the staff I choose.</p>
<p>I had two different local school councils in six years, and they were magnificent. They are very proud of Healy, and they had a lot of confidence in me, so our relationship was good.</p>
<p>Changing attitudes</p>
<p>I am not a barrier person. I feel a principal’s job is to make things work, so you never heard me say, “I can’t do it.” You almost never heard me say, “No.” The most difficult part of my job, however, was probably changing teachers’ attitudes toward their job. I would probably be able to point to about five with whom I was not successful.</p>
<p>A principal must exhibit the behavior she or he wants teachers to model. For example, teachers knew that I was at school early and I stayed late. When I asked them to do something, I did it because I truly cared about the students. When a teacher brought a student to me, I spent time with that teacher and student.</p>
<p>Principals must set clear expectations for teachers. I am somewhat structured, but once the structure is there, I let go. If a teacher deviated from the norm, I would not react negatively because everybody does things differently. If I saw something not being done in what I perceived as the right way, or something happening that was not helping the school as a whole, I intervened. I didn’t intervene that much, however, because I have never met a teacher who comes to school intent on doing a lousy job. Teachers want to do a good job. Some of them may just not know exactly how to do it.</p>
<p>A major goal for me as principal was to make sure teachers had what they needed to do their job. When I was a teacher, I worked at a school that was always out of supplies. If a teacher does not have the supplies to teach, all you’re doing is making that teacher unhappy. You are not serving the kids. I have never said to a teacher, “I’m sorry, we can’t get you this.” Never. That was a personal commitment.</p>
<p>Creative insubordination</p>
<p>When faced with a problem, I try to analyze it and create a solution. I have worked in the system a long time, so I know where the resources are and how to use them to conquer some of the barriers. I have tried to help others in the system when I could and hoped that they would return the favor.</p>
<p>Through this, you earn a reputation for being cooperative or for getting things done or for being there when people need something. In the past, complaining didn’t do much good. Sometimes creative insubordination is more effective. As long as it is truly in the best interests of the students, I don’t have a problem with this approach.</p>
<p>Hiring a principal</p>
<p>When searching for a principal, local school councils should look at a candidate’s vision for a school, what they’d like to see the school do. What does the candidate see as components of a good school, and what would the candidate like in the school? Where the person went to college is important, as is the kind of training they’ve had. Their experience is relevant, especially their administrative experience.</p>
<p>I think an LSC first needs to know its vision for a school, however. If, for example, a principal wants a school to become a specialty school and the LSC does not, then the vision doesn’t match. There has to be a good match.</p> | false | 3 | november beverly tunney president chicago principals administrators association retired 37 years teacher administrator chicago public schools last 18 years principal healy elementary school bridgeport time student performance improved subjects grades eighthgrade scores reading section iowa test basic skills increased almost two grade levels bringing average national norm percentage 8thgraders exceeding national average math rose 38 percent 1990 57 percent 1995 tunneys comments excerpted interview conducted john simmons president management consulting firm participation associates sarah nordgren chicago journalist writes childrens issues loss clout named principal 1978 healy 65 percent white 35 percent hispanic time families placed low priority education primarily school located chicagos 11th ward longtime home several chicagos previous mayors including edward j kelly richard j daley michael bilandic political jobs readily available 11th ward residents children knew garbage collectors earned much money teachers jane byrne became mayor scene changed political jobs longer taken granted changes education healy occurred great immigration hong kong china chinatown could house new residents bridgeport southern border natural place immigrants settle 1978 teachers products catholic school system teachers bring experiences classroom thus healy teachers stern disciplinarians classrooms tightly controlled desks chairs arranged uniformly six eight rows six eight desks deep teaching didactic lecture type product different teaching styles even 30 years ago rows chairs classroom realized early havent experienced anything different bring classroom thus hiring teachers important look rich backgroundthose happy experiences students making change tell people want forever ever get classroom door closed teachers whatever want principal needs create climate encourages teachers explore creative recognize creativity way ostracize teacher rest faculty everything done discretely something contribute lives students differently nineyear period elementary school students obtain good education exposed teachers look things new ways principal interested lockstep teaching want make sure teachers aware expectations life process adjusting people children exposed different kinds came healy students reading grade level analyzing discovered teachers low expectations students werent necessarily aware student progressor lack unacceptable instituted process profiling student school beginning compiled information since didnt computers developed form listed students age grade level reading level iowa scores past four years reading math enrollment kind special education bilingual program comments column form showed students last evaluation special ed bilingual language skills teachers could easily see example child reading year grade level would serve red flag needed something student began think one years growth one years teaching needed something would get teachers stay task experience teacher knew pacing difficult part first year much material need cover mapped 10week periods could see target profiling forms also gave parents birdseye view childrens progress childs math scores low example needed develop intervention strategies much time student work math home teachers also gave monthly reports students reading progress indicating movement movement upward great saw student moving downward questioned something going family keeping student successful kind service could give another problem first came healy teachers wanted told difficult actively participate analyzing problems creating solutions never opportunity want responsibility teachers much happier able along made clear involvement important something didnt happen overnight still holdouts dont want participate decision making done everything short demanding change wont whatever kids would done grudgingly dont want occur support teachers done lot things enabled teachers work together group example weekly gradelevel meetings teachers spend 80 minutes week planning sharing working curriculum looking ways improve creating backtoback prep periods working assessments explored portfolios well performance assessments enables teachers get together group even large school provide regular inservices aiming least one quality presentation month focus serious concentrates curriculum management style reaction principals worked lovely principal would start something really great follow project activity first month would excited enthusiasm would diminish stop principal started something followed building improving projects work making parents feel welcome parents play critical role success school success schoolit parent sets goals expectations child birth needed capitalize needed get parents involved childs educational growth knew parents comfortable school school experiences happy ones anytime called school tell child well also got feedback really wanted help child didnt know spring 1993 invited parents come school every thursday morning second cup coffee focused one curriculum area month parents science fair projects created art works participated family math took field trips museums places interest averaged 60 parents five different translations going parents would really understand participate got requests working parents felt left fall 1993 started family nights third thursday evening month parents would bring children participate learning activity family reading night science night art night history night etc attendance averaged 600 session activities encouraged parents fully participate school program work us see homework completed set high expectations children parents feel good school good learning academics plus profiling project began focused reading third year realized writing important collected student compositions teacher read every one put comments wanted kids know reading work teachers still share student writing exceeded state writing norms every year looked back schooling considered memorable parts werent reading writing events took place schoolthe fairs related curriculum started events healy brought best everyone made school fun yearly event four years ago weve gone thematic approach teaching many activities year around theme probably change proud attendance rate healy gone 87 percent 96 percent beginning rewarded students perfect attendance movies video stores one time also carnival monthly quarterly activities students perfect attendance parents also make cupcakes every month take classrooms 98 percent better attendance role reform important realize changes schools result school reform reform given principals discretionary funds money complete build vision dream discretionary money state chapter 1 funds enabled us many different things healy school receives 875000 per year cant make something work kind budget something wrong management skills reform also allowed principals choose staffs feel real plus learned lot careful staff choose two different local school councils six years magnificent proud healy lot confidence relationship good changing attitudes barrier person feel principals job make things work never heard say cant almost never heard say difficult part job however probably changing teachers attitudes toward job would probably able point five successful principal must exhibit behavior wants teachers model example teachers knew school early stayed late asked something truly cared students teacher brought student spent time teacher student principals must set clear expectations teachers somewhat structured structure let go teacher deviated norm would react negatively everybody things differently saw something done perceived right way something happening helping school whole intervened didnt intervene much however never met teacher comes school intent lousy job teachers want good job may know exactly major goal principal make sure teachers needed job teacher worked school always supplies teacher supplies teach youre making teacher unhappy serving kids never said teacher im sorry cant get never personal commitment creative insubordination faced problem try analyze create solution worked system long time know resources use conquer barriers tried help others system could hoped would return favor earn reputation cooperative getting things done people need something past complaining didnt much good sometimes creative insubordination effective long truly best interests students dont problem approach hiring principal searching principal local school councils look candidates vision school theyd like see school candidate see components good school would candidate like school person went college important kind training theyve experience relevant especially administrative experience think lsc first needs know vision school however example principal wants school become specialty school lsc vision doesnt match good match | 1,202 |
<p>Many foreign journalists covet a China posting. Reporting on a country as important and fascinating as the Middle Kingdom is the opportunity of a lifetime. But it’s not for the faint-hearted.</p>
<p>In addition to the difficult language and choking pollution, members of the foreign — and domestic — media frequently have to contend with government officials, police and thugs intent on stopping them from doing their jobs, sometimes violently.</p>
<p>And the situation is getting worse.</p>
<p>A survey conducted by the <a href="http://cpj.org/blog/CHINA%2007%2011%2013%20FCCC%20Annual%20Working%20Conditions%20Report%20for%20pdf.pdf" type="external">Foreign Correspondents Club of China</a> in May found 98 percent of respondents did not think reporting conditions in China met international standards.</p>
<p>More than two-thirds of the 98 respondents said they believed the conditions had worsened or stayed the same over the previous 12 months.</p>
<p>Only three journalists thought the situation was getting better.</p>
<p>In the last few months of 2013, the Chinese government hardened its attitude toward the foreign media by refusing to issue visas to journalists from Bloomberg and The New York Times, and blocked access to various foreign media websites.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/china/131205/china-expel-new-york-times-bloomberg-journalist" type="external">China to expel New York Times, Bloomberg journalists</a></p>
<p>However, in recent weeks Beijing appeared to have a change of heart. Visas were granted again within days of journalists having packed their bags and left the country.</p>
<p>Over the first weekend of January, web users on the mainland were surprised to find the Chinese-language sites of Reuters and The Wall Street Journal had been unblocked.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/china/140106/chinese-language-websites-reuters-wsj-unblocked-china" type="external">China unblocks websites of Reuters, Wall Street Journal</a></p>
<p>But <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/140107/police-detain-chinese-activists-ahead-newspaper-protest" type="external">days later</a> — for no clear reason — access to the Guardian website was blocked.</p>
<p>To understand what’s going on in China, GlobalPost spoke to Paul Mooney, a veteran correspondent who spent 18 years in China and is now working as a freelance journalist in the US after being refused a visa; and Bob Dietz, the Asia program coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists.&#160;</p>
<p>Why has the Chinese government played hardball with the foreign media in recent months, such as by blocking news websites and refusing visas?</p>
<p>Paul Mooney: There are likely two reasons. One, the Communist Party is extremely upset with the reports by The New York Times and Bloomberg News about the wealth of the families of top leaders Wen Jiabao and Xi Jinping. This is a sensitive topic in China that the Party doesn’t want advertised.</p>
<p>Both stories made it into China via the internet and were widely passed around widely among Chinese people, seriously embarrassing the leadership. Dozens of people were arrested this past year for calling on government leaders to disclose their wealth. Party corruption is a sore point within China.</p>
<p>Second, the government feels beleaguered right now. There is rapidly increasing dissatisfaction among struggling farmers, disgruntled factory workers, abused Tibetans and Uighurs, people who contracted AIDS due to tainted blood collected by government-run blood collection centers.</p>
<p>In addition, other segments of society are fed up with the serious pollution problem, food safety problems, widespread official corruption and other issues. Yet the Party has not taken many concrete steps to deal with these problems, instead only using repression. Protests are increasing as are criticisms via the internet.</p>
<p>Foreign reports on these topics filter back into China to Chinese citizens and are seen around the world, tarnishing the reputation and the image of the Party. Although many believe the Party is too strong to care deeply about its image, it does. So it's using unprecedented methods, such as visa refusals and delays, and stepped up intimidation, to silence these reports.</p>
<p>It’s also important to know that while the pressure on foreign media is increasing, the Xi government has also increased its stranglehold on domestic media and the internet, and both sectors have been significantly muzzled since the new administration came to power a year ago.</p>
<p>Bob Dietz: Actually, the tactics are not all that new, and some of them predate the government of the current president, Xi Jinping. Search <a href="http://cpj.org" type="external">our website</a> and you can see the complaints going back for years. But I think the current harder line seems to have started with the expulsion of Melissa Chan and the subsequent closing of the Al Jazeera English bureau in Beijing in May 2012. Chan had been doing reporting critical of the government, particularly around human rights issues, since 2007.</p>
<p>There were a&#160; <a href="http://www.cpj.org/2012/05/china-shuts-out-al-jazeera-english-in-beijing.php" type="external">number of other incidents</a> around the time of the popular uprisings in the Middle East and I think the government's attitude toward foreign correspondents changed significantly. I think you have to accept that the retribution directed at The New York Times and Bloomberg is linked directly to their reporting on corrupt practices among the country's political elite.</p>
<p>It's one thing to talk about corruption or bad governance at the village or township level, but it's something completely different to take on the national leadership, and do it convincingly as those organizations did. A reporter does that, and they incur official displeasure for sure.</p>
<p>What is the significance of the recent decision to unblock the Chinese-language websites of Reuters and The Wall Street Journal, and to grant visas to Bloomberg and New York Times journalists?</p>
<p>Paul Mooney: There’s no significance at all in either aspect. Websites get blocked and unblocked with regularity and it’s often difficult to tell if the move is technical or political. During the same week, we have reports that the website of the Guardian has been blocked. The visas for the 23 journalists were approved, possibly with the exception of one journalist from The New York Times, who was transferring his visa from Time Magazine to The New York Times.</p>
<p>I predicted weeks ago that the Chinese would approve the bulk of the visas at the last minute, which is what happened. This was purely a scare tactic to intimidate the foreign media, and make them think twice about reporting on sensitive issues in 2014. This is a practice we’ve seen used increasingly since 2009, following some relaxations adopted for the 2008 Olympics.</p>
<p>The only difference is that this year they targeted an unprecedented number of journalists from two of the largest and most influential international news organizations. Had the government not approved the visas for this group, it would have led to a barrage of bad publicity, and possible retaliation by the American government, and the Chinese government didn’t want to risk the backlash.&#160;</p>
<p>I, myself, was refused a visa in November to take up a position with Reuters in Beijing, which is a rare thing for the government to do.&#160;</p>
<p>Bob Dietz: Is there a rationale behind these decisions? Almost simultaneous with the unblocking of those websites came the blocking of the Guardian website, for no discernible reason. The paper had always been reliably critical of the government and there were no particularly egregious recent articles to anger the censors, or whoever it is that makes these decisions.</p>
<p>Is there an implication of a time span for banishment until the news organization is allowed to reappear in China? Or is it the use of restricting access as a way of simply flexing the "we can shut you down whenever we want" muscle?</p>
<p>As for visas, it appears at this moment that most if not all the people who were being targeted before Christmas will be getting their visas — most already have been given their press credentials. But others who were booted out earlier are still not allowed to return. The whole incident and all its discomfort for the journalists and their organizations is still hanging in the air. The implication is “we let you off this time, let's see how you do over the next 12 months.”&#160;</p>
<p>What is the outlook for domestic and foreign media in China in 2014? Do you see any sign of the Chinese authorities easing control over the media?</p>
<p>Paul Mooney: I not only see no sign of them easing control over the media, but I actually expect to see the controls increase. I predict that the Chinese will step up the harassment of the foreign media this year in an attempt to muzzle reporting on corruption among the top leadership as well as on increasing domestic problems and rising opposition to the Party.</p>
<p>The Chinese government won a small victory when <a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2013/11/18/bloomberg_suspends_china_reporter_amid_censorship_scandal.html" type="external">Bloomberg allegedly bowed by censoring a story</a>, and this has given the Communist leadership a taste of blood. The Party will now feel encouraged to continue its pressure under the belief that everyone will eventually bend.</p>
<p>Bob Dietz: I don't think it's going to get better. I think the Xi government feels it can apply the same sort of pressure on the foreign media that it has on its domestic media. They won't throw foreign reporters in jail, as they tend to do with their own press corps, but they will resort to tactics similar to what we've been seeing in the last few years — visa games, website blocking and expulsions if they feel it's necessary.</p>
<p>On the other hand we don't want to see retaliatory visa restrictions aimed at Chinese journalists in the US, or anywhere else for that matter.</p>
<p>Editor's note: These interviews were edited and condensed for clarity.</p> | false | 3 | many foreign journalists covet china posting reporting country important fascinating middle kingdom opportunity lifetime fainthearted addition difficult language choking pollution members foreign domestic media frequently contend government officials police thugs intent stopping jobs sometimes violently situation getting worse survey conducted foreign correspondents club china may found 98 percent respondents think reporting conditions china met international standards twothirds 98 respondents said believed conditions worsened stayed previous 12 months three journalists thought situation getting better last months 2013 chinese government hardened attitude toward foreign media refusing issue visas journalists bloomberg new york times blocked access various foreign media websites globalpost160 china expel new york times bloomberg journalists however recent weeks beijing appeared change heart visas granted within days journalists packed bags left country first weekend january web users mainland surprised find chineselanguage sites reuters wall street journal unblocked globalpost160 china unblocks websites reuters wall street journal days later clear reason access guardian website blocked understand whats going china globalpost spoke paul mooney veteran correspondent spent 18 years china working freelance journalist us refused visa bob dietz asia program coordinator committee protect journalists160 chinese government played hardball foreign media recent months blocking news websites refusing visas paul mooney likely two reasons one communist party extremely upset reports new york times bloomberg news wealth families top leaders wen jiabao xi jinping sensitive topic china party doesnt want advertised stories made china via internet widely passed around widely among chinese people seriously embarrassing leadership dozens people arrested past year calling government leaders disclose wealth party corruption sore point within china second government feels beleaguered right rapidly increasing dissatisfaction among struggling farmers disgruntled factory workers abused tibetans uighurs people contracted aids due tainted blood collected governmentrun blood collection centers addition segments society fed serious pollution problem food safety problems widespread official corruption issues yet party taken many concrete steps deal problems instead using repression protests increasing criticisms via internet foreign reports topics filter back china chinese citizens seen around world tarnishing reputation image party although many believe party strong care deeply image using unprecedented methods visa refusals delays stepped intimidation silence reports also important know pressure foreign media increasing xi government also increased stranglehold domestic media internet sectors significantly muzzled since new administration came power year ago bob dietz actually tactics new predate government current president xi jinping search website see complaints going back years think current harder line seems started expulsion melissa chan subsequent closing al jazeera english bureau beijing may 2012 chan reporting critical government particularly around human rights issues since 2007 a160 number incidents around time popular uprisings middle east think governments attitude toward foreign correspondents changed significantly think accept retribution directed new york times bloomberg linked directly reporting corrupt practices among countrys political elite one thing talk corruption bad governance village township level something completely different take national leadership convincingly organizations reporter incur official displeasure sure significance recent decision unblock chineselanguage websites reuters wall street journal grant visas bloomberg new york times journalists paul mooney theres significance either aspect websites get blocked unblocked regularity often difficult tell move technical political week reports website guardian blocked visas 23 journalists approved possibly exception one journalist new york times transferring visa time magazine new york times predicted weeks ago chinese would approve bulk visas last minute happened purely scare tactic intimidate foreign media make think twice reporting sensitive issues 2014 practice weve seen used increasingly since 2009 following relaxations adopted 2008 olympics difference year targeted unprecedented number journalists two largest influential international news organizations government approved visas group would led barrage bad publicity possible retaliation american government chinese government didnt want risk backlash160 refused visa november take position reuters beijing rare thing government do160 bob dietz rationale behind decisions almost simultaneous unblocking websites came blocking guardian website discernible reason paper always reliably critical government particularly egregious recent articles anger censors whoever makes decisions implication time span banishment news organization allowed reappear china use restricting access way simply flexing shut whenever want muscle visas appears moment people targeted christmas getting visas already given press credentials others booted earlier still allowed return whole incident discomfort journalists organizations still hanging air implication let time lets see next 12 months160 outlook domestic foreign media china 2014 see sign chinese authorities easing control media paul mooney see sign easing control media actually expect see controls increase predict chinese step harassment foreign media year attempt muzzle reporting corruption among top leadership well increasing domestic problems rising opposition party chinese government small victory bloomberg allegedly bowed censoring story given communist leadership taste blood party feel encouraged continue pressure belief everyone eventually bend bob dietz dont think going get better think xi government feels apply sort pressure foreign media domestic media wont throw foreign reporters jail tend press corps resort tactics similar weve seeing last years visa games website blocking expulsions feel necessary hand dont want see retaliatory visa restrictions aimed chinese journalists us anywhere else matter editors note interviews edited condensed clarity | 820 |
<p>NEW DELHI, India — The economy is (finally) picking up. That means it’s acquisition season in Silicon Valley. As Facebook’s exorbitant $19-billion purchase of WhatsApp illustrates, tech titans are flush, and willing to write fat checks to beat the competition.</p>
<p>Naturally, most of the big purchases focus on the tech heavy hubs of Silicon Valley, New York and Boston. But startups with ties to India are also attracting a lot of attention.</p>
<p>Consider these examples from the past three months:</p>
<p>- In December, Apple <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/software-services/Apple-buys-Indian-owned-analytics-firm-Topsy/articleshow/26773183.cms" type="external">bought</a> <a href="http://topsy.com/" type="external">Topsy</a>, a firm that analyzes Twitter conversations, for $200 million. The company was started in 2007 by New Delhi-born Vipul Ved Prakash and Rishab Aiyer Ghosh with two San Francisco colleagues.</p>
<p>- Facebook picked up <a href="http://www.littleeye.co/" type="external">Little Eye Labs</a>, for <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/business-25648118" type="external">an estimated $10m to $15m</a> in January. The Bangalore-based company builds tools that analyze mobile apps to measure their performance.</p>
<p>- A few weeks later Google <a href="http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/google-picks-indian-connect-startup-imperium-216605.html" type="external">announced</a> it had bought <a href="http://impermium.com/" type="external">Impermium</a>, a cybersecurity company with offices in Bangalore and California which has been taking on spammers and online fraud.</p>
<p>As <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/series/startup-wallah" type="external">GlobalPost reported</a> last year, India's tech community is undertaking a serious effort to boost its startup scene, with help from investors, entrepreneurs and multinationals like Microsoft.</p>
<p>And it’s paying off.</p>
<p>“There were 450 tech startups in 2013,” <a href="https://socialmediaweek.org/blog/smw_speaker/rajat-tandon/" type="external">Rajat Tandon</a>, senior director for startups at NASSCOM, India’s tech industry trade body, told GlobalPost. He wants to get thousands of companies up and running over the next ten years with NASSCOM’s <a href="http://www.10000startups.com/" type="external">10,000 startups</a>. “We have to continue to build the ecosystem for startups, but it’s certainly already pretty healthy.”</p>
<p>So which companies are next on the shopping list? Well, it’s hard to say, given that the titans aren’t in the habit of tipping their hands. But here are nine that may catch the eye of the big US tech firms:</p>
<p>1. <a href="http://www.tookitaki.com/" type="external">Tookitaki</a></p>
<p>Marketers often complain that internet advertising fails to engage audiences. Abhishek Chatterjee, based in Pune, Maharashtra, aims to let advertisers target people at the right time by scanning social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to find out what they’re talking about. “We feel this is a high potential company,” Tandon said. “They really seem to know what they are doing.”</p>
<p>2. <a href="http://getsigneasy.com/" type="external">SignEasy</a></p>
<p>This mobile app was born from frustration by the owner, Sunil Patro, at trying to find a printer and a fax to sign vital documents while on vacation. “I thought it would be awesome if I could sign and send documents straight from my phone,” he said. Users can insert a picture of their hand-written signature on a document, date it, and send it back. The digital signature company was founded in 2010 in Bangalore and San Francisco. The app has become a popular business download for Android and iOS.</p>
<p>3. <a href="http://www.indix.com/" type="external">Indix</a></p>
<p>Founder Sanjay Parthasarathy moved back to India after two decades in the US to set up Indix. The former Microsoft exec aims to build the world’s biggest database of products, with more than one billion items. It already tracks more than 200 million online. The idea is for brands and retailers to <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/14/indix-is-building-a-catalog-of-over-1-billion-consumer-products-to-help-brands-sell-better/" type="external">compare sales figures</a> for both their own products and their competitors', and also for social media and e-commerce sites to have access to up-to-date information about each product. “We’re very excited about this one,” Tandon said. “It’s very ambitious.”</p>
<p>4. <a href="http://www.madstreetden.com/" type="external">MadStreetDen</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.google.co.uk/glass/start/" type="external">Google Glass</a>is trying to translate the real world into the digital world for its users. Mad Street Den’s founder Anand Chandrasekaran hopes to take the opposite path: making machines more human. The idea is to incorporate artificial intelligence into mobile apps so that they can learn from their users and anticipate commands; to “learn and change with you as they grow older,” Chandrasekaran said.</p>
<p>5. <a href="http://docspad.com/" type="external">Bookpad</a></p>
<p>Cloud computing — where content is stored remotely so it can be accessed from multiple devices — has become increasingly popular. But often people struggle to access their documents because they don’t have the right software to read the files. Bookpad aims to solve that problem by allowing users to read and edit any document online. “It’s an important issue,” said Tandon. “We’re pretty confident they can solve it.”</p>
<p>6. <a href="https://www.pcloudy.com/" type="external">pCloudy</a></p>
<p>Developers often struggle to make their software work on the enormous range of devices that run the Android operating system. pCloudy’s three ex-Nokia founders, Jaffer Sadhiq, Bhavesh Bhojani and Anil Adireddi, have designed an application that allows developers to test their software on any Android device through a browser. “They have the product on the market, and they have users,” Tandon said. “They’re proving it can work already.”</p>
<p>7. <a href="https://woome.mobi/" type="external">WooMe</a></p>
<p>This mobile app listens to users’ televisions to recognize the show or movie they are watching, and allows them to get extra content such as news or behind-the-scenes videos. It is used by several Indian TV networks, including Star Plus and Sony TV, and claims more than 10,000 downloads so far.</p>
<p>8. <a href="https://www.dronna.com/" type="external">Dronna</a></p>
<p>Bangalore-based Psi Phi Labs is developing Dronna to be a personalized or social search engine where users can find out information from other people around them. The website has the backing of NASSCOM’s 10,000 Startups program and the startup accelerator <a href="http://kyron.me/home.php" type="external">Kyron</a>.</p>
<p>9. <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.windsleeve.shopera&amp;hl=en_GB" type="external">Shopera</a></p>
<p>Supermarkets often claim their prices are the lowest, but Bangalore firm <a href="http://www.windsleeve.com/" type="external">Windsleeve Technologies</a> has developed a mobile app that will let shoppers check for themselves. Users of the Shopera app can create their shopping list and check which shops have the cheapest products on offer. Ganesh Balakrishnan left his job at Honeywell to found the company, and has other apps in the pipeline.</p> | false | 3 | new delhi india economy finally picking means acquisition season silicon valley facebooks exorbitant 19billion purchase whatsapp illustrates tech titans flush willing write fat checks beat competition naturally big purchases focus tech heavy hubs silicon valley new york boston startups ties india also attracting lot attention consider examples past three months december apple bought topsy firm analyzes twitter conversations 200 million company started 2007 new delhiborn vipul ved prakash rishab aiyer ghosh two san francisco colleagues facebook picked little eye labs estimated 10m 15m january bangalorebased company builds tools analyze mobile apps measure performance weeks later google announced bought impermium cybersecurity company offices bangalore california taking spammers online fraud globalpost reported last year indias tech community undertaking serious effort boost startup scene help investors entrepreneurs multinationals like microsoft paying 450 tech startups 2013 rajat tandon senior director startups nasscom indias tech industry trade body told globalpost wants get thousands companies running next ten years nasscoms 10000 startups continue build ecosystem startups certainly already pretty healthy companies next shopping list well hard say given titans arent habit tipping hands nine may catch eye big us tech firms 1 tookitaki marketers often complain internet advertising fails engage audiences abhishek chatterjee based pune maharashtra aims let advertisers target people right time scanning social media platforms like facebook twitter linkedin find theyre talking feel high potential company tandon said really seem know 2 signeasy mobile app born frustration owner sunil patro trying find printer fax sign vital documents vacation thought would awesome could sign send documents straight phone said users insert picture handwritten signature document date send back digital signature company founded 2010 bangalore san francisco app become popular business download android ios 3 indix founder sanjay parthasarathy moved back india two decades us set indix former microsoft exec aims build worlds biggest database products one billion items already tracks 200 million online idea brands retailers compare sales figures products competitors also social media ecommerce sites access uptodate information product excited one tandon said ambitious 4 madstreetden google glassis trying translate real world digital world users mad street dens founder anand chandrasekaran hopes take opposite path making machines human idea incorporate artificial intelligence mobile apps learn users anticipate commands learn change grow older chandrasekaran said 5 bookpad cloud computing content stored remotely accessed multiple devices become increasingly popular often people struggle access documents dont right software read files bookpad aims solve problem allowing users read edit document online important issue said tandon pretty confident solve 6 pcloudy developers often struggle make software work enormous range devices run android operating system pcloudys three exnokia founders jaffer sadhiq bhavesh bhojani anil adireddi designed application allows developers test software android device browser product market users tandon said theyre proving work already 7 woome mobile app listens users televisions recognize show movie watching allows get extra content news behindthescenes videos used several indian tv networks including star plus sony tv claims 10000 downloads far 8 dronna bangalorebased psi phi labs developing dronna personalized social search engine users find information people around website backing nasscoms 10000 startups program startup accelerator kyron 9 shopera supermarkets often claim prices lowest bangalore firm windsleeve technologies developed mobile app let shoppers check users shopera app create shopping list check shops cheapest products offer ganesh balakrishnan left job honeywell found company apps pipeline | 548 |
<p>Exactly a century ago Frederick W. Claybrook, a native of the Northern Neck of Virginia and for 40 years a prominent pastor and builder of churches, led in the constituting of a chapel in the farming and fishing community of Weems in the lower Northern Neck. The Baptists of Weems began in a borrowed schoolhouse and a private home. In time, they built a modest frame building and named their church after the founding pastor. Today, Claybrook Baptist Church occupies a beautiful brick house of worship.</p>
<p />
<p>In 1893 Claybrook gave an address at the 50th anniversary of the Rappahannock Baptist Association. Others had spoken on the long and significant history of Baptists on both sides of the Rappahannock River. The charge to Claybrook, then about age 50 himself, was to help the area Baptists to see themselves 50 years into the future.</p>
<p>He knew that the area had always been isolated, reached primarily by steamboats. He envisioned increased access, more trade, the division of large plantations into smaller and more productive farms, and the gradual influx of more new residents.&#160; He predicted that oyster farming and harvesting would become as profitable as the gold fields of California.&#160; He saw the menhaden fisheries enlarging.&#160;</p>
<p>He recognized that the area lost many of its best and brightest youth to Baltimore, Washington, Richmond and the cities along Hampton Roads and the Elizabeth River.&#160; But he also saw country youth as an export of good Christians who would populate city churches.</p>
<p>He admitted that despite the area’s long Baptist heritage, there were “a great many weak Baptists in our midst who cannot give a better reason for being Baptists than their parents are Baptists.” He urged that “we must preach our doctrines and see that our children are taught our faith in our Sunday schools.”</p>
<p>Claybrook offered a prescription for the future. First, Baptists needed “earnest, decided preachers who have the courage of their convictions and will proclaim the truth without fear or favor.” He credited the state of Baptists in the late 19th century to “the faithfulness of the preachers of the past, preaching Baptist doctrine even though they suffered imprisonment and stripes.”</p>
<p>Second, people needed to become serious about Christian stewardship. “We must consecrate our bodies, souls and means to the cause of the Redeemer. We must stop placing God before the people as a beggar for their contributions to his cause, but teach that the great Sovereign of the universe demands that we shall glorify him with our substance.”</p>
<p>He stressed the tithe and declared that “our system of begging has created a false idea in the minds of people that giving is rather a privilege than a duty. We must go down to the root of the matter of Christian giving and insist from the pulpit that as Christians we are stewards of the means that God gives us and we are to set aside a certain portion every week for unselfish consecration to God’s cause. It may take a long time to drill this doctrine into the minds and hearts of the people.”</p>
<p>Third, religious life must permeate the home. “We must train our children to fear God and keep his commandments. This family life is the hope of the church. We must urge and insist that a family altar shall be erected in every household. Because we do not sprinkle the babies into the church and regard them as church members, we are accused of neglecting to train our children, by those who differ from us. We ought by our practice to show the world that as Christian fathers and mothers dedicated to God, we do live every day to God, and bring up our children in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.”</p>
<p>The years have piled high — 120 of them — since Claybrook made his address. He was envisioning only a half-century ahead. The area south and north of the Rappahannock has developed far beyond what even Claybrook imagined. Good highways and bridges at either end of the river have opened the territory. The population has grown, especially with “come heres” who enjoy weekends, summers or even retirement there.&#160;</p>
<p>The people are still, by and large, a faithful church-going folk. The area always has attracted some of the best ministers. They seem to be of two varieties: the young up-and-coming ministers who are trained by the people of the old churches and then sent forth for careers elsewhere, or the older, seasoned ministers who find the area accepting and inviting for the latter years of their ministry.&#160;</p>
<p>If we are thoroughly honest, the prescription given by Claybrook still applies to Baptists everywhere even in the beginning of the 21st century: sound doctrinal preaching; consecrated giving and living; and homes centered upon God.</p>
<p>Claybrook offered some other advice.&#160; He felt that the church folk of his day were resting on the achievements of the past.</p>
<p>“The past is the cradle of the future. No people ever rose higher than they aimed. No people ever advanced beyond their efforts for advancement. Whenever men begin to halt and lament and point back to the glorious past and rest upon their past glory, they have no future worthy of aspiration. But when men imbued with hope make the past the stimulant for greater efforts in the future, then they must have a glorious future.</p>
<p>“We have been living too much upon the consecrated zeal of our forefathers. Our present was their future and we are enjoying the inheritance. If we fail to avail ourselves of the God-given opportunities for work and advancement, what shall be the future for our children? If we fail to impress upon them Baptist principles, they will drift into other folds. If we fail to impress them with our example of piety, we will raise a nation of infidels.&#160; But if we live close to God and endeavor to glorify his name in all the walks of life, he will give us the land.”</p>
<p>Fred Anderson ( <a href="mailto:fred.anderson@vbmb.org" type="external">fred.anderson@vbmb.org</a>) is executive director of the Virginia Baptist Historical Society and the Center for Baptist Heritage and Studies.</p> | false | 3 | exactly century ago frederick w claybrook native northern neck virginia 40 years prominent pastor builder churches led constituting chapel farming fishing community weems lower northern neck baptists weems began borrowed schoolhouse private home time built modest frame building named church founding pastor today claybrook baptist church occupies beautiful brick house worship 1893 claybrook gave address 50th anniversary rappahannock baptist association others spoken long significant history baptists sides rappahannock river charge claybrook age 50 help area baptists see 50 years future knew area always isolated reached primarily steamboats envisioned increased access trade division large plantations smaller productive farms gradual influx new residents160 predicted oyster farming harvesting would become profitable gold fields california160 saw menhaden fisheries enlarging160 recognized area lost many best brightest youth baltimore washington richmond cities along hampton roads elizabeth river160 also saw country youth export good christians would populate city churches admitted despite areas long baptist heritage great many weak baptists midst give better reason baptists parents baptists urged must preach doctrines see children taught faith sunday schools claybrook offered prescription future first baptists needed earnest decided preachers courage convictions proclaim truth without fear favor credited state baptists late 19th century faithfulness preachers past preaching baptist doctrine even though suffered imprisonment stripes second people needed become serious christian stewardship must consecrate bodies souls means cause redeemer must stop placing god people beggar contributions cause teach great sovereign universe demands shall glorify substance stressed tithe declared system begging created false idea minds people giving rather privilege duty must go root matter christian giving insist pulpit christians stewards means god gives us set aside certain portion every week unselfish consecration gods cause may take long time drill doctrine minds hearts people third religious life must permeate home must train children fear god keep commandments family life hope church must urge insist family altar shall erected every household sprinkle babies church regard church members accused neglecting train children differ us ought practice show world christian fathers mothers dedicated god live every day god bring children knowledge jesus christ years piled high 120 since claybrook made address envisioning halfcentury ahead area south north rappahannock developed far beyond even claybrook imagined good highways bridges either end river opened territory population grown especially come heres enjoy weekends summers even retirement there160 people still large faithful churchgoing folk area always attracted best ministers seem two varieties young upandcoming ministers trained people old churches sent forth careers elsewhere older seasoned ministers find area accepting inviting latter years ministry160 thoroughly honest prescription given claybrook still applies baptists everywhere even beginning 21st century sound doctrinal preaching consecrated giving living homes centered upon god claybrook offered advice160 felt church folk day resting achievements past past cradle future people ever rose higher aimed people ever advanced beyond efforts advancement whenever men begin halt lament point back glorious past rest upon past glory future worthy aspiration men imbued hope make past stimulant greater efforts future must glorious future living much upon consecrated zeal forefathers present future enjoying inheritance fail avail godgiven opportunities work advancement shall future children fail impress upon baptist principles drift folds fail impress example piety raise nation infidels160 live close god endeavor glorify name walks life give us land fred anderson fredandersonvbmborg executive director virginia baptist historical society center baptist heritage studies | 543 |
<p>BRUSSELS, Belgium — With Socialist President Francois Hollande’s approval ratings close to a record low of just 23 percent, you'd think France's main opposition group would find reason to be cheerful.</p>
<p>Instead, mainstream conservatives have found themselves grumpily divided over how to defend their voter base against a growing threat from the hard-line National Front (FN) as the center-right prepares for its first major electoral test since its defeat by Hollande last year.</p>
<p>The National Front's rise in the polls ahead of nationwide municipal elections in the spring has placed the main center-right party, the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), in a bind.</p>
<p>The party is split between those hoping to win back votes by co-opting the Front's nationalist and anti-immigration agenda, and moderates seeking to regain control of the political middle ground.</p>
<p>That rift has been laid bare by former UMP Prime Minister Francois Fillon, who has suggested the center-right should end a long-standing policy of boycotting the National Front.</p>
<p>In town hall elections where the choice is between Socialist and far-right candidates, Fillon said UMP supporters should vote for the "least sectarian" candidate — overturning the party line, which urges abstention rather than a vote for the FN.</p>
<p>Fillon's comment brought a storm of protest from the left as well as moderates on the right, but polls showed 72 percent of UMP supporters agreed.</p>
<p>"Their problem is that if the left is losing, it's not necessarily the UMP that's winning," says Olivier Rouquan, senior lecturer at the French Higher Institute of Public and Political Management.</p>
<p>"The National Front is out there and the UMP is fearful of stagnating," he said in an interview from Paris. "They worry over what to do about an electorate that is radicalizing. Fillon's declaration aims to mobilize those in the UMP who fear the party is too moderate, not far enough on the right."</p>
<p>Fillon, who was prime minister for five years under President Nicolas Sarkozy until their May 2012 defeat by the Socialists, reached out to far-right voters again on Sunday.</p>
<p>"We have to go meet those voters who let themselves be swept along by the siren song of the National Front," he told a UMP rally in the central Loire region. "Nothing will stop me talking to my compatriots who think everything is a mess and who love their country and fear for it ... treating them as pariahs goes against the values of the republic."</p>
<p>However, center-right moderates find the idea of a deal with the National Front anathema.</p>
<p>"The UMP's claim to represent the right and the center died this week," Jean-Louis Borloo, a former vice-president of the party said in response to Fillon’s voting idea.</p>
<p>Borloo left UMP in 2011 in protest at an earlier rightward swing under Sarkozy.</p>
<p>Another former UMP prime minister, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, warned that the question of voting for the FN risked breaking up the party. "Red alert. A vote for the FN is a fault line for the UMP," Raffarin tweeted. "The pact on which we are founded is at stake."</p>
<p>The dilemma over cutting a deal with the far right has also bedeviled traditional conservative parties elsewhere in Europe as radical nationalists gain ground in increasingly fractured political landscapes.</p>
<p>When Austria's conservatives broke a Europe-wide taboo by inviting the far-right Freedom Party to join a coalition government in 2000, there was international outcry and other European Union nations sought to impose sanctions. Since then, however, conservative governments have entered coalition or parliamentary support deals with the radical right in Italy, Slovakia, Denmark, the Netherlands and other EU countries.</p>
<p>In Austria on Sunday, the Freedom Party saw its support surge to 21 percent — which almost beat the conservatives into second place. This time, however, the conservatives look likely to reject an alliance with the hard right and maintain a broad coalition with the Socialists.</p>
<p>In France, Fillon's critics say his outreach to the National Front has boosted the efforts of FN leader Marine Le Pen to bring the party in from the political fringe.</p>
<p>Since taking over from her father Jean-Marie Le Pen in 2011, she has sought to broaden the party's appeal, blending traditional anti-immigration rhetoric with calls to defend France's generous social security system and protective labor laws against a perceived threat from global competition. The European Union and gay marriage have also become targets of choice for the party.</p>
<p>Polls currently give the FN around 16 percent, putting it in third place behind the center-right with 35 percent and the Socialists with 26 percent. But while support for the traditional parties is falling, Le Pen's is steadily rising.</p>
<p>"There's growing dissatisfaction and discontent among voters towards political leaders, the National Front is the party that is profiting most from that unhappiness," says Rouquan.</p>
<p>Mainstream politicians fearful of losing city halls to the Front in the spring have competed in recent weeks in calling for a crackdown on Roma migrants from the Balkans and Central Europe.</p>
<p>After Jean-Marie Le Pen denounced the "itchy and smelly presence" of Roma in the Cote d'Azur resort of Nice, mainstream politicians waded in to attack the migrants, who are estimated to number around 20,000 in France.</p>
<p>One center-right mayor suggested he'd support any of his townspeople who killed a Roma, another was reported as saying "maybe Hitler had not killed enough," a reference to the Nazi extermination of what some estimates put at up to 1.5 million Roma, who are also known as gypsies.</p>
<p>Fearful of appearing weak, the Socialist government has stepped up expulsions of Roma, which they had denounced while in opposition to Sarkozy. "These people have lifestyles that are very different from ours and are clearly in confrontation" with local populations," Interior Minister Manuel Valls said during a radio interview last week.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Marine Le Pen is promising that those townspeople who vote in National Front mayors next spring won’t have to worry about a Roma problem.</p>
<p>Beyond the municipal elections, Fillon and other conservative bigwigs are already staking out their claim to lead the center-right challenge to Hollande in the 2017 presidential elections.</p>
<p>Fillon had been viewed as a moderate. His outreach to the National Front is widely seen as an attempt to win support away from his party's current leader, Jean-Francois Cope, who is considered to be more to the right.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/germany/130925/cannabis-kreuzberg-legalize" type="external">Cannabis for Kreuzberg</a></p>
<p>In the popularity stakes, however, both lag well behind the man that the overwhelming majority of UMP supporters want to see running for president: Sarkozy.</p>
<p>After a year of silence following his May 2012 defeat, the former president is increasing his public appearances in preparation for an expected political comeback. A Sept. 20 poll found 62 percent of party supporters want him to run.</p>
<p>Sarkozy's biggest obstacle could well be in the courts rather than a party primary. He's under investigation over allegations of helping to dupe France's richest woman — 90-year-old L'Oreal heiress Liliane Bettencourt — into donating election campaign funds.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | brussels belgium socialist president francois hollandes approval ratings close record low 23 percent youd think frances main opposition group would find reason cheerful instead mainstream conservatives found grumpily divided defend voter base growing threat hardline national front fn centerright prepares first major electoral test since defeat hollande last year national fronts rise polls ahead nationwide municipal elections spring placed main centerright party union popular movement ump bind party split hoping win back votes coopting fronts nationalist antiimmigration agenda moderates seeking regain control political middle ground rift laid bare former ump prime minister francois fillon suggested centerright end longstanding policy boycotting national front town hall elections choice socialist farright candidates fillon said ump supporters vote least sectarian candidate overturning party line urges abstention rather vote fn fillons comment brought storm protest left well moderates right polls showed 72 percent ump supporters agreed problem left losing necessarily ump thats winning says olivier rouquan senior lecturer french higher institute public political management national front ump fearful stagnating said interview paris worry electorate radicalizing fillons declaration aims mobilize ump fear party moderate far enough right fillon prime minister five years president nicolas sarkozy may 2012 defeat socialists reached farright voters sunday go meet voters let swept along siren song national front told ump rally central loire region nothing stop talking compatriots think everything mess love country fear treating pariahs goes values republic however centerright moderates find idea deal national front anathema umps claim represent right center died week jeanlouis borloo former vicepresident party said response fillons voting idea borloo left ump 2011 protest earlier rightward swing sarkozy another former ump prime minister jeanpierre raffarin warned question voting fn risked breaking party red alert vote fn fault line ump raffarin tweeted pact founded stake dilemma cutting deal far right also bedeviled traditional conservative parties elsewhere europe radical nationalists gain ground increasingly fractured political landscapes austrias conservatives broke europewide taboo inviting farright freedom party join coalition government 2000 international outcry european union nations sought impose sanctions since however conservative governments entered coalition parliamentary support deals radical right italy slovakia denmark netherlands eu countries austria sunday freedom party saw support surge 21 percent almost beat conservatives second place time however conservatives look likely reject alliance hard right maintain broad coalition socialists france fillons critics say outreach national front boosted efforts fn leader marine le pen bring party political fringe since taking father jeanmarie le pen 2011 sought broaden partys appeal blending traditional antiimmigration rhetoric calls defend frances generous social security system protective labor laws perceived threat global competition european union gay marriage also become targets choice party polls currently give fn around 16 percent putting third place behind centerright 35 percent socialists 26 percent support traditional parties falling le pens steadily rising theres growing dissatisfaction discontent among voters towards political leaders national front party profiting unhappiness says rouquan mainstream politicians fearful losing city halls front spring competed recent weeks calling crackdown roma migrants balkans central europe jeanmarie le pen denounced itchy smelly presence roma cote dazur resort nice mainstream politicians waded attack migrants estimated number around 20000 france one centerright mayor suggested hed support townspeople killed roma another reported saying maybe hitler killed enough reference nazi extermination estimates put 15 million roma also known gypsies fearful appearing weak socialist government stepped expulsions roma denounced opposition sarkozy people lifestyles different clearly confrontation local populations interior minister manuel valls said radio interview last week meanwhile marine le pen promising townspeople vote national front mayors next spring wont worry roma problem beyond municipal elections fillon conservative bigwigs already staking claim lead centerright challenge hollande 2017 presidential elections fillon viewed moderate outreach national front widely seen attempt win support away partys current leader jeanfrancois cope considered right globalpost160 cannabis kreuzberg popularity stakes however lag well behind man overwhelming majority ump supporters want see running president sarkozy year silence following may 2012 defeat former president increasing public appearances preparation expected political comeback sept 20 poll found 62 percent party supporters want run sarkozys biggest obstacle could well courts rather party primary hes investigation allegations helping dupe frances richest woman 90yearold loreal heiress liliane bettencourt donating election campaign funds160 | 686 |
<p>Shirtless Violinist Matthew Olson (Photo by Paul Castle)</p>
<p>Matthew Olson has drifted away from playing the violin a few times in his life and returned but when it happened most recently over the past year, he found something was different.</p>
<p>Olson, who has lived in the Seattle area since 2001 and grew up in various parts of the Midwest (mostly in Kansas City, Mo.), has dubbed himself the “Shirtless Violinist” launching his new guise with a trio of violin covers of current pop songs such as Katy Perry’s “Rise” (16,600 views since Aug. 29) Justin Bieber’s “Cold Water” (20,000 views since Sept. 8) and Lady Gaga’s “Perfect Illusion” (7,900 YouTube views since Sept. 15). Using the hashtag #ShirtOffMyBack, Olson encourages viewers to donate to charities in their areas, especially those that help with mental illness and addiction issues.</p>
<p>They resonate most with him because his mother battles both. Olson was her caregiver for several years and recalls “some very dark periods of my life and very sad periods” where he considered giving up the violin. Music, he says, has been a salvation. He hopes it will be for others now with his videos.</p>
<p>“I’ve taken some time off from the violin at different times, tried pursuing some things in other directions,” he says. “Music really kept me sane as a child growing up and it got me through a lot of trauma.”</p>
<p>Olson began music lessons at age 3 and has two siblings who are also professionally trained violinists. They formerly performed around the world as the trio Two Hits and a Miss. Olson has performed as a soloist, chamber musician and in orchestras both in the U.S. and abroad. He was formerly concertmaster for the Kansas City Ballet Orchestra. He had offers with full scholarships to various conservatories but passed because of his mother’s needs. He still managed to study with a series of teachers he says were excellent and highly respected in the world of violin pedagogy.</p>
<p>The idea for the Shirtless Violinist project developed with his boyfriend of five months, Paul Castle. Though only together a short time, Olson says they have mutual passions for physical fitness and creative endeavors. Castle, a painter, has a genetic, degenerative retinal condition called Retinitis Pigmentosa — he has about a 15 percent field of central vision, which says is “just enough” to “pursue my passion in the visual arts field.” He shoots the Shirtless Violinist videos while Olson plays and together they hope to use shirtlessness as a way to draw attention to and raise awareness for homelessness, addiction and mental illness.</p>
<p>Olson gleans most of his income teaching but also does studio work in Seattle on film soundtracks, video game soundtracks and occasionally providing string work for touring acts that come to town such as Josh Groban or Andrea Bocelli.</p>
<p>“I’d seen the Piano Guys on YouTube and really loved how they combined beautiful music with stunning visuals,” Olson, who declines to give his age, says. “I’d always done all classical, but I was ready to branch off and do something creative … so I started covering these pop songs, something I’d never done before. … I feel like this is the right thing to do.”</p>
<p>Together with a shoestring budget, Castle and Olson filmed “Rise” the third week of August and had it posted by the end of the month. And for those who haven’t seen the videos, no, this isn’t just two guys filming with their iPhones in the backyard. Castle and Olson travel extensively for beautiful vistas and have filmed in Napa Valley, San Francisco and Mount Shasta in California; Crater Lake in Oregon; and Chuckanut Mountains and Whatcom Falls in Washington state, among others. Olson — always sans shirt — falls in lakes, plays with water pouring over him (obviously with prop instruments) strikes poses with planes and trains swooping overhead and all sorts of creative setups.</p>
<p>So far, they’ve taken anywhere from three days to two weeks to film and several days of post-production and editing. Olson comes up with the arrangements himself and adds rhythm under his violin lines. Castle and Olson are brimming with ideas for songs they’d like to do next. Olson says songs like Sia’s “Bird Set Free,” a gypsy-style classical piece called “Csardas” by Vittorio Monti and maybe even some pop hits from yesteryear as likely future projects.</p>
<p>Castle says the projects have given him renewed passion.</p>
<p>“Meeting Matthew, falling in love and discovering our mutual creative passions reignited in me a love for making videos,” he says. “When the Shirtless Violinist idea was born, I truly felt it was the universe calling out to me and giving me a chance to do the thing I’d always wanted to do, but stopped believing was possible. I believe … Matthew and I were meant to find each other and help galvanize our shared dreams. … We truly make a great team.”</p>
<p>And though it’s a new endeavor, Olson says it works for the same reasons music has always drawn him.</p>
<p>“I feel like music has the ability to go beyond words and connect directly with the emotions,” Olson says. “That’s why we’ll sometimes listen to a song on repeat — it connects directly to our emotions and bypasses our brain and language. I’ve always had the most sublime, beautiful experiences through music.”</p>
<p>Matthew Olson (Photo by Paul Castle)</p>
<p>On arranging pop songs for violin: “If it has a lot of spoken lyrics, like a rap song, it won’t work. Or too many repeated notes in a row — that’s hard, too. Trying to find ones that have enough of a melody that it still sounds beautiful without the words, that’s the challenge.”</p>
<p>Songs that didn’t work: “We tried ‘Closer’ by the Chainsmokers, which is a great song, but just didn’t really work. Sometimes it becomes a fun challenge. I kind of love it when I’m just messing around and can’t just play it instantly. … But other times I can see that something might work but would really take a lot of time so it kind of goes in the B pile.”</p>
<p>Views so far: “About 200,000 counting Facebook and YouTube.”</p>
<p>Height: 6’3”</p>
<p>Weight: I don’t really weigh myself. I’d guess about 180. Caliper measurements are much better for giving you body mass index.</p>
<p>Fitness regimen: “Five-six days per week at the gym alternating upper and lower body but always some form of cardio, too.”</p>
<p>Diet: “We try to reduce sugar completely, no fruit because of all the sugars in fruit, no processed foods, high protein and stuff with good fats. We start the day with a green smoothie and then lunch and dinner are usually a little bit of Quinoa with sautéed veggies — lots and lots of veggies like mushrooms, cucumbers, maybe a bell pepper, broccoli, spinach, Swiss chard, and top that with some protein like fish, ground turkey or chicken breast. We get one cheat meal a week which is usually a double-scoop waffle cone, occasionally a burger and fries before the waffle cone.”</p>
<p>Naturally smooth? “No, I shave. Paul likes it.”</p>
<p>Ink? “None. I’m just not into it at all. I’d be sick of any tattoo after a year.”</p>
<p>Creepy fans? “No, I thought we would have trolls, but all the feedback has been really positive so far.”</p>
<p>Mostly gay audience? “It seems more gay men but some straight women too. I might guess 60-40 from the comments so far.”</p>
<p>An LGBT cause? “Sure, I would love to.”</p>
<p>Modeling? “No”</p>
<p>An ‘80s song you’d like to cover: “We talked about maybe doing Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ for Halloween but not sure.”</p>
<p>Where you donate: “I do stuff with our local food banks and we have clothing donation bins all over the city that makes it easy to give. I also like to do volunteer work.”</p>
<p>What’s next: “We’re in talks with producers to maybe do something on ‘America’s Got Talent’ for its 2017 season. There’s also a company in Los Angeles that has approached us about maybe doing some live streaming. I also want to start sprinkling in some classical stuff in the videos as well.”</p>
<p>Matthew Olson (Photo by Paul Castle)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">California</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chuckanut Mountains</a> <a href="" type="internal">Crater Lake</a> <a href="" type="internal">Josh Groban</a> <a href="" type="internal">Justin Bieber</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kansas City</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kansas City Ballet Orchestra</a> <a href="" type="internal">Katy Perry</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lady Gaga</a> <a href="" type="internal">Matthew Olson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Mount Shasta</a> <a href="" type="internal">Napa Valley</a> <a href="" type="internal">Oregon</a> <a href="" type="internal">Paul Castle</a> <a href="" type="internal">Piano Guys</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rod Stewart</a> <a href="" type="internal">San Francisco</a> <a href="" type="internal">Seattle</a> <a href="" type="internal">Shirtless Violinist</a> <a href="" type="internal">violin</a> <a href="" type="internal">Vittorio Monti</a> <a href="" type="internal">Washington</a> <a href="" type="internal">Whatcom Falls</a> <a href="" type="internal">youtube</a></p> | false | 3 | shirtless violinist matthew olson photo paul castle matthew olson drifted away playing violin times life returned happened recently past year found something different olson lived seattle area since 2001 grew various parts midwest mostly kansas city mo dubbed shirtless violinist launching new guise trio violin covers current pop songs katy perrys rise 16600 views since aug 29 justin biebers cold water 20000 views since sept 8 lady gagas perfect illusion 7900 youtube views since sept 15 using hashtag shirtoffmyback olson encourages viewers donate charities areas especially help mental illness addiction issues resonate mother battles olson caregiver several years recalls dark periods life sad periods considered giving violin music says salvation hopes others videos ive taken time violin different times tried pursuing things directions says music really kept sane child growing got lot trauma olson began music lessons age 3 two siblings also professionally trained violinists formerly performed around world trio two hits miss olson performed soloist chamber musician orchestras us abroad formerly concertmaster kansas city ballet orchestra offers full scholarships various conservatories passed mothers needs still managed study series teachers says excellent highly respected world violin pedagogy idea shirtless violinist project developed boyfriend five months paul castle though together short time olson says mutual passions physical fitness creative endeavors castle painter genetic degenerative retinal condition called retinitis pigmentosa 15 percent field central vision says enough pursue passion visual arts field shoots shirtless violinist videos olson plays together hope use shirtlessness way draw attention raise awareness homelessness addiction mental illness olson gleans income teaching also studio work seattle film soundtracks video game soundtracks occasionally providing string work touring acts come town josh groban andrea bocelli id seen piano guys youtube really loved combined beautiful music stunning visuals olson declines give age says id always done classical ready branch something creative started covering pop songs something id never done feel like right thing together shoestring budget castle olson filmed rise third week august posted end month havent seen videos isnt two guys filming iphones backyard castle olson travel extensively beautiful vistas filmed napa valley san francisco mount shasta california crater lake oregon chuckanut mountains whatcom falls washington state among others olson always sans shirt falls lakes plays water pouring obviously prop instruments strikes poses planes trains swooping overhead sorts creative setups far theyve taken anywhere three days two weeks film several days postproduction editing olson comes arrangements adds rhythm violin lines castle olson brimming ideas songs theyd like next olson says songs like sias bird set free gypsystyle classical piece called csardas vittorio monti maybe even pop hits yesteryear likely future projects castle says projects given renewed passion meeting matthew falling love discovering mutual creative passions reignited love making videos says shirtless violinist idea born truly felt universe calling giving chance thing id always wanted stopped believing possible believe matthew meant find help galvanize shared dreams truly make great team though new endeavor olson says works reasons music always drawn feel like music ability go beyond words connect directly emotions olson says thats well sometimes listen song repeat connects directly emotions bypasses brain language ive always sublime beautiful experiences music matthew olson photo paul castle arranging pop songs violin lot spoken lyrics like rap song wont work many repeated notes row thats hard trying find ones enough melody still sounds beautiful without words thats challenge songs didnt work tried closer chainsmokers great song didnt really work sometimes becomes fun challenge kind love im messing around cant play instantly times see something might work would really take lot time kind goes b pile views far 200000 counting facebook youtube height 63 weight dont really weigh id guess 180 caliper measurements much better giving body mass index fitness regimen fivesix days per week gym alternating upper lower body always form cardio diet try reduce sugar completely fruit sugars fruit processed foods high protein stuff good fats start day green smoothie lunch dinner usually little bit quinoa sautéed veggies lots lots veggies like mushrooms cucumbers maybe bell pepper broccoli spinach swiss chard top protein like fish ground turkey chicken breast get one cheat meal week usually doublescoop waffle cone occasionally burger fries waffle cone naturally smooth shave paul likes ink none im id sick tattoo year creepy fans thought would trolls feedback really positive far mostly gay audience seems gay men straight women might guess 6040 comments far lgbt cause sure would love modeling 80s song youd like cover talked maybe michael jacksons thriller halloween sure donate stuff local food banks clothing donation bins city makes easy give also like volunteer work whats next talks producers maybe something americas got talent 2017 season theres also company los angeles approached us maybe live streaming also want start sprinkling classical stuff videos well matthew olson photo paul castle california chuckanut mountains crater lake josh groban justin bieber kansas city kansas city ballet orchestra katy perry lady gaga matthew olson mount shasta napa valley oregon paul castle piano guys rod stewart san francisco seattle shirtless violinist violin vittorio monti washington whatcom falls youtube | 835 |
<p>The story goes that Jesus and Satan had argued for days about who was more tech-savvy, and God grew sick of the bickering. He told them he would judge a two-hour task set. They e-mailed, e-mailed with attachments, downloaded and created spreadsheets, labels, charts and graphs.</p>
<p>Flash went the lightning. Boom went the thunder. Crash went the computers.</p>
<p>When the electricity came back on, Jesus began printing files. Satan cursed and screamed: “It’s gone! All my work is gone. How come he has all his work?”</p>
<p>God shrugged and said, “Jesus saves.”</p>
<p />
<p>Copyright 1977 Praise Screen Prints / 2900 W. Armstrong Lk. Trl., Empire, MI 49630 / www.Jesuslaughing.com / Used with permission</p>
<p />
<p>That joke made the rounds recently on the Internet. What would Jesus think?</p>
<p>Such quips surely would rate a chuckle, said Robert Darden, associate professor of journalism at Baylor University and author of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0687644542?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=wwwbaptiststa-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0687644542" type="external">Jesus Laughed: The Redemptive Power of Humor</a>.</p>
<p>“If we agree that Jesus was human and fully divine, he must have had a sense of humor,” Darden said. “I’ve never met a human who didn’t have a sense of humor.”</p>
<p>From Scripture, he said, we know Jesus wept at least once—when he learned that his friend Lazarus died—and got angry at least once, at the dishonest moneychangers at the temple.</p>
<p>“I think he could be silly when he wanted to be, angry when he needed to be and everything in between,” Darden said.</p>
<p>But scholars rarely suggest that Jesus used thigh-slapping jests in his ministry.</p>
<p>“Even when they do, their claims are frequently overstated,” said <a href="http://www.baylor.edu/religion/index.php?id=66211" type="external">Bruce Longenecker</a>, a Baylor professor of religion, who wrote the article “A Humorous Jesus? Orality, Structure and Characterisation in Luke 14:15-24, and Beyond,” published in Biblical Interpretation: A Journal of Contemporary Approaches in 2008.</p>
<p>Those who compile anthologies of humor bypass Jesus and his followers—and with good reason, he said. Texts about them deal with life-and-death matters.</p>
<p>Yes, Jesus told riddles and used wordplay, made points with hyperbole and irony—often at the expense of pompous Pharisees, which would have amused those who were not fond of the religious leaders.</p>
<p>“But it is clear that they are not classics of comedy from one of the greatest wits of all time,” Longenecker wrote. “They simply embody biting criticism by way of ridicule.”</p>
<p>Some speculate that the humor may be lost because the context has changed in the modern world. Readers might not “get” inside jokes. And writers in gospel times did not use “LOLs” and emoticons.</p>
<p>Then again, perhaps the debate continues because humor, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.</p>
<p>Consider whether—or how much—these parables of Jesus bear the marks of divine comedy:</p>
<p>• About judging: Jesus suggested the critic should get the log out of his eye before being obsessed with a speck of dust in someone else’s.</p>
<p>• About religious types who nitpicked at others while glossing over their own faults: Jesus asked why they strained at a gnat and swallowed a camel.</p>
<p>• About investments: A parable by Jesus tells of a manager who gave three servants money to handle on behalf of their master. Two invested and made money; the third one hoarded and was scolded.</p>
<p>• About the temple tax: When Peter told Jesus that religious leaders questioned whether Jesus paid the tax, Jesus told him to reel in a fish and check its mouth. In it was enough money to pay both Jesus’ and Peter’s tax.</p>
<p>From Darden’s standpoint, the coin-in-the-mouth fish tale is particularly funny. He’s certain observers would have laughed in amazement.</p>
<p>“By using something silly like a fish to make a serious statement, Jesus makes every moment a teaching moment,” he said.</p>
<p>English novelist/playwright Dorothy L. Sayers suggested in 1946 that “if we did not know all his retorts by heart, if we had not taken the sting out of them by incessant repetition in the accents of the pulpit … we should reckon him among the greatest wits of all time.”</p>
<p>In his book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060686324?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=wwwbaptiststa-20&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=0060686324" type="external">The Humor of Christ</a>, the late theologian Elton Trueblood examined numerous Gospel passages to make the case that Jesus used hyperbole “in a way that Hebrews would have thought hilarious,” said Brett Younger, associate professor of preaching at the <a href="http://www2.mercer.edu/theology/" type="external">McAfee School of Theology</a> at Mercer University in Atlanta.</p>
<p>“I don’t think Jesus was a stand-up comedian, but I think he used humor to make a point, and exaggeration was humorous,” Younger said. “He doesn’t do a lot of it, but it’s significant.”</p>
<p>Scholars, pastors and theologians aren’t the only ones who weigh in on the matter. In Longenecker’s article, he noted the pop group King Missile suggested that, “if he wanted to, ‘Jesus could have been funnier than any comedian you could think of,’ the reason being that ‘Jesus was way cool.’”</p>
<p>A search of the Internet reveals the matter has captured the attention of bloggers. On <a href="http://open.salon.com" type="external">http://open.salon.com</a>, various artists’ conceptions of a laughing Jesus have been posted. A blogger called theglasscharacter suggests the artistic notion of a comic Christ is partly due to artists of the hippie era, who wanted to portray a human, real Jesus and so depicted him as a fun-loving individual.</p>
<p>Amid the speculation about whether Jesus was funny, Younger suggests, “I think there’s probably some value in looking at the New Testament for humor, but the far more important issue is joy—Jesus saying he had come that his joy may be in us and our joy might be complete.</p>
<p>“Joy is deeper than humor,” he said. “The Apostle Paul wrote about joy most when he was in prison, when he wrote to the Philippians. If there’s a theme in the book of Philippians, it’s joy in the midst of suffering. We think happiness is when suffering ends, but there’s a kind of laughter not far from tears.”</p> | false | 3 | story goes jesus satan argued days techsavvy god grew sick bickering told would judge twohour task set emailed emailed attachments downloaded created spreadsheets labels charts graphs flash went lightning boom went thunder crash went computers electricity came back jesus began printing files satan cursed screamed gone work gone come work god shrugged said jesus saves copyright 1977 praise screen prints 2900 w armstrong lk trl empire mi 49630 wwwjesuslaughingcom used permission joke made rounds recently internet would jesus think quips surely would rate chuckle said robert darden associate professor journalism baylor university author book jesus laughed redemptive power humor agree jesus human fully divine must sense humor darden said ive never met human didnt sense humor scripture said know jesus wept least oncewhen learned friend lazarus diedand got angry least dishonest moneychangers temple think could silly wanted angry needed everything darden said scholars rarely suggest jesus used thighslapping jests ministry even claims frequently overstated said bruce longenecker baylor professor religion wrote article humorous jesus orality structure characterisation luke 141524 beyond published biblical interpretation journal contemporary approaches 2008 compile anthologies humor bypass jesus followersand good reason said texts deal lifeanddeath matters yes jesus told riddles used wordplay made points hyperbole ironyoften expense pompous pharisees would amused fond religious leaders clear classics comedy one greatest wits time longenecker wrote simply embody biting criticism way ridicule speculate humor may lost context changed modern world readers might get inside jokes writers gospel times use lols emoticons perhaps debate continues humor like beauty eye beholder consider whetheror muchthese parables jesus bear marks divine comedy judging jesus suggested critic get log eye obsessed speck dust someone elses religious types nitpicked others glossing faults jesus asked strained gnat swallowed camel investments parable jesus tells manager gave three servants money handle behalf master two invested made money third one hoarded scolded temple tax peter told jesus religious leaders questioned whether jesus paid tax jesus told reel fish check mouth enough money pay jesus peters tax dardens standpoint coininthemouth fish tale particularly funny hes certain observers would laughed amazement using something silly like fish make serious statement jesus makes every moment teaching moment said english novelistplaywright dorothy l sayers suggested 1946 know retorts heart taken sting incessant repetition accents pulpit reckon among greatest wits time book humor christ late theologian elton trueblood examined numerous gospel passages make case jesus used hyperbole way hebrews would thought hilarious said brett younger associate professor preaching mcafee school theology mercer university atlanta dont think jesus standup comedian think used humor make point exaggeration humorous younger said doesnt lot significant scholars pastors theologians arent ones weigh matter longeneckers article noted pop group king missile suggested wanted jesus could funnier comedian could think reason jesus way cool search internet reveals matter captured attention bloggers httpopensaloncom various artists conceptions laughing jesus posted blogger called theglasscharacter suggests artistic notion comic christ partly due artists hippie era wanted portray human real jesus depicted funloving individual amid speculation whether jesus funny younger suggests think theres probably value looking new testament humor far important issue joyjesus saying come joy may us joy might complete joy deeper humor said apostle paul wrote joy prison wrote philippians theres theme book philippians joy midst suffering think happiness suffering ends theres kind laughter far tears | 541 |
<p>By Tony Cartledge</p>
<p>On a map, the small island nation of Sri Lanka looks like a giant teardrop. It's an appropriate image.</p>
<p>When a 9.0 earthquake off the faraway coast of Sumatra sent a tsunami speeding across the Indian Ocean on the morning after Christmas, the coastal residents of Sri Lanka were enjoying a beautiful, sunny Sunday. An hour later, an estimated 30,000 of them were dead and thousands of homes were destroyed.</p>
<p>A disaster-relief team from North Carolina Baptist Men arrived in the capital of Colombo Jan. 8 to work in cooperation with Hungarian Baptist Aid, which was already established in the country. Ferenc Tisch, director of international operations for the Hungarian group, encouraged the four-man assessment and logistics team to direct their attention to Galle, a village on the southwestern coast.</p>
<p>For 50 miles along the south and western coast, homes and businesses lie in total ruin, as if smashed by giant wrecking balls. The east coast of Sri Lanka took an even more direct hit from the tsunami and remains difficult to reach. Teams from Texas Baptist Men are working there.</p>
<p>Half of the business district in Galle (pronounced “gaul”) was wiped out by the tsunami, requiring the logistics team to purchase most of its equipment in Colombo.</p>
<p>Tisch told the team its primary contact in Galle would be a Swedish pastor named Christopher. As they approached the city, the North Carolinians spoke by mobile phone with Christopher, who told them to meet him near the entrance of the fort, a huge walled structure dating to Dutch occupation in the 17th century.</p>
<p>Arriving at the fort, the team expected to meet a tall, fair-haired Swede driving an official van. Instead, a small motorcycle sped up. Riding on the back was a relatively short and very dark man with a graying beard and a cherubic smile. Christopher's last name is Gammaddehewa. He is a Sri Lankan native who now lives in Sweden, where he works during the day as a staff nurse in a retirement home, and at night as a prison chaplain and pastor.</p>
<p>“When I heard about the tsunami, I had a great longing,” he said. Soon afterward, the Swedish Baptist Union asked if he would represent the organization in providing aid, and he was glad to comply.</p>
<p>Christopher is not the name Gammaddehewa was given when he was born in a village some 30 miles from Galle. His mother's family had a long heritage of producing Buddhist priests. For a while, Gammaddehewa planned to follow the same path, attending monastic school in the afternoons after public school ended.</p>
<p>But one day he found a Christian booklet lying by the wayside. He read it and wanted to learn more about Christianity. Knowing his mother would not approve of his attending church, he would go to a Presbyterian church on his way home from soccer matches. He did this for three years. “But I did not understand a word the pastor said,” Gammaddehewa said. “It was all over my head.”</p>
<p>One day, listening to a young pastor speak, it all suddenly made sense. “It was as if somebody had told him about me,” Gammaddehewa recalled. He made a profession of faith, which led to rejection by his family. He moved to Galle, where a Pentecostal pastor took him in and discipled him.</p>
<p>He met a missionary from Sweden, who helped him find a pen pal in her faraway country. A young Baptist woman wrote to him, and they became friends. She visited him in Sri Lanka. He visited her in Sweden. In time, they were married.</p>
<p>They lived in Sweden from 1979 to 1983, then moved to Sri Lanka. Gammaddehewa bought a house five miles inland from Galle, on the side of a steep hill covered with tropical trees. In time, Gammaddehewa started a church in a building adjacent to his home. When he returned to Sweden in 1990, the church called another pastor, and Gammaddehewa allowed him to live in the home.</p>
<p>For a few days in January, the tiny church sanctuary housed the four North Carolina volunteers, who slept on cots covered by mosquito nets.</p>
<p>The advance team expected to plan for water purification and mass meal preparation. In the Galle area, however, the team discovered that supplies of clean water are adequate and food is available, though not abundant. So plans were adjusted along the way.</p>
<p>For instance, visiting a refugee camp at Sudharmarama Wihare, a Buddhist temple in Galle, they found 100 children staying there, many orphaned by the tsunami. While the children had food, what they needed most were school supplies, officials said. The North Carolina team purchased and delivered school supplies, to the glee of 150 children.</p>
<p>By the second week after the tsunamis, most refugee camps were emptying, as the government announced plans for schools to reopen. Homeless families moved in with relatives or found other ways to return closer to their home areas, even though many of their houses were gone.</p>
<p>Those returning to the stricken villages found water sources available. But many open wells, used for washing and bathing, were choked with debris. And although most households have tap water, many residents won't drink it for fear a dead body might have been in the water.</p>
<p>The logistics team purchased two water pumps and assisted villagers in cleaning the wells and pumping out the seawater, then applying chlorine to shock the water and make it useful again. Some of the wells are 10 or more feet in diameter, requiring extensive effort.</p>
<p>The team focused much of its effort in Dodanduwa (duh-DON-dua), a fishing village several miles north of Galle. The village of 15,000 persons suffered massive damage, with many homes completely leveled and hundreds of others severely damaged.</p>
<p>Pumping all the murky water from one 10-by-12-foot open well proved a daunting task. Surrounded by curious onlookers, the team cut hoses and attached fittings to a water pump. After some difficulty priming the pump, a firm stream of dirty water began to spew into a narrow rain gutter.</p>
<p>The hose was not quite up to the task, however. Giving in to the pump's powerful suction, the walls of the flexible hose began to collapse. The pump would lose its prime, and the team would have to start over. After several starts and restarts, two members of the team, J. E. Skinner and Larry Osborne, were dispatched to fetch another pump from the hardware store in Gonapinuala.</p>
<p>They returned with a larger pump and a bigger hose. Soon two pumps were working hard-and two hoses were collapsing on themselves.</p>
<p>As the pumping continued slowly, someone suggested the villagers could help by using buckets to bail the water. But they insisted they had no buckets. Gammaddehewa, the native guide and translator, ultimately understood that they did not want to touch the water for fear that a dead body might still be in the well.</p>
<p>Gammaddehawa then removed his vest, shirt and shoes and climbed into the well to show the water wasn't harmful. Buckets appeared as if by magic, and soon a line of excited villagers were taking turns filling them to the brim and splashing them toward the gutter.</p>
<p>Soon older boys also descended into the well to scrub the walls, quartering half of a coconut husk and using the stiff fibrous end as a brush. The bottom of the well was covered with a dark layer of muck, probably formed from years of decayed leaves and other organic matter.</p>
<p>As Skinner and Osborne manned the pumps with help from a boy named Dadanga, team leaders distributed and demonstrated portable water-purification units donated by Woman's Missionary Union. They knew they didn't have enough for all households, but they also knew that the village consisted mainly of extended families. They learned that 12 families lived in the area. In fact, that part of the village was known as Gewaldolahe Linda, “The Twelve-House Well.”</p>
<p>To confront the villagers' fear of contaminated water, the relief team drank the first cup of filtered water. They gathered a representative from each of the 12 families and three visiting families and, as Gammaddehewa translated, demonstrated how to assemble, use and care for the small purifiers, which pump water through a ceramic filter.</p>
<p>When the pump was assembled, they dipped the intake hose into a bucket of tap water and pumped water through the filter and into a cup held by a small boy, who immediately turned it up and drank-then grinned and asked for more.</p>
<p>The next cup was passed around for everyone's inspection. Then each family was given a pump kit and a spare filter.</p>
<p>The next morning, returning to the 10-by-12 open well they had emptied of debris and seawater, the team found the water level had returned almost to its former level-but was still discolored. They added two bottles of bleach to shock the water and make it useable, then turned their attention to other dirty wells in the area.</p>
<p>The advance team began its trip home Jan. 13. Current plans call for a 10-person North Carolina team to follow, then a six-person team. Assessments of future needs and projects will follow.</p>
<p>Associated Baptist Press</p>
<p>Tony Cartledge is editor of North Carolina Baptists' Biblical Recorder.</p> | false | 3 | tony cartledge map small island nation sri lanka looks like giant teardrop appropriate image 90 earthquake faraway coast sumatra sent tsunami speeding across indian ocean morning christmas coastal residents sri lanka enjoying beautiful sunny sunday hour later estimated 30000 dead thousands homes destroyed disasterrelief team north carolina baptist men arrived capital colombo jan 8 work cooperation hungarian baptist aid already established country ferenc tisch director international operations hungarian group encouraged fourman assessment logistics team direct attention galle village southwestern coast 50 miles along south western coast homes businesses lie total ruin smashed giant wrecking balls east coast sri lanka took even direct hit tsunami remains difficult reach teams texas baptist men working half business district galle pronounced gaul wiped tsunami requiring logistics team purchase equipment colombo tisch told team primary contact galle would swedish pastor named christopher approached city north carolinians spoke mobile phone christopher told meet near entrance fort huge walled structure dating dutch occupation 17th century arriving fort team expected meet tall fairhaired swede driving official van instead small motorcycle sped riding back relatively short dark man graying beard cherubic smile christophers last name gammaddehewa sri lankan native lives sweden works day staff nurse retirement home night prison chaplain pastor heard tsunami great longing said soon afterward swedish baptist union asked would represent organization providing aid glad comply christopher name gammaddehewa given born village 30 miles galle mothers family long heritage producing buddhist priests gammaddehewa planned follow path attending monastic school afternoons public school ended one day found christian booklet lying wayside read wanted learn christianity knowing mother would approve attending church would go presbyterian church way home soccer matches three years understand word pastor said gammaddehewa said head one day listening young pastor speak suddenly made sense somebody told gammaddehewa recalled made profession faith led rejection family moved galle pentecostal pastor took discipled met missionary sweden helped find pen pal faraway country young baptist woman wrote became friends visited sri lanka visited sweden time married lived sweden 1979 1983 moved sri lanka gammaddehewa bought house five miles inland galle side steep hill covered tropical trees time gammaddehewa started church building adjacent home returned sweden 1990 church called another pastor gammaddehewa allowed live home days january tiny church sanctuary housed four north carolina volunteers slept cots covered mosquito nets advance team expected plan water purification mass meal preparation galle area however team discovered supplies clean water adequate food available though abundant plans adjusted along way instance visiting refugee camp sudharmarama wihare buddhist temple galle found 100 children staying many orphaned tsunami children food needed school supplies officials said north carolina team purchased delivered school supplies glee 150 children second week tsunamis refugee camps emptying government announced plans schools reopen homeless families moved relatives found ways return closer home areas even though many houses gone returning stricken villages found water sources available many open wells used washing bathing choked debris although households tap water many residents wont drink fear dead body might water logistics team purchased two water pumps assisted villagers cleaning wells pumping seawater applying chlorine shock water make useful wells 10 feet diameter requiring extensive effort team focused much effort dodanduwa duhdondua fishing village several miles north galle village 15000 persons suffered massive damage many homes completely leveled hundreds others severely damaged pumping murky water one 10by12foot open well proved daunting task surrounded curious onlookers team cut hoses attached fittings water pump difficulty priming pump firm stream dirty water began spew narrow rain gutter hose quite task however giving pumps powerful suction walls flexible hose began collapse pump would lose prime team would start several starts restarts two members team j e skinner larry osborne dispatched fetch another pump hardware store gonapinuala returned larger pump bigger hose soon two pumps working hardand two hoses collapsing pumping continued slowly someone suggested villagers could help using buckets bail water insisted buckets gammaddehewa native guide translator ultimately understood want touch water fear dead body might still well gammaddehawa removed vest shirt shoes climbed well show water wasnt harmful buckets appeared magic soon line excited villagers taking turns filling brim splashing toward gutter soon older boys also descended well scrub walls quartering half coconut husk using stiff fibrous end brush bottom well covered dark layer muck probably formed years decayed leaves organic matter skinner osborne manned pumps help boy named dadanga team leaders distributed demonstrated portable waterpurification units donated womans missionary union knew didnt enough households also knew village consisted mainly extended families learned 12 families lived area fact part village known gewaldolahe linda twelvehouse well confront villagers fear contaminated water relief team drank first cup filtered water gathered representative 12 families three visiting families gammaddehewa translated demonstrated assemble use care small purifiers pump water ceramic filter pump assembled dipped intake hose bucket tap water pumped water filter cup held small boy immediately turned drankthen grinned asked next cup passed around everyones inspection family given pump kit spare filter next morning returning 10by12 open well emptied debris seawater team found water level returned almost former levelbut still discolored added two bottles bleach shock water make useable turned attention dirty wells area advance team began trip home jan 13 current plans call 10person north carolina team follow sixperson team assessments future needs projects follow associated baptist press tony cartledge editor north carolina baptists biblical recorder | 883 |
<p>It may not feel like it to number-crunchers huddled around a Sunday school classroom table, fine-tuning annual financial proposals for an upcoming church business meeting.</p>
<p>But church budgets are moral statements that reflect ethical priorities — and may be key indicators of a congregation’s passions.</p>
<p>“All budgets reflect embedded choices that are morally significant, whether that budget is personal, familial, ecclesial or governmental,” said David Gushee, professor of Christian ethics at Mercer University. “Jesus says, ‘Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ Budgets reflect what we treasure and therefore where our hearts are.”</p>
<p>“Everything has a moral and ethical dimension about it,” said Bill Tillman, director of theological education with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. “There are moral and ethical values both explicit and implicit in church budget operations.”</p>
<p />
<p>Money possesses power in itself, and it represents how power and influence are exercised, he added.</p>
<p>“Where we spend our money shows what we think about other people and what we think about ourselves,” said Tillman, formerly chair of Christian ethics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon Seminary.</p>
<p>Dan Bagby, professor emeritus of pastoral care at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, said budgets usually reflect a church’s priorities.</p>
<p>“A religious group's financial statement is a declaration of what it believes is most important to its constituency — in the same manner that an individual's bank checking account is an accurate ‘declaration’ of what that person values and supports,” Bagby said.</p>
<p>Jason Edwards, senior pastor of Second Baptist Church in Liberty, Mo., said a congregation’s priorities may reflect past choices — often important ones — about ministerial staff and commitments to a geographic location.</p>
<p>“Those items are a part of ministry fixed expenses for a congregation,” said Edwards, a graduate of Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. “And, by the way, providing health insurance for staff does reflect the ethics of the church in a positive way. These are needed ministry expenses.”</p>
<p>But he added, “Beyond these basic expenses I think what a faith community does with its discretionary funds can be very telling in regard to their ethical and moral character.”</p>
<p>Roger Olson, Foy Valentine professor of Christian theology and ethics at Truett Theological Seminary, agreed.</p>
<p>“For a Christian everything is — or should be — a matter of ethics. Nothing’s neutral. Unfortunately, many churches have adopted a business model that tends to downplay issues of faith and morality,” Olson said.</p>
<p>Some observers find churches’ moral and ethical commitments in the balance their budgets achieve between administration and ministry. Others say that distinction isn’t always easy to make — and may be a false choice.</p>
<p>The average American congregation allocates about 80 percent to administration and facilities, according to a study this year by the Evangelical Christian Credit Union. Staff salaries represent about 58 percent of that amount, the ECCU found, although earlier studies by Christianity Today cited a figure just below 40 percent.</p>
<p>But those percentages tend to reduce a church’s mission engagement, said church consultant George Bullard, president of the Colum-bia Partnership.</p>
<p>“The total combined cost of staff and buildings should be no more that 70 percent of the congregational budget,” Bullard blogged last year. “When it is higher, funds available for missional formation and mission engagement are too small to creatively carry out these essential areas of ministry.”</p>
<p>When funding of personnel and facilities reaches 75 percent of a church’s budget, “the congregation is strangulated in its ability to do missional formation and missional engagement, and is making brick without straw,” he wrote. “At 80 percent for staff and buildings, the real work of a congregation — missional formation and missional engagement — must be altered, limited or funded from other sources.”</p>
<p>Church budgets are not just about supporting the organization of the church, Bullard emphasized in an interview. “They are about serving as a vehicle for the generosity of the people connected with the congregation. There they need to honor the need for a high priority on spiritual formation and missional engagement,” he said.</p>
<p>Bill Wilson, president of the Center for Congregational Health, said percentages a congregation spends on staff, facilities, programing and missions are useful guides to a balanced ministry.</p>
<p>“However, a congregation's mission-mindedness is often deeper and more widespread than is reflected in the dollars they give or spend outside the property lines of the church,” he added. “While it is one factor, it is not the only factor. Other metrics need to be employed and monitored.”</p>
<p>Pastor Amy Butler believes so-called “administrative functions” are in fact “frontline, on the ground, where-the-rubber-meets-the-road kind of ministry.” That assessment reflects a society shift, she wrote in a recent blog.</p>
<p>“In the past we churches thought of ourselves as the backbones of society, places where good, moral and faithful people gather to pool resources so we can go out into the world and feed the homeless and convert people in order to save their souls,” said Butler, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Washington. “Keeping administrative costs as low as possible would help us to help the needy.”</p>
<p>But that role has altered, Butler said.</p>
<p>“We are islands in a world full of increasingly adrift people. We are places of solace and hope, community and hospitality for people who are too smart to believe in God and pretty convinced they don’t need the church — until they do.”</p>
<p>That requires substantial investment of resources in administration, she said.</p>
<p>Churches need to consider their purpose as they consider how much money to spend on building maintenance and how much to devote to missions and ministry, said Olson. “The church exists to participate in the mission of God to the world and not perpetuate itself comfortably,” he said.</p>
<p>Tillman likewise emphasized the importance of churches understanding their reason for being.</p>
<p>&#160;“The primary focus is the Great Commission,” he said, citing Jesus’ command to go into all the world to make disciples. If a church recognizes the Great Commission as its purpose, then “Great Commission values should mark the means to that end,” he added.</p>
<p>At the same time, churches should recognize the missional and educational value of their facilities, Tillman insisted.</p>
<p>&#160;“Recognize there is theology in the architecture,” he said, noting the facility may communicate to the community and to church members messages about what the church believes and values.</p>
<p>“Churches should ask, ‘What is there about it that makes this conducive to worship and makes it teachable and educable space to learn about and become acquainted with God?’”</p>
<p>As churches make budget decisions, they should listen to voices both inside and outside the congregation to determine what people perceive. Tillman noted when he taught seminary classes, he advised ministers to keep in mind “the view from the pew.”</p>
<p>“It may be that the Spirit of God has found residence in the people of God more firmly than in you,” he recalled telling his classes.</p>
<p>Likewise, if a church wants to reach its community, leaders must ask people in the community to determine what draws people to church or drives them away. “And they must be ready to hear the answer,” he added.</p>
<p>Churches should pray for wisdom as they seek a reasonable balance between the amount spent on program and ministries for members and how much they dedicate to missions and ministries beyond the congregation, Olson said.</p>
<p>“I don’t think there’s any formula that fits every church,” he said.</p>
<p>“I don’t think lattes in the church foyer is a big issue. But spending millions on luxurious accouterments should be.”</p>
<p>Congregations need to seriously confront how much they spend on their own comfort, Edwards said.</p>
<p>“We should wrestle with this. If we’re not wrestling with the dichotomy between our American bent toward luxury, consumerism and entitlement, we’ve probably stopped taking Jesus too seriously,” he said. “However, I also think that coffee shared within community is a way of connecting and offering hospitality. I’d say that’s part of our mission, too.”</p>
<p>Wilson agreed. “The church that fails to challenge the ‘affluenza’ that infects all of us is missing an opportunity to speak to a vital dimension of personal discipleship,” he said. “The tension is to be managed, not solved. We will all continue to live in the 21st century, and as a result with be faced with this question for the rest of our lives: What does stewardship really mean to us? I’m convinced that is one of the most pressing questions — how are we to be stewards of all of life — and one that we are essentially ignoring.”</p>
<p>Finding a balance is key, Gushee said.</p>
<p>“I think that sometimes practical and missions-minded Baptists forget that the mission of the church does include worship, theological reflection, Bible study, moral formation of disciples and other ‘inner’ directed work,” he said. “It also includes mechanisms for pooling resources for care for the needs of those in the family of faith. So we should not feel guilty for spending money on these priorities, sometimes congregationally and sometimes through shared collective efforts.”</p>
<p>That said, essential components of congregational life need not be expensive, Gushee added.</p>
<p>“I am convinced that the most important work the church does costs very little money: gathering in community to proclaim gospel truth, study Scripture, worship, love and care for one another, and be equipped for living out Christ’s love in the world,” he said. “I think budgeting should begin by asking whether we are doing this basic work well. Then we ask what resources might be needed, including paid professional staff, to help equip us more adequately for this work.”</p>
<p>How much a church spends on ministries beyond its doors is a fair indicator of a congregation’s “mission-mindedness,” but not the only one, said Bullard.</p>
<p>“The time and energy of volunteerism is also a characteristic,” he said. “The Christlikeness of congregational participants to all demographics of people is also a characteristic. The social actions and political philosophies and actions of congregational participants — in terms of Luke 4:18-19 — is also a characteristic.”</p>
<p>Edwards agreed indicators of a church’s “mission-mindedness” should be broad.</p>
<p>“A missional Christian community also is a worshipping community,” he said. “A missional Christian community must value discipleship. Our communal worship and discipleship are necessary not only for faithfulness and effectiveness, but they distinguish us over time from an NGO. As we go out to serve, we go as a people who follow and worship Jesus.”</p>
<p>That doesn’t diminish the importance of missions and ministries beyond the congregation, said Gushee.</p>
<p>“That’s why I think Baptists had (and have) it right when they saw the benefit of pooling their resources for well-considered collective social and evangelistic ministries which develop ‘best practices’ with proven track records,” he said. “These are worth funding, and every local congregation has its share in that funding responsibility.”</p>
<p>Robert Dilday ( <a href="mailto:rdilday@religiousherald.org" type="external">rdilday@religiousherald.org</a>) is managing editor of the Religious Herald. Ken Camp ( <a href="mailto:ken.camp@baptiststandard.com" type="external">ken.camp@baptiststandard.com</a>) is managing editor of the Baptist Standard.</p> | false | 3 | may feel like numbercrunchers huddled around sunday school classroom table finetuning annual financial proposals upcoming church business meeting church budgets moral statements reflect ethical priorities may key indicators congregations passions budgets reflect embedded choices morally significant whether budget personal familial ecclesial governmental said david gushee professor christian ethics mercer university jesus says treasure heart also budgets reflect treasure therefore hearts everything moral ethical dimension said bill tillman director theological education baptist general convention texas moral ethical values explicit implicit church budget operations money possesses power represents power influence exercised added spend money shows think people think said tillman formerly chair christian ethics hardinsimmons universitys logsdon seminary dan bagby professor emeritus pastoral care baptist theological seminary richmond said budgets usually reflect churchs priorities religious groups financial statement declaration believes important constituency manner individuals bank checking account accurate declaration person values supports bagby said jason edwards senior pastor second baptist church liberty mo said congregations priorities may reflect past choices often important ones ministerial staff commitments geographic location items part ministry fixed expenses congregation said edwards graduate baylor universitys truett theological seminary way providing health insurance staff reflect ethics church positive way needed ministry expenses added beyond basic expenses think faith community discretionary funds telling regard ethical moral character roger olson foy valentine professor christian theology ethics truett theological seminary agreed christian everything matter ethics nothings neutral unfortunately many churches adopted business model tends downplay issues faith morality olson said observers find churches moral ethical commitments balance budgets achieve administration ministry others say distinction isnt always easy make may false choice average american congregation allocates 80 percent administration facilities according study year evangelical christian credit union staff salaries represent 58 percent amount eccu found although earlier studies christianity today cited figure 40 percent percentages tend reduce churchs mission engagement said church consultant george bullard president columbia partnership total combined cost staff buildings 70 percent congregational budget bullard blogged last year higher funds available missional formation mission engagement small creatively carry essential areas ministry funding personnel facilities reaches 75 percent churchs budget congregation strangulated ability missional formation missional engagement making brick without straw wrote 80 percent staff buildings real work congregation missional formation missional engagement must altered limited funded sources church budgets supporting organization church bullard emphasized interview serving vehicle generosity people connected congregation need honor need high priority spiritual formation missional engagement said bill wilson president center congregational health said percentages congregation spends staff facilities programing missions useful guides balanced ministry however congregations missionmindedness often deeper widespread reflected dollars give spend outside property lines church added one factor factor metrics need employed monitored pastor amy butler believes socalled administrative functions fact frontline ground wheretherubbermeetstheroad kind ministry assessment reflects society shift wrote recent blog past churches thought backbones society places good moral faithful people gather pool resources go world feed homeless convert people order save souls said butler pastor calvary baptist church washington keeping administrative costs low possible would help us help needy role altered butler said islands world full increasingly adrift people places solace hope community hospitality people smart believe god pretty convinced dont need church requires substantial investment resources administration said churches need consider purpose consider much money spend building maintenance much devote missions ministry said olson church exists participate mission god world perpetuate comfortably said tillman likewise emphasized importance churches understanding reason 160the primary focus great commission said citing jesus command go world make disciples church recognizes great commission purpose great commission values mark means end added time churches recognize missional educational value facilities tillman insisted 160recognize theology architecture said noting facility may communicate community church members messages church believes values churches ask makes conducive worship makes teachable educable space learn become acquainted god churches make budget decisions listen voices inside outside congregation determine people perceive tillman noted taught seminary classes advised ministers keep mind view pew may spirit god found residence people god firmly recalled telling classes likewise church wants reach community leaders must ask people community determine draws people church drives away must ready hear answer added churches pray wisdom seek reasonable balance amount spent program ministries members much dedicate missions ministries beyond congregation olson said dont think theres formula fits every church said dont think lattes church foyer big issue spending millions luxurious accouterments congregations need seriously confront much spend comfort edwards said wrestle wrestling dichotomy american bent toward luxury consumerism entitlement weve probably stopped taking jesus seriously said however also think coffee shared within community way connecting offering hospitality id say thats part mission wilson agreed church fails challenge affluenza infects us missing opportunity speak vital dimension personal discipleship said tension managed solved continue live 21st century result faced question rest lives stewardship really mean us im convinced one pressing questions stewards life one essentially ignoring finding balance key gushee said think sometimes practical missionsminded baptists forget mission church include worship theological reflection bible study moral formation disciples inner directed work said also includes mechanisms pooling resources care needs family faith feel guilty spending money priorities sometimes congregationally sometimes shared collective efforts said essential components congregational life need expensive gushee added convinced important work church costs little money gathering community proclaim gospel truth study scripture worship love care one another equipped living christs love world said think budgeting begin asking whether basic work well ask resources might needed including paid professional staff help equip us adequately work much church spends ministries beyond doors fair indicator congregations missionmindedness one said bullard time energy volunteerism also characteristic said christlikeness congregational participants demographics people also characteristic social actions political philosophies actions congregational participants terms luke 41819 also characteristic edwards agreed indicators churchs missionmindedness broad missional christian community also worshipping community said missional christian community must value discipleship communal worship discipleship necessary faithfulness effectiveness distinguish us time ngo go serve go people follow worship jesus doesnt diminish importance missions ministries beyond congregation said gushee thats think baptists right saw benefit pooling resources wellconsidered collective social evangelistic ministries develop best practices proven track records said worth funding every local congregation share funding responsibility robert dilday rdildayreligiousheraldorg managing editor religious herald ken camp kencampbaptiststandardcom managing editor baptist standard | 1,016 |
<p>Cover Story for July 14, 2005</p>
<p>After almost a century of ministry, mostly white Weatherford Memorial Baptist Church in south Richmond has voted to give its facilities to mostly African-American St. Paul's Baptist Church near Mechanicsville. The action is being heralded as a model for other churches in transition.</p>
<p>By Jim White</p>
<p>On a prominent corner in south Richmond sits a Monticello-style sanctuary with wings gracefully extending on each side. As I entered the circular vestibule, the white columns, marble floor and brass chandelier arrested my vision and caused an involuntary pause in my steps as I surveyed the symmetry. The sanctuary is also lovely and large. The educational building and gym are attached to the sanctuary by white-columned porticos. No wonder folks are finding it hard to believe the church would simply give it all away!</p>
<p>Like so many churches in changing circumstances, Weatherford Memorial Baptist remembers the glory days. Founded in 1907, the congregation moved to its present location in 1950, led by their pastor, J. Levering Evans. Evans had grown up in China in a missionary family and had earned a doctor of philosophy in economics from Yale University. Evans predicted that the church would be a lighthouse to the southern part of Richmond, and soon 750 worshippers crowded a building that doubled as a gym and worship center-an innovative concept at the time. The 1960s brought a decline in attendance, but the congregation believed that constructing a permanent sanctuary would cause increased attendance. Construction began in 1971. That same year the courts ordered busing to integrate schools and as a consequence many families began relocating to Chesterfield County. During the 80s and 90s, the congregation remained strong despite dwindling attendance. Even though successive pastors raised an alarm and called for radical changes, the congregation resisted. Like the proverbial frog in the kettle, the changes around and within the church occurred so slowly that they hardly noticed.</p>
<p>By 2001, the church could no longer deny what was happening. Average Sunday school attendance had dropped to 90 and at pastor Rick Hurst's initiative, the church began a “Rekindle Strategy” aimed at assessing church and community needs and proposing ministry options. In 2004, the finance committee reported that without a turn around, the church would run out of money within a year.</p>
<p>It isn't as though the church has not attempted to turn things around. They instituted community ministries that include a food pantry and clothes closet. The church welcomes anyone who will come to a week-day worship service designed to meet the needs of persons who receive food. The Richmond Baptist Association directs a ministry center for south Richmond at the church. The church even began a contemporary worship service, although some admit that their hearts were not in it. Youngsters play Upward Bound basketball games in the gym and a small African-American church meets in their building.</p>
<p>“It's not that we haven't tried” comments life-long attendee and church secretary Gayle Bradley, “but we don't know how to reach the people who live around us.”</p>
<p>In December of 2004, recognizing their position, the congregation considered a proposal to sell their buildings. That same month, the congregation asked Glenn Akins of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board to meet with them. Simultaneously, the pastor led the church to study several books, including George Barna's Turn Around Churches. The book studies and Akins' counsel led church members to conclude that they do not have a strong enough core group to revitalize or to start over.</p>
<p>After listening to church members describe their condition and studying their circumstances carefully, Akins proposed options to them in March of this year. He reports, “The philosophy that I go by is that I have the same moral obligation that a physician might in dealing with a patient. I don't feel that I have the right to offer false hope. I could not give them a solution that I believe would not work.”</p>
<p>After presenting options and countering each with why it wasn't a viable alternative, he concluded by asking the church to consider giving their buildings to St. Paul's Baptist Church, a church that is reaching thousands of Richmonders.</p>
<p>“When Glenn said ‘Give it away,' it was like an electric shock went through us,” reports Ruth Guill, a strategy committee member. Her husband, Maynard, who chairs the committee that manages the $580,000 endowment, continued, “I thought ‘Humph, that doesn't fit with what I've been thinking. Six months ago if someone had said we would be doing this, I would have said they were crazy.” Others agreed. Yet, as they thought about it and prayed, they began to see potential.</p>
<p>What would cause an aging white congregation in South Richmond to give its buildings valued at more than $2 million to an exploding, predominantly African-American congregation near Mechanicsville? The church has had dozens of groups wanting to buy the building. But it's not about money. It's about missions. They believe St. Paul's will continue and enhance the mission they began to South Richmond 98 years ago.</p>
<p>Weatherford Memorial takes its name from a Colonial Baptist preacher whose voice would not be stilled even by imprisonment. The church members, more than anything else, are unwilling that proclaiming Christ on that prominent corner be stilled. They believe the Lord wants those buildings, made sacred by their worship and sacrifices, to continue to be a lighthouse and to continue in the Baptist family.</p>
<p>Gayle Bradley offers an interesting question: “Could it be that God led our congregation to this place to minister for a time, but that his greater vision was for St. Paul's to minister from this point to reach those we could not?”</p>
<p>On June 12, the congregation of Weatherford did an amazingly generous and courageous thing. They voted, 59-11, to give everything away. The buildings, despite some peeling paint, have been well maintained. One has a new roof. Mold problems that had plagued the sanctuary have been corrected. The endowment fund will be trusted to the care of the Virginia Baptist Foundation and the interest will be divided evenly between the Richmond Baptist Association and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board that the church may continue in perpetuity to give to missions.</p>
<p>As expected, members are feeling grief at the loss of the place and people in which they have invested so much of their lives. After Sept. 25, their last Sunday, they don't know where they will worship. But sorrow was not what they were feeling most. “I'm excited about where my wife and I will go and what we will do. I don't have a clue where that will be,” affirms Jimmy Boggs, who says he was baptized twice at Weatherford-once six months before he was born and again years later-”but I believe the Lord is in this and I trust him. We might end up sitting right here and helping minister through St. Paul's. I am proud to see the legacy of Weatherford live.”</p>
<p>Another strategy committee member adds, “It's like a miracle has happened. Until this, we could not agree on anything and now we are really united.”</p>
<p>Asked what advice they might have for other churches, the strategy committee responded as one voice: “Change.”</p>
<p>“We saw what was happening, but we didn't want to acknowledge it. We were in denial,” lamented Ruth Guill. “If we could say one thing to other churches it would be, ‘Churches have to change. Those that don't change, don't survive.' ”</p>
<p>“By the time we saw what we needed to do we were just too few, too old and too weary to make it happen,” added Boggs. Among themselves, they agreed that although they changed some, they simply would not or could not make the radical changes necessary at the time they were needed.</p>
<p>Weatherford Memorial Baptist Church will be remembered not only for its years of ministry and commitment to missions, but because these people of faith dared to see beyond themselves to the greater kingdom good they could do in planning past their end. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24). Weatherford will not die. Its ministry will be reborn in a different form.</p>
<p>The exchange between Christ and Martha seems appropriate. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world” (John 11:25-27).</p>
<p>Virginia Baptists join with our Weatherford family not in mourning a passing but in celebrating a life!</p>
<p>Jim White is editor and business manager of the Religious Herald.</p> | false | 3 | cover story july 14 2005 almost century ministry mostly white weatherford memorial baptist church south richmond voted give facilities mostly africanamerican st pauls baptist church near mechanicsville action heralded model churches transition jim white prominent corner south richmond sits monticellostyle sanctuary wings gracefully extending side entered circular vestibule white columns marble floor brass chandelier arrested vision caused involuntary pause steps surveyed symmetry sanctuary also lovely large educational building gym attached sanctuary whitecolumned porticos wonder folks finding hard believe church would simply give away like many churches changing circumstances weatherford memorial baptist remembers glory days founded 1907 congregation moved present location 1950 led pastor j levering evans evans grown china missionary family earned doctor philosophy economics yale university evans predicted church would lighthouse southern part richmond soon 750 worshippers crowded building doubled gym worship centeran innovative concept time 1960s brought decline attendance congregation believed constructing permanent sanctuary would cause increased attendance construction began 1971 year courts ordered busing integrate schools consequence many families began relocating chesterfield county 80s 90s congregation remained strong despite dwindling attendance even though successive pastors raised alarm called radical changes congregation resisted like proverbial frog kettle changes around within church occurred slowly hardly noticed 2001 church could longer deny happening average sunday school attendance dropped 90 pastor rick hursts initiative church began rekindle strategy aimed assessing church community needs proposing ministry options 2004 finance committee reported without turn around church would run money within year isnt though church attempted turn things around instituted community ministries include food pantry clothes closet church welcomes anyone come weekday worship service designed meet needs persons receive food richmond baptist association directs ministry center south richmond church church even began contemporary worship service although admit hearts youngsters play upward bound basketball games gym small africanamerican church meets building havent tried comments lifelong attendee church secretary gayle bradley dont know reach people live around us december 2004 recognizing position congregation considered proposal sell buildings month congregation asked glenn akins virginia baptist mission board meet simultaneously pastor led church study several books including george barnas turn around churches book studies akins counsel led church members conclude strong enough core group revitalize start listening church members describe condition studying circumstances carefully akins proposed options march year reports philosophy go moral obligation physician might dealing patient dont feel right offer false hope could give solution believe would work presenting options countering wasnt viable alternative concluded asking church consider giving buildings st pauls baptist church church reaching thousands richmonders glenn said give away like electric shock went us reports ruth guill strategy committee member husband maynard chairs committee manages 580000 endowment continued thought humph doesnt fit ive thinking six months ago someone said would would said crazy others agreed yet thought prayed began see potential would cause aging white congregation south richmond give buildings valued 2 million exploding predominantly africanamerican congregation near mechanicsville church dozens groups wanting buy building money missions believe st pauls continue enhance mission began south richmond 98 years ago weatherford memorial takes name colonial baptist preacher whose voice would stilled even imprisonment church members anything else unwilling proclaiming christ prominent corner stilled believe lord wants buildings made sacred worship sacrifices continue lighthouse continue baptist family gayle bradley offers interesting question could god led congregation place minister time greater vision st pauls minister point reach could june 12 congregation weatherford amazingly generous courageous thing voted 5911 give everything away buildings despite peeling paint well maintained one new roof mold problems plagued sanctuary corrected endowment fund trusted care virginia baptist foundation interest divided evenly richmond baptist association virginia baptist mission board church may continue perpetuity give missions expected members feeling grief loss place people invested much lives sept 25 last sunday dont know worship sorrow feeling im excited wife go dont clue affirms jimmy boggs says baptized twice weatherfordonce six months born years laterbut believe lord trust might end sitting right helping minister st pauls proud see legacy weatherford live another strategy committee member adds like miracle happened could agree anything really united asked advice might churches strategy committee responded one voice change saw happening didnt want acknowledge denial lamented ruth guill could say one thing churches would churches change dont change dont survive time saw needed old weary make happen added boggs among agreed although changed simply would could make radical changes necessary time needed weatherford memorial baptist church remembered years ministry commitment missions people faith dared see beyond greater kingdom good could planning past end jesus said tell truth unless kernel wheat falls ground dies remains single seed dies produces many seeds john 1224 weatherford die ministry reborn different form exchange christ martha seems appropriate resurrection life believes live even though dies whoever lives believes never die believe yes lord told believe christ son god come world john 112527 virginia baptists join weatherford family mourning passing celebrating life jim white editor business manager religious herald | 812 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Oct. 14, 2012</p>
<p>By Steven Greenhut</p>
<p>SACRAMENTO — In much of the country, the mere mention of the name, Jerry Brown, signifies the otherworldly nature of California politics.</p>
<p>Many people in other states have come up to me and said something to this effect: “You Californians are so weird that, in tough economic times, you re-elected that retread from the 1970s.”</p>
<p>Yet, in this season of bill signings, vetoes and elections, Gov. Brown has remained the last bulwark against the truly crazy left-wingers who run the Capitol. Brown, through his vetoes, has rejected union enrichment schemes, illegal-immigrant “rights” measures and other nonsense. And, despite his troubling push for higher taxes with Proposition 30, the governor vetoed all six bills that were designed to resurrect, in one way or another, the redevelopment process he killed last year.</p>
<p>Redevelopment is a land-use and tax scheme that blends Eastern-European-style central planning with American-style crony capitalism.</p>
<p>Started in the 1940s to provide local governments with a “tool” to fight urban blight, redevelopment morphed into a centralized planning system that obliterated property rights by giving City Hall expanded powers to condemn and acquire private property. Instead of fighting blight, city officials used the system to finance projects such as sales-tax-generating car dealerships, shopping malls, big-box stores and hotels by showering subsidies on influential developers.</p>
<p>City councils, via their local redevelopment bureaucracies, gained the power to declare large areas of their cities “blighted” based on the widest-ranging set of criteria. Once designated as blighted, a redevelopment project area was formed, and all the “tax increment” — i.e., the growth in property tax revenue generated by improvements in that specific area — flowed to the locality rather than the county and state. Redevelopment agencies would float debt and use the added property tax money to pay off the bonds that financed the subsidies that were provided to developers, who built projects directed from City Hall.</p>
<p>The cities loved it because they would gain the sales taxes and bed taxes from the new projects and could micromanage development decisions. Developers profited by manipulating City Hall. Property owners got bulldozed, and all the government intervention distorted the market, but since when has government ever cared about that?</p>
<p>I wrote about efforts to take church property in Orange County and give it to Costco, plans to demolish an entire neighborhood of middle-class homes so that the city could market the land to a theme-park developer, and plans to give massive subsidies to billionaire developers.</p>
<p>These were typical examples, not aberrations. The subsidies led to the overdevelopment of shopping centers and other commercial projects.</p>
<p>After the U.S. Supreme Court’s&#160;Kelo&#160;decision in 2005, allowing cities to use eminent domain on behalf of private developers, many states passed serious reforms that cracked down on the abuses. Not California, which eventually passed a fake reform sponsored by the League of California Cities and the California Redevelopment Association.</p>
<p>But a funny thing happened. The economy soured, and the fiscal promises of redevelopment turned into fiscal liabilities. The state ran low on cash. Gov. Brown realized that he could find several billion dollars by shutting down these agencies, which operate locally but are creations of the state.</p>
<p>Ironically, Republican legislators who claim to care about free markets fought the governor on this one, addicted as their cities had become to redevelopment cash and as addicted as they had become to campaign contributions from subsidy-seeking developers.</p>
<p>Democrats, who tend to love the central-planning aspects of redevelopment, went along with killing it, for the wrong reasons (more money for the state and to be loyal to their governor).</p>
<p>Victories are never permanent in government – especially a government run by people who recognize few limits on their taxing and regulating powers. The most brazen attempt to resurrect redevelopment was <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=sb_1156&amp;sess=CUR&amp;house=S" type="external">Senate Bill 1156</a>, by Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento:</p>
<p>“In order to more effectively address blight, the program shall be established to support development in transit priority project areas and small walkable communities and to support clean energy manufacturing through tax increment revenue.”</p>
<p>Basically, the Steinberg bill created redevelopment with a more limited focus and a few more safeguards. But Gov. Brown nixed this, and said in his veto statement: “This measure would likely cause cities to focus their efforts on using new tools provided by the measure instead of winding down redevelopment.” He also pointed to the need for continued general-fund savings.</p>
<p>The governor remains focused on the money rather than the abuses, but a veto is a veto. The redevelopment community was livid. One pro-redevelopment writer argued that Brown’s vetoes “add insult to injury,” but the folks insulted and injured by the governor richly deserve this outcome. Small property owners – the victims of insult and injury at the hands of redevelopment – should be happy.</p>
<p>Even when it looked like the new agencies would be resurrected, Assemblyman Chris Norby, the Fullerton Republican and longtime redevelopment foe, argued in a letter to redevelopment agency opponents that the new agencies would be a far cry from the old RDAs: “These IFDs [Infrastructure Finance Districts] have no power to forcibly take property tax increment from counties, schools or special districts.”</p>
<p>In his view, there would be no “free money” for cities. They could use tax increment, but that money would come from their own general fund — an unlikely development.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the new IFDs would have had eminent-domain powers and would have given new life to the redevelopment industry. No doubt, next year the same officials would be back again expanding the use of tax increment. It’s far better to keep the lid on redevelopment and encourage these privilege-seekers to move on to other scams.</p>
<p>Brown is no dummy. He wasn’t about to resurrect something he expended so much political capital in killing. Obviously, he is no believer in limited government, so our victories this year may be fleeting. But things could be worse, and the governor deserves great credit for standing his ground against the kings of corporate welfare.</p>
<p>Steven Greenhut is vice president of journalism at the Franklin Center for Government and Public Integrity. Write to him at:&#160;steven.greenhut@franklincenterhq.org.</p> | false | 3 | oct 14 2012 steven greenhut sacramento much country mere mention name jerry brown signifies otherworldly nature california politics many people states come said something effect californians weird tough economic times reelected retread 1970s yet season bill signings vetoes elections gov brown remained last bulwark truly crazy leftwingers run capitol brown vetoes rejected union enrichment schemes illegalimmigrant rights measures nonsense despite troubling push higher taxes proposition 30 governor vetoed six bills designed resurrect one way another redevelopment process killed last year redevelopment landuse tax scheme blends easterneuropeanstyle central planning americanstyle crony capitalism started 1940s provide local governments tool fight urban blight redevelopment morphed centralized planning system obliterated property rights giving city hall expanded powers condemn acquire private property instead fighting blight city officials used system finance projects salestaxgenerating car dealerships shopping malls bigbox stores hotels showering subsidies influential developers city councils via local redevelopment bureaucracies gained power declare large areas cities blighted based widestranging set criteria designated blighted redevelopment project area formed tax increment ie growth property tax revenue generated improvements specific area flowed locality rather county state redevelopment agencies would float debt use added property tax money pay bonds financed subsidies provided developers built projects directed city hall cities loved would gain sales taxes bed taxes new projects could micromanage development decisions developers profited manipulating city hall property owners got bulldozed government intervention distorted market since government ever cared wrote efforts take church property orange county give costco plans demolish entire neighborhood middleclass homes city could market land themepark developer plans give massive subsidies billionaire developers typical examples aberrations subsidies led overdevelopment shopping centers commercial projects us supreme courts160kelo160decision 2005 allowing cities use eminent domain behalf private developers many states passed serious reforms cracked abuses california eventually passed fake reform sponsored league california cities california redevelopment association funny thing happened economy soured fiscal promises redevelopment turned fiscal liabilities state ran low cash gov brown realized could find several billion dollars shutting agencies operate locally creations state ironically republican legislators claim care free markets fought governor one addicted cities become redevelopment cash addicted become campaign contributions subsidyseeking developers democrats tend love centralplanning aspects redevelopment went along killing wrong reasons money state loyal governor victories never permanent government especially government run people recognize limits taxing regulating powers brazen attempt resurrect redevelopment senate bill 1156 senate president pro tem darrell steinberg dsacramento order effectively address blight program shall established support development transit priority project areas small walkable communities support clean energy manufacturing tax increment revenue basically steinberg bill created redevelopment limited focus safeguards gov brown nixed said veto statement measure would likely cause cities focus efforts using new tools provided measure instead winding redevelopment also pointed need continued generalfund savings governor remains focused money rather abuses veto veto redevelopment community livid one proredevelopment writer argued browns vetoes add insult injury folks insulted injured governor richly deserve outcome small property owners victims insult injury hands redevelopment happy even looked like new agencies would resurrected assemblyman chris norby fullerton republican longtime redevelopment foe argued letter redevelopment agency opponents new agencies would far cry old rdas ifds infrastructure finance districts power forcibly take property tax increment counties schools special districts view would free money cities could use tax increment money would come general fund unlikely development nevertheless new ifds would eminentdomain powers would given new life redevelopment industry doubt next year officials would back expanding use tax increment far better keep lid redevelopment encourage privilegeseekers move scams brown dummy wasnt resurrect something expended much political capital killing obviously believer limited government victories year may fleeting things could worse governor deserves great credit standing ground kings corporate welfare steven greenhut vice president journalism franklin center government public integrity write at160stevengreenhutfranklincenterhqorg | 613 |
<p>Carmelo Anthony isn't the showiest of NBA stars, which turns out to suit his modern brand of social activism perfectly.</p>
<p>The New York Knicks small forward gets a lot of coverage for the ups -- and mostly downs -- of his storied franchise, but he has also been increasingly active and outspoken on matters of race, gun violence and social justice.</p>
<p>His <a href="http://espn.go.com/espys/2016/story/_/id/17060953/espys-carmelo-anthony-chris-paul-dwyane-wade-lebron-james-call-athletes-promote-change" type="external">engagement was on full display</a> when he stood on stage alongside fellow NBA icons Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James at the opening of the ESPY Awards on Wednesday night and urged athletes to use their celebrity to speak out against injustice and inequality.</p>
<p>"The system is broken, the problems are not new, the violence is not new and the racial divide definitely is not new, but the urgency for change is definitely at an all-time high," said Anthony.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="http://nba.nbcsports.com/2016/07/08/carmelo-anthony-calls-on-athletes-to-take-political-action-stop-worrying-about-endorsements/?cid=eref:nbcnews:text" type="external">Carmelo Anthony calls on athletes to take political action, stop worrying about endorsements</a></p>
<p>The remarks came on the heels of a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jul/13/carmelo-anthony-column-athletes-justice-police-violence?CMP=share_btn_tw" type="external">column Anthony penned for The Guardian</a>, following the controversial police shootings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling, in which Anthony linked the current conversations about race in the sports world to the black athletes who became vocal proponents of civil rights in the 1960s.</p>
<p>"We all know our history, especially when it comes to sports and activism. We know Ali. We know Jim Brown. We know Kareem Abdul-Jabbar," he wrote. "But over the years as athletes started making more money, they started thinking: I don’t want people to talk bad about me for talking politics. But this is not really about politics. There’s nothing political about taking a stand and speaking on what you believe in. The teams and the support systems around athletes urge them to stay away from politics, stay away from religion, stay away from this, stay away from that. But at certain times you’ve just got to put all of that aside and be a human being. That time is now."</p>
<p>And albeit in a more <a href="http://nymag.com/news/sports/games/carmelo-anthony-2011-4/" type="external">low-key style</a> than some of his predecessors -- like the former Olympians John Carlos and Tommie Smith, who <a href="http://www.vox.com/2016/7/13/12118332/john-carlos-olympics" type="external">paid a real devastating price</a> for their infamous black power demonstration at the 1968 games -- Anthony has walked the walk on the issues he cares about.</p>
<p>In 2012, while several prominent NBA stars (including <a href="http://espn.go.com/nba/truehoop/miamiheat/story/_/id/7728618/miami-heat-don-hoodies-response-death-teen-trayvon-martin" type="external">the entire Miami Heat squad</a>) expressed empathy for Trayvon Martin following the unarmed African-American's controversial death, Anthony actually invited the late teen's family to meet with him and his teammates privately in the Knicks locker room at Madison Square Garden.</p>
<p>“It was a blessing and honor," Anthony said at the time. “We all know the tragedy that happened. Bringing them to the locker room in the back, meeting all the players, meeting the coaches. We had no media there. It was something I wanted to do. I lost my sister last year so I know how it feels."</p>
<p>Last spring, Anthony <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/carmelo-anthony-marches-in-freddie-gray-protests-in-baltimore--urges-calm-and-patience-011758028.html" type="external">marched in his old stomping grounds</a> of Baltimore (he was born in Brooklyn, but raised in the Maryland city) alongside Black Lives Matter protesters in the aftermath of the death of Freddie Gray, who died while in police custody.</p>
<p>"This is not just my community — it's everybody's community. It's America's community," Anthony <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/carmelo-anthony-marches-in-freddie-gray-protests-in-baltimore--urges-calm-and-patience-011758028.html" type="external">said</a> at the time. "So for me to come back here and be part of a community where I grew up at, and really get a chance to kind of talk to the people and get a feel for what's going on ... I had to come. It was only right for me to come down here."</p>
<p>That December, Anthony was one of several NBA stars who appeared in a Spike Lee-directed PSA for <a href="http://everytown.org/" type="external">Everytown for Gun Safety</a> speaking out against gun violence. That same month he spoke candidly on the subject following the <a href="http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Cleanthony-Early-Shot-Robbery-Attempt-Strip-Club-Maspeth-Queens-NYC-363811701.html" type="external">non-fatal shooting</a> of his teammate Cleanthony Early during a robbery.</p>
<p>“We all are targets, at the end of the day,” Anthony <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/carmelo-anthony-calls-action-guns-after-teammates-shooting" type="external">told</a> local reporters.</p>
<p>And Anthony is also known as one of the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/11/carmelo-anthony-will-jada-most-generous-celebs_n_1199660.html" type="external">most financially generous</a> pro athletes. Recently his <a href="http://www.thecarmeloanthonyfoundation.org/category/news/" type="external">charity organization</a> has been <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/changing-america/watch/nba-star-to-aid-puerto-rican-economic-crisis-709718595516" type="external">funding the construction</a> of basketball courts for impoverished children in his father's home country of Puerto Rico, which is still reeling from a major economic crisis.</p>
<p>The 32-year-old Knicks star may have <a href="http://remezcla.com/features/sports/carmelo-anthony-social-activism-family/" type="external">inherited the activism bug</a> from his father, a former member of the legendary Young Lords, an NYC-based, radical Puerto Rican nationalist group that took matters into its own hands in the 1960s and '70s to tackle issues like garbage disposal, medical assistance for the poor and children's hunger in their community.</p>
<p>The organization, whose origins have been traced back to a Chicago street gang, folded under pressure from the FBI, and Anthony's father passed away from <a href="http://www.complex.com/sports/2014/05/carmelo-anthony-things-you-didnt-know-gifs/" type="external">liver failure</a> when he was just 2 years old. But Anthony has tried to carry on his legacy and has expressed interest in <a href="http://larespuestamedia.com/carmelo-anthony-bballcourt-pr/" type="external">releasing a documentary</a> about the Young Lords' exploits.</p>
<p>Related: <a href="" type="internal">Carmelo Anthony Joins Freddie Gray March in Baltimore</a></p>
<p>Meanwhile, although this past NBA season ended in disappointment for Anthony (the Knicks missed the playoffs for the third straight season) he has signaled that he will be using a potentially bigger platform -- this summer's Olympics in Rio -- to advance his sociopolitical agenda.</p>
<p>"In three weeks I’ll travel to Rio with the United States’ Olympic team to perform on a global stage," he wrote in The Guardian. "I haven’t spoken with my teammates yet about the opportunity before us and how we can take advantage of it, because at the end of the day, I want it to be genuine. If you don’t feel like you want to make a statement or make a stand, then don’t do it. You shouldn’t feel forced to do it. You have to want to do that."</p>
<p>"For me, I do feel like this is a platform where we should—we as athletes, we as Americans—use it for something," he added. "Whether we make a statement out there or send a message, we can show the world that we’re united. Whatever way we want to do it, this is a chance to do something meaningful before an audience of billions. I don’t know what that something is yet, but we still have time to figure it out."</p> | false | 3 | carmelo anthony isnt showiest nba stars turns suit modern brand social activism perfectly new york knicks small forward gets lot coverage ups mostly downs storied franchise also increasingly active outspoken matters race gun violence social justice engagement full display stood stage alongside fellow nba icons chris paul dwyane wade lebron james opening espy awards wednesday night urged athletes use celebrity speak injustice inequality system broken problems new violence new racial divide definitely new urgency change definitely alltime high said anthony related carmelo anthony calls athletes take political action stop worrying endorsements remarks came heels column anthony penned guardian following controversial police shootings philando castile alton sterling anthony linked current conversations race sports world black athletes became vocal proponents civil rights 1960s know history especially comes sports activism know ali know jim brown know kareem abduljabbar wrote years athletes started making money started thinking dont want people talk bad talking politics really politics theres nothing political taking stand speaking believe teams support systems around athletes urge stay away politics stay away religion stay away stay away certain times youve got put aside human time albeit lowkey style predecessors like former olympians john carlos tommie smith paid real devastating price infamous black power demonstration 1968 games anthony walked walk issues cares 2012 several prominent nba stars including entire miami heat squad expressed empathy trayvon martin following unarmed africanamericans controversial death anthony actually invited late teens family meet teammates privately knicks locker room madison square garden blessing honor anthony said time know tragedy happened bringing locker room back meeting players meeting coaches media something wanted lost sister last year know feels last spring anthony marched old stomping grounds baltimore born brooklyn raised maryland city alongside black lives matter protesters aftermath death freddie gray died police custody community everybodys community americas community anthony said time come back part community grew really get chance kind talk people get feel whats going come right come december anthony one several nba stars appeared spike leedirected psa everytown gun safety speaking gun violence month spoke candidly subject following nonfatal shooting teammate cleanthony early robbery targets end day anthony told local reporters anthony also known one financially generous pro athletes recently charity organization funding construction basketball courts impoverished children fathers home country puerto rico still reeling major economic crisis 32yearold knicks star may inherited activism bug father former member legendary young lords nycbased radical puerto rican nationalist group took matters hands 1960s 70s tackle issues like garbage disposal medical assistance poor childrens hunger community organization whose origins traced back chicago street gang folded pressure fbi anthonys father passed away liver failure 2 years old anthony tried carry legacy expressed interest releasing documentary young lords exploits related carmelo anthony joins freddie gray march baltimore meanwhile although past nba season ended disappointment anthony knicks missed playoffs third straight season signaled using potentially bigger platform summers olympics rio advance sociopolitical agenda three weeks ill travel rio united states olympic team perform global stage wrote guardian havent spoken teammates yet opportunity us take advantage end day want genuine dont feel like want make statement make stand dont shouldnt feel forced want feel like platform shouldwe athletes americansuse something added whether make statement send message show world united whatever way want chance something meaningful audience billions dont know something yet still time figure | 549 |
<p>“Our people know about coffin ships — boats that sink to the bottom of the sea with everyone on board.”</p>
<p>Close your eyes and imagine the voice who said those words. Who do you a picture? An African American describing slave ships on the Middle Passage? A Cuban refugee who knows what it is to cling to anything that will float 90 miles to a different world? A descendant of the countless Jews who fled Europe in the 1930s? A Syrian father remembering desperate attempts to keep his children afloat?</p>
<p>It’s likely you didn’t imagine the Irish brogue in which these words were uttered at the end of worship in my church a few Sundays ago. It was an Irish senator who said those words, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pabjqmYWGkM" type="external">Senator Aodhán O’Riordáin</a> said them as he invited the congregation to a Saint Patrick’s Day celebration — in our sanctuary.</p>
<p>Less than a week after Senator O’Riordáin delivered his impassioned invitation, the sanctuary was aglow in green. The purple Lenten banners were still up, of course, but the lights bathing the front chancel had been changed to green for the holiday. And the nave, bursting at the seams with folks who had waited in long sidewalk lines in the cold and snow, was like a sea of green coats and sweaters, hats and “Irish Stand” buttons. The sounds of the bodhrán and the fiddle and excited conversation filled the air.</p>
<p>It was Saint Patrick’s Day, and in my hometown of New York Saint Patrick’s Day is quite a big deal. This big, city-wide party makes sense, as New York City claims the largest population of Irish Americans anywhere in the United States. Huge parades and elaborate festivals celebrating Irish music, culture and food happened all over the city, and you could feel the festive spirit just walking down the sidewalk.</p>
<p>With all the Irish bars filled to overflowing with tipsy revelers, it might seem strange at first glance to use the sanctuary of a church to join the celebration of this Irish holiday. But a closer look reveals that the story of the Irish people landing on America’s shores is something all people of faith and good conscience should take a moment to remember. All throughout Christian scripture we read instruction to both recall our own status as wandering strangers and to live our lives in a constant posture of welcoming those who are longing for home.</p>
<p>It wasn’t too long ago that no one in New York could have imagined a holiday celebrating Ireland and the Irish people. The forefathers and foremothers of last week’s celebrating Irish Americans were largely immigrants who fled Ireland in the mid 1800s because of oppressive government rule and devastating famine. Back then, most natives of Ireland were small farmers who managed to eke out a living on tiny farms British landowners allowed them. Irish fed their families principally with potatoes, so when a great blight destroyed every potato crop in the land the people became desperate. The devastating effects of that famine resulted in Ireland losing almost half its population to death and emigration.</p>
<p>Of the almost two million Irish set out for the hope of a better life in the United States, almost a quarter of those who desperately boarded stinking, over-crowded ships did not survive the trip across the Atlantic. As Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said at the White House last week when he referenced Emma Lazarus’ poem on the Statue of Liberty, “We were the wretched refuse on the teeming shore.”</p>
<p>When the Irish landed on American soil, they threatened to take jobs away from Americans and strain welfare budgets, as many had spent every last cent they had on their passage and the conditions of the passage left many of them disease-ridden. Desperate for work, Irish took the most menial and dangerous jobs, often at low pay, jobs like construction, hourly labor, cleaning houses, working in textile mills. And to add to societal tension, most Irish were devoutly Catholic, not Protestant; they had different cultural traditions, and they spoke with strange accents.</p>
<p>Angry Americans, who were ironically just a few generations away from immigrant status themselves, accused the Irish of being criminals and rapists, called them names, and posted signs that read, “Help Wanted: No Irish Need Apply.”</p>
<p>Sound familiar? It should. Many of the same insults and accusations are leveled at our immigrant neighbors today. Our leaders don’t hesitate to vilify immigrants from Mexico, detain American citizens of Middle Eastern descent, and brush off the frightening increase in threats of violence toward Jewish communities. How quickly we forget that the story of the Irish is the story of us all.</p>
<p>Saint Patrick’s Day was yet another reminder that Christians in America are going to have to decide at some point whether or not the teachings of scripture will have an authoritative place in our lives or not, because the command to welcome the stranger is clear and unwavering through our entire holy text. But even if it weren’t, even if we could use clever hermeneutical tricks to side step God’s command, even if the loss of innocent life in the greatest humanitarian crisis of our generation didn’t compel us to open our hearts and homes, there’s one other consideration that should: we find God with the most vulnerable among us. Time and again God’s work is done through the one sold into slavery (Joseph), or exiled by war (Jeremiah), or the refugee fleeing genocide (Jesus).&#160; Those of us who turn our backs on the immigrant are turning our backs on God.</p>
<p>Last Friday in the nave everyone was wearing green, celebrating. It was a celebration of the triumph of the human spirit, the power of community, and the transformational possibility of hope. Through the painful story of Irish immigration to America we lived the truth that there’s always enough to go around and that our differences make us better. As we imagine a future America and yearn to find God in the world around us, we need only look around us, right here, to see a beautiful diversity and the holy struggle of God’s justice unfolding in the stories of our neighbors.</p>
<p>“Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it,” the saying goes. Take it from my Irish-American friends: we cannot afford to forget the past.</p> | false | 3 | people know coffin ships boats sink bottom sea everyone board close eyes imagine voice said words picture african american describing slave ships middle passage cuban refugee knows cling anything float 90 miles different world descendant countless jews fled europe 1930s syrian father remembering desperate attempts keep children afloat likely didnt imagine irish brogue words uttered end worship church sundays ago irish senator said words senator aodhán oriordáin said invited congregation saint patricks day celebration sanctuary less week senator oriordáin delivered impassioned invitation sanctuary aglow green purple lenten banners still course lights bathing front chancel changed green holiday nave bursting seams folks waited long sidewalk lines cold snow like sea green coats sweaters hats irish stand buttons sounds bodhrán fiddle excited conversation filled air saint patricks day hometown new york saint patricks day quite big deal big citywide party makes sense new york city claims largest population irish americans anywhere united states huge parades elaborate festivals celebrating irish music culture food happened city could feel festive spirit walking sidewalk irish bars filled overflowing tipsy revelers might seem strange first glance use sanctuary church join celebration irish holiday closer look reveals story irish people landing americas shores something people faith good conscience take moment remember throughout christian scripture read instruction recall status wandering strangers live lives constant posture welcoming longing home wasnt long ago one new york could imagined holiday celebrating ireland irish people forefathers foremothers last weeks celebrating irish americans largely immigrants fled ireland mid 1800s oppressive government rule devastating famine back natives ireland small farmers managed eke living tiny farms british landowners allowed irish fed families principally potatoes great blight destroyed every potato crop land people became desperate devastating effects famine resulted ireland losing almost half population death emigration almost two million irish set hope better life united states almost quarter desperately boarded stinking overcrowded ships survive trip across atlantic irish prime minister enda kenny said white house last week referenced emma lazarus poem statue liberty wretched refuse teeming shore irish landed american soil threatened take jobs away americans strain welfare budgets many spent every last cent passage conditions passage left many diseaseridden desperate work irish took menial dangerous jobs often low pay jobs like construction hourly labor cleaning houses working textile mills add societal tension irish devoutly catholic protestant different cultural traditions spoke strange accents angry americans ironically generations away immigrant status accused irish criminals rapists called names posted signs read help wanted irish need apply sound familiar many insults accusations leveled immigrant neighbors today leaders dont hesitate vilify immigrants mexico detain american citizens middle eastern descent brush frightening increase threats violence toward jewish communities quickly forget story irish story us saint patricks day yet another reminder christians america going decide point whether teachings scripture authoritative place lives command welcome stranger clear unwavering entire holy text even werent even could use clever hermeneutical tricks side step gods command even loss innocent life greatest humanitarian crisis generation didnt compel us open hearts homes theres one consideration find god vulnerable among us time gods work done one sold slavery joseph exiled war jeremiah refugee fleeing genocide jesus160 us turn backs immigrant turning backs god last friday nave everyone wearing green celebrating celebration triumph human spirit power community transformational possibility hope painful story irish immigration america lived truth theres always enough go around differences make us better imagine future america yearn find god world around us need look around us right see beautiful diversity holy struggle gods justice unfolding stories neighbors remember past doomed repeat saying goes take irishamerican friends afford forget past | 591 |
<p>Almost a year after the student advisory mandate went out from central office, counselors in Chicago’s public high schools are still in love with the idea, but they and teachers are frustrated with the reality.</p>
<p>“I want this to work,” declares Deborah Dunleavy, a teacher/advisor at Von Steuben High. “I feel that it is not—not because it is a bad idea, but because the necessary conditions aren’t there for the outcome.”</p>
<p>Pioneered by New Trier Township High School, advisory brings a small group of students together with a teacher/advisor—ideally for four years—to give students a home base and help them with study habits, course and career planning and typical teenage challenges.</p>
<p>In response to a November survey, all 89 of Chicago’s public high schools and transition centers said they were conducting advisories. However, conversations with teachers at a number of schools suggest the term is being used to cover a wide range of programs—from a typical “division,” which deals with announcements and housekeeping, to attempts, like those at Von Steuben, to carry out and even go beyond the board’s advisory curriculum.</p>
<p>“Some places are doing a lot with it, some are not doing very much at all,” says Chuck Pistorio, an advisory consultant from Northeastern Illinois University.</p>
<p>In the survey, 34 schools reported “insufficient materials/resources,” while most said advisory activities were being done in standard, 30-student division classes.</p>
<p>Central office is writing and producing booklets of materials as the school year progresses. However, it is not paying teachers for the extra work or providing additional preparation time or staff development. Nine schools reported using their own discretionary funds to pay teachers for taking on advisory.</p>
<p>“Compensation is the major issue” affecting success, says Girod Walker, the administration’s advisory project manager. “If we can get that, I think things will settle down.”</p>
<p>Jackie Gallagher, spokesperson for the Chicago Teachers Union, says the union will continue to raise the pay issue in “strategic negotiations,” but that no formal agreement is in sight.</p>
<p>Since the survey, at least one school, Schurz, has dropped advisory completely. Last June, Schurz teachers rejected a contract waiver that would have created a daily advisory. (See Chronicles, June 1997.) In September, they filed a grievance after being told to use the board’s advisory materials weekly, during a built-in long division period. In late January, the grievance was resolved in the teachers’ favor, and the materials were recalled.</p>
<p>“[The grievance] had nothing to do with the question of whether advisory is a good idea,” says union delegate Debby Pope. “We were being asked to teach something we’re not familiar with, without an increase in either preparation time or pay.”</p>
<p>Walker agrees with teachers’ call for preparation time. “I don’t want anyone just going into a classroom and opening up the book,” he says. “There needs to be some kind of preparation time for teachers to read the material, make copies and so forth.”</p>
<p>Dunleavy would like more flexibility, too. She thinks the pressure to complete prescribed activities makes it harder to connect with students. “I regret that I’m creating a barrier between me and my division kids,” she says. “I’m spending more time making them do things they don’t want to do than dealing with something real. It’s real tempting to just say, ‘bring your homework and talk to me if you have a problem.'”</p>
<p>Dunleavy is the kind of teacher who naturally gravitates toward mentoring. “Some of us are by nature touchy-feely. Come, tell us your problems. Weep on me,” she says, her voice a mixture of irony and real enthusiasm. During one two-minute trip through the hall, she stopped or was stopped by four students.</p>
<p>Opinion divided</p>
<p>But in early February, Dunleavy must beg her students to give advisory a chance. “Guys, sit in a group with people you are willing to talk with, so we can do this assignment—please?”</p>
<p>During the 20-minute period, they discuss how and where to make new friends in school. The bell rings in the middle of the discussion, but not before Dunleavy points out, “As much as you guys make fun of division, 18 of you said you made a friend in division.”</p>
<p>Asked how they like advisory, two Von Steuben freshmen offer striking contrasts.</p>
<p>“It’s boring,” declares Alla Trakhtengarts. “We sit and do nothing.” Alla says she did not make friends faster in division than in her academic classes. She says she has not participated in any advisory-type activities in division.</p>
<p>But Joanna Wegrzynowicz says she had. “I like it,” she says. “We get into groups and discuss whatever topic they give us, once, twice a week.” She says she did make friends faster in division than in other classes.</p>
<p>Morgan Park scheduled advisories for freshmen and sophomores outside of division; it also asked teachers to volunteer for the duty; and it decided to tap state Chapter 1 funds and a junior academy grant from the board to pay teachers at their regular hourly rate.</p>
<p>Delores Walker, for example, conducts advisory with one of her sophomore English classes. One day in February, 24 students break into small groups to discuss the hypothetical case of a teen who stole an art book. To save time, Walker assigns a different possible response to each group and asks it to find supporting evidence in the case study.</p>
<p>The groups focus intently—there’s little clowning around. Two groups reject the solutions they were assigned and create persuasive arguments against them.</p>
<p>After class, Tenille Medley raves about advisory. “I really enjoy it,” she says. “I don’t know where my life would be if we didn’t have it.” She credits the lessons on study techniques with raising her history grade and praises the career exploration component.</p>
<p>Despite their successes, Morgan Park teachers and counselors have gripes, too. According to an in-house survey of 18 advisors, top concerns are motivating students to participate in activities when advisory does not carry credit, and building connections between advisor and students when the advisor is not one of their classroom teachers.</p>
<p>Gale Williams, the school’s advisory coordinator, wants the board to put its money where its mouth is. “People at the board say advisory is very important, but they don’t give [students] credit for it,” she observes. “They don’t pay teachers for it. They’re contradicting themselves.”</p>
<p>New Trier: heaven on earth</p>
<p>At New Trier High School in Winnetka, home of the nation’s first advisory program, a deep and longstanding investment in teachers as advisors appears to be paying off.</p>
<p>Although only two out of five faculty members serve as advisors at any given time, New Trier evaluates all prospective teachers on their potential to be good advisors. Teachers volunteer for the job, and advisory counts as one of the five classes in a normal workload.</p>
<p>“It takes easily as much time, more time, than a class,” says Jeff Markham, an English teacher and advisor, who adds that he spends “an immense amount of time” on the phone with parents. He also meets informally with students throughout the day—he briefly interrupted his conversation with a reporter to check in with an advisee who was passing by in the hallway.</p>
<p>Advisors perform many functions done by guidance counselors at other schools, such as registering students for classes and acting as their advocates with classroom teachers. “It’s hard for advisors to stay boxed up within their own discipline,” says Jon White, assistant principal for student services. “They’re constantly going to advisees’ other teachers. They have to learn the curriculum for the whole school, not just their department.”</p>
<p>They also see sides of their advisees that might never appear if they merely taught them an academic subject. Every advisor Catalyst spoke with volunteered stories about their advisees.</p>
<p>“I had a kid who came in cowboy boots and put his feet on the desk every day for four years,” recalls Chip Carpenter, who shepherded six consecutive groups of advisees through four years of high school. The boy’s grades “were on a roller coaster” and Carpenter felt he had failed to make a connection.</p>
<p>“The summer before [his] senior year,” he continues, “I got a call around 1:30 a.m. The kid was hysterical—his father had just died. Here’s a kid I thought just hated my guts. … I jumped in the car and went over. We walked around the block until 3 or 4 in the morning. He never really sought me out again.”</p>
<p>Carpenter now is the supervisor of sophomore boys’ advisors.</p>
<p>The most obvious duty an advisor takes on is the advisor room—a single-sex group of 24 students who meet for 25 minutes every morning. Although there are activities and field trips for advisor rooms, there are also days when little seems to be happening, at least on the surface.</p>
<p>But unlike most schools, New Trier takes special care in assigning students to their rooms, grouping students across academic levels and interests to make each room a microcosm of the school. “We’re trying to get them out beyond their cliques,” says White.</p>
<p>In Janet Springer’s sophomore advisory, some girls aren’t sure the program helps them break out of cliques, but they enjoy its more obvious benefits. Today they breakfast on bagels and orange juice while Springer takes attendance and makes announcements.</p>
<p>Sophomore Victoria Carlson likes advisory and thinks it’s especially valuable for freshmen. She got to know people in advisory better than fellow students in her academic courses last year. “I think [cutting advisory] is more upperclass. I don’t know why you would want to not come. I think it’s fun.” She adds that she would talk with Springer about a “school-oriented” problem, but would talk with friends about interpersonal problems.</p>
<p>Springer attributes the success of New Trier’s advisory to “backup.” Each grade level has two “advisor chairs,” veteran advisors who act as dean of girls and dean of boys. They assist with discipline and mentor the advisors for their grade level. Advisors attend weekly meetings with the chairs, a school social worker, the “post high school” counselor and a special education teacher.</p>
<p>“You shouldn’t make decisions without backup,” says Springer. “That’s the key to making this system work.”</p>
<p>Evanston in transition</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Evanston Township High School’s advisory program is about to undergo radical changes, changing from a freshmen-only course to a New Trier-like system. A preliminary proposal called for teachers to take on their new roles without pay, but at press time, the school board was reconsidering in the face of stiff faculty opposition.</p>
<p>The school’s current advisory is a one-semester course required for freshmen. Teachers volunteer, and are paid an overtime stipend of $3,000 for teaching a sixth class—during second semester they supervise study hall or take on a similar duty.</p>
<p>English and humanities teacher Gay Berardi doubles as advisory coordinator. She prepares weekly plans for teachers, who receive an extensive curriculum combining videos on teenage problems with an introduction to the school, plus the academic work to fulfill the state’s required course in consumer education.</p>
<p>“I do the preparation for everybody,” she says, including scheduling the VCRs on video days so teachers won’t be caught short. “It takes some preparation [for the individual teacher], but not as much as a class.”</p>
<p>Counselors drop by three times a week to meet with students individually.</p>
<p>In the cafeteria, freshmen from different advisory classes debate the program’s merits. “I love it, actually,” raves Katie Birks, “because I get to watch ‘Degrassi High.'” The video series, created for public television in the 1980s, presents teen dilemmas.</p>
<p>“The discussions we have explain stuff you need to know,” adds Dan Whiteley.</p>
<p>Matt Lewis disagrees. “It’s pointless,” he argues. “We really don’t do very much. All we do is watch videos. I don’t think anybody really takes it seriously. I don’t take it seriously.”</p>
<p>Katie and Dan don’t see what’s so terrible about watching videos. “I mean, you get a grade for it, so why not?” asks Dan. He also claims there’s more to advisory than TV time. His class has discussions “almost every day,” and he likes his advisory teacher.</p>
<p>Whatever the merits of the current system, it is about to be scrapped in favor of a “home base” program somewhat like New Trier’s advisory. Berardi, who will coordinate the new program, says teachers will spend 18 minutes daily with a group of no more than 16 students. Teacher and students will interact without a specific curriculum and stay together until the students graduate.</p>
<p>A proposal allowing advisory teachers to choose between extra pay or release from a supervisory duty has been submitted for action at the March 9 meeting of the School Board.</p>
<p>“To ask [teachers] to do 18 minutes extra with 15 more students, no, it’s not fair,” says Berardi. “The faculty just said no. They [the board] listened, as far as we can tell.”</p> | false | 3 | almost year student advisory mandate went central office counselors chicagos public high schools still love idea teachers frustrated reality want work declares deborah dunleavy teacheradvisor von steuben high feel notnot bad idea necessary conditions arent outcome pioneered new trier township high school advisory brings small group students together teacheradvisorideally four yearsto give students home base help study habits course career planning typical teenage challenges response november survey 89 chicagos public high schools transition centers said conducting advisories however conversations teachers number schools suggest term used cover wide range programsfrom typical division deals announcements housekeeping attempts like von steuben carry even go beyond boards advisory curriculum places lot much says chuck pistorio advisory consultant northeastern illinois university survey 34 schools reported insufficient materialsresources said advisory activities done standard 30student division classes central office writing producing booklets materials school year progresses however paying teachers extra work providing additional preparation time staff development nine schools reported using discretionary funds pay teachers taking advisory compensation major issue affecting success says girod walker administrations advisory project manager get think things settle jackie gallagher spokesperson chicago teachers union says union continue raise pay issue strategic negotiations formal agreement sight since survey least one school schurz dropped advisory completely last june schurz teachers rejected contract waiver would created daily advisory see chronicles june 1997 september filed grievance told use boards advisory materials weekly builtin long division period late january grievance resolved teachers favor materials recalled grievance nothing question whether advisory good idea says union delegate debby pope asked teach something familiar without increase either preparation time pay walker agrees teachers call preparation time dont want anyone going classroom opening book says needs kind preparation time teachers read material make copies forth dunleavy would like flexibility thinks pressure complete prescribed activities makes harder connect students regret im creating barrier division kids says im spending time making things dont want dealing something real real tempting say bring homework talk problem dunleavy kind teacher naturally gravitates toward mentoring us nature touchyfeely come tell us problems weep says voice mixture irony real enthusiasm one twominute trip hall stopped stopped four students opinion divided early february dunleavy must beg students give advisory chance guys sit group people willing talk assignmentplease 20minute period discuss make new friends school bell rings middle discussion dunleavy points much guys make fun division 18 said made friend division asked like advisory two von steuben freshmen offer striking contrasts boring declares alla trakhtengarts sit nothing alla says make friends faster division academic classes says participated advisorytype activities division joanna wegrzynowicz says like says get groups discuss whatever topic give us twice week says make friends faster division classes morgan park scheduled advisories freshmen sophomores outside division also asked teachers volunteer duty decided tap state chapter 1 funds junior academy grant board pay teachers regular hourly rate delores walker example conducts advisory one sophomore english classes one day february 24 students break small groups discuss hypothetical case teen stole art book save time walker assigns different possible response group asks find supporting evidence case study groups focus intentlytheres little clowning around two groups reject solutions assigned create persuasive arguments class tenille medley raves advisory really enjoy says dont know life would didnt credits lessons study techniques raising history grade praises career exploration component despite successes morgan park teachers counselors gripes according inhouse survey 18 advisors top concerns motivating students participate activities advisory carry credit building connections advisor students advisor one classroom teachers gale williams schools advisory coordinator wants board put money mouth people board say advisory important dont give students credit observes dont pay teachers theyre contradicting new trier heaven earth new trier high school winnetka home nations first advisory program deep longstanding investment teachers advisors appears paying although two five faculty members serve advisors given time new trier evaluates prospective teachers potential good advisors teachers volunteer job advisory counts one five classes normal workload takes easily much time time class says jeff markham english teacher advisor adds spends immense amount time phone parents also meets informally students throughout dayhe briefly interrupted conversation reporter check advisee passing hallway advisors perform many functions done guidance counselors schools registering students classes acting advocates classroom teachers hard advisors stay boxed within discipline says jon white assistant principal student services theyre constantly going advisees teachers learn curriculum whole school department also see sides advisees might never appear merely taught academic subject every advisor catalyst spoke volunteered stories advisees kid came cowboy boots put feet desk every day four years recalls chip carpenter shepherded six consecutive groups advisees four years high school boys grades roller coaster carpenter felt failed make connection summer senior year continues got call around 130 kid hystericalhis father died heres kid thought hated guts jumped car went walked around block 3 4 morning never really sought carpenter supervisor sophomore boys advisors obvious duty advisor takes advisor rooma singlesex group 24 students meet 25 minutes every morning although activities field trips advisor rooms also days little seems happening least surface unlike schools new trier takes special care assigning students rooms grouping students across academic levels interests make room microcosm school trying get beyond cliques says white janet springers sophomore advisory girls arent sure program helps break cliques enjoy obvious benefits today breakfast bagels orange juice springer takes attendance makes announcements sophomore victoria carlson likes advisory thinks especially valuable freshmen got know people advisory better fellow students academic courses last year think cutting advisory upperclass dont know would want come think fun adds would talk springer schooloriented problem would talk friends interpersonal problems springer attributes success new triers advisory backup grade level two advisor chairs veteran advisors act dean girls dean boys assist discipline mentor advisors grade level advisors attend weekly meetings chairs school social worker post high school counselor special education teacher shouldnt make decisions without backup says springer thats key making system work evanston transition meanwhile evanston township high schools advisory program undergo radical changes changing freshmenonly course new trierlike system preliminary proposal called teachers take new roles without pay press time school board reconsidering face stiff faculty opposition schools current advisory onesemester course required freshmen teachers volunteer paid overtime stipend 3000 teaching sixth classduring second semester supervise study hall take similar duty english humanities teacher gay berardi doubles advisory coordinator prepares weekly plans teachers receive extensive curriculum combining videos teenage problems introduction school plus academic work fulfill states required course consumer education preparation everybody says including scheduling vcrs video days teachers wont caught short takes preparation individual teacher much class counselors drop three times week meet students individually cafeteria freshmen different advisory classes debate programs merits love actually raves katie birks get watch degrassi high video series created public television 1980s presents teen dilemmas discussions explain stuff need know adds dan whiteley matt lewis disagrees pointless argues really dont much watch videos dont think anybody really takes seriously dont take seriously katie dan dont see whats terrible watching videos mean get grade asks dan also claims theres advisory tv time class discussions almost every day likes advisory teacher whatever merits current system scrapped favor home base program somewhat like new triers advisory berardi coordinate new program says teachers spend 18 minutes daily group 16 students teacher students interact without specific curriculum stay together students graduate proposal allowing advisory teachers choose extra pay release supervisory duty submitted action march 9 meeting school board ask teachers 18 minutes extra 15 students fair says berardi faculty said board listened far tell | 1,239 |
<p>US President Donald Trump said Sunday he wanted to work "constructively" with Russia despite confronting Vladimir Putin over alleged election meddling, as reports broke that his eldest son met a Kremlin-linked Russian lawyer during the 2016 campaign.</p>
<p>The New York Times, citing advisers briefed on the meeting, reported that Donald Trump Jr. attended the meeting after being promised "damaging information" about his father's Democratic rival Hillary Clinton — the latest revelation to surface in the probe over possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.</p>
<p>Trump's eldest son was reportedly joined by the US president's son-in-law Jared Kushner and then-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort for the June 2016 meeting in New York with the Kremlin-connected lawyer, the earliest such contact yet reported.</p>
<p>The younger Trump said in a statement to the Times that the lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, "stated that she had information that individuals connected to Russia were funding the Democratic National Committee and supporting Mrs Clinton."</p>
<p>"It quickly became clear that she had no meaningful information," he said, adding that the lawyer then began discussing the adoption of Russian children by American couples under a program Putin had suspended.</p>
<p>The president's son said he gathered that the adoption issue was "the true agenda all along and that the claims of potentially helpful information were a pretext for the meeting."</p>
<p>US President Donald Trump pledged Sunday to work "constructively" with Russia but ruled out an immediate easing of sanctions while the countries remain at odds over the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine.</p>
<p>In a series of tweets on his return from Europe, Trump said he had confronted his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin over evidence from the US intelligence agencies that Moscow meddled in the 2016 election when the two leaders met for the first time in Germany on Friday.</p>
<p>And while he welcomed an agreement for the start of a ceasefire in Syria, Trump said it was too early to consider any easing of US sanctions on Russia "until the Ukrainian &amp; Syrian problems are solved."</p>
<p>"I strongly pressed President Putin twice about Russian meddling in our election," Trump said of their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit. "He vehemently denied it. I've already given my opinion....."</p>
<p>Trump said he and Putin had talked about setting up what he called "an impenetrable cyber security unit" to prevent hacking in future elections, an idea that drew ridicule from members of his own Republican party.</p>
<p>He also said the two men had discussed the implementation of a ceasefire in Syria which began on Sunday, saying "it will save lives."</p>
<p>"Now it is time to move forward in working constructively with Russia!"</p>
<p>Syria has been a particular source of friction between the two countries, as Russia is a close ally of President Bashar al-Assad.&#160;</p>
<p>Moscow was furious when the Trump administration launched a cruise missile strike against Syrian forces in April, in retaliation for what Washington said was a chemical weapons attack by Assad's regime against civilians.</p>
<p>Moscow has warned that a program of sanctions imposed by the US, which was tightened last month, threatens their whole relationship.</p>
<p>Trump's predecessor Barack Obama ordered the seizure of two Russian diplomatic compounds in the US last December after accusing Russia of trying to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.</p>
<p>And last month, the United States added 38 individuals and entities to its sanctions list targeting Russians and pro-Russian rebels it blames for the fighting in Ukraine and the occupation of Crimea.</p>
<p>"Sanctions were not discussed at my meeting with President Putin. Nothing will be done until the Ukrainian &amp; Syrian problems are solved," said Trump.</p>
<p>The US president has previously equivocated over whether Russia did try to tilt the outcome of last November's election contest against Hillary Clinton in his favor, amid an investigation into whether members of Trump's campaign team actively colluded with Moscow.</p>
<p>So his public assessment that Russia did meddle has triggered questions over whether his administration planned to bring in more sanctions.</p>
<p>Asked on Sunday whether new sanctions were in the pipeline, US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin told ABC television: "We have sanctions that are already on the table and we expect to enforce those sanctions."</p>
<p>Mnuchin also insisted that Russia and the US could work together on cyber security, despite criticism that the two sides had diametrically opposing goals.</p>
<p>"What we want to make sure is that we coordinate with Russia, that we're focused on cybersecurity together, that we make sure that they never interfere in any democratic elections," he said.</p>
<p>"This is like any other strategic alliance, whether we're doing military exercises with our allies or anything else. This is about having capabilities to make sure we both fight cyber [crime]&#160;together, which I think is a very significant accomplishment for President Trump."</p>
<p>But senior Republican senators, including former presidential candidate John McCain, poured scorn on the idea.</p>
<p>Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate's armed services commitee, said on NBC that the cyber idea was "not the dumbest idea I've ever heard, but it's pretty close."</p>
<p>Voice dripping with sarcasm, McCain told a CBS interviewer that he was "sure that Vladimir Putin could be of enormous assistance in that effort, since he's doing the hacking."</p>
<p>McCain also criticised the Trump administration for not putting together new sanctions specifically for the election meddling.</p>
<p>"So far they have not paid a single price for that," he said.</p>
<p>The US and Russian sides have issued sharply conflicting accounts of Friday's meeting, with Putin saying on Saturday that Trump had been "satisfied" by his denials of any Russian interference in the polls.</p> | false | 3 | us president donald trump said sunday wanted work constructively russia despite confronting vladimir putin alleged election meddling reports broke eldest son met kremlinlinked russian lawyer 2016 campaign new york times citing advisers briefed meeting reported donald trump jr attended meeting promised damaging information fathers democratic rival hillary clinton latest revelation surface probe possible collusion trump campaign russia trumps eldest son reportedly joined us presidents soninlaw jared kushner thentrump campaign chairman paul manafort june 2016 meeting new york kremlinconnected lawyer earliest contact yet reported younger trump said statement times lawyer natalia veselnitskaya stated information individuals connected russia funding democratic national committee supporting mrs clinton quickly became clear meaningful information said adding lawyer began discussing adoption russian children american couples program putin suspended presidents son said gathered adoption issue true agenda along claims potentially helpful information pretext meeting us president donald trump pledged sunday work constructively russia ruled immediate easing sanctions countries remain odds conflicts syria ukraine series tweets return europe trump said confronted russian counterpart vladimir putin evidence us intelligence agencies moscow meddled 2016 election two leaders met first time germany friday welcomed agreement start ceasefire syria trump said early consider easing us sanctions russia ukrainian amp syrian problems solved strongly pressed president putin twice russian meddling election trump said meeting sidelines g20 summit vehemently denied ive already given opinion trump said putin talked setting called impenetrable cyber security unit prevent hacking future elections idea drew ridicule members republican party also said two men discussed implementation ceasefire syria began sunday saying save lives time move forward working constructively russia syria particular source friction two countries russia close ally president bashar alassad160 moscow furious trump administration launched cruise missile strike syrian forces april retaliation washington said chemical weapons attack assads regime civilians moscow warned program sanctions imposed us tightened last month threatens whole relationship trumps predecessor barack obama ordered seizure two russian diplomatic compounds us last december accusing russia trying influence outcome 2016 presidential election last month united states added 38 individuals entities sanctions list targeting russians prorussian rebels blames fighting ukraine occupation crimea sanctions discussed meeting president putin nothing done ukrainian amp syrian problems solved said trump us president previously equivocated whether russia try tilt outcome last novembers election contest hillary clinton favor amid investigation whether members trumps campaign team actively colluded moscow public assessment russia meddle triggered questions whether administration planned bring sanctions asked sunday whether new sanctions pipeline us treasury secretary steve mnuchin told abc television sanctions already table expect enforce sanctions mnuchin also insisted russia us could work together cyber security despite criticism two sides diametrically opposing goals want make sure coordinate russia focused cybersecurity together make sure never interfere democratic elections said like strategic alliance whether military exercises allies anything else capabilities make sure fight cyber crime160together think significant accomplishment president trump senior republican senators including former presidential candidate john mccain poured scorn idea lindsey graham member senates armed services commitee said nbc cyber idea dumbest idea ive ever heard pretty close voice dripping sarcasm mccain told cbs interviewer sure vladimir putin could enormous assistance effort since hes hacking mccain also criticised trump administration putting together new sanctions specifically election meddling far paid single price said us russian sides issued sharply conflicting accounts fridays meeting putin saying saturday trump satisfied denials russian interference polls | 547 |
<p>This the second part of a three-part series. See " <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/africa/090405/rwandas-genocide-%E2%80%94-15-years-later" type="external">Part 1:</a> <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/africa/090405/rwandas-genocide-%E2%80%94-15-years-later" type="external">Survivors start to confront trauma</a>." See Part 3, the slide show "Remembering in silence" that is in this story.</p>
<p>NYAMATA, Rwanda — Beathe Mukangarambe didn’t think she’d ever speak to a Hutu again.</p>
<p>It was a Hutu, after all, who’d killed her family. Fueled by alcohol, armed with machetes, and spurred on by an ethnic hatred decades in the making, in 1994 one ethnic group in Rwanda turned on the other.</p>
<p>One by one, for 100 days, neighbor killed neighbor, and stranger killed stranger. By the time the genocide ended, more than 800,000 minority Tutsi and some politically moderate Hutu had been slaughtered.</p>
<p>Among them were Mukangarambe’s five children.</p>
<p>“Whenever I see someone sending their kids to the market, I feel sad and jealous,” she says. “I swore I would not be friends with any Hutu, because now it is as if I never had any kids.” As she tells about the deaths of her children, who were killed in Rwanda's genocide 15 years ago, the man sitting next to her looks away. He is Emmanuel Bamporiki, and he is the one who murdered her children.</p>
<p />
<p>“I went looking for her family,” he says. “I was not supposed to help her because there was a directive to kill all the Tutsi. She didn’t survive because I let her, she survived because of God’s mercy. It wasn’t in my control. I was doing what I was told.”</p>
<p>Today, the two are friendly, linked as members of a grassroots cooperative of 700 people called Ukuri Kuganza, or “Let out the truth.” Its members dot the dusty hillsides surrounding Nyamata, a town about 40 minutes from the capital city of Kigali. In a country where most social action is taken at the highest levels, Ukuri stands out as a group started by and for Rwandans nervous about how perpetrators of genocide, who had traded confessions for freedom, could live again with the people whose families they killed.</p>
<p>“Before this association, it was hard for Hutus to sit and talk with Tutsi,” says Samuel Nyibizi. “When others see members of the association talking freely, they approach and ask, ‘How did you get to that point?’ Hutu would ask [each other], ‘How can you talk to them?’ Even Tutsi were asked by other Tutsi.”</p>
<p>Nyibizi and other members of Ukuri say the association opened the space for dialogue that victims and perpetrators needed, especially after a 2003 amnesty let those who pled guilty to genocide charges return to their homes. The news of their freedom left survivors like Mukangarambe uneasy.</p>
<p>“I didn’t want to live with any Hutu,” she says. “But they tell us that those who died, died. They can’t be brought back. Those who remain should find a way to live in harmony.”</p>
<p>She admits, though, that’s not why she joined. Ukuri is more than a dialogue group; members build homes for other members, receive counseling as they need it and share their stories of forgiveness with other villages to promote reconciliation. It uses some of its financing — it’s now backed by World Vision, an international Christian organization — to buy goats for its members, who give kids to other members.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Mukangarambe joined because her house was crumbling and she needed help. She didn’t think she was interested in all this talk of forgiveness, until Bamporiki approached her. He confessed to her that he was the man who had killed her children, and he asked her to forgive him. She accepted.</p>
<p>“I realized that if I hate them all,” she says of the Hutu, “it won’t help.”</p>
<p>Bamporiki joined the association specifically to meet her and confess. He didn’t feel comfortable knowing she was alive and didn’t know who was responsible for her pain, but he didn’t want to tell her until they’d built a relationship.</p>
<p>“The association helps you first to live with her before you tell. I got used to her. With time I got the courage to tell her,” he says. “Standing up and saying what I did and asking for forgiveness is hard — almost heroic. But I did not want to live with someone I hurt when I knew and she didn’t.”</p>
<p>The two recount their story surrounded by 15 other Ukuri members, seated along the edges of a gazebo topped with an old tarp from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. They’ve gathered to meet an international delegation, and some, like Mukangarambe, are dressed in formal African garb for the occasion. Others wear the brightly colored plastic sandals that signify extreme poverty. They understand how incredible these stories of forgiveness sound, but they insist what happens here is sincere. They enumerate the benefits of the association — seven have new homes that the group has built together, and five are raising goats — but they speak most fervently about the less tangible benefits of reconciliation.</p>
<p>“Forgiveness takes away the fear and shame. If you meet a person you hurt along the road, you have nothing to be worried about,” says Epimaque Nzigiye.</p>
<p>Mediatrice Mukamurego, who lost family in the genocide, agrees. “Before you forgive, you have a burden in your heart. Hating all the Hutus is very hard on you. If you forgive one, you find that it’s easier to forgive the rest. Your heart is lighter because you have no problems with others.”</p>
<p>Bamporiki calls asking for forgiveness “overwhelming.” It’s the same word Mukangarambe uses when she describes listening to Bamporiki talk about killing her children. If they are divided by history, they share the pain of learning to live with its legacy. It is, they insist, working.</p>
<p>“Today, you might think he’s my son. If he sees me walking, he stops to give me a ride on his bicycle,” she says of Bamporiki, smiling. “And I got a house. So now I can live in peace.”</p>
<p>See Part 1 of this series:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/africa/090405/rwandas-genocide-%E2%80%94-15-years-later" type="external">Survivors start to confront trauma</a>.</p>
<p>More GlobalPost dispatches on Rwanda:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/africa/090217/rwanda-not-troubled-congo-rumblings" type="external">Rwanda not troubled by rumblings in Congo</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/africa/090203/congo-and-rwanda-join-forces-attack-hutu-militia" type="external">Congo and Rwanda join forces to attack Hutu militia</a></p>
<p />
<p><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&amp;source=embed&amp;hl=en&amp;geocode=&amp;q=rwanda&amp;sll=37.0625,-95.677068&amp;sspn=57.510723,82.705078&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;t=h&amp;ll=-1.941462,29.874573&amp;spn=0.960741,1.593018&amp;z=9" type="external">View Larger Map</a></p> | false | 3 | second part threepart series see part 1 survivors start confront trauma see part 3 slide show remembering silence story nyamata rwanda beathe mukangarambe didnt think shed ever speak hutu hutu whod killed family fueled alcohol armed machetes spurred ethnic hatred decades making 1994 one ethnic group rwanda turned one one 100 days neighbor killed neighbor stranger killed stranger time genocide ended 800000 minority tutsi politically moderate hutu slaughtered among mukangarambes five children whenever see someone sending kids market feel sad jealous says swore would friends hutu never kids tells deaths children killed rwandas genocide 15 years ago man sitting next looks away emmanuel bamporiki one murdered children went looking family says supposed help directive kill tutsi didnt survive let survived gods mercy wasnt control told today two friendly linked members grassroots cooperative 700 people called ukuri kuganza let truth members dot dusty hillsides surrounding nyamata town 40 minutes capital city kigali country social action taken highest levels ukuri stands group started rwandans nervous perpetrators genocide traded confessions freedom could live people whose families killed association hard hutus sit talk tutsi says samuel nyibizi others see members association talking freely approach ask get point hutu would ask talk even tutsi asked tutsi nyibizi members ukuri say association opened space dialogue victims perpetrators needed especially 2003 amnesty let pled guilty genocide charges return homes news freedom left survivors like mukangarambe uneasy didnt want live hutu says tell us died died cant brought back remain find way live harmony admits though thats joined ukuri dialogue group members build homes members receive counseling need share stories forgiveness villages promote reconciliation uses financing backed world vision international christian organization buy goats members give kids members 160 mukangarambe joined house crumbling needed help didnt think interested talk forgiveness bamporiki approached confessed man killed children asked forgive accepted realized hate says hutu wont help bamporiki joined association specifically meet confess didnt feel comfortable knowing alive didnt know responsible pain didnt want tell theyd built relationship association helps first live tell got used time got courage tell says standing saying asking forgiveness hard almost heroic want live someone hurt knew didnt two recount story surrounded 15 ukuri members seated along edges gazebo topped old tarp un high commissioner refugees theyve gathered meet international delegation like mukangarambe dressed formal african garb occasion others wear brightly colored plastic sandals signify extreme poverty understand incredible stories forgiveness sound insist happens sincere enumerate benefits association seven new homes group built together five raising goats speak fervently less tangible benefits reconciliation forgiveness takes away fear shame meet person hurt along road nothing worried says epimaque nzigiye mediatrice mukamurego lost family genocide agrees forgive burden heart hating hutus hard forgive one find easier forgive rest heart lighter problems others bamporiki calls asking forgiveness overwhelming word mukangarambe uses describes listening bamporiki talk killing children divided history share pain learning live legacy insist working today might think hes son sees walking stops give ride bicycle says bamporiki smiling got house live peace see part 1 series160 survivors start confront trauma globalpost dispatches rwanda rwanda troubled rumblings congo congo rwanda join forces attack hutu militia view larger map | 521 |
<p>WACO, Texas — Nobody can predict with certainty what the next 400 years hold for Baptists — or for any religious denomination, church historian Martin Marty told a gathering at Baylor University.</p>
<p>But Marty, professor emeritus at the University of Chicago, offered general observations as he spoke on “The Future of a Denomination: Baptists in the Next 400 Years.”</p>
<p>Marty characterized denominations — as distinct from a single state church — as a “four century-old Anglo-American invention” and noted Baptists were “present at the creation.”</p>
<p />
<p>While some observers ask if denominations in their present form are dead or dying, Marty asserted that “structurally, functionally, something would likely fill its role.”</p>
<p>What’s true for denominations in general undoubtedly would prove true for the Baptist movement, he suggested, but he cautioned against making confident predictions.</p>
<p>Marty offered a series of “where and whither questions” followed by “what and how” application:</p>
<p>• Identity. Regarding the essence of the distinctive Baptist tradition, Marty confessed, “I have not found the essence of baptisthood.”</p>
<p>However, he suggested, a clue to the historically central feature of the Baptist movement lies in its name.</p>
<p>“Believers’ baptism by immersion was the most visible mark of being a Baptist,” he said, pointing to its “branding” nature. But the commitment to following religious convictions and living those convictions out with integrity preceded the mode and method of baptism. Separatists and others “backed into” their understanding of believers’ baptism, he asserted.</p>
<p>“It was so exceptional, unsettled and branding that it became central to the story and provided the name,” he said.</p>
<p>• Community and autonomy. Baptists long ago “took the risk” in terms of emphasizing individual decision-making in matters of religion, Marty noted. However, he added, historic Baptist convictions about soul liberty and soul competency have been balanced by “the integral tie to community in voluntary association.”</p>
<p>The challenge for the future lies in the “pick and choose” nature of individualized spirituality that does not find direction from a religious community, he asserted.</p>
<p>• Church polity. Observers of church life recognize that regardless of a denomination’s official polity — hierarchical, episcopal, presbyterian, congregational or whatever — “the local wins out,” Marty observed, and “Baptists should be theologically most ready to profit from the trend.”</p>
<p>At the same time, individual Christians, churches and denominations have unprecedented capacity to be involved with other Christians globally through communication technology, he added. Through the Internet, “distance has disappeared,” he noted.</p>
<p>• Church and state. In some circles “long-held Baptist views on separation of church and state have appeared to be compromised or obscured — or even abandoned,” Marty said.</p>
<p>“The moral crisis, the security crisis, the pluralism crisis — all have led some to conclude we are so far gone that even Baptists have been willing to call on the state to help us do our work,” he said.</p>
<p>How Baptists — “and Baptist-like traditions” — respond to church-state issues in the future has fateful consequences for their witness in society, he observed.</p>
<p>• Peoplehood. Baptists, like other Christians, tend to congregate and allow their lives to be shaped to a large degree along lines of social class and race, Marty noted.</p>
<p>“Some largely white Baptist groups do better than others at reaching beyond historical bounds, but all confess that they have a long way to go,” he said.</p>
<p>The role of women in the church — particularly in ministry — remains a crucial issue with which Baptists likely will grapple in the future, he noted.</p>
<p>• Witness and pluralism. Few Baptists waver in devotion to the uniqueness of Jesus Christ, Marty said, but they struggle with how that faith relates to other world religions.</p>
<p>“We can’t settle for a casual universalism that says we’re all in different boats headed toward the same shore,” he observed.</p>
<p>At the same time, some Baptists want to avoid holding to the kind of exclusiveness that would cause non-Christians to write them off as narrow bigots more focused on “denouncing each other than hearing each other,” he said.</p>
<p>• Conflict. “Baptists as creative dissenters were born in conflict and produce conflict,” he said. But Baptists also possess the capacity to provide “a rich and warm home,” he added. “And there are plenty of biblical texts to find direction for that.”</p>
<p>An African-American, Hispanic and British Baptist each offered responses to Marty’s presentation.</p>
<p>David Goatley, executive secretary-treasurer of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Convention and president of the North American Baptist Fellowship, offered cautious words about a tendency toward disunion in Baptist life, but also described the calling toward communion.</p>
<p>“The centering role of denominations is no longer needed in the same way it once was,” Goatley noted.</p>
<p>Churches can access information by Internet that denominational publishing houses once provided, and they may connect with missions opportunities globally without the intermediary of a denominational mission board, he said.&#160;</p>
<p>Rather than make a utilitarian argument for denominational entities — “We can do more together than we can do working alone” — Goatley suggested looking to the need for communion and fellowship.</p>
<p>“There is a calling for communion, a call to be family,” he said. “Denominations create the table around which we gather.”</p>
<p>Nora Lozano, associate professor of theological studies at Baptist University of the Americas, described the way her early understanding of Baptist identity was shaped in reaction to Catholics, and later charismatics and Pentecostals.</p>
<p>“We defined ourselves in a negative way,” she said. “What they did, we didn’t do.”</p>
<p>Later, she gained an understanding of Baptist identity formed by what church historian Walter Shurden has called “four fragile freedoms” — Bible freedom, soul freedom, church freedom and religious freedom.</p>
<p>Lozano voiced hope that Baptists will find the freedom to become more inclusive — particularly of racial minorities and women — and more trusting of fellow Christians who may differ on emphases or worship styles.</p>
<p>Nigel Wright, principal of Spurgeon’s College in London, challenged Baptists to look not just at the future that can be calculated based on trends, but also at “the imaginable future” as projected by the biblical prophets and by the heavenly vision in Revelation 7.</p>
<p>That vision of a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language gathered to worship the exalted Christ means “everything about Baptist life is provisional,” Wright said.</p>
<p>“Baptists are not the last word, but just a step on the journey — a journey we share with God and with people of many communions,” he said. “There is no one way of being the church.”</p>
<p>Wright called for a “corrective ecumenism” that recognizes the true church does not yet exist, but the many Christian communions have insights they can offer to other members of the Christian family.</p>
<p>While Baptists can learn from Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican Christians something about the historical continuity of faith, other parts of the Christian family can learn important principles about freedom from the Baptist movement, he noted.</p>
<p>“We need to care about other parts of the church,” Wright said, “because our future is bound up in their future.”</p> | false | 3 | waco texas nobody predict certainty next 400 years hold baptists religious denomination church historian martin marty told gathering baylor university marty professor emeritus university chicago offered general observations spoke future denomination baptists next 400 years marty characterized denominations distinct single state church four centuryold angloamerican invention noted baptists present creation observers ask denominations present form dead dying marty asserted structurally functionally something would likely fill role whats true denominations general undoubtedly would prove true baptist movement suggested cautioned making confident predictions marty offered series whither questions followed application identity regarding essence distinctive baptist tradition marty confessed found essence baptisthood however suggested clue historically central feature baptist movement lies name believers baptism immersion visible mark baptist said pointing branding nature commitment following religious convictions living convictions integrity preceded mode method baptism separatists others backed understanding believers baptism asserted exceptional unsettled branding became central story provided name said community autonomy baptists long ago took risk terms emphasizing individual decisionmaking matters religion marty noted however added historic baptist convictions soul liberty soul competency balanced integral tie community voluntary association challenge future lies pick choose nature individualized spirituality find direction religious community asserted church polity observers church life recognize regardless denominations official polity hierarchical episcopal presbyterian congregational whatever local wins marty observed baptists theologically ready profit trend time individual christians churches denominations unprecedented capacity involved christians globally communication technology added internet distance disappeared noted church state circles longheld baptist views separation church state appeared compromised obscured even abandoned marty said moral crisis security crisis pluralism crisis led conclude far gone even baptists willing call state help us work said baptists baptistlike traditions respond churchstate issues future fateful consequences witness society observed peoplehood baptists like christians tend congregate allow lives shaped large degree along lines social class race marty noted largely white baptist groups better others reaching beyond historical bounds confess long way go said role women church particularly ministry remains crucial issue baptists likely grapple future noted witness pluralism baptists waver devotion uniqueness jesus christ marty said struggle faith relates world religions cant settle casual universalism says different boats headed toward shore observed time baptists want avoid holding kind exclusiveness would cause nonchristians write narrow bigots focused denouncing hearing said conflict baptists creative dissenters born conflict produce conflict said baptists also possess capacity provide rich warm home added plenty biblical texts find direction africanamerican hispanic british baptist offered responses martys presentation david goatley executive secretarytreasurer lott carey baptist foreign mission convention president north american baptist fellowship offered cautious words tendency toward disunion baptist life also described calling toward communion centering role denominations longer needed way goatley noted churches access information internet denominational publishing houses provided may connect missions opportunities globally without intermediary denominational mission board said160 rather make utilitarian argument denominational entities together working alone goatley suggested looking need communion fellowship calling communion call family said denominations create table around gather nora lozano associate professor theological studies baptist university americas described way early understanding baptist identity shaped reaction catholics later charismatics pentecostals defined negative way said didnt later gained understanding baptist identity formed church historian walter shurden called four fragile freedoms bible freedom soul freedom church freedom religious freedom lozano voiced hope baptists find freedom become inclusive particularly racial minorities women trusting fellow christians may differ emphases worship styles nigel wright principal spurgeons college london challenged baptists look future calculated based trends also imaginable future projected biblical prophets heavenly vision revelation 7 vision great multitude every nation tribe people language gathered worship exalted christ means everything baptist life provisional wright said baptists last word step journey journey share god people many communions said one way church wright called corrective ecumenism recognizes true church yet exist many christian communions insights offer members christian family baptists learn catholic orthodox anglican christians something historical continuity faith parts christian family learn important principles freedom baptist movement noted need care parts church wright said future bound future | 648 |
<p>April 20, 2012</p>
<p>By Katy Grimes</p>
<p>The unwavering fundamental of being American is individual freedom.&#160;Man is constitutionally free in America. And the only legitimate purpose of government is to preserve individual freedom. A government whose purpose has become coercive cannot be one based on the premise of the sanctity of individual freedom. <a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>This is where we’ve been in America, and where we currently are. We went from inherent freedom, to living under coercive authoritarianism.</p>
<p>California is arguably the worst state in the country for violating individual liberties.&#160;Several things happened in the Legislature this week proving that California’s state government is out of control, and lawmakers disregard the rights of its citizens, as well as the state and U.S. constitutions.</p>
<p>On Tuesday, the Assembly Health Committee heard AB 2109 by Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, which would make it exceedingly difficult for parents to opt out of immunizations and vaccinations for their school-aged children. Parents were outraged and testified in droves at the hearing. But public health doctors, medical students, healthcare employees and their labor unions supported AB 2109.</p>
<p>Despite the violation of parental rights, or the 30,000 reported adverse reactions to vaccinations that the <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6007.pdf" type="external">Centers for Disease Control admits</a>, the bill was passed anyway.</p>
<p>The following day, the Senate Health Committee was presented with SB 1318 by Sen. Lois Wolk, D-Davis, which would require health care workers to receive mandatory vaccinations or wear facemasks.</p>
<p>What a change in attitude one day can make.</p>
<p>Labor unions for nurses and medical employees were outraged, and questioned the legality of the requirement. The Service Employees International Union,&#160;Califoria State Employees Association, the California Labor Federation and myriad other labor unions subtly threatened legal action.</p>
<p>The Senate analysis reported on the bill, “The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO (AFSCME) and the United Nurses Associations of California/Union Health Care Professionals write that it is unreasonable to mandate a questionably effective vaccine on onsite health care workers and that it is more sensible to work on educating workers on better infection control and improve screening and triaging of patients, families, and visitors who enter health care facilities”</p>
<p>What’s good for the goose apparently is not good for the gander. The unions even stated that the vaccines were “questionably effective.”</p>
<p>The day before, legislators, unions and public health doctors were fine with forcing parents into an untenable position where they would have to vaccinate their school-aged children, or forgo school. But these same groups were up in arms over a similar requirement for health care employees.</p>
<p>Both bills were passed. But many are saying that Wolk’s bill will be killed because the unions will not tolerate such a requirement.</p>
<p>If there was any doubt that parental rights are very far down the list of importance to lawmakers, it should be gone by now. The rights of teachers over children, health care workers over patients and the insured and government employees over the state’s citizens and taxpayers have never been so unbalanced.</p>
<p>The work product of government has taken a back seat to union jobs. &#160;Even serious discussions about public health take a back seat to union jobs.</p>
<p>As I wrote earlier this week, “The unspeakable issue at the root of&#160;Pan’s bill is the influx of children from other countries into California’s public schools, who bring with them new strains of measles, mumps, chicken pox and flu bugs, among other communicable diseases.”</p>
<p>But it is not politically correct to talk about immigration. Instead the Legislature is proposing that everyone get vaccinated, whether the sheeple want the vaccinations or not.</p>
<p>With the health care lobby spreading big bucks around to legislators in buckets, it’s no wonder that mandatory vaccinations are a hot bill topic.</p>
<p>Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Carmel, the Assembly Health Committee chairman, clearly wanted no discussion to take place at the hearing about issues with vaccinations, or illnesses from immunizations.</p>
<p>There was a high level of hostility in the large committee room the likes of which I have never seen in a committee hearing. Sergeants-at-arms were nearly as agitated as Monning, and spent the entire hearing barking at the many mothers holding babies, and parents who showed up to testify. They forced people to sit, refusing to allow anyone to stand along the wall, or mill about the room, as is standard at most hearings.</p>
<p>But the next day in the Senate Health Committee hearing, with many of the same lobbyists and capitol regulars present, sergeants allowed a circus-like atmosphere in the same committee room to go on during the hearing. No one was required to sit quietly, and there was no hostility toward bill opponents.</p>
<p>I spoke to Assemblyman Brian Nestande, R-Palm Desert, after the hearings. The proper role of government came up because he questioned why the state was even involved with vaccinations. During the Assembly hearing, Nestande tried to get to the root of the controversy, but was shut down quickly by Monning.</p>
<p>Ironically, earlier in the week, Nestande had introduced the winner of his <a href="http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/64/?p=article&amp;sid=215&amp;id=250844" type="external">There Ought Not to Be a Law</a>&#160;contest,&#160;his answer to Sen. Joe Simitian’s <a href="http://www.senatorsimitian.com/oughta/" type="external">There Ought To Be a Law</a> contest.</p>
<p>The winner of Nestande’s contest became <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/billtrack/analysis.html?aid=241371" type="external">AB 2585</a>, which seeks to repeal SB 929 of 2011. SB 929 mandated raised to 8 years of age from 6 the mandatory age a child must be placed in a car seat.&#160;SB 929 penalizes parents who do not comply, but Nestande said that most parents are completely unaware of the law. The change would reduce government family life and restore parental responsiblity.</p>
<p>Nestande said that there is already too much government in our lives, and is looking to repeal other intrusive legislation. But after&#160;safety experts were trotted out one after another to provide grisly and emotional testimony about the awful things that have happened to children during auto crashes,&#160; <a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/billtrack/analysis.html?aid=241371" type="external">AB 2585</a> failed to pass out of the Assembly Transportation Committee on a party line vote, 2-10. Democratic legislators didn’t find his contest or bill very funny, but maintained the existing revocation of parental rights.</p>
<p>Nestande said that&#160;&#160;that the primary intention for the contest is to repeal laws that&#160;are ineffective and inefficient. He could be very busy in the next year with this excellent goal.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p>California lawmakers continue to further regulate people’s everyday life, despite&#160;other very serious matters in the state. California has the second highest state unemployment rate&#160;in the country.&#160;Public employees’ pensions are about to break the state’s budget.&#160;Prisoners are being let out of prison.</p>
<p>Yet legislators spend their time regulating car seats; mandating bicycle and skiing helmets, fitted sheets in hotels, clean light bulbs and electric cars; banning plastic bags; imposing&#160;a babysitter bill of rights; passing a state workers bill of rights; fighting trans fats; and banning Happy Meal toys.</p>
<p>But those issues seem like child’s play compared to the violation of parental rights with the immunization bills</p>
<p>Voters can do something about this, but only if they don’t want to be sheeple under total control of the government.</p> | false | 3 | april 20 2012 katy grimes unwavering fundamental american individual freedom160man constitutionally free america legitimate purpose government preserve individual freedom government whose purpose become coercive one based premise sanctity individual freedom weve america currently went inherent freedom living coercive authoritarianism california arguably worst state country violating individual liberties160several things happened legislature week proving californias state government control lawmakers disregard rights citizens well state us constitutions tuesday assembly health committee heard ab 2109 richard pan dsacramento would make exceedingly difficult parents opt immunizations vaccinations schoolaged children parents outraged testified droves hearing public health doctors medical students healthcare employees labor unions supported ab 2109 despite violation parental rights 30000 reported adverse reactions vaccinations centers disease control admits bill passed anyway following day senate health committee presented sb 1318 sen lois wolk ddavis would require health care workers receive mandatory vaccinations wear facemasks change attitude one day make labor unions nurses medical employees outraged questioned legality requirement service employees international union160califoria state employees association california labor federation myriad labor unions subtly threatened legal action senate analysis reported bill american federation state county municipal employees aflcio afscme united nurses associations californiaunion health care professionals write unreasonable mandate questionably effective vaccine onsite health care workers sensible work educating workers better infection control improve screening triaging patients families visitors enter health care facilities whats good goose apparently good gander unions even stated vaccines questionably effective day legislators unions public health doctors fine forcing parents untenable position would vaccinate schoolaged children forgo school groups arms similar requirement health care employees bills passed many saying wolks bill killed unions tolerate requirement doubt parental rights far list importance lawmakers gone rights teachers children health care workers patients insured government employees states citizens taxpayers never unbalanced work product government taken back seat union jobs 160even serious discussions public health take back seat union jobs wrote earlier week unspeakable issue root of160pans bill influx children countries californias public schools bring new strains measles mumps chicken pox flu bugs among communicable diseases politically correct talk immigration instead legislature proposing everyone get vaccinated whether sheeple want vaccinations health care lobby spreading big bucks around legislators buckets wonder mandatory vaccinations hot bill topic assemblyman bill monning dcarmel assembly health committee chairman clearly wanted discussion take place hearing issues vaccinations illnesses immunizations high level hostility large committee room likes never seen committee hearing sergeantsatarms nearly agitated monning spent entire hearing barking many mothers holding babies parents showed testify forced people sit refusing allow anyone stand along wall mill room standard hearings next day senate health committee hearing many lobbyists capitol regulars present sergeants allowed circuslike atmosphere committee room go hearing one required sit quietly hostility toward bill opponents spoke assemblyman brian nestande rpalm desert hearings proper role government came questioned state even involved vaccinations assembly hearing nestande tried get root controversy shut quickly monning ironically earlier week nestande introduced winner ought law160contest160his answer sen joe simitians ought law contest winner nestandes contest became ab 2585 seeks repeal sb 929 2011 sb 929 mandated raised 8 years age 6 mandatory age child must placed car seat160sb 929 penalizes parents comply nestande said parents completely unaware law change would reduce government family life restore parental responsiblity nestande said already much government lives looking repeal intrusive legislation after160safety experts trotted one another provide grisly emotional testimony awful things happened children auto crashes160 ab 2585 failed pass assembly transportation committee party line vote 210 democratic legislators didnt find contest bill funny maintained existing revocation parental rights nestande said that160160that primary intention contest repeal laws that160are ineffective inefficient could busy next year excellent goal california lawmakers continue regulate peoples everyday life despite160other serious matters state california second highest state unemployment rate160in country160public employees pensions break states budget160prisoners let prison yet legislators spend time regulating car seats mandating bicycle skiing helmets fitted sheets hotels clean light bulbs electric cars banning plastic bags imposing160a babysitter bill rights passing state workers bill rights fighting trans fats banning happy meal toys issues seem like childs play compared violation parental rights immunization bills voters something dont want sheeple total control government | 675 |
<p>#reactionDiv_gig_containerParent {display:none;}</p>
<p>GLOBALPOST LIVE BLOG: OBAMA GOES TO CONGRESS ON SYRIA</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 5:00 PM ET</p>
<p>Wrapping up</p>
<p>Another day of Congressional hearings on Syria has ended.</p>
<p>The Senate Foreign Relations Committee narrowly passed a resolution that gives President Obama the authority to strike Syria within 60 days, with a possible extension of 30 days. It included <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/committee-mulls-syria-vote-delay-96260.html?hp=t1_3" type="external">two amendments proposed by Sen. McCain</a>, which called for "change of momentum" in the Syrian civil war.</p>
<p>The resolution will face a vote in the full senate.&#160;</p>
<p>If you missed Secretary of State Kerry's opening remarks in front of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, <a href="http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/09/213787.htm" type="external">here is a transcript</a>.</p>
<p>Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden joined the United States in condemning the use of chemical weapons on Wednesday.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/09/04/joint-statement-kingdom-denmark-republic-finland-republic-iceland-kingdo" type="external">The statement reads</a>:</p>
<p>"With regard to the situation in Syria, we strongly condemn any and all use of chemical weapons, and we are convinced a strong international reaction is required. Those responsible for the use of chemical weapons must be held accountable."</p>
<p>President Obama, who was in Sweden ahead of the G20 summit, said the credibility of the international community was on the line, with regard to Syria.</p>
<p>This live blog is now closed. Please <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/breaking-news" type="external">check here</a> for further developments.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 4:40 PM ET</p>
<p>Russia, and the case of the chemical weapons</p>
<p>Late Tuesday, Russian President Putin said he wouldn't "exclude" supporting Western military action in Syria if it could be proven that Assad was behind the alleged chemical weapons attack on Aug. 21.</p>
<p>However, here's the latest from a BBC correspondent:</p>
<p>And to make things more complicated, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/04/chuck-hagel-russia-chemical-weapons_n_3868027.html?utm_hp_ref=politics" type="external">Defense Secretary Hagel said</a> during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing that none other than Russia had provided Assad with chemical weapons.</p>
<p>When he was asked by Rep. Joe Wilson about the origin of the chemical weapons, Hagel said, "There’s no secret that the Assad regime has had chemical weapons, significant stockpiles of chemical weapons."</p>
<p>When pressed on a country of origin, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/04/chuck-hagel-russia-chemical-weapons_n_3868027.html?utm_hp_ref=politics" type="external">Hagel replied</a>, "The Russians supply them, others are supplying them with those chemical weapons, they make some themselves."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 4:30 PM ET</p>
<p>Kerry testified in front of House Foreign Affairs Committee</p>
<p>Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel testified in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday and they faced the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Wednesday.</p>
<p><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hagel-kerry-testify-syria-senate-committee/story?id=20139328" type="external">According to ABC News</a>,&#160;Hagel and Chief of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey were due to give a classified briefing to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Wednesday as well.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 4:30 PM ET</p>
<p>Syria defectors</p>
<p><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/04/us-syria-crisis-defection-idUSBRE9830O420130904" type="external">Reuters reported</a> earlier Wednesday that Gen. Ali Habib, former Syrian defense minister, had defected, citing a senior member of the opposition group Syrian National Coalition.</p>
<p>Syrian TV challenged that claim, and Secretary of State Kerry, who testified in front of a House panel on Syria, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2013/sep/04/syria-crisis-putin-warns-west-live#block-52276728e4b0b6f34d58a053" type="external">responded to the claim</a> with "Who knows whether it has or hasn't" happened.</p>
<p>If news of the defection proves true, Habib would join a number of prominent Syrian officials who have defected from Assad's regime in the course of two years.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/130904/gen-ali-habib-the-highest-ranking-syrian-official-def" type="external">Here are some more key defectors</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 4:15 PM ET</p>
<p>US joined by Nordic countries in statement on Syria</p>
<p>From CBS' White House correspondent:</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 4:05 PM ET</p>
<p>Details on Senate panel vote</p>
<p>After narrowly passing a Senate panel vote, the resolution that authorizes the use of military force in Syria will now head to the full Senate.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/committee-mulls-syria-vote-delay-96260.html" type="external">Politico noted</a> the members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who voted against the resolution:</p>
<p>"Two Democrats on the committee — Tom Udall of New Mexico and Chris Murphy of Connecticut — rejected the authorization. And five Republicans on the panel — including potential 2016 contenders Rand Paul of Kentucky and Marco Rubio of Florida — voted against the measure."</p>
<p>Chairman Robert Menendez said, "I think obviously we are going to have to get 60 votes at the end of the day, that in and of itself is a very significant bipartisan effort — and the bipartisan effort we’ve been working on in the committee I think will lead us to a bipartisan vote and we’ll move onto the full Senate," according to Politico.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 3:45 PM ET</p>
<p>Senate committee passes Syria resolution</p>
<p>The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has voted on the resolution authorizing military action in Syria:</p>
<p>The resolution that passed would include the amendments from Sen. McCain, which broaden the scope of military action to "change the momentum on the battlefield in Syria."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2013/sep/04/syria-crisis-putin-warns-west-live#block-52276728e4b0b6f34d58a053" type="external">As the Guardian reported</a>, the second amendment adds these two paragraphs:</p>
<p>(a) It is the policy of the United States to change the momentum on the battlefield in Syria so as to create favorable conditions for a negotiated settlement that ends the conflict and leads to a democratic government in Syria.</p>
<p>(b) A comprehensive US strategy in Syria should aim, as part of a coordinated international effort, to degrade the capabilities of the Assad regime to use weapons of mass destruction while upgrading the lethal and non-lethal military capabilities of vetted elements of Syrian opposition forces, including the Free Syrian Army.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 2:30 PM ET</p>
<p>Will he, won't he?</p>
<p><a href="http://projects.nytimes.com/live-dashboard/syria?smid=tw-nytimes#sha=5800da0bc" type="external">The New York Times</a>&#160;reported that Sen. Rand Paul, who fiercely opposes intervention in Syria, was expected to filibuster efforts to authorize military action in the Senate.</p>
<p>A spokeswoman for the senator said he would push for a 60-vote threshold for the resolution to pass.</p>
<p>However, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/09/04/rand-paul-denies-plans-to-filibuster-syria-resolution/?Post+generic=%3Ftid%3Dsm_twitter_washingtonpost" type="external">The Washington Post said</a> Paul had no plans to filibuster the resolution.</p>
<p>"That would be a misinterpretation from the media," Paul said in response to a question from Sen. Tim Kaine.</p>
<p>It remained unclear as of early afternoon whether the Senate would vote on the Syria resolution on Wednesday.</p>
<p><a href="http://projects.nytimes.com/live-dashboard/syria?smid=tw-nytimes#sha=5800da0bc" type="external">The Times quoted</a> Sen. Jim Risch as saying, "I believe we’re going to move forward on the resolution on marking it up, talking about amendments and actually taking a vote on it today."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 11:37 AM ET</p>
<p>Obama: World's credibility is on the line in Syria</p>
<p>President Obama, who is in Sweden on the first leg of a three-day trip to the G20 summit, said that the credibility of the international community was on the line in Syria.</p>
<p>"My credibility is not on the line. The international community's credibility is on the line," Obama said, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-23962304" type="external">according to the BBC</a>. "America and Congress's credibility is on the line, because we give lip-service to the notion that these international norms are important."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 11:33 AM ET</p>
<p>Former Syrian defense minister defects: Reports</p>
<p>Reuters reported that General Ali Habib, a former defense minister under Assad, had defected and was now in Turkey, citing a senior member of the Syrian National Coalition.</p>
<p>Reuters noted, "If his defection is confirmed, Habib would be the highest ranking figure from the Alawite minority to break with Assad since the uprising against his rule began in 2011."</p>
<p><a href="http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE9830O420130904?feedType=RSS&amp;irpc=932" type="external">Read more at Reuters</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 11:10 AM ET</p>
<p>The Senate's Syria proposal</p>
<p>Following a three hour long hearing on Tuesday, Sens. Robert Menendez and Bob Corker, the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, drafted a revised resolution on Syria, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/senators-syria-compromise-96234.html" type="external">Politico reported</a>.</p>
<p>The resolution to "authorize the limited and tailored use of the United States Armed Forces against Syria," would set a deadline of 60 days for the Obama administration to act on Syria. Obama would have an option to extend the authorization for 30 days if he could make the case to Congress.</p>
<p>The resolution expressly states that it "does not authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces on the ground in Syria for the purpose of combat operations."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.foreign.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Syria_Joint_Resolution1.pdf" type="external">The entire document can be found here</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/4/13 10:05 AM ET</p>
<p>Putin "doesn't exclude" supporting Western intervention</p>
<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Russia "doesn’t exclude" supporting Western military action in&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/internal/section-config/syria" type="external">Syria</a>, so long as it is approved by the United Nations Security Council and based on conclusive proof that President Bashar al-Assad's government used chemical weapons against civilians.</p>
<p>In&#160; <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ap-interview-putin-warns-west-syria-action-050109984--finance.html" type="external">a joint interview</a>&#160;with Russian state television network Channel One and the Associated Press, published Wednesday, Putin appeared to strike a more diplomatic tone ahead of a G20 summit in St. Petersburg this week that will likely be dominated by the Syrian crisis.</p>
<p>While he renewed what have become routine warnings by the Kremlin against a unilateral US strike against the Assad regime, Putin also said that Russia had suspended shipments to Damascus of its S-300 missiles. Only some components of the powerful surface-to-air missiles have been delivered, according to comments reported by&#160; <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/ap-interview-putin-warns-west-syria-action-050109984--finance.html" type="external">the Associated Press</a>.</p>
<p>Read the full report: " <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/130904/putin-interview-russia-syria-strike" type="external">Putin: Russia 'doesn’t exclude' backing Syria strike</a>"</p>
<p>Watch a portion of his interview with the AP:</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 6:05 PM ET</p>
<p>Signing off, but ICYMI: Kerry's opening statement</p>
<p>Here is a <a href="http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/09/212603.htm" type="external">transcript of Secretary of State Kerry's opening statement</a> during the hearing in front of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.</p>
<p>Watch the statement:</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>And Defense Secretary Hagel's opening statement:</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>This live blog is now closed. Please <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/breaking-news" type="external">check here</a> for further developments.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 6:00 PM ET</p>
<p>Not war in the classic sense</p>
<p>Kerry was firm in responding to Paul, saying it was "guaranteed" that Assad would use chemical weapons again, if the United States did not respond.</p>
<p>He reiterated that Obama was not asking to go to war in Syria "in the classic sense," but for the authority to carry out limited strikes that would degrade Assad's ability to use chemical weapons.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 5:50 PM ET</p>
<p>Rand Paul, almost proud, but not quite</p>
<p>Sen. Rand Paul said he was almost proud of President Obama when he chose to come to Congress to authorize action in Syria. But then he heard that Obama would go ahead regardless of Congress' vote.</p>
<p>"Make me proud today, Mr. Secretary," Paul said, speaking to Kerry.</p>
<p>"You're making a joke of us. You're making us theater," Paul said, saying a vote would be meaningless if Obama did not abide by it.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 5:25 PM ET</p>
<p>The first skeptic?</p>
<p>Sen. Tom Udall might be the first in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to maintain his skepticism.</p>
<p>He expressed grave concern on strikes, and also brought up the danger of Syrian rebels allied with Al Qaeda ( <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/syria/130303/syria-jahbat-al-nusra-leader-al-amir-gazi%20al-haj-terrorism-bashar-al-assad-rebels" type="external">such as Jabhat al-Nusra</a>) gaining power as Assad lost his.</p>
<p>"What message are we sending?" Udall said, "To the international community, we're saying once again, the United States will be the world's policeman"</p>
<p>Kerry disagreed with both assertions, saying strikes would not strengthen extremists among the opposition, and acting would not make the United States the world's policeman. "It makes the United States a multilateral partner," Kerry insisted.</p>
<p>Udall was also firm in saying the United States had not done enough to work with the United Nations on Syria. "We haven't taken Russia to task. We haven't taken China to task," he said.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 5:00 PM ET</p>
<p>Choosing sides</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/03/syria-kerry-hagel-strikes-senate" type="external">The Guardian noted</a> that skeptics in the Obama administration seem to have changed their minds on Syria, with both Hagel and Dempsey now supporting military action.</p>
<p>Defense Secretary Hagel, during his testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Obama's national security team "concluded that the United States should take military action against Syrian regime targets."</p>
<p>Chief of Staff Dempsey, who two months ago <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/07/gen-martin-dempsey-lays-out-us-military-options-for-syria/" type="external">wrote a letter warning</a> that intervention in Syria would lead to further complications, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/03/syria-kerry-hagel-strikes-senate" type="external">said Tuesday</a>, "The answer to whether I support additional support to the moderate [Syrian] opposition is yes."</p>
<p>In July, <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/07/gen-martin-dempsey-lays-out-us-military-options-for-syria/" type="external">Dempsey warned</a>, "Once we take action, we should be prepared for what comes next." He added, “Deeper involvement is hard to avoid.”</p>
<p>In Congress, the votes were falling into four camps, <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/09/how-the-syria-debate-is-splitting-both-parties/279301/" type="external">The Atlantic wrote</a>: The pro- and anti-intervention Democrats, and the pro- and anti-intervention Republicans.</p>
<p>"Some Democrats, haunted by Iraq, are staunchly anti-intervention, while others, haunted by Rwanda, are strongly in favor; some Republicans, inspired by former Representative Ron Paul, decry military adventurism, while others, in the mode of the George W. Bush Administration, see a need to act against a rogue regime."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/09/how-the-syria-debate-is-splitting-both-parties/279301/" type="external">Read more at The Atlantic</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 4:45 PM ET</p>
<p>Kerry: Syria has been historically secular</p>
<p>Sen. Ron Johnson asked why the US shouldn't deliver a knockout blow to Assad while it had the chance, and Kerry responded:</p>
<p>Johnson also asked for specific numbers on the Syrian opposition, and while Hagel and Dempsey passed, Kerry cited estimates of "tens of thousands."</p>
<p>He also said, "Syria historically has been secular. And the vast majority of Syrians I believe want to remain secular."</p>
<p>On US allies, Kerry said, "We already have more partners ready to do something kinetic than the military feels is necessary."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 4:35 PM ET</p>
<p>Meanwhile, on the internet</p>
<p>The hacker collective Anonymous has gone ahead with its own intervention, taking on its Syrian counterpart — the Syrian Electronic Army, <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-grid/syrian-electronic-army-revealed-anonymous-hacks-sea-website-dum" type="external">Jeb Boone reports</a>.</p>
<p>It's a shadow war happening online between two amorphous, grassroots groups. And Anonymous dealt the first blow.</p>
<p>Last week, Anons began releasing data they stole in April after infiltrating a server used by the Syrian Electronic Army. Over the weekend, someone began dumping it all on the so-called "deep web," a portion of the internet that isn't accessible by traditional browsers or search engines.</p>
<p>Read the full report: " <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/the-grid/syrian-electronic-army-revealed-anonymous-hacks-sea-website-dum" type="external">Syrian Electronic Army revealed: Anonymous hacks SEA website, dumps data</a>"</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 4:25 PM ET</p>
<p>The only ones protesting...</p>
<p>So far, the hearing has been interrupted by three distinct protesters, each carrying pink placards. As with Senate hearings before, they are likely from the group Code Pink.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 4:05 PM ET</p>
<p>Let's not fight with Russia</p>
<p>Ahead of the G20 summit in Moscow, Kerry said it was important not to get into an "unnecessary struggle" with Russia on Syria.</p>
<p>He pointed out that the Russians were cooperating on setting up talks on Syria, and on North Korea and Iran.</p>
<p>When Sen. James Risch asked about Assad crawling "out of his rathole" after strikes and claiming victory, Kerry responded:</p>
<p>"If we don't respond, we're going to be back here, asking you to respond to some greater confrontation," <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/middle-east-live/2013/sep/03/syria-crisis-2-million-refugees-live#block-5225ff8ae4b074ec233922ac" type="external">Kerry said</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 3:50 PM ET</p>
<p>No boots on the ground</p>
<p>After mulling a hypothetical situation in which US boots on the ground would be needed to respond to Syria imploding or chemical weapons falling into the hands of extremists, Kerry walked back his statement.</p>
<p>"All I did was raise a hypothetical question about some possibility, and I'm thinking out loud about how to protect American interests," Kerry said. "There will not be boots on the ground with respect to the civil war."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 3:35 PM ET</p>
<p>US allies on Syria?</p>
<p>In his opening statement, Defense Secretary Hagel said US forces would be ready when the order came for action in Syria.</p>
<p>Hagel listed "France, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and friends in the region" as the chief US allies on Syria.</p>
<p>Chief of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey, who did not give an opening statement, said he was asked to draw up plans to deter and degrade the Assad regime's capability to use chemical weapons.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 3:20 PM ET</p>
<p>Kerry: This is about humanity's red line</p>
<p>Kerry began his testimony by once again going over the evidence the United States intelligence community has compiled about the alleged chemical weapons attack on Aug. 21.</p>
<p>He said the US had physical evidence that proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the Syrian government was behind the attack. "Our evidence shows the Assad regime prepared for this attack."</p>
<p>"Only the most willful desire to avoid reality can assert that this did not occur as described," Kerry said. "It did happen. And the Assad regime did it."</p>
<p>Kerry said, "This debate is about the world's red line. It's about humanity's red line. It's a red line that anyone with a conscience would want to draw."</p>
<p>Kerry said the world was watching to see if the US would remain silent, especially naming Iran, Hezbollah and North Korea.</p>
<p>"Let me be clear: President Obama is not asking America to go to war," Kerry said. "He's asking for the authority to degrade or deter President Assad's capacity to use chemical weapons."</p>
<p>Kerry said, "This is not the time for armchair isolationism."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 3:00 PM ET</p>
<p>Not a declaration of war, but of values</p>
<p>The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hear from Kerry and Hagel this afternoon, and Sen. Robert Menendez started off the hearing.</p>
<p>Menendez said he did not take the authorization to use military force lightly. He said inaction in this case would embolden Iran, North Korea, Hezbollah and Hamas.</p>
<p>While acknowledging that there were risks in acting, Menendez said, "The consequences of inaction are greater and graver still."</p>
<p>"It is a moment for a profile in courage," Menendez said. "This is not a declaration of war, but a declaration of our values to the world."</p>
<p>Sen. Bob Corker spoke next, saying he was "totally dismayed" at the lack of US support for the "vetted, moderate opposition" in Syria.</p>
<p>Secretary of State Kerry began the hearing, saying, "The world is watching not just to see what we decide, but it's watching to see how we make this decision."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 2:35 PM ET</p>
<p>Are the US Navy and Air Force ready?</p>
<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/us-navy-redeploys-ships-mideast-174125797.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CeSJyZSNUsAYNvQtDMD" type="external">Agence France-Presse reported</a> Tuesday that the US Navy redeployed warships to the Middle East, citing defense officials.</p>
<p>"The destroyer USS Mahan has left the Mediterranean while a battle group of warships led by the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is on its way to the Red Sea from the Indian Ocean, an official said."</p>
<p>"The departure of the Mahan reduced the number of US destroyers in the Mediterranean to four. Each of the warships is equipped to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles against targets in Syria if ordered to by US President Barack Obama."</p>
<p>"The US Navy keeps secret the precise number of Tomahawks on board but most military analysts estimate each ship carries about 45 cruise missiles."</p>
<p><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/us-navy-redeploys-ships-mideast-174125797.html;_ylt=A2KJ3CeSJyZSNUsAYNvQtDMD" type="external">Read the full report at AFP</a>.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the commander of the US Air Force, Gen. Mark Welsh, warned that budget cutbacks had severely impacted the Air Force's combat preparedness, <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.545163" type="external">according to Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz</a>.</p>
<p>"According to Welsh, the reason the U.S. Air Force is only partially prepared is the grounding of interception and electronic combat squadrons. He said that he had not been pleased with the Air Force’s level of preparation while planning for its missions in Syria."</p>
<p>"Welsh said that two of the most vital capabilities in any airborne operation against Syria would be F-16 fighter jets, which are intended for electronic combat against Russian-made ground-to-air missiles, and F-22 fighter jets, which are intended for aerial combat."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.545163" type="external">Read the full report at Ha'aretz</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 1:50 PM ET</p>
<p>Where do Congress and the American public stand?</p>
<p>As we wait for Secretary of State Kerry and Defense Secretary Hagel's hearing on Syria, here's a look at Congress.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/where-lawmakers-stand-on-syria/" type="external">The Washington Post created</a> a useful graphic to keep track of where Congressional lawmakers stand on Syria:</p>
<p>Currently, the majority seem undecided, while more Senate lawmakers seem to military action and the House leans against military action.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/09/01/the-5-ways-that-congress-is-splitting-on-syria/" type="external">Read The Post's full article</a>.</p>
<p>And Pew Research conducted a poll to look at the American public's view on Syria:</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 1:30 PM ET</p>
<p>UN chief Ban: "It is imperative to end this war"</p>
<p>UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon held a short press conference on Tuesday, stating that the samples collected by UN chemical weapons experts in Syria would be expedited as the UN worked "urgently to establish the facts."</p>
<p>Ban said the UN was uniquely placed to be an impartial and independent judge of whether chemical weapons were used in Syria. He said all the samples would have arrived at a lab by Wednesday.</p>
<p>"Our common humanity compels us to ensure that chemical weapons do not become a tool of war in the 21st century," Ban said, adding that if confirmed, use of chemical weapons in Syria would be an "outrageous war crime."</p>
<p>"This is about our collective responsibility to humankind," Ban said. "It is imperative to end this war."</p>
<p>However, <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/un-chief-strike-syria-may-unleash-more-turmoil" type="external">Ban warned</a> that "punitive" action taken against Syria could increase turmoil and bloodshed in the region.</p>
<p>Ban also called for the Geneva talks, shepherded by the United States and Russia, to reconvene in an effort to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria.</p>
<p>When he was asked about the legality of Obama's position on military intervention in Syria, Ban said, "I have taken note of <a href="http://www.cfr.org/syria/president-obamas-statement-syria-august-2013/p31328?cid=rss-primarysources-president_obama_s_statement_on-083113&amp;utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+publication%2Fprimary_sources+%28CFR.org+-+Publications+-+Primary+Sources%29" type="external">Obama's statement</a> and appreciate his efforts" to base future actions on the "broad opinion of the American people and Congress."</p>
<p>He said military strikes such as those proposed by the United States and France <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/un-chief-strike-syria-may-unleash-more-turmoil" type="external">would only be legal under</a> the UN Charter if they were undertaken in self-defense or approved by the UN Security Council.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 12:45 PM ET</p>
<p>Would an aerial intervention accomplish objectives in Syria?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR446.html" type="external">The RAND corporation released a report</a> that examined the impact an intervention might have on the United States' primary goals in Syria, which include "negating Syrian airpower, neutralizing Syrian air defenses, defending safe areas, enabling opposition forces to defeat the regime, and preventing the use of Syrian chemical weapons."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR446.html" type="external">The report found</a>:</p>
<p>(1) destroying the Syrian air force or grounding it through intimidation is operationally feasible but would have only marginal benefits for protecting Syrian civilians;</p>
<p>(2) neutralizing the Syrian air defense system would be challenging but manageable, but it would not be an end in itself;</p>
<p>(3) making safe areas in Syria reasonably secure would depend primarily on the presence of ground forces able and willing to fend off attacks, and defending safe areas not along Syria’s borders would approximate intervention on the side of the opposition;</p>
<p>(4) an aerial intervention against the Syrian government and armed forces could do more to help ensure that the Syrian regime would fall than to determine what would replace it; and</p>
<p>(5) while airpower could be used to reduce the Assad regime’s ability or desire to launch large-scale chemical attacks, eliminating its chemical weapon arsenal would require a large ground operation. Any of these actions would involve substantial risks of escalation by third parties, or could lead to greater U.S. military involvement in Syria.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR446.html" type="external">Read the full report at RAND</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 12:30 PM ET</p>
<p>Turkish media: Six killed in blast on border with Syria</p>
<p><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/09/201393144613618490.html" type="external">Turkish media reported</a> that six people were killed on Turkey's border with Syria in the southern province of Hatay.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/09/201393144613618490.html" type="external">Reuters noted</a> that there were conflicting reports about the cause and location of the explosion, with some attributing it to an ammunition depot, while others said it was a car carrying scrap metal.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 12:20 PM ET</p>
<p>CIA-trained fighters sneaking into Syria?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/04/us/politics/obama-administration-presses-case-on-syria.html?smid=tw-nytimesglobal&amp;seid=auto&amp;_r=0" type="external">The New York Times reported</a> Tuesday that while Obama was meeting with McCain and Graham on Monday, he agreed to "doing more for the rebels."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/04/us/politics/obama-administration-presses-case-on-syria.html?smid=tw-nytimesglobal&amp;seid=auto&amp;_r=0" type="external">The Times noted</a>:</p>
<p>"Officials said that in the same conversation, which included Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, Mr. Obama indicated that a covert effort by the United States to arm and train Syrian rebels was beginning to yield results: the first 50-man cell of fighters, who have been trained by the C.I.A., was beginning to sneak into Syria."</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 12:15 PM ET</p>
<p>Obama's meeting with Congressional leaders</p>
<p>Following his meeting with Congressional leaders, Obama has won the support of (Republican) House Majority Leader Cantor, Speaker of the House Boehner and (Democratic) House Minority Leader Pelosi.</p>
<p>Watch Obama's statement before the meeting:</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 11:45 AM ET</p>
<p>More Congressional backing for Obama</p>
<p>House Majority Leader Eric Cantor released a statement Tuesday:</p>
<p>"I intend to vote to provide the President of the United States the option to use military force in Syria. While the authorizing language will likely change, the underlying reality will not. America has a compelling national security interest to prevent and respond to the use of weapons of mass destruction, especially by a terrorist state such as Syria, and to prevent further instability in a region of vital interest to the United States."</p>
<p><a href="http://majorityleader.gov/blog/2013/09/leader-cantor-statement-on-syria-and-regional-conflict.html" type="external">Read the full statement</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/boehner-says-he-supports-obama-syria" type="external">House Speaker Boehner voiced</a> his support for Obama's call to action, saying, "This is something that the United States as a country needs to do."</p>
<p>Watch Boehner's statement:</p>
<p />
<p>Visit NBCNews.com for <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com" type="external">breaking news</a>, <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032507" type="external">world news</a>, and <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032072" type="external">news about the economy</a></p>
<p>On the Democrats side, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said:</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 11:35 AM ET</p>
<p>Obama gets House Speaker's backing</p>
<p>President Obama, who has spent this week rallying Congressional lawmakers on Syria, got the backing of House Speaker John Boehner Tuesday.</p>
<p>Obama met with Senate Republicans John McCain and Lindsey Graham Monday to outline his plans for limited action in Syria, <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/02/obama-to-arm-syrian-rebels.html" type="external">according to The Daily Beast</a>.</p>
<p>The Obama administration has insisted that any military action would be solely aimed at punishing the Assad regime for its alleged use of chemical weapons, not to push regime change.</p>
<p>However, McCain <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/02/obama-to-arm-syrian-rebels.html" type="external">told The Daily Beast</a>, "He said that he was willing to upgrade the capabilities of the Free Syrian Army." He added, "This was a shift in the president’s thought and actions from before."</p>
<p>"For the first time we have an outline of action that could lead to the removal of Bashar al-Assad,” McCain told The Daily Beast. “I’m certainly willing to join in that effort, but I need to know a lot of the details."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/04/us/politics/obama-administration-presses-case-on-syria.html?smid=tw-nytimesglobal&amp;seid=auto&amp;_r=0" type="external">The New York Times reported</a> that Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were scheduled to meet "leaders of the House and Senate defense, foreign affairs and intelligence committees" on Tuesday morning.</p>
<p>Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will testify at a Senate hearing later Tuesday. We will carry that live.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 11:15 AM ET</p>
<p>France and Germany still back action on Syria</p>
<p>Nevermind Assad's warning of repercussions... French President Francois Hollande reiterated on Tuesday that the Syrian government was responsible for the alleged chemical weapons attack on Aug. 21.</p>
<p>Hollande said:</p>
<p>German Chancellor Angela Merkel also urged resolution on Syria, though Germany ruled out being involved in any military action last week.</p>
<p>Talking about an international response, Merkel said, "This is not very likely, but even the smallest chance must be used," <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2013/09/angela-merkel-syria-solution-96186.html" type="external">while speaking to German parliament</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 10:50 AM ET</p>
<p>Assad warns of repercussions after strikes</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/130902/syrias-assad-says-french-strikes-would-lead-repercussions" type="external">Speaking to French daily Le Figaro</a> Monday, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad warned that any French military intervention in Syria would have negative repercussions.</p>
<p>"Those who make accusations must show evidence. We have challenged the United States and France to come up with a single piece of proof. Obama and Hollande have been incapable of doing so," Assad told Figaro.</p>
<p>Anybody who contributes to the financial and military reinforcement of terrorists is the enemy of the Syrian people. If the policies of the French state are hostile to the Syrian people, the state will be their enemy," he said. "There will be repercussions, negative ones obviously, on French interests.</p>
<p>Assad warned, "The Middle East is a powder keg and the fire is approaching."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/130902/syrias-assad-says-french-strikes-would-lead-repercussions" type="external">Read more at Reuters</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 10:45 AM ET</p>
<p>Obama: Assad must be held accountable</p>
<p>(AFP) - US President Barack Obama told congressional leaders Tuesday Syrian President Bashar al-Assad must be held to account for using chemical weapons as he pressed for an endorsement of US military strikes.</p>
<p>Obama also said that he was confident he will win Senate and House votes on authorizing military action, and pledged to upgrade US help to the Syrian opposition over time.</p>
<p>Obama warned the leadership of both parties in Congress and the bipartisan leadership of key security committees that Assad had violated a vital international norm by using chemical weapons.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iYxd3Var6L1ubHoH-FUXmalAlhWw?docId=CNG.325544d495d287540784d4b662ab7ed0.211" type="external">Read more at Agence France-Presse</a>.</p>
<p>UPDATE: 9/3/13 7:00 AM ET</p>
<p>A 'humanitarian calamity,' as Syrian refugees hit 2 million</p>
<p>Today, last year, there were about 230,670 Syrian refugees. Now more than 2 million Syrians have fled their country's civil war, with a possible total of 3.5 million refugees expected by the end of the year, <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/522495669.html" type="external">the United Nations said Tuesday</a>.</p>
<p>On average, some 5,000 men, women and children daily escape the war-torn country, as reports of brutal sectarian violence and chemical weapons attacks continue.</p>
<p>"The war is now well into its third year and Syria is hemorrhaging women, children and men who cross borders often with little more than the clothes on their backs," <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/522495669.html" type="external">the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said in a statement</a>.</p>
<p>About half of refugees are children, three-quarters of them aged less than 11 years, UN agencies estimate. Since leaving their country, only 118,000 children have continued their education. Some have started to call this unfortunate group a "lost generation."</p>
<p>"What is appalling is that the first million fled Syria during two years. The second million fled Syria in (the past) six months," <a href="http://www.unhcr.org/522495669.html" type="external">said Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees</a>.&#160;"We have now almost one-third of the Syria population that has been displaced, and half in need of assistance."</p>
<p>Since the civil war began in March 2011, when President Bashar al-Assad's government cracked down on a domestic opposition movement, refugees have fled into neighboring countries, such as Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. Ministers from those countries are scheduled to meet with Guterres on Wednesday in a bid to bolster international support for refugees.</p>
<p>It's "a disgraceful humanitarian calamity with suffering and displacement unparalleled in recent history," Guterres said, adding that "the only solace is the humanity shown by the neighboring countries in welcoming and saving the lives of so many refugees."</p>
<p>About 4.25 million people have been displaced inside Syria, UNHCR says.</p>
<p>The United States has urged the international community to sanction a limited military response against Assad's forces, who, according to US intelligence agencies, used chemical weapons on Aug. 21 in an attack that killed 1,429 people.</p>
<p>The White House is seeking authority from Congress to begin an assault, though congressional authority is not required for the president to order a strike. &#160;</p>
<p>#color { border-color:#bbbbbb; border-style:solid; border-width:1px; background-color:#F8F8F8; float:center; margin-left: 5px; ,,, margin-right: 15px; margin-bottom: 30px; line-height:14px display:block; padding: 15px; }</p> | false | 3 | reactiondiv_gig_containerparent displaynone globalpost live blog obama goes congress syria update 9413 500 pm et wrapping another day congressional hearings syria ended senate foreign relations committee narrowly passed resolution gives president obama authority strike syria within 60 days possible extension 30 days included two amendments proposed sen mccain called change momentum syrian civil war resolution face vote full senate160 missed secretary state kerrys opening remarks front house foreign affairs committee transcript denmark finland iceland norway sweden joined united states condemning use chemical weapons wednesday statement reads regard situation syria strongly condemn use chemical weapons convinced strong international reaction required responsible use chemical weapons must held accountable president obama sweden ahead g20 summit said credibility international community line regard syria live blog closed please check developments update 9413 440 pm et russia case chemical weapons late tuesday russian president putin said wouldnt exclude supporting western military action syria could proven assad behind alleged chemical weapons attack aug 21 however heres latest bbc correspondent make things complicated defense secretary hagel said house foreign affairs committee hearing none russia provided assad chemical weapons asked rep joe wilson origin chemical weapons hagel said theres secret assad regime chemical weapons significant stockpiles chemical weapons pressed country origin hagel replied russians supply others supplying chemical weapons make update 9413 430 pm et kerry testified front house foreign affairs committee secretary state john kerry defense secretary chuck hagel testified front senate foreign relations committee tuesday faced house foreign affairs committee wednesday according abc news160hagel chief staff gen martin dempsey due give classified briefing senate armed services committee wednesday well update 9413 430 pm et syria defectors reuters reported earlier wednesday gen ali habib former syrian defense minister defected citing senior member opposition group syrian national coalition syrian tv challenged claim secretary state kerry testified front house panel syria responded claim knows whether hasnt happened news defection proves true habib would join number prominent syrian officials defected assads regime course two years key defectors update 9413 415 pm et us joined nordic countries statement syria cbs white house correspondent update 9413 405 pm et details senate panel vote narrowly passing senate panel vote resolution authorizes use military force syria head full senate politico noted members senate foreign relations committee voted resolution two democrats committee tom udall new mexico chris murphy connecticut rejected authorization five republicans panel including potential 2016 contenders rand paul kentucky marco rubio florida voted measure chairman robert menendez said think obviously going get 60 votes end day significant bipartisan effort bipartisan effort weve working committee think lead us bipartisan vote well move onto full senate according politico update 9413 345 pm et senate committee passes syria resolution senate foreign relations committee voted resolution authorizing military action syria resolution passed would include amendments sen mccain broaden scope military action change momentum battlefield syria guardian reported second amendment adds two paragraphs policy united states change momentum battlefield syria create favorable conditions negotiated settlement ends conflict leads democratic government syria b comprehensive us strategy syria aim part coordinated international effort degrade capabilities assad regime use weapons mass destruction upgrading lethal nonlethal military capabilities vetted elements syrian opposition forces including free syrian army update 9413 230 pm et wont new york times160reported sen rand paul fiercely opposes intervention syria expected filibuster efforts authorize military action senate spokeswoman senator said would push 60vote threshold resolution pass however washington post said paul plans filibuster resolution would misinterpretation media paul said response question sen tim kaine remained unclear early afternoon whether senate would vote syria resolution wednesday times quoted sen jim risch saying believe going move forward resolution marking talking amendments actually taking vote today update 9413 1137 et obama worlds credibility line syria president obama sweden first leg threeday trip g20 summit said credibility international community line syria credibility line international communitys credibility line obama said according bbc america congresss credibility line give lipservice notion international norms important update 9413 1133 et former syrian defense minister defects reports reuters reported general ali habib former defense minister assad defected turkey citing senior member syrian national coalition reuters noted defection confirmed habib would highest ranking figure alawite minority break assad since uprising rule began 2011 read reuters update 9413 1110 et senates syria proposal following three hour long hearing tuesday sens robert menendez bob corker chairman ranking member senate foreign relations committee drafted revised resolution syria politico reported resolution authorize limited tailored use united states armed forces syria would set deadline 60 days obama administration act syria obama would option extend authorization 30 days could make case congress resolution expressly states authorize use united states armed forces ground syria purpose combat operations entire document found update 9413 1005 et putin doesnt exclude supporting western intervention russian president vladimir putin said russia doesnt exclude supporting western military action in160 syria long approved united nations security council based conclusive proof president bashar alassads government used chemical weapons civilians in160 joint interview160with russian state television network channel one associated press published wednesday putin appeared strike diplomatic tone ahead g20 summit st petersburg week likely dominated syrian crisis renewed become routine warnings kremlin unilateral us strike assad regime putin also said russia suspended shipments damascus s300 missiles components powerful surfacetoair missiles delivered according comments reported by160 associated press read full report putin russia doesnt exclude backing syria strike watch portion interview ap update 9313 605 pm et signing icymi kerrys opening statement transcript secretary state kerrys opening statement hearing front senate foreign relations committee watch statement defense secretary hagels opening statement live blog closed please check developments update 9313 600 pm et war classic sense kerry firm responding paul saying guaranteed assad would use chemical weapons united states respond reiterated obama asking go war syria classic sense authority carry limited strikes would degrade assads ability use chemical weapons update 9313 550 pm et rand paul almost proud quite sen rand paul said almost proud president obama chose come congress authorize action syria heard obama would go ahead regardless congress vote make proud today mr secretary paul said speaking kerry youre making joke us youre making us theater paul said saying vote would meaningless obama abide update 9313 525 pm et first skeptic sen tom udall might first senate foreign relations committee maintain skepticism expressed grave concern strikes also brought danger syrian rebels allied al qaeda jabhat alnusra gaining power assad lost message sending udall said international community saying united states worlds policeman kerry disagreed assertions saying strikes would strengthen extremists among opposition acting would make united states worlds policeman makes united states multilateral partner kerry insisted udall also firm saying united states done enough work united nations syria havent taken russia task havent taken china task said update 9313 500 pm et choosing sides guardian noted skeptics obama administration seem changed minds syria hagel dempsey supporting military action defense secretary hagel testimony senate foreign relations committee said obamas national security team concluded united states take military action syrian regime targets chief staff dempsey two months ago wrote letter warning intervention syria would lead complications said tuesday answer whether support additional support moderate syrian opposition yes july dempsey warned take action prepared comes next added deeper involvement hard avoid congress votes falling four camps atlantic wrote pro antiintervention democrats pro antiintervention republicans democrats haunted iraq staunchly antiintervention others haunted rwanda strongly favor republicans inspired former representative ron paul decry military adventurism others mode george w bush administration see need act rogue regime read atlantic update 9313 445 pm et kerry syria historically secular sen ron johnson asked us shouldnt deliver knockout blow assad chance kerry responded johnson also asked specific numbers syrian opposition hagel dempsey passed kerry cited estimates tens thousands also said syria historically secular vast majority syrians believe want remain secular us allies kerry said already partners ready something kinetic military feels necessary update 9313 435 pm et meanwhile internet hacker collective anonymous gone ahead intervention taking syrian counterpart syrian electronic army jeb boone reports shadow war happening online two amorphous grassroots groups anonymous dealt first blow last week anons began releasing data stole april infiltrating server used syrian electronic army weekend someone began dumping socalled deep web portion internet isnt accessible traditional browsers search engines read full report syrian electronic army revealed anonymous hacks sea website dumps data update 9313 425 pm et ones protesting far hearing interrupted three distinct protesters carrying pink placards senate hearings likely group code pink update 9313 405 pm et lets fight russia ahead g20 summit moscow kerry said important get unnecessary struggle russia syria pointed russians cooperating setting talks syria north korea iran sen james risch asked assad crawling rathole strikes claiming victory kerry responded dont respond going back asking respond greater confrontation kerry said update 9313 350 pm et boots ground mulling hypothetical situation us boots ground would needed respond syria imploding chemical weapons falling hands extremists kerry walked back statement raise hypothetical question possibility im thinking loud protect american interests kerry said boots ground respect civil war update 9313 335 pm et us allies syria opening statement defense secretary hagel said us forces would ready order came action syria hagel listed france turkey saudi arabia united arab emirates friends region chief us allies syria chief staff gen martin dempsey give opening statement said asked draw plans deter degrade assad regimes capability use chemical weapons update 9313 320 pm et kerry humanitys red line kerry began testimony going evidence united states intelligence community compiled alleged chemical weapons attack aug 21 said us physical evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt syrian government behind attack evidence shows assad regime prepared attack willful desire avoid reality assert occur described kerry said happen assad regime kerry said debate worlds red line humanitys red line red line anyone conscience would want draw kerry said world watching see us would remain silent especially naming iran hezbollah north korea let clear president obama asking america go war kerry said hes asking authority degrade deter president assads capacity use chemical weapons kerry said time armchair isolationism update 9313 300 pm et declaration war values senate foreign relations committee hear kerry hagel afternoon sen robert menendez started hearing menendez said take authorization use military force lightly said inaction case would embolden iran north korea hezbollah hamas acknowledging risks acting menendez said consequences inaction greater graver still moment profile courage menendez said declaration war declaration values world sen bob corker spoke next saying totally dismayed lack us support vetted moderate opposition syria secretary state kerry began hearing saying world watching see decide watching see make decision update 9313 235 pm et us navy air force ready agence francepresse reported tuesday us navy redeployed warships middle east citing defense officials destroyer uss mahan left mediterranean battle group warships led aircraft carrier uss nimitz way red sea indian ocean official said departure mahan reduced number us destroyers mediterranean four warships equipped launch tomahawk cruise missiles targets syria ordered us president barack obama us navy keeps secret precise number tomahawks board military analysts estimate ship carries 45 cruise missiles read full report afp meanwhile commander us air force gen mark welsh warned budget cutbacks severely impacted air forces combat preparedness according israeli newspaper haaretz according welsh reason us air force partially prepared grounding interception electronic combat squadrons said pleased air forces level preparation planning missions syria welsh said two vital capabilities airborne operation syria would f16 fighter jets intended electronic combat russianmade groundtoair missiles f22 fighter jets intended aerial combat read full report haaretz update 9313 150 pm et congress american public stand wait secretary state kerry defense secretary hagels hearing syria heres look congress washington post created useful graphic keep track congressional lawmakers stand syria currently majority seem undecided senate lawmakers seem military action house leans military action read posts full article pew research conducted poll look american publics view syria update 9313 130 pm et un chief ban imperative end war un secretary general ban kimoon held short press conference tuesday stating samples collected un chemical weapons experts syria would expedited un worked urgently establish facts ban said un uniquely placed impartial independent judge whether chemical weapons used syria said samples would arrived lab wednesday common humanity compels us ensure chemical weapons become tool war 21st century ban said adding confirmed use chemical weapons syria would outrageous war crime collective responsibility humankind ban said imperative end war however ban warned punitive action taken syria could increase turmoil bloodshed region ban also called geneva talks shepherded united states russia reconvene effort find political solution conflict syria asked legality obamas position military intervention syria ban said taken note obamas statement appreciate efforts base future actions broad opinion american people congress said military strikes proposed united states france would legal un charter undertaken selfdefense approved un security council update 9313 1245 pm et would aerial intervention accomplish objectives syria rand corporation released report examined impact intervention might united states primary goals syria include negating syrian airpower neutralizing syrian air defenses defending safe areas enabling opposition forces defeat regime preventing use syrian chemical weapons report found 1 destroying syrian air force grounding intimidation operationally feasible would marginal benefits protecting syrian civilians 2 neutralizing syrian air defense system would challenging manageable would end 3 making safe areas syria reasonably secure would depend primarily presence ground forces able willing fend attacks defending safe areas along syrias borders would approximate intervention side opposition 4 aerial intervention syrian government armed forces could help ensure syrian regime would fall determine would replace 5 airpower could used reduce assad regimes ability desire launch largescale chemical attacks eliminating chemical weapon arsenal would require large ground operation actions would involve substantial risks escalation third parties could lead greater us military involvement syria read full report rand update 9313 1230 pm et turkish media six killed blast border syria turkish media reported six people killed turkeys border syria southern province hatay reuters noted conflicting reports cause location explosion attributing ammunition depot others said car carrying scrap metal update 9313 1220 pm et ciatrained fighters sneaking syria new york times reported tuesday obama meeting mccain graham monday agreed rebels times noted officials said conversation included senator lindsey graham republican south carolina mr obama indicated covert effort united states arm train syrian rebels beginning yield results first 50man cell fighters trained cia beginning sneak syria update 9313 1215 pm et obamas meeting congressional leaders following meeting congressional leaders obama support republican house majority leader cantor speaker house boehner democratic house minority leader pelosi watch obamas statement meeting update 9313 1145 et congressional backing obama house majority leader eric cantor released statement tuesday intend vote provide president united states option use military force syria authorizing language likely change underlying reality america compelling national security interest prevent respond use weapons mass destruction especially terrorist state syria prevent instability region vital interest united states read full statement house speaker boehner voiced support obamas call action saying something united states country needs watch boehners statement visit nbcnewscom breaking news world news news economy democrats side house minority leader nancy pelosi said update 9313 1135 et obama gets house speakers backing president obama spent week rallying congressional lawmakers syria got backing house speaker john boehner tuesday obama met senate republicans john mccain lindsey graham monday outline plans limited action syria according daily beast obama administration insisted military action would solely aimed punishing assad regime alleged use chemical weapons push regime change however mccain told daily beast said willing upgrade capabilities free syrian army added shift presidents thought actions first time outline action could lead removal bashar alassad mccain told daily beast im certainly willing join effort need know lot details new york times reported obama vice president joe biden scheduled meet leaders house senate defense foreign affairs intelligence committees tuesday morning secretary state john kerry defense secretary chuck hagel testify senate hearing later tuesday carry live update 9313 1115 et france germany still back action syria nevermind assads warning repercussions french president francois hollande reiterated tuesday syrian government responsible alleged chemical weapons attack aug 21 hollande said german chancellor angela merkel also urged resolution syria though germany ruled involved military action last week talking international response merkel said likely even smallest chance must used speaking german parliament update 9313 1050 et assad warns repercussions strikes speaking french daily le figaro monday syrian president bashar alassad warned french military intervention syria would negative repercussions make accusations must show evidence challenged united states france come single piece proof obama hollande incapable assad told figaro anybody contributes financial military reinforcement terrorists enemy syrian people policies french state hostile syrian people state enemy said repercussions negative ones obviously french interests assad warned middle east powder keg fire approaching read reuters update 9313 1045 et obama assad must held accountable afp us president barack obama told congressional leaders tuesday syrian president bashar alassad must held account using chemical weapons pressed endorsement us military strikes obama also said confident win senate house votes authorizing military action pledged upgrade us help syrian opposition time obama warned leadership parties congress bipartisan leadership key security committees assad violated vital international norm using chemical weapons read agence francepresse update 9313 700 et humanitarian calamity syrian refugees hit 2 million today last year 230670 syrian refugees 2 million syrians fled countrys civil war possible total 35 million refugees expected end year united nations said tuesday average 5000 men women children daily escape wartorn country reports brutal sectarian violence chemical weapons attacks continue war well third year syria hemorrhaging women children men cross borders often little clothes backs un refugee agency unhcr said statement half refugees children threequarters aged less 11 years un agencies estimate since leaving country 118000 children continued education started call unfortunate group lost generation appalling first million fled syria two years second million fled syria past six months said antonio guterres un high commissioner refugees160we almost onethird syria population displaced half need assistance since civil war began march 2011 president bashar alassads government cracked domestic opposition movement refugees fled neighboring countries jordan iraq turkey ministers countries scheduled meet guterres wednesday bid bolster international support refugees disgraceful humanitarian calamity suffering displacement unparalleled recent history guterres said adding solace humanity shown neighboring countries welcoming saving lives many refugees 425 million people displaced inside syria unhcr says united states urged international community sanction limited military response assads forces according us intelligence agencies used chemical weapons aug 21 attack killed 1429 people white house seeking authority congress begin assault though congressional authority required president order strike 160 color bordercolorbbbbbb borderstylesolid borderwidth1px backgroundcolorf8f8f8 floatcenter marginleft 5px marginright 15px marginbottom 30px lineheight14px displayblock padding 15px | 3,080 |
<p />
<p>Steven Greenhut: My old friend and OC political activist and blogger Larry Gilbert offers his thoughts on the Republican Party after the election:</p>
<p>The GOP– At War With Itself</p>
<p>By Larry Gilbert</p>
<p>While recently looking for documents in our garage I came across a booklet written almost 10 years ago by former Assemblyman Gil Fergusen. The title reads “The GOP At War With Itself; A Battle It Cannot Win.”</p>
<p>His booklet opens stating that “Moderate Republicans, under the banner of the New Majority Committee” have declared war on the conservative leadership of the California State Party and especially the core of that leadership in which they believe to be the Orange County Republican Central Committee, (OCRCC). The movement has also started in other counties also. First off, it might seem an oxymoron for moderates to declare war but be that as it may, this is a war that while it has been simmering for a long time, it will never be won by either side as long as they are both in the same party. That certainly doesn’t mean they can’t get along and unify.</p>
<p>This split can only weaken the GOP vote in the upcoming election. The squabbling only gives more fodder for the liberal media to use in their continuing war against the GOP. It will also turn off our “fair weather” GOP voters, who absolutely hate any kind of discord or argument by Republicans and especially between Republicans.</p>
<p>That doesn’t mean that these new moderate leaders don’t have some very legitimate complaints and the right to be heard.</p>
<p>To begin with, a train can’t do much without the engine that pulls it, and the engine without the train isn’t of much use, except that it can blow its’ whistle. We can however, find new people to run the train. While moderates, uninformed members and those who are really not interested voters make up about two-thirds of our party, it must be remembered that conservatives and the so called “religious right,” make up about one-third of our party, and they are the engine.</p>
<p>That one-third not only votes regularly, they provide 90 percent of the volunteers and much of the financial support for our candidates.”</p>
<p>Jumping ahead, Gil writes: “The business leaders among the new moderate group are tired of losing and seeing their party portrayed by the media as bigoted, narrow, racists. They believe that the GOP in California is losing ground and is in free fall because its leadership has been captured by a group of conservatives and the religious right who appear to be waging a religious ‘jihad’ against our party.”</p>
<p>On page 7 Gil writes, “This war within our party ranks, caused by the MACHINE, has marginalized our party in Orange County and California. nationally and in other states the subject of abortion and religious groups being involved in our party has not hurt our chances at the polls. By themselves, those two issues would not have created this chasm in our California party. It is the high-handed, arrogant use of political power by the MACHINE, using abortion as a litmus test and the religious right as a political force against moderates in elections that has caused this public split in our party.”</p>
<p>As to Gil’s reference to the MACHINE he writes: “In 1984, with my election, in which they assisted, we took over the Republican Assembly Caucus. By 1987 we had both the power and money to call the shots statewide in the party. We politicians became known as ‘The Cave Men’ and the entire group is known as ‘The Orange County GOP Political Machine,’ or simply as the ‘MACHINE.'”</p>
<p>Gilbert comments.</p>
<p>Republican voters. While we may not be happy with the outcome of the primary races, we are left with a simple question. “Do we want the Democratic Party to win those seats in November?”</p>
<p>Having gone on Safari to South Africa last fall, and entering one of his Johannesburg cells, we just watched the true story of prisoner/activist/president Nelson Mandela.</p>
<p>The movie “Invictus” depicts how president Nelson Mandela used the 1995 World Cup Rugby Games, held in his country, to unite the whites and blacks of South Africa. After decades of Apartheid, President Mandela took a huge risk and succeeded in winning the hearts and minds of the entire nation of 43 million.</p>
<p>I highly recommend watching the movie where president Mandela walks out into the finals wearing the green Springbok (apartheid) shirt with the white captain’s number on the back.</p>
<p>If the GOP is to succeed in taking back control of Congress we have the same tough challenge in the next five months. The GOP must unite for the good of the party.</p>
<p>If so we must look at the greater good and support our standard bearer, regardless of the fact that they might not have been our personal choice in the Primary.</p>
<p>Over 150 years ago, in his June 17th, 1858 speech, candidate Abraham Lincoln told the audience that: “A house divided against itself cannot stand.”</p>
<p>If Republicans hope to capture the House and/or U.S. Senate in 2010 we need to consider the wisdom of our 16th president.</p>
<p>Note: While a draft of this article was recently written, I have purposely withheld this story until now in that I recommended underdogs for governor and U.S. Senate who best share my fiscal and traditional family value views. In each case they failed to prevail due in part to being outspent by private-sector millionaires.</p>
<p>Lt. Col. Gil Fergusen, USMC, was the host of the popular “Principles over Politics” group that holds monthly breakfast meetings in Newport Beach. Cutting Edge producer Ron Winship recently wrote of the passing of Gil’s bride Anita Fergusen.</p>
<p>It was my honor to be a member of the original Cutting Edge a talk show Internet news program sitting alongside Gil when we filmed our promo tape in a studio on Hollywood &amp; Vine in LA.</p> | false | 3 | steven greenhut old friend oc political activist blogger larry gilbert offers thoughts republican party election gop war larry gilbert recently looking documents garage came across booklet written almost 10 years ago former assemblyman gil fergusen title reads gop war battle win booklet opens stating moderate republicans banner new majority committee declared war conservative leadership california state party especially core leadership believe orange county republican central committee ocrcc movement also started counties also first might seem oxymoron moderates declare war may war simmering long time never either side long party certainly doesnt mean cant get along unify split weaken gop vote upcoming election squabbling gives fodder liberal media use continuing war gop also turn fair weather gop voters absolutely hate kind discord argument republicans especially republicans doesnt mean new moderate leaders dont legitimate complaints right heard begin train cant much without engine pulls engine without train isnt much use except blow whistle however find new people run train moderates uninformed members really interested voters make twothirds party must remembered conservatives called religious right make onethird party engine onethird votes regularly provide 90 percent volunteers much financial support candidates jumping ahead gil writes business leaders among new moderate group tired losing seeing party portrayed media bigoted narrow racists believe gop california losing ground free fall leadership captured group conservatives religious right appear waging religious jihad party page 7 gil writes war within party ranks caused machine marginalized party orange county california nationally states subject abortion religious groups involved party hurt chances polls two issues would created chasm california party highhanded arrogant use political power machine using abortion litmus test religious right political force moderates elections caused public split party gils reference machine writes 1984 election assisted took republican assembly caucus 1987 power money call shots statewide party politicians became known cave men entire group known orange county gop political machine simply machine gilbert comments republican voters may happy outcome primary races left simple question want democratic party win seats november gone safari south africa last fall entering one johannesburg cells watched true story prisoneractivistpresident nelson mandela movie invictus depicts president nelson mandela used 1995 world cup rugby games held country unite whites blacks south africa decades apartheid president mandela took huge risk succeeded winning hearts minds entire nation 43 million highly recommend watching movie president mandela walks finals wearing green springbok apartheid shirt white captains number back gop succeed taking back control congress tough challenge next five months gop must unite good party must look greater good support standard bearer regardless fact might personal choice primary 150 years ago june 17th 1858 speech candidate abraham lincoln told audience house divided stand republicans hope capture house andor us senate 2010 need consider wisdom 16th president note draft article recently written purposely withheld story recommended underdogs governor us senate best share fiscal traditional family value views case failed prevail due part outspent privatesector millionaires lt col gil fergusen usmc host popular principles politics group holds monthly breakfast meetings newport beach cutting edge producer ron winship recently wrote passing gils bride anita fergusen honor member original cutting edge talk show internet news program sitting alongside gil filmed promo tape studio hollywood amp vine la | 529 |
<p>RABAT, Morocco — Salima Dakani has a bruised right hand, two children, and nowhere to sleep tonight.</p>
<p>She is only 19, but she bears the weight of a woman who says she has spent years tortured by a man addicted to drugs and violence, a man chosen for her by parents who believed marriage was the best option for their daughter, an alternative to a life of poverty.</p>
<p>Dakani was married in 2010, at the age of 15. Now, after a four-year marriage to a man she says kept her locked inside for weeks at a time, beating and electrocuting her until she couldn’t move, Dakani has secretly left home with the hope of finding someone who can help her file for divorce.</p>
<p>She is just one of many young girls married under the legal age of consent in Morocco, about twice as many as 10 years ago, according to statements by the Moroccan minister of justice. In 2004, changes to the country’s Family Code, the Moudawana, pushed for egalitarian reforms to outdated laws and set the minimum age of marriage at 18 years. But according to Fatima Maghnoui, President of L’Union de l’Action Feminine (UAF), an organization committed to helping young women find shelter, work, and healthcare in Rabat, the changes still fall short.</p>
<p>“The spirit of the Moudawana is the equal treatment of men and women, but there are parts of the text that contradict that philosophy,” Maghnoui said.</p>
<p>She is referring to Article 20 of the Moudawana that states a girl may be married under the age of 18 with the consent of her legal tutor, often her father, and the authorization of a family affairs judge. The girl herself must also consent to be married.</p>
<p>Though judges are only supposed to give their authorization as an exception in a “well-substantiated decision,” proposals to marry underage girls are accepted 89 percent of the time, according to a report submitted by the <a href="http://www.adfm.ma/?lang=en" type="external">Democratic Association of Moroccan Women</a> (ADFM) to the United Nations.</p>
<p>Sixteen percent of Moroccan women in their early twenties were married under the age of 18, compared to only 2 percent in neighboring Algeria, according to 2010 UNICEF data.</p>
<p>Maghanoui says what’s behind these marriages is the patriarchal mentality of Moroccan judges.</p>
<p>“It is a sort of authority limited to the judge, who makes his decision on behalf of the young girl,” she said. “But…when a young girl comes in, maybe she's only 14, but she looks heavier, bigger, so the judge gives her his authorization.”</p>
<p>Stephanie Willman Bordat, an expert in Moroccan law and co-founder of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mrawomen" type="external">Mobilizing for Rights Associates</a> (MRA), a non-profit women’s rights organization, agrees that Article 20 relies heavily on judges’ subjective appraisal.</p>
<p>“The law doesn’t give any guidance of what an exceptional reason would be,” she said, “so there are lots of different reasons why judges are authorizing underage marriages. If she is pregnant, or if she is dating, or seeing some boy, or having sex with him, they are saving family honor and avoiding scandal.”</p>
<p>According to women’s rights advocates, in many cases, judges also grant permission with the idea of saving a girl from poverty.</p>
<p>“When parents come in they explain they have four children, for example, and they want to get rid of their daughter,” said Maghanoui. “They want to get her married, even if she is underage. Imagine a girl who does nothing, who has no professional future, who lives the routine of daily life. What else can she be? Sometimes it’s her who wants to get married, because she doesn’t do anything.”</p>
<p>Still, there are Moroccan judges who resist the pressure from girls and their families.</p>
<p>“I had a private conversation with the judge. He asked regular questions about my age, my health, my family, et cetera,” says Selwa Adil, 20, who was once engaged to a man nine years her senior. “But the marriage registration was turned down and the judge told us to come back the year after.”</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/middle-east/iraq/140711/iraq-honor-killing-violence" type="external">Kurdish teen's 'honor killing' fades to memory as Iraq violence swells</a></p>
<p>Instead of waiting until she came of age, Adil’s family decided to employ a traditional marriage ceremony in Morocco — the reading of the Fatiha, a binding verse in the Quran. These marriages, though they are unrecognized by the state, are often the solution when a judge refuses to approve the underage marriage. Adil’s marriage was brief, as problems arose and she promptly moved back into her family home just 12 days after the wedding.</p>
<p>Such conflicts are common. Though she didn’t particularly want to get married, Ghizlane Asmane says it was her idea to quit school at the age of 11 and, until her engagement at the age of 16, she says she did nothing but stay in the house and cook. However, once she had moved into her husband’s family home, which is typical for underage brides, Asmane found she did not have the freedom she’d hoped for.</p>
<p>“I had conflicts with both the groom and his family,” said Asmane. “With the family it was mostly about the household. I got scolded by my husband’s family for things like cooking and cleaning.”</p>
<p>Not all underage marriages are unhappy and unsuccessful. Rachida Diani, 27, was married when she was 14. When she looks back on her marriage, Diani comments on the difficulty of moving into a new home at such a young age, but focuses mostly on the happiness her three children have brought her. For Diani, getting married was the start to her life. Still, when asked if she has an opinion on the prevalence of underage marriages, she is quick in her response.</p>
<p>“No girl should be allowed to marry before the age of 18,” she said.</p>
<p>For Bordat, of MRA, it is simply a human rights issue.</p>
<p>“I think when you are looking at the dangers of underage marriages, you have to look at the totality,” she said. “Underage marriages raise the risk of the underage marriage brides not being able to take advantage of and enjoy a host of their other rights.”</p>
<p>One of those rights involves education, according to advocates.</p>
<p>“The place of young girls is in school and not in a conjugal household,” said Maghnaoui. “To eradicate poverty, we need to put structures in place: schools and information centers; and we need to integrate women in other ways once they have left school.”</p>
<p>The Moroccan government is working on awareness raising campaigns and is considering making 16 the minimum age limit for judge-authorized marriages, according to judge Abdelhadi Elbattahe of the Ministry of Justice. But it’s not easy to overcome cultural traditions that approve of underage marriage, he adds.</p>
<p>“This phenomenon isn’t linked to the law in particular, it is linked to mentality and prevalent social concepts,” says Elbattahe.</p>
<p>In the meantime, women’s advocacy groups are working to provide services for young women, like Salima Dakani. Though Maghnaoui and her coworkers at UAF hope to eventually help Dakani file for divorce, they face an even more pressing concern: finding a safe place for her to stay.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Hannah Rehak and William Matsuda spent several months in Morocco on an SIT Study Abroad program and produced this story in association with <a href="http://www.RoundEarthMedia.org" type="external">Round Earth Media</a>, a nonprofit organization that mentors the next generation of international journalists. Malak Mihraje contributed reporting.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | rabat morocco salima dakani bruised right hand two children nowhere sleep tonight 19 bears weight woman says spent years tortured man addicted drugs violence man chosen parents believed marriage best option daughter alternative life poverty dakani married 2010 age 15 fouryear marriage man says kept locked inside weeks time beating electrocuting couldnt move dakani secretly left home hope finding someone help file divorce one many young girls married legal age consent morocco twice many 10 years ago according statements moroccan minister justice 2004 changes countrys family code moudawana pushed egalitarian reforms outdated laws set minimum age marriage 18 years according fatima maghnoui president lunion de laction feminine uaf organization committed helping young women find shelter work healthcare rabat changes still fall short spirit moudawana equal treatment men women parts text contradict philosophy maghnoui said referring article 20 moudawana states girl may married age 18 consent legal tutor often father authorization family affairs judge girl must also consent married though judges supposed give authorization exception wellsubstantiated decision proposals marry underage girls accepted 89 percent time according report submitted democratic association moroccan women adfm united nations sixteen percent moroccan women early twenties married age 18 compared 2 percent neighboring algeria according 2010 unicef data maghanoui says whats behind marriages patriarchal mentality moroccan judges sort authority limited judge makes decision behalf young girl said butwhen young girl comes maybe shes 14 looks heavier bigger judge gives authorization stephanie willman bordat expert moroccan law cofounder mobilizing rights associates mra nonprofit womens rights organization agrees article 20 relies heavily judges subjective appraisal law doesnt give guidance exceptional reason would said lots different reasons judges authorizing underage marriages pregnant dating seeing boy sex saving family honor avoiding scandal according womens rights advocates many cases judges also grant permission idea saving girl poverty parents come explain four children example want get rid daughter said maghanoui want get married even underage imagine girl nothing professional future lives routine daily life else sometimes wants get married doesnt anything still moroccan judges resist pressure girls families private conversation judge asked regular questions age health family et cetera says selwa adil 20 engaged man nine years senior marriage registration turned judge told us come back year globalpost kurdish teens honor killing fades memory iraq violence swells instead waiting came age adils family decided employ traditional marriage ceremony morocco reading fatiha binding verse quran marriages though unrecognized state often solution judge refuses approve underage marriage adils marriage brief problems arose promptly moved back family home 12 days wedding conflicts common though didnt particularly want get married ghizlane asmane says idea quit school age 11 engagement age 16 says nothing stay house cook however moved husbands family home typical underage brides asmane found freedom shed hoped conflicts groom family said asmane family mostly household got scolded husbands family things like cooking cleaning underage marriages unhappy unsuccessful rachida diani 27 married 14 looks back marriage diani comments difficulty moving new home young age focuses mostly happiness three children brought diani getting married start life still asked opinion prevalence underage marriages quick response girl allowed marry age 18 said bordat mra simply human rights issue think looking dangers underage marriages look totality said underage marriages raise risk underage marriage brides able take advantage enjoy host rights one rights involves education according advocates place young girls school conjugal household said maghnaoui eradicate poverty need put structures place schools information centers need integrate women ways left school moroccan government working awareness raising campaigns considering making 16 minimum age limit judgeauthorized marriages according judge abdelhadi elbattahe ministry justice easy overcome cultural traditions approve underage marriage adds phenomenon isnt linked law particular linked mentality prevalent social concepts says elbattahe meantime womens advocacy groups working provide services young women like salima dakani though maghnaoui coworkers uaf hope eventually help dakani file divorce face even pressing concern finding safe place stay 160 hannah rehak william matsuda spent several months morocco sit study abroad program produced story association round earth media nonprofit organization mentors next generation international journalists malak mihraje contributed reporting160 | 670 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />JAN. 7, 2011</p>
<p>It felt like “ <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048/" type="external">Groundhog Day</a>” on Thursday during Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget proposal press conference. I had a flashback to January 2011. Listening to him make the same claims about the budget that he made all year proved that Brown has only one trick in his bag.</p>
<p>After attending all of Brown’s press conferences since he was elected, I have come to the conclusion that he is inept. He’s a tool. He’s a front man — the public face for those really controlling state government. He’s bought and paid for. And his staff is inept. The Department of Finance is inept. They’re all inept.</p>
<p>Or they are all corrupt.</p>
<p>Either way, these people should all be fired. They are highly paid impostors, pretending at playing “budget.” I’ve seen more sincere budgeting from circus carnies and grifters who have to live within their “budgets.”</p>
<p>One year of &#160;watching Brown say the same things, and use the same expressions he has used at every news conference since his election, struck me the most, and angered me greatly.</p>
<p>Brown said that his fiscal 2012-13 budget proposal is “straightforward and fair.”</p>
<p>We’ve heard that before.</p>
<p>So I started digging back into stories I wrote in 2011 while covering the governor.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">On January 31, 2011, I wrote</a>,&#160;“Earlier in the month, Brown proposed an ambitious budget plan to eliminate the state’s deficit and budget shortfall using spending cuts, borrowing, tax increases, and somehow locating $1.9 billion in ‘other unspecified solutions,’ in order to provide for a $1 billion reserve. The 2009 tax increases are estimated to net $12 billion, and they include a 1 cent increase in the state’s sales tax, a 0.25 percentage point increase in the state income tax and an increase in the vehicle license fee rate.”</p>
<p>It’s déjà vu all over again.</p>
<p>And on that date last year I wrote, “ <a href="" type="internal">According to Brown’s budget proposal</a>, in addition to the substantial cuts to Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, and the state’s universities, state employees pay will be cut by 10 percent — but only state employees not currently covered under collective bargaining agreements.”</p>
<p>Brown said on Thursday that he would be cutting the state workforce again, this time by 15,000. But when pressed, <a href="http://www.dof.ca.gov/about_finance/staff/ana_matosantos/view.php" type="external">state Finance Director Ana Matosantos</a> said that 15,000 have already been eliminated. Matosantos said that it was actually another 3,000 that would be cut, mostly Department of Corrections employees. But then she said that they weren’t actually going to be eliminated, but instead shifted to other jails and prisons.</p>
<p>In state government, cuts are not really cuts. Numbers are just moved to other columns. Employees are just given a different job, moved elsewhere or buried in another obscure department.</p>
<p>Last year, Brown said that his realignment plan would return decisions and authority to cities, counties and schools, and would “allow government at all levels to focus on core functions, and become more efficient and less expensive” through reductions in duplicative services and administrative costs.</p>
<p>Is California government more efficient, less expensive and rid of duplicative services yet?</p>
<p>No. The state budget is actually increasing by $6 billion, Brown is creating a new state agency and increasing spending on nowhere projects.</p>
<p>In January 2011 I wrote, “During his inauguration earlier this month, Brown warned that “the year ahead will demand courage and sacrifice.”</p>
<p>He said that again on Thursday.</p>
<p>Last year, Brown spoke of the need for “tough choices” in the budget and pushed hard for a public vote on controversial tax extensions.</p>
<p>He used that one again on Thursday.</p>
<p>Last year, CalWatchdog’s editor-in-chief, Steven Greenhut, wrote about Brown’s proposed tax increases in <a href="" type="internal">Full Court Tax Hike Press</a>,&#160;“He became even more direct and even shameless on Monday, as he compared this issue to what’s going in the Middle East: ‘When democratic ideals and calls for the right to vote are stirring the imagination of young people in Egypt and Tunisia and other parts of the world, we in California can’t say now is the time to block a vote of the people from this process,’ he said in the Assembly chambers, in a prime-time speech.”</p>
<p>Brown made a nearly identical reference on Thursday, again comparing the California economy to troubled countries in Europe and Egypt.</p>
<p>But the broken record Brown has played all year is that he continues to offer voters the false choice of higher taxes or service cuts, while avoiding real, sincere, cost-saving budget reforms.</p>
<p>It is evident by now that Brown is not a believer in free market principles, but he should be. The Department of Finance gurus should be as well.</p>
<p>CalWatchdog Managing Editor John Seiler <a href="" type="internal">wrote last year</a>about a December 2010 Wall Street Journal article which Seiler <a href="" type="internal">said</a>, “highlighted a study by three economists who found that, over the past 37 years, nations around the globe reduced debt burdens only when spending cuts were on average 85 percent of a budget solution, with tax cuts only 15 percent.”&#160; <a href="http://www.mygovcost.org/to-reduce-the-federal-debt-cut-at-least-85-of-government-spending/" type="external">Andrew Biggs, Kevin Hassett and Matt Jensen wrote</a>:</p>
<p>“On average, the typical unsuccessful consolidation consisted of 53% tax increases and 47 percent spending cuts.</p>
<p>“By contrast, the typical successful fiscal consolidation consisted, on average, of 85 percent spending cuts. While tax increases play little role in successful efforts to balance budgets, there are some cases where governments reduced spending by more than was needed to lower the budget deficit, and then went on to cut taxes. Finland’s consolidation in the late 1990s consisted of 108 percent spending cuts, accompanied by modest tax cuts.”</p>
<p>“This is important because California’s tax increases should amount to no more than about $4 billion, with spending cuts at $22 billion,” <a href="" type="internal">Seiler wrote</a>.</p>
<p>Their findings were practically a roadmap for California. The three economists wrote:</p>
<p>“Consistent with other studies, we found that successful consolidations focused on reducing social transfers, which in the American context means entitlements, and also on cuts to the size and pay of the government work force.</p>
<p>“A 1996 International Monetary Fund study concluded that ‘fiscal consolidation that concentrates on the expenditure side, and especially on transfers and government wages, is more likely to succeed in reducing the public debt ratio than tax-based consolidation.’ For example, in the U.K’s 1997 consolidation, cuts to transfers made up 32 percent of expenditure cuts, and cuts to government wages made up 21 percent.</p>
<p>In his 2011 inauguration speech, Brown said, “Choices have to be made and difficult decisions taken. At this stage in my life, I have not come here to embrace delay or denial.”</p>
<p>And last year Brown said, “The budget I present next week will be painful but it will be an honest budget.” Brown promised to spend only what is available in tax revenues while restructuring government services between state and local agencies. “The plan represents my best understanding of our real dilemmas and possibilities. It is a tough budget for tough times.”</p>
<p>In Brown’s recent “ <a href="http://www.jerrybrown.org/sites/default/files/GovernorsLetter12_5_11-1.pdf" type="external">An Open Letter to the People of California</a>,” he wrote:</p>
<p>“My proposal is straightforward and fair. It proposes a temporary tax increase on the wealthy, a modest and temporary increase in the sales tax and guarantees that the new revenues be spent only on education. … This initiative dedicates funding only to education and public safety — not on other programs that we simply cannot afford. … I ask you to join with me to get our state back on track.”</p>
<p>Greenhut had his own <a href="" type="internal">interpretation of Brown’s rhetoric</a>:</p>
<p>“These increases will be gone in an instant, and I will be back asking for more money. The public safety money means protecting huge compensation packages for union workers, not for actually improving the public’s safety. The schools are substandard, but the teachers’ unions won’t let us get rid of bad teachers or improve schools with market-based reform. We will be taxing the rich more (watch how broadly we define that term!), and more of them will join the exodus out of the state. Of course, when I say millionaires, I don’t mean those many public employees who are retiring on the kind of pensions that only a millionaire could afford.”</p>
<p>Brown’s been great on the abolition of redevelopment agencies. But it is becoming increasingly clear that he is not making other necessary reforms, largely due to the labor unions in California who currently control the purse strings.</p>
<p>Like in the movie “Groundhog Day,” Californians wake up to find nothing has changed. Meet the New Brown, same as the Old Brown.</p>
<p>–Katy Grimes</p> | false | 3 | jan 7 2011 felt like groundhog day thursday gov jerry browns budget proposal press conference flashback january 2011 listening make claims budget made year proved brown one trick bag attending browns press conferences since elected come conclusion inept hes tool hes front man public face really controlling state government hes bought paid staff inept department finance inept theyre inept corrupt either way people fired highly paid impostors pretending playing budget ive seen sincere budgeting circus carnies grifters live within budgets one year 160watching brown say things use expressions used every news conference since election struck angered greatly brown said fiscal 201213 budget proposal straightforward fair weve heard started digging back stories wrote 2011 covering governor january 31 2011 wrote160earlier month brown proposed ambitious budget plan eliminate states deficit budget shortfall using spending cuts borrowing tax increases somehow locating 19 billion unspecified solutions order provide 1 billion reserve 2009 tax increases estimated net 12 billion include 1 cent increase states sales tax 025 percentage point increase state income tax increase vehicle license fee rate déjà vu date last year wrote according browns budget proposal addition substantial cuts medical calworks states universities state employees pay cut 10 percent state employees currently covered collective bargaining agreements brown said thursday would cutting state workforce time 15000 pressed state finance director ana matosantos said 15000 already eliminated matosantos said actually another 3000 would cut mostly department corrections employees said werent actually going eliminated instead shifted jails prisons state government cuts really cuts numbers moved columns employees given different job moved elsewhere buried another obscure department last year brown said realignment plan would return decisions authority cities counties schools would allow government levels focus core functions become efficient less expensive reductions duplicative services administrative costs california government efficient less expensive rid duplicative services yet state budget actually increasing 6 billion brown creating new state agency increasing spending nowhere projects january 2011 wrote inauguration earlier month brown warned year ahead demand courage sacrifice said thursday last year brown spoke need tough choices budget pushed hard public vote controversial tax extensions used one thursday last year calwatchdogs editorinchief steven greenhut wrote browns proposed tax increases full court tax hike press160he became even direct even shameless monday compared issue whats going middle east democratic ideals calls right vote stirring imagination young people egypt tunisia parts world california cant say time block vote people process said assembly chambers primetime speech brown made nearly identical reference thursday comparing california economy troubled countries europe egypt broken record brown played year continues offer voters false choice higher taxes service cuts avoiding real sincere costsaving budget reforms evident brown believer free market principles department finance gurus well calwatchdog managing editor john seiler wrote last yearabout december 2010 wall street journal article seiler said highlighted study three economists found past 37 years nations around globe reduced debt burdens spending cuts average 85 percent budget solution tax cuts 15 percent160 andrew biggs kevin hassett matt jensen wrote average typical unsuccessful consolidation consisted 53 tax increases 47 percent spending cuts contrast typical successful fiscal consolidation consisted average 85 percent spending cuts tax increases play little role successful efforts balance budgets cases governments reduced spending needed lower budget deficit went cut taxes finlands consolidation late 1990s consisted 108 percent spending cuts accompanied modest tax cuts important californias tax increases amount 4 billion spending cuts 22 billion seiler wrote findings practically roadmap california three economists wrote consistent studies found successful consolidations focused reducing social transfers american context means entitlements also cuts size pay government work force 1996 international monetary fund study concluded fiscal consolidation concentrates expenditure side especially transfers government wages likely succeed reducing public debt ratio taxbased consolidation example uks 1997 consolidation cuts transfers made 32 percent expenditure cuts cuts government wages made 21 percent 2011 inauguration speech brown said choices made difficult decisions taken stage life come embrace delay denial last year brown said budget present next week painful honest budget brown promised spend available tax revenues restructuring government services state local agencies plan represents best understanding real dilemmas possibilities tough budget tough times browns recent open letter people california wrote proposal straightforward fair proposes temporary tax increase wealthy modest temporary increase sales tax guarantees new revenues spent education initiative dedicates funding education public safety programs simply afford ask join get state back track greenhut interpretation browns rhetoric increases gone instant back asking money public safety money means protecting huge compensation packages union workers actually improving publics safety schools substandard teachers unions wont let us get rid bad teachers improve schools marketbased reform taxing rich watch broadly define term join exodus state course say millionaires dont mean many public employees retiring kind pensions millionaire could afford browns great abolition redevelopment agencies becoming increasingly clear making necessary reforms largely due labor unions california currently control purse strings like movie groundhog day californians wake find nothing changed meet new brown old brown katy grimes | 815 |
<p>Why on earth would Bill Nye the Science Guy agree to <a href="http://www.debatelive.org/" type="external">debate evolution and creationism</a> at a place called the Creation Museum? And how on earth could creationist Ken Ham lose?</p>
<p>The conventional wisdom among evolutionary biologists is that they have more to lose than to gain from Tuesday's face-off in Kentucky — just as the consensus among creationists is that they're getting a high-profile forum for their views, nine years after <a href="" type="internal">suffering a major defeat in federal court</a>.</p>
<p>"I don't think Nye should be getting into this," Jerry Coyne, a biologist at the University of Chicago who uses the title "Why Evolution Is True" for <a href="http://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/" type="external">his blog</a> and <a href="http://jerrycoyne.uchicago.edu/" type="external">his latest book</a>, told NBC News. "He may be walking into a buzzsaw."</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the organization that Ham heads, <a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2014/01/22/atheist-tantrums-dawkins-debate" type="external">Answers in Genesis</a>, says the debate will "equip believers with solid creation apologetics — while at the same time exposing the assumptions the evolutionary ideas rest upon." Answers in Genesis is <a href="http://debatelive.org/" type="external">already offering the DVD on pre-order</a>.</p>
<p>Debaters get readyNye acknowledges that he's getting some heat from colleagues for giving creationists a high-profile forum, but insists that an open debate is necessary. "We're just trying to change the world here, and draw attention to these forces in our society that are trying to get creationism in science textbooks," he told NBC News. "My argument is, this is bad for the country, bad for our economy. We can't raise a generation of science students who are not scientifically literate."</p>
<p>He said he's been preparing for the debate by consulting with experts via email and studying how Ham and other creationists have stated their case in past forums.</p>
<p>"Many people have been critical of me for taking this debate because I'm not an expert on evolution," Nye said. "But this is not advanced evolutionary theory. This is not high-school science. It might be elementary-school science. That Mr. Ham and his followers don't embrace it is troubling."</p>
<p>Ham is preparing as well — in consultation with creation-minded colleagues who have Ph.D.s, such as molecular biologist <a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/events/bio.aspx?Speaker_ID=52" type="external">Georgia Purdum</a> and geologist <a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/a_snelling.asp" type="external">Andrew Snelling</a>. Like Nye, Ham is researching his opponent's past statements on evolution. And like Nye, Ham says he's doing this debate to reach the next generation.</p>
<p><a href="http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2014/01/02/yes-the-debate-with-bill-nye-is-on/" type="external">On his blog</a>, Ham said he has seen lots of young people leave the church "because they saw evolution as showing the Bible could not be trusted." In a follow-up interview with NBC News, Ham said, "If you're taught that there's no God, that you're just an animal that arose through natural processes, that has great bearing on how you view yourself, and your fellow man, and your morality."</p>
<p>Some of the handicappers on Nye's side of the fence, like Coyne, worry that Ham is the more experienced debater. Ham, however, said he's taken part in only one formal debate on evolution, back in the 1990s. He also pointed to Nye's years of TV experience on <a href="" type="internal">"Bill Nye the Science Guy."</a></p>
<p>"He's like me. He's a communicator," Ham said. "We're not really used to doing formal debates."</p>
<p>Debating the debateOn each side of the debate, there's yet another debate going on: For example, some of the defenders of evolution education think Tuesday's face-off won't be such a bad thing.</p>
<p>"In general, we advise people against doing debates. The biggest thing is that a debate on stage is not how science is decided. It's entertainment, it's theater," said Josh Rosenau, program and policy director for the <a href="http://ncse.com/" type="external">National Center for Science Education</a>, which defends the teaching of evolution. "But because it's about entertainment, if anyone's going to do it, I think Bill Nye is not a bad choice."</p>
<p>"Because it's about entertainment, if anyone's going to do it, I think Bill Nye is not a bad choice." — Josh Rosenau</p>
<p>Nye isn't a professional scientist, but a mechanical engineer who became a comedian and then blossomed as a science popularizer. "The thing that Bill has going for him is that he is great at explaining science," Rosenau told NBC News.</p>
<p>He said the way the debate is framed may give Nye an added advantage. The official topic of the discussion is whether creationism provides a viable model of origins in today's modern scientific world. "I hope that means that Ken Ham is actually going to try to offer some sort of scientific claims for his position," Rosenau said. "I think he's going to have a hard time doing that, coming up with a scientific argument."</p>
<p>Bible as scientific evidenceHam's view is that the Genesis account of the universe's development and the rise of life on Earth is literally true, including the part about <a href="http://www.beliefnet.com/Video/Faiths/Christianity/Creationism-believer-Ken-Ham/Ken-Ham-Are-The-Days-Of-Creation-In-Genesis-24-Hour-Days.aspx" type="external">everything being done in six 24-hour days</a>. As a young-Earth creationist, Ham contends that the universe is only about 6,000 years old. So what about the 70 million-year-old fossil bones of dinosaurs? The way Ham sees it, those are the <a href="http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/au/were-dinosaurs-dragons" type="external">millennia-old bones of animals referred to in legends as dragons</a>.</p>
<p>"What we believe about the age of the earth (that it is relatively young) is a consequence of our stand on biblical authority, and nothing in observational science contradicts that," <a href="http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2014/01/28/is-the-bible-evidence/" type="external">Ham wrote this week</a>. "You see, we use the Bible as evidence!"</p>
<p>"It's a plus because it generates interest in the topic. It's a minus because it inhibits an understanding of the complexity of the issue." — Stephen Meyer</p>
<p>Even among folks who insist there's evidence that the universe was designed by some sort of intelligent being, such views don't always sit well. Stephen Meyer, director of the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture and the author of <a href="http://www.darwinsdoubt.com/" type="external">"Darwin's Doubt"</a> sees pluses as well as minuses to Tuesday's debate.</p>
<p>"It's a plus because it generates interest in the topic," Meyer told NBC News. "It's a minus because it inhibits an understanding of the complexity of the issue."</p>
<p>Meyer worries that the debate over evolution will be portrayed as Darwinian materialism vs. biblical literalism — leaving out such ideas as theistic evolution, old-earth creationism and his own perspective, intelligent design. "It would be really terrific if the proponents of the mainstream Darwinian view of origins engaged some of the other critics of their theory, who see evidence of design in nature but are not biblical fundamentalists," he said.</p>
<p>It's all about the childrenNeither Ham nor Nye expect to convert the other guy on stage. Instead, they're playing to wider audiences.</p>
<p>"One of the reasons we're doing this is to overcome censorship," Ham told NBC News. "The naturalists say, 'Do not debate creationists.' They want to shut down discussion. In the public schools, there's been legislation to protect the teaching of naturalism. Students aren't even allowed to critically analyze evolution."</p>
<p>The teaching of intelligent design in public-school science classes was decisively swatted down by a federal judge's ruling in 2005, but the <a href="" type="internal">focus of the debate has shifted</a> to whether public-school teachers should encourage skepticism about the basics of evolutionary biology. Laws in <a href="http://ncse.com/news/2014/01/creationism-louisiana-lawsuit-0015347" type="external">Louisiana</a>, <a href="http://ncse.com/news/2012/04/continued-boos-tennessees-monkey-law-007303" type="external">Tennessee</a> and <a href="http://ncse.com/news/texas" type="external">Texas</a> say that's OK, and similar laws are being considered in <a href="http://ncse.com/news/2014/01/second-antievolution-bill-missouri-0015338" type="external">Missouri</a>, <a href="http://ncse.com/news/2014/01/antiscience-bill-oklahoma-0015305" type="external">Oklahoma</a>, <a href="http://ncse.com/news/2014/01/update-from-virginia-0015336" type="external">Virginia</a> and <a href="http://ncse.com/news/2014/01/intelligent-design-bill-south-dakota-0015354" type="external">South Dakota</a>. In addition, there are continuing battles over <a href="http://ncse.com/news/2014/01/creationism-texas-charter-schools-0015318" type="external">biology textbooks</a>.</p>
<p>Evolution education has even sparked political controversies in <a href="http://ncse.com/news/kentucky" type="external">Kentucky</a>, the site of Tuesday's debate.</p>
<p>"I have found that a debate is not a good way to change people's minds or have them reflect thoughtfully about the issue." — Jerry Coyne</p>
<p>"My concern is for the future of Kentucky schoolchildren, and then the future of U.S. schoolchildren," Nye said. "There are billions of religious people in the world who accept and embrace the natural history of the earth, and our descent from other beings who had DNA. They're not troubled by this. This guy and his followers are outliers."</p>
<p>In December, a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center suggested that <a href="" type="internal">60 percent of adult Americans sided with the pro-evolution perspective</a>, as opposed to 33 percent for the creationist view. But some of the demographic breakdowns indicate that the issue is becoming more politically polarized.</p>
<p>Will Tuesday night's debate change minds? Both Nye and Ham hope so. Jerry Coyne, the blogging biologist, isn't so sure. "I have found that a debate is not a good way to change people's minds or have them reflect thoughtfully about the issue," Coyne said.</p>
<p>He thinks there are better ways for Bill Nye the Science Guy to make use of all the good will he's earned from his science TV shows.</p>
<p>"I'd tell him, 'Keep going around giving talks about evolution. Write about it. Give lectures.' People love that," Coyne said. "He's greatly beloved by a large number of Americans. But don't get into a one-on-one with a creationist. If you show up for a debate like that, you lose."</p> | false | 3 | earth would bill nye science guy agree debate evolution creationism place called creation museum earth could creationist ken ham lose conventional wisdom among evolutionary biologists lose gain tuesdays faceoff kentucky consensus among creationists theyre getting highprofile forum views nine years suffering major defeat federal court dont think nye getting jerry coyne biologist university chicago uses title evolution true blog latest book told nbc news may walking buzzsaw meanwhile organization ham heads answers genesis says debate equip believers solid creation apologetics time exposing assumptions evolutionary ideas rest upon answers genesis already offering dvd preorder debaters get readynye acknowledges hes getting heat colleagues giving creationists highprofile forum insists open debate necessary trying change world draw attention forces society trying get creationism science textbooks told nbc news argument bad country bad economy cant raise generation science students scientifically literate said hes preparing debate consulting experts via email studying ham creationists stated case past forums many people critical taking debate im expert evolution nye said advanced evolutionary theory highschool science might elementaryschool science mr ham followers dont embrace troubling ham preparing well consultation creationminded colleagues phds molecular biologist georgia purdum geologist andrew snelling like nye ham researching opponents past statements evolution like nye ham says hes debate reach next generation blog ham said seen lots young people leave church saw evolution showing bible could trusted followup interview nbc news ham said youre taught theres god youre animal arose natural processes great bearing view fellow man morality handicappers nyes side fence like coyne worry ham experienced debater ham however said hes taken part one formal debate evolution back 1990s also pointed nyes years tv experience bill nye science guy hes like hes communicator ham said really used formal debates debating debateon side debate theres yet another debate going example defenders evolution education think tuesdays faceoff wont bad thing general advise people debates biggest thing debate stage science decided entertainment theater said josh rosenau program policy director national center science education defends teaching evolution entertainment anyones going think bill nye bad choice entertainment anyones going think bill nye bad choice josh rosenau nye isnt professional scientist mechanical engineer became comedian blossomed science popularizer thing bill going great explaining science rosenau told nbc news said way debate framed may give nye added advantage official topic discussion whether creationism provides viable model origins todays modern scientific world hope means ken ham actually going try offer sort scientific claims position rosenau said think hes going hard time coming scientific argument bible scientific evidencehams view genesis account universes development rise life earth literally true including part everything done six 24hour days youngearth creationist ham contends universe 6000 years old 70 millionyearold fossil bones dinosaurs way ham sees millenniaold bones animals referred legends dragons believe age earth relatively young consequence stand biblical authority nothing observational science contradicts ham wrote week see use bible evidence plus generates interest topic minus inhibits understanding complexity issue stephen meyer even among folks insist theres evidence universe designed sort intelligent views dont always sit well stephen meyer director discovery institutes center science culture author darwins doubt sees pluses well minuses tuesdays debate plus generates interest topic meyer told nbc news minus inhibits understanding complexity issue meyer worries debate evolution portrayed darwinian materialism vs biblical literalism leaving ideas theistic evolution oldearth creationism perspective intelligent design would really terrific proponents mainstream darwinian view origins engaged critics theory see evidence design nature biblical fundamentalists said childrenneither ham nye expect convert guy stage instead theyre playing wider audiences one reasons overcome censorship ham told nbc news naturalists say debate creationists want shut discussion public schools theres legislation protect teaching naturalism students arent even allowed critically analyze evolution teaching intelligent design publicschool science classes decisively swatted federal judges ruling 2005 focus debate shifted whether publicschool teachers encourage skepticism basics evolutionary biology laws louisiana tennessee texas say thats ok similar laws considered missouri oklahoma virginia south dakota addition continuing battles biology textbooks evolution education even sparked political controversies kentucky site tuesdays debate found debate good way change peoples minds reflect thoughtfully issue jerry coyne concern future kentucky schoolchildren future us schoolchildren nye said billions religious people world accept embrace natural history earth descent beings dna theyre troubled guy followers outliers december survey conducted pew research center suggested 60 percent adult americans sided proevolution perspective opposed 33 percent creationist view demographic breakdowns indicate issue becoming politically polarized tuesday nights debate change minds nye ham hope jerry coyne blogging biologist isnt sure found debate good way change peoples minds reflect thoughtfully issue coyne said thinks better ways bill nye science guy make use good hes earned science tv shows id tell keep going around giving talks evolution write give lectures people love coyne said hes greatly beloved large number americans dont get oneonone creationist show debate like lose | 794 |
<p><a href="" type="internal">Para leer este artículo en español, hazle un click aquí.</a></p>
<p>Sabrina Jackson looked forward to a raise last summer at her job as a crossing guard near her children’s Englewood school.</p>
<p>Chicago’s minimum wage was slated to increase from $10 to $10.50 per hour under a city ordinance, providing a small but welcome boost to Jackson’s paycheck.</p>
<p>But when the new school year rolled around, Jackson discovered, “I didn’t get a raise.” Chicago Public Schools refused to pay the higher wage for the 1,300 crossing guards, telling nonprofit groups that run the program that the district had budget problems and claiming the workers were exempt. The district never explained why it considered the workers an exception.</p>
<p>The underpayment of Safe Passage workers is just one example of how the city’s minimum wage ordinance has fallen short since it took effect in July 2015. A Reporter analysis estimates that thousands of workers have been left behind because of exceptions in the law, which will raise the city’s minimum hourly wage to $13 by 2019.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the city department responsible for enforcement has investigated just a quarter of 454 wage complaints, recovered lost pay for only a few dozen people and has yet to fine a single company for violating the ordinance. Following repeated questioning by The Chicago Reporter about the department’s lax enforcement, city officials now say they will levy fines. Also following the Reporter’s inquiries, CPS reversed course and said it would cover the wage increase, as well as back pay, to its crossing guards. “CPS is committed to meeting the city’s minimum wage ordinance, and we have begun the process of guaranteeing that all Safe Passage workers will be properly compensated this year,” said district spokesman Michael Passman in a statement in late January.</p>
<p>Other cities that have passed higher minimum wage laws, like San Francisco and Seattle, have had much greater success with more rigorous enforcement.</p>
<p>Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward) agreed that Chicago needs to consider ramping up its oversight of the law. He recalled intervening last year to resolve a wage dispute in his ward between the owner of an Albany Park warehouse and a worker, who was undocumented.</p>
<p>“I’m happy to use that leverage,” Ramirez-Rosa said. “But ultimately we need to make sure there are better enforcement opportunities. It’s extremely important that the City of Chicago put teeth behind its existing ordinances. And if what we’re doing is inadequate, we need to get serious about having the right resources and enforcement mechanisms in place.”</p>
<p>For Jackson, who continues to look for higher-paying work and depends on food stamps and a public housing subsidy to support her four children, even a small pay increase is significant.</p>
<p>“It will help out a lot. That 50 cents does add up,” she said. “Maybe it’ll be an extra bill that you don’t have to worry about, extra things I can now get for my kids.”</p>
<p>How Chicago raised pay—for some workers</p>
<p>In the months leading up to his re-election campaign in 2014, Mayor Rahm Emanuel formed a task force to look at raising the city’s minimum wage. Community groups, including those involved in the national Fight for $15 fast food workers’ wage campaign, lobbied for $15 an hour. Business groups pushed back, warning that small businesses would close down or cut workers.</p>
<p>While cities such as Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles adopted a $15 minimum, Chicago City Council approved a $13 minimum in December 2014. The task force acknowledged that $13 <a href="/at-10-an-hour-chicagos-minimum-wage-is-not-enough-to-live-on/" type="external">fell far short of a living wage</a>, given the city’s <a href="/half-of-chicago-renters-cant-afford-their-housing/" type="external">high housing costs</a>. (The Living Wage Calculator, a project developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, sets the amount at $24.91 per hour for a single adult with one child in Cook County.)</p>
<p>Still, Emanuel touted the increase as a way to lift working families out of poverty, and supporters viewed it as just a first step. “It’s a big part of the puzzle for people to be upwardly mobile, to start getting paid fairly and have a better way to make ends meet,” said John Bouman, president of the Chicago-based Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, who co-chaired the task force. (Since Chicago’s ordinance, Cook County passed a $13 minimum wage in 2016. State legislators are considering a proposal to raise the Illinois minimum to $11 an hour.)</p>
<p>City officials estimate that more than 270,000 low-wage workers have benefited from the increase. Yet the Reporter’s analysis found that more than 20,000 workers are exempt, in part because the ordinance incorporated a number of exceptions in state law. The list of exemptions includes certain younger workers, such as those in the city’s One Summer Chicago program, other teens under 18, and student workers at public colleges and universities; disabled workers; workers in transitional employment programs, such as those for the homeless and former-inmates; new employees in their first 90 days on the job; workers for certain small businesses and other groups.</p>
<p>Bouman called that a “tactical decision” to avoid a bigger battle over the ordinance itself. Neither the city nor the task force came up with its own estimates of exempt workers. “The idea was it was going to be hard enough to get a substantial increase in the minimum wage, that it would fracture and get more and more complicated the more of the exemptions and sub-provisions were included in the debate,” Bouman said.</p>
<p>Yet advocates for several groups called on the city to use the ordinance as a chance to level the playing field for all workers.</p>
<p>The exemptions make it “more difficult for people with disabilities to contribute to the workforce and live independently,” said Gary Arnold, spokesman for Access Living, a disability rights group.</p>
<p>Other groups, including those that help place youth in the One Summer Chicago program, were surprised to learn of the exemptions after the ordinance took effect.</p>
<p>“They should be getting paid the minimum, especially those youth who were placed in businesses where there are other employees getting the minimum wage,” said Juliet de Jesus Alejandre, youth program director for the Logan Square Neighborhood Association. “It was a disproportionate number of young people of color, who applied to many different places and this opportunity was the only one that called them back.”</p>
<p>Alejandre sees this as an issue of equity, as white youth from higher-income families tend to have more connections and job opportunities in their neighborhoods. In fact, she recalled that one of the few white participants in the program last summer ultimately turned down a slot after her mother helped her find a higher-paying internship elsewhere.</p>
<p>Once the ordinance passed, the mayor formed a Working Families Task Force to analyze other issues, including sick leave policies and worker scheduling practices. That group heard from fast food workers whose hours were cut as their hourly pay rose. They were workers like Aiesha Meadows McLaurin, who works at three Burger King restaurants to make ends meet. “They cut back on a lot of our workers’ hours,” she said. “Now I’m running between three jobs and still relying on public assistance.”</p>
<p>The city’s 2016 ordinance mandating paid sick leave for workers was recommended by the Working Families group. But the task force decided to table recommendations to improve scheduling, citing the need for more study.</p>
<p>“You can get a huge increase in your hourly rate, but what happens if the hours you work get cut?” said Robert Bruno, director of the labor education program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a task force member. “The honest answer is nobody knows what the impact of the higher minimum wage has been. Nobody has done a good, statistically comprehensive assessment.”</p>
<p>The university’s Project for Middle Class Renewal will analyze the impact of the higher wage on working hours, scheduling and earnings as part of a larger study on low-wage work.</p>
<p>Chicago enforcement spotty</p>
<p>As more cities enact measures to raise the local minimum wage or guarantee sick pay, some have created specialized departments to police the new labor laws. Chicago has not. Instead, the city dumped oversight of three labor ordinances — minimum wage, paid sick leave and a 2014 measure that guards against wage theft — onto the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection without hiring additional employees.</p>
<p>“The scope of this department has changed and expanded, and yet the resourcing and supports and restructuring of that agency that will be necessary has not happened,” said Adam Kader, who directs the worker center at the nonprofit Arise Chicago. Wary of the city department’s capacity, labor activists like Kader often encourage aggrieved workers to consider negotiating with employers or taking other action to resolve pay issues, or even to file lawsuits in particularly egregious cases.</p>
<p>The department declined to provide copies of the minimum wage complaints or files from its investigations, or to allow the Reporter to inspect the documents, which would provide more details and identify the businesses involved. The department claimed this would be “unduly burdensome” and that all files are kept on paper, scattered across different departments.</p>
<p>But data obtained by the Reporter through a Freedom of Information Act request show that the department received 454 complaints from July 2015 (when the ordinance took effect) to December 2016.&#160; So far, only 112 complaints, or about 1 in 4, have led to investigations, mostly because workers don’t submit the required affidavits.</p>
<p />
<p>Source: City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. Data show status of minimum wage ordinance violations complaints filed between July 2015 and December 7, 2016.</p>
<p>Yet the department’s procedures appear to discourage workers from doing so. The department sends employers a copy of the affidavit, which activists say creates a fear of retaliation among workers (especially undocumented immigrants). Other cities, like San Francisco and Seattle, keep worker affidavits confidential and allow employees to give information over the phone without having to fill out the paperwork.</p>
<p>Department spokesperson Angel Hawthorne said the city doesn’t hesitate to take action. “When we receive complaints we fully investigate them and take action when necessary,” she said in a statement. “We have recovered tens of thousands of dollars in wages owed to workers and stand ready to shut down any business found to be violating wage theft laws.”</p>
<p>City officials told the Reporter that the department recovered wages for 51 workers. The total amount recovered: $82,000.</p>
<p>However, the city has not issued a single fine to or revoked the license of any of the companies found in violation of the ordinance, which states that businesses “shall be” subject to fines of $500 to $1,000 per day.</p>
<p>Hawthorne said the department’s goal during the initial 18 months was to “educate Chicago businesses and ensure proper compensation for workers.”</p>
<p>“Going forward the department will take a stronger approach and issue Administrative Notices of Violations to employers who fail to follow the law,” Hawthorne said. “This may result in fines imposed by the administrative court.”</p>
<p>What other cities do</p>
<p>San Francisco, Seattle, New York City and Washington, D.C., are among those cities that created separate departments to enforce local labor laws. Their departments also conduct community outreach to educate workers and business owners about the rules.</p>
<p>There are major differences in approach to enforcement in Chicago when compared to cities like Seattle and San Francisco. Investigators there automatically assume that reports from individual workers are the result of a systemic problem, so investigations are company-wide. The premise is that if a company is cheating one worker, co-workers are probably being cheated too.</p>
<p>“In most cases, it’s likely to be that the violation is across the board,” said Dylan Orr, who directs Seattle’s Office of Labor Standards.</p>
<p>Seattle is one-fourth the size of Chicago but has an independent, 12-person office that enforces nearly a half-dozen local labor standards. Seattle’s civil rights department initially handled the work, until city officials and community groups agreed that labor issues demanded a specialized workforce. The department is doubling in size this year to about 24.</p>
<p>“People recognized that there was a lot of work out there for us to do,” Orr said. “We were drowning in investigations. Cases were taking a lot longer to conclude than we wanted. And we wanted to be as effective on the enforcement piece as possible.”</p>
<p>Investigations by the Seattle office include a review of the employer’s complete payroll, not just records related to one worker’s case as in Chicago. That protects the confidentiality of the worker who filed the complaint and reduces fear of retaliation. Investigators have subpoena power and can ask to see payroll records and interview workers on site.</p>
<p>Seattle has had significant results since taking steps to implement a $15 minimum wage in April 2015. As of December 2016, Seattle’s labor department had opened 132 investigations; 37 led to settlements and payment of back wages. Because multiple workers were affected in almost every case, the department recouped nearly $400,000 for 683 workers. That’s more than 13 times as many workers helped in Chicago.</p>
<p>The office imposes penalties on egregious violators who refuse to settle up quickly, works in partnership with other city departments to pull business licenses and even brings city attorneys on board to file suit in court on behalf of workers.</p>
<p>But the vast majority of employers – about 90 percent – pay up before the process gets to that extreme. “We’ve only sent a handful to businesses through the license revocation process,” Orr says. “So far the threat has been enough.”</p> | false | 3 | para leer este artículo en español hazle un click aquí sabrina jackson looked forward raise last summer job crossing guard near childrens englewood school chicagos minimum wage slated increase 10 1050 per hour city ordinance providing small welcome boost jacksons paycheck new school year rolled around jackson discovered didnt get raise chicago public schools refused pay higher wage 1300 crossing guards telling nonprofit groups run program district budget problems claiming workers exempt district never explained considered workers exception underpayment safe passage workers one example citys minimum wage ordinance fallen short since took effect july 2015 reporter analysis estimates thousands workers left behind exceptions law raise citys minimum hourly wage 13 2019 meanwhile city department responsible enforcement investigated quarter 454 wage complaints recovered lost pay dozen people yet fine single company violating ordinance following repeated questioning chicago reporter departments lax enforcement city officials say levy fines also following reporters inquiries cps reversed course said would cover wage increase well back pay crossing guards cps committed meeting citys minimum wage ordinance begun process guaranteeing safe passage workers properly compensated year said district spokesman michael passman statement late january cities passed higher minimum wage laws like san francisco seattle much greater success rigorous enforcement ald carlos ramirezrosa 35th ward agreed chicago needs consider ramping oversight law recalled intervening last year resolve wage dispute ward owner albany park warehouse worker undocumented im happy use leverage ramirezrosa said ultimately need make sure better enforcement opportunities extremely important city chicago put teeth behind existing ordinances inadequate need get serious right resources enforcement mechanisms place jackson continues look higherpaying work depends food stamps public housing subsidy support four children even small pay increase significant help lot 50 cents add said maybe itll extra bill dont worry extra things get kids chicago raised payfor workers months leading reelection campaign 2014 mayor rahm emanuel formed task force look raising citys minimum wage community groups including involved national fight 15 fast food workers wage campaign lobbied 15 hour business groups pushed back warning small businesses would close cut workers cities seattle san francisco los angeles adopted 15 minimum chicago city council approved 13 minimum december 2014 task force acknowledged 13 fell far short living wage given citys high housing costs living wage calculator project developed massachusetts institute technology sets amount 2491 per hour single adult one child cook county still emanuel touted increase way lift working families poverty supporters viewed first step big part puzzle people upwardly mobile start getting paid fairly better way make ends meet said john bouman president chicagobased sargent shriver national center poverty law cochaired task force since chicagos ordinance cook county passed 13 minimum wage 2016 state legislators considering proposal raise illinois minimum 11 hour city officials estimate 270000 lowwage workers benefited increase yet reporters analysis found 20000 workers exempt part ordinance incorporated number exceptions state law list exemptions includes certain younger workers citys one summer chicago program teens 18 student workers public colleges universities disabled workers workers transitional employment programs homeless formerinmates new employees first 90 days job workers certain small businesses groups bouman called tactical decision avoid bigger battle ordinance neither city task force came estimates exempt workers idea going hard enough get substantial increase minimum wage would fracture get complicated exemptions subprovisions included debate bouman said yet advocates several groups called city use ordinance chance level playing field workers exemptions make difficult people disabilities contribute workforce live independently said gary arnold spokesman access living disability rights group groups including help place youth one summer chicago program surprised learn exemptions ordinance took effect getting paid minimum especially youth placed businesses employees getting minimum wage said juliet de jesus alejandre youth program director logan square neighborhood association disproportionate number young people color applied many different places opportunity one called back alejandre sees issue equity white youth higherincome families tend connections job opportunities neighborhoods fact recalled one white participants program last summer ultimately turned slot mother helped find higherpaying internship elsewhere ordinance passed mayor formed working families task force analyze issues including sick leave policies worker scheduling practices group heard fast food workers whose hours cut hourly pay rose workers like aiesha meadows mclaurin works three burger king restaurants make ends meet cut back lot workers hours said im running three jobs still relying public assistance citys 2016 ordinance mandating paid sick leave workers recommended working families group task force decided table recommendations improve scheduling citing need study get huge increase hourly rate happens hours work get cut said robert bruno director labor education program university illinois urbanachampaign task force member honest answer nobody knows impact higher minimum wage nobody done good statistically comprehensive assessment universitys project middle class renewal analyze impact higher wage working hours scheduling earnings part larger study lowwage work chicago enforcement spotty cities enact measures raise local minimum wage guarantee sick pay created specialized departments police new labor laws chicago instead city dumped oversight three labor ordinances minimum wage paid sick leave 2014 measure guards wage theft onto department business affairs consumer protection without hiring additional employees scope department changed expanded yet resourcing supports restructuring agency necessary happened said adam kader directs worker center nonprofit arise chicago wary city departments capacity labor activists like kader often encourage aggrieved workers consider negotiating employers taking action resolve pay issues even file lawsuits particularly egregious cases department declined provide copies minimum wage complaints files investigations allow reporter inspect documents would provide details identify businesses involved department claimed would unduly burdensome files kept paper scattered across different departments data obtained reporter freedom information act request show department received 454 complaints july 2015 ordinance took effect december 2016160 far 112 complaints 1 4 led investigations mostly workers dont submit required affidavits source city chicago department business affairs consumer protection data show status minimum wage ordinance violations complaints filed july 2015 december 7 2016 yet departments procedures appear discourage workers department sends employers copy affidavit activists say creates fear retaliation among workers especially undocumented immigrants cities like san francisco seattle keep worker affidavits confidential allow employees give information phone without fill paperwork department spokesperson angel hawthorne said city doesnt hesitate take action receive complaints fully investigate take action necessary said statement recovered tens thousands dollars wages owed workers stand ready shut business found violating wage theft laws city officials told reporter department recovered wages 51 workers total amount recovered 82000 however city issued single fine revoked license companies found violation ordinance states businesses shall subject fines 500 1000 per day hawthorne said departments goal initial 18 months educate chicago businesses ensure proper compensation workers going forward department take stronger approach issue administrative notices violations employers fail follow law hawthorne said may result fines imposed administrative court cities san francisco seattle new york city washington dc among cities created separate departments enforce local labor laws departments also conduct community outreach educate workers business owners rules major differences approach enforcement chicago compared cities like seattle san francisco investigators automatically assume reports individual workers result systemic problem investigations companywide premise company cheating one worker coworkers probably cheated cases likely violation across board said dylan orr directs seattles office labor standards seattle onefourth size chicago independent 12person office enforces nearly halfdozen local labor standards seattles civil rights department initially handled work city officials community groups agreed labor issues demanded specialized workforce department doubling size year 24 people recognized lot work us orr said drowning investigations cases taking lot longer conclude wanted wanted effective enforcement piece possible investigations seattle office include review employers complete payroll records related one workers case chicago protects confidentiality worker filed complaint reduces fear retaliation investigators subpoena power ask see payroll records interview workers site seattle significant results since taking steps implement 15 minimum wage april 2015 december 2016 seattles labor department opened 132 investigations 37 led settlements payment back wages multiple workers affected almost every case department recouped nearly 400000 683 workers thats 13 times many workers helped chicago office imposes penalties egregious violators refuse settle quickly works partnership city departments pull business licenses even brings city attorneys board file suit court behalf workers vast majority employers 90 percent pay process gets extreme weve sent handful businesses license revocation process orr says far threat enough | 1,358 |
<p>Adam Immerwahr (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>Theater J has a new artistic director. Adam Immerwahr started last month from the McCarter Theatre Center in Princeton, N.J., where he lived for about 10 years.</p>
<p>He arrives at an interesting juncture for the famed Jewish Community Center theater, which drew heavy media attention last year about this time when long-time artistic director Ari Roth was fired (the official reason given was “insubordination”; he claimed artistic censorship; he’s now busy at his new company Mosaic).</p>
<p>Immerwahr says the proceedings were not a major concern for him.</p>
<p>“I wasn’t here … so I don’t have much to say about it,” says the 33-year-old Swarthmore, Pa., native. “There was an extensive search process … which gave me ample opportunity to ask questions. … I feel confident that all involved are eager to see Theater J remain a bold, imaginative, political, personal and joyful theater that engages with some of the most pressing issues of our time.”</p>
<p>Immerwahr’s priorities are, “that we be a theater of joy and delight placing artistic excellence above all else.” He also says he’s “utterly elated” to join the theater.</p>
<p>Immerwahr is looking for an apartment in the Dupont or Logan areas. He’s in Capitol Hill for now. He’s single and enjoys cooking and bike riding in his free time.</p>
<p>How long have you been out and who was the hardest person to tell? &#160;</p>
<p>I started coming out in sixth grade and finished in eighth. I recall it was hard to tell my older brother, but it was a non-event because he totally already knew. I guess when you’re younger brother comes out in the same school as you, the word gets around!</p>
<p>Who’s your LGBT hero? &#160;</p>
<p>Trans activist, author, performer and sex educator Kate Bornstein. She is one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. But my second choice would be performer-raconteur Taylor Mac, who goes by the gender pronoun “Judy.” Mac is changing the way we view gender, performance and culture with each of Judy’s shows.</p>
<p>What’s Washington’s best nightspot, past or present?&#160;</p>
<p>Come on, I’ve only been here for two weeks! So far, my favorite bar/club has been Town, but I’ve also visited Trade, Nellie’s and Number 9. Of course, most nights you can find me at Theater J.</p>
<p>Describe your dream wedding.&#160;</p>
<p>I’m in showbiz and put on events for a living. I’d want something really laid back. Just a handful of people and a civil marriage.</p>
<p>What non-LGBT issue are you most passionate about? &#160;</p>
<p>Climate change. If the earth keeps getting warmer, nothing else will matter.</p>
<p>What historical outcome would you change? &#160;</p>
<p>The destruction of the library of Alexandria. So much knowledge was lost.</p>
<p>What’s been the most memorable pop culture moment of your lifetime? &#160;</p>
<p>At my last job, I was on the producing team that commissioned and premiered Christopher Durang’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” When our production, which starred Sigourney Weaver and David Hyde Pierce, transferred to Broadway and won the Tony Award for best play, that was pretty unforgettable.</p>
<p>On what do you insist? &#160;</p>
<p>Wearing a tie to work every day. You gotta dress the part.</p>
<p>What was your last Facebook post or Tweet? &#160;</p>
<p>On Facebook: “And then there was that day you gave a terrific pre-show speech but you felt like the audience was distracted. They were paying attention to something else. And you realized later that your fly was open.”</p>
<p>If your life were a book, what would the title be? &#160;</p>
<p>“An Eater’s Guide to Vegan Junk Food”</p>
<p>If science discovered a way to change sexual orientation, what would you do? &#160;</p>
<p>That would be terrific. I can think of a few straight men whom I would be more than happy to convert. Scientists should start working on that immediately. Oh wait, you meant change sexual orientation from straight to gay, right? Why would they work on the other direction?</p>
<p>What do you believe in beyond the physical world?&#160;</p>
<p>Data-driven decisions and strategic thinking.</p>
<p>What’s your advice for LGBT movement leaders? &#160;</p>
<p>Now that we have gay marriage, let’s not forget about the struggles that still face our community, particularly for queer people of color and the trans communities.</p>
<p>What would you walk across hot coals for?&#160;</p>
<p>A farm-to-table vegan restaurant that served good cocktails</p>
<p>What LGBT stereotype annoys you most? &#160;</p>
<p>Ugh. All of them.</p>
<p>What’s your favorite LGBT movie? &#160;</p>
<p>I don’t really have one. I don’t watch a lot of LGBT movies (or really movies of any kind). I spend enough time in theaters.</p>
<p>What’s the most overrated social custom? &#160;</p>
<p>Holding doors for others. It’s inefficient more often than not and I just hate playing the door-holding one-upmanship dance.</p>
<p>What trophy or prize do you most covet? &#160;</p>
<p>The ig Nobel prize, which is given for achievements that first make people laugh, then make them think.</p>
<p>What do you wish you’d known at 18? &#160;</p>
<p>That no matter the choices I made, my life direction would be shaped as much by luck as anything else.</p>
<p>Why Washington? &#160;</p>
<p>This is a town with an incredible, vibrant and diverse theater community. Though rarely touted, the arts are thriving in this city. I couldn’t be happier to be surrounded by such visionary, talented, creative and fearless colleagues.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Adam Immerwahr</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ari Roth</a> <a href="" type="internal">Christopher Durang</a> <a href="" type="internal">David Hyde Pierce</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jewish Community Center</a> <a href="" type="internal">Kate Bornstein</a> <a href="" type="internal">McCarter Theatre Center</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nellie's Sports Bar</a> <a href="" type="internal">Number 9</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sigourney Weaver</a> <a href="" type="internal">Taylor Mac</a> <a href="" type="internal">Theater J</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tony Award</a> <a href="" type="internal">Town Danceboutique</a> <a href="" type="internal">Trade</a></p> | false | 3 | adam immerwahr washington blade photo michael key theater j new artistic director adam immerwahr started last month mccarter theatre center princeton nj lived 10 years arrives interesting juncture famed jewish community center theater drew heavy media attention last year time longtime artistic director ari roth fired official reason given insubordination claimed artistic censorship hes busy new company mosaic immerwahr says proceedings major concern wasnt dont much say says 33yearold swarthmore pa native extensive search process gave ample opportunity ask questions feel confident involved eager see theater j remain bold imaginative political personal joyful theater engages pressing issues time immerwahrs priorities theater joy delight placing artistic excellence else also says hes utterly elated join theater immerwahr looking apartment dupont logan areas hes capitol hill hes single enjoys cooking bike riding free time long hardest person tell 160 started coming sixth grade finished eighth recall hard tell older brother nonevent totally already knew guess youre younger brother comes school word gets around whos lgbt hero 160 trans activist author performer sex educator kate bornstein one bravest people ive ever met second choice would performerraconteur taylor mac goes gender pronoun judy mac changing way view gender performance culture judys shows whats washingtons best nightspot past present160 come ive two weeks far favorite barclub town ive also visited trade nellies number 9 course nights find theater j describe dream wedding160 im showbiz put events living id want something really laid back handful people civil marriage nonlgbt issue passionate 160 climate change earth keeps getting warmer nothing else matter historical outcome would change 160 destruction library alexandria much knowledge lost whats memorable pop culture moment lifetime 160 last job producing team commissioned premiered christopher durangs vanya sonia masha spike production starred sigourney weaver david hyde pierce transferred broadway tony award best play pretty unforgettable insist 160 wearing tie work every day got ta dress part last facebook post tweet 160 facebook day gave terrific preshow speech felt like audience distracted paying attention something else realized later fly open life book would title 160 eaters guide vegan junk food science discovered way change sexual orientation would 160 would terrific think straight men would happy convert scientists start working immediately oh wait meant change sexual orientation straight gay right would work direction believe beyond physical world160 datadriven decisions strategic thinking whats advice lgbt movement leaders 160 gay marriage lets forget struggles still face community particularly queer people color trans communities would walk across hot coals for160 farmtotable vegan restaurant served good cocktails lgbt stereotype annoys 160 ugh whats favorite lgbt movie 160 dont really one dont watch lot lgbt movies really movies kind spend enough time theaters whats overrated social custom 160 holding doors others inefficient often hate playing doorholding oneupmanship dance trophy prize covet 160 ig nobel prize given achievements first make people laugh make think wish youd known 18 160 matter choices made life direction would shaped much luck anything else washington 160 town incredible vibrant diverse theater community though rarely touted arts thriving city couldnt happier surrounded visionary talented creative fearless colleagues adam immerwahr ari roth christopher durang david hyde pierce jewish community center kate bornstein mccarter theatre center nellies sports bar number 9 sigourney weaver taylor mac theater j tony award town danceboutique trade | 541 |
<p>Mali is in the grip of an unprecedented political crisis.</p>
<p>It's one of the most serious crises since the landlocked West African country gained independence from France in 1960.</p>
<p>Soldiers staged a coup in March but cannot agree on a way forward for the country.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Mali's Tuareg rebels have taken control of the north of the country, in alliance with Islamic militants</p>
<p>Marine Olivesi reports from neighboring Burkina Faso, where many Tuaregs have taken shelter from the violence in their home country.</p>
<p>Many also wish to escape the Islamists' brand of Sharia Law.</p>
<p>The Sahel reserve stretches into the Northern tip of Burkina Faso, a land of dry bush, bare trees and patches of sunburnt grass giving way to sand. Shacks made of sticks and a patchwork of drapes and carpets dot the yellow horizon.</p>
<p>Tuaregs fleeing fighting between Tuareg rebels and government forces in north Mali have flocked here in the tens of thousands. They're part of the 300,000 people who have been displaced by the conflict since January, according to the State Department and the UN Refugee Agency.</p>
<p>Many in this stretch of Burkina Faso have been here before, and they've settled back into what has become a forced second home – once again.</p>
<p>A 69-year old Tuareg says he moved back under the same tree where he'd spent almost three years in the mid-1990s.</p>
<p>Another Tuareg, Yaya Ag Mohamed, was a kid the last time his family fled violence in north Mali.</p>
<p>"I started elementary school here in Burkina Faso" he said. "Today, I'm a father of two, and here I am again, a refugee once more. We're pulled back into the same situation, at every stage of life."</p>
<p>Four Tuareg rebellions have broken out since Mali gained independence 52 years ago. Each time, scores fled the military crackdown against Tuareg fighters and civilians. But in April, Tuareg rebels drove Mali's authorities out and proclaimed independence for the Azawad, the Tuareg name for Mali's Northern region.</p>
<p>Tuareg fighters didn't manage this on their own. They joined forces with a loose coalition of Islamist groups. They shared a common enemy, but not the same long-term goals; Tuaregs fought for a state, Islamists for the imposition of Sharia law.</p>
<p>Idoual Ag Bala, a veterinarian at the refugee camp, calls the Islamists' attempt to impose a radical form of Islam 'colonial.'</p>
<p>"What Islam are they going to teach me? I'm already a Muslim, and that's enough, thanks God!" he said. "We don't want Sharia law. Our culture is steeped in a moderate and tolerant Islam. Their Islam is an import from Pakistan and Afghanistan, and we don't want it."</p>
<p>Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has thrived in the region in the past few years. Now, the Al Qaeda franchise operates unopposed amidst North Mali's chaos, and new Islamist groups have emerged there as well.</p>
<p>In Gao, North Mali's most populous city, young people demonstrated against a newly enforced ban on watching TV, listening to music and playing video games. Locals say armed groups opened fire on the protesters.</p>
<p>Tuareg refugees say there's a lot of confusion over where the extremists come from, and how many they are. But Idoual, the veterinarian, says what they do know about them is alarming enough to keep refugees from returning home.</p>
<p>"Americans are scared about Islamists. The French are scared about Islamists. Everybody is scared about these groups!" he said. "So why would we, poor African citizens, be any less scared? I'm scared!"</p>
<p>Refugees who've just arrived at the camp bring stories that stoke the fears. Mohamed ag In'Tahma crossed over the border last week with 20 relatives and two other families. He says they left their village because of the new rules imposed by Islamists. They brought clothing with them, he says, a burka-like covering for the women, long clothes that cover elbows for the men.</p>
<p>"Men can't greet women on the street," he said. "No one dares go out any more. If you're caught doing something wrong, or wearing something inappropriate, they threaten to beat you if they catch you again."</p>
<p>Mohamed says Tuareg rebels, who support a secular republic, are starting to speak out against Sharia, but they aren't strong enough to fight back. He says most locals believe a clash between Islamists and seculars is coming – yet another reason for civilians to flee.</p>
<p>Fatoumata Oylet Aybala, a women's leader at the refugee camp, says the best way for the international community to help defeat the Islamic militants is to recognize a Tuareg independent state.</p>
<p>"Once our leaders are in charge, once we have a country, a government and allies, then we'll be able to fight for the traditions and values of the Tuareg people."</p>
<p>But so far not a single country has recognized the breakaway state, and Mali could soon request help from West African countries to regain control of the lost territory.</p>
<p>Refugees in Burkina know they might be here for a long time. Sitting on a bench in the afternoon heat, a group of young men listens to Tuareg music on a cell phone.</p>
<p>They say at least here they're safe…. and they can still indulge in some cherished tribal tunes.</p>
<p>This project was made possible by a fellowship from the French-American Foundation-United States. The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views of the French-American Foundation or its directors, employees or representatives.</p> | false | 3 | mali grip unprecedented political crisis one serious crises since landlocked west african country gained independence france 1960 soldiers staged coup march agree way forward country meanwhile malis tuareg rebels taken control north country alliance islamic militants marine olivesi reports neighboring burkina faso many tuaregs taken shelter violence home country many also wish escape islamists brand sharia law sahel reserve stretches northern tip burkina faso land dry bush bare trees patches sunburnt grass giving way sand shacks made sticks patchwork drapes carpets dot yellow horizon tuaregs fleeing fighting tuareg rebels government forces north mali flocked tens thousands theyre part 300000 people displaced conflict since january according state department un refugee agency many stretch burkina faso theyve settled back become forced second home 69year old tuareg says moved back tree hed spent almost three years mid1990s another tuareg yaya ag mohamed kid last time family fled violence north mali started elementary school burkina faso said today im father two refugee pulled back situation every stage life four tuareg rebellions broken since mali gained independence 52 years ago time scores fled military crackdown tuareg fighters civilians april tuareg rebels drove malis authorities proclaimed independence azawad tuareg name malis northern region tuareg fighters didnt manage joined forces loose coalition islamist groups shared common enemy longterm goals tuaregs fought state islamists imposition sharia law idoual ag bala veterinarian refugee camp calls islamists attempt impose radical form islam colonial islam going teach im already muslim thats enough thanks god said dont want sharia law culture steeped moderate tolerant islam islam import pakistan afghanistan dont want al qaeda islamic maghreb thrived region past years al qaeda franchise operates unopposed amidst north malis chaos new islamist groups emerged well gao north malis populous city young people demonstrated newly enforced ban watching tv listening music playing video games locals say armed groups opened fire protesters tuareg refugees say theres lot confusion extremists come many idoual veterinarian says know alarming enough keep refugees returning home americans scared islamists french scared islamists everybody scared groups said would poor african citizens less scared im scared refugees whove arrived camp bring stories stoke fears mohamed ag intahma crossed border last week 20 relatives two families says left village new rules imposed islamists brought clothing says burkalike covering women long clothes cover elbows men men cant greet women street said one dares go youre caught something wrong wearing something inappropriate threaten beat catch mohamed says tuareg rebels support secular republic starting speak sharia arent strong enough fight back says locals believe clash islamists seculars coming yet another reason civilians flee fatoumata oylet aybala womens leader refugee camp says best way international community help defeat islamic militants recognize tuareg independent state leaders charge country government allies well able fight traditions values tuareg people far single country recognized breakaway state mali could soon request help west african countries regain control lost territory refugees burkina know might long time sitting bench afternoon heat group young men listens tuareg music cell phone say least theyre safe still indulge cherished tribal tunes project made possible fellowship frenchamerican foundationunited states views expressed solely author reflect views frenchamerican foundation directors employees representatives | 521 |
<p>On any given day, along the border that splits the island of Hispaniola, Haitians enter the Dominican Republic to buy eggs and sneak them back into Haiti, trying to evade customs agents.</p>
<p>Haiti effectively banned the import of Dominican eggs in 2008 and stepped up enforcement a few years ago. The cited reason was health concerns&#160;following <a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article1953076.html" type="external">reports of avian flu</a>, but the ban has been touted as a way to protect domestic production.</p>
<p>And yet the egg imports keep flowing, driven by Haitians’ demand for cheap protein and Haiti’s difficulty producing its own. &#160;</p>
<p>Michel Chancy, an agronomist who advises the government on animal production policy, explains it this way: “[Egg production] is expensive everywhere, but especially in Haiti.” That’s largely because so much is imported —&#160;most of the feed, the cages&#160;and even the birds. Chancy says to be profitable, a farm should have at least 10,000 laying hens. Few Haitians can afford that, and few banks have the confidence to give them loans.</p>
<p />
<p>Phita, who did not give her last name, sells cooked eggs in Marché Salomon, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.&#160;</p>
<p>Réginald Louissaint Junior/PRI</p>
<p>In other words, Haiti’s egg problem is a stark symptom —&#160;and a symbol —&#160;of the cycle of poverty in which the country has been stuck for decades, if not centuries. Interrupting that cycle is a goal that keeps eluding the most well-intended government officials and advisors.</p>
<p>Blocking imports at the border incurs the ire of many Haitians doing what they can to make a living, like Jocelyn Lefevre. Selling Dominican eggs in a Port-au-Prince market&#160;he complains, “Customs agents are always taking our stuff. They burn it, they throw it out. They always chase us.”</p>
<p>Still, he keeps going back to the border, twice a week, because Haitian eggs are too scarce and expensive.</p>
<p>Haiti is <a href="https://atlas.media.mit.edu/en/profile/country/hti/#Imports" type="external">heavily dependent on imports</a> from the Dominican Republic and elsewhere, and it’s little surprise that the influx of cheap goods would continue, regardless of the law, in a country where about <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-united-states-torments-its-poorest-neighbor/2017/11/21/aa74bf0e-cf00-11e7-81bc-c55a220c8cbe_story.html?utm_term=.83d150507d6e" type="external">60 percent of the population lives in poverty</a>. In 2015, many more products were barred from crossing the border into Haiti —&#160;pasta, snacks, detergent, and some 20 others —&#160;and yet they continue to enter.</p>
<p>What might surprise the outside observer is that Haiti —&#160;a traditionally agricultural nation where chickens can be seen scurrying everywhere —&#160;can’t meet its own demand for something so basic as the egg.</p>
<p>Chancy wants to see Haiti do what the Dominican Republic has done. “They banned the import of all poultry products&#160;so they could protect investments,” he says. “Now, after 15 to 20 years, it’s paid off.” Unlike Haiti, Dominicans&#160;are able to meet the needs of their population&#160;and they even have a surplus, which they "dump it into the Haitian market.”</p>
<p>But the Dominican Republic&#160;didn’t start out with Haiti’s problems, such as cheap eggs flowing across the border and such an extreme lack of resources.</p>
<p>And Haiti has another big problem: political instability. According to Max Antoine, who heads Haiti’s government commission on border management, it’s a major reason the border is so porous.</p>
<p>“Political instability affects the materialization of policies,” he says, citing the <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/haiti-political-crisis-michel-martelly-robert-fatton_us_56bb50b6e4b0c3c5504f8190" type="external">frequent ousting of high-level officials</a> and gaps between elected governments. “Whenever you start to implement a policy or initiative, then things change&#160;and you have to start all over again.”</p>
<p />
<p>Haitian customs workers inspect a bus in Malpasse, Haiti, near the Dominican border. Many Dominican goods, including eggs, are banned from crossing into Haiti, causing importers to find ways to avoid customs.</p>
<p>Edine Celestin/PRI</p>
<p>In recent years, the US and Canada have helped Haiti fortify its border, and the Haitian government paid an Israeli firm <a href="http://lenouvelliste.com/lenouvelliste/article/152116/An-Israeli-firm-for-the-management-of-our-borders" type="external">$49 million to develop border infrastructure</a>.&#160;</p>
<p>The results are mixed.</p>
<p>At the customs house in Malpasse, two hours from Port-au-Prince, the courtyard is full of wooden boats impounded for carrying eggs and other products across the nearby lake. But an official at the post says they only have one boat, and it’s too small to even fit the surveillance task force.</p>
<p>Antoine says the agents are often outmanned, and they are threatened and attacked by smugglers. Customs houses have been burned&#160;and one agent was even taken hostage two years ago.</p>
<p>But the egg ban has paid off, according to Chancy. He says the increased border enforcement in 2011 encouraged investment, and as a result&#160;domestic production went up seven-fold, from 1 to 7 million eggs&#160;per month, reaching about a fifth of overall consumption.</p>
<p>A major reason for the increase is that a chicken meat producer called <a href="https://www.haitione.org/web/haiti-broilers-s.a." type="external">Haiti Broilers</a> began producing eggs near the Haitian capital&#160;with investment and co-management by a large Jamaican poultry company.</p>
<p>Dominique Charles Jean, the Haiti Broilers hatchery manager, says the Haiti operation, which has 400,000 laying hens and employs 200 people, started making a profit last year. Still, the Dominican imports are a concern. She says during the summer, when school is out and tourism is low in the Dominican Republic, so many cheap eggs enter the Haitian market that Haiti Broilers loses customers.</p>
<p />
<p>A man loads up a wheelbarrow with Dominican catsup on the Haitian side of the border.</p>
<p>Edine Celestin/PRI</p>
<p>Jean Max Carinard runs a family farm in the southern coastal town of Jacmel and has 10,000 laying hens. He, too, is able to make a profit, but he rails against the cheap competition brought to Haiti by ocean from the nearest Dominican city.</p>
<p>Carinard does not worry about domestic competition. In fact, if there are more Haitian egg companies, it could spur domestic feed production and bulk purchases that would bring down costs&#160;and it could create a lobby to reduce tariffs on the inputs they have to import.</p>
<p>Carinard generally agrees with Chancy on what must be done: The government should incentivize banks to give loans, it should find ways to make feed cheaper&#160;and it should control the border, they say.</p>
<p>They also agree that it’s a matter of choice&#160;that, despite the scarcity of means, the government can prioritize both domestic poultry production and border control.</p>
<p>“The state and Haitian society need to know what they want,” Chancy says. “Do they want to facilitate access to cheap products, or do they want to create work? That is the choice we have to make.”</p>
<p>But Haitians who are just scraping by want both.</p>
<p />
<p>A woman on a motorcycle carries goods from the Dominican Republic into Haiti.</p>
<p>Edine Celestin/PRI</p>
<p>Jorel Hibart sells breakfast plates on a sidewalk in Port-au-Prince. He laments the fact that all the ingredients he uses are Dominican, but he doesn’t see a way around it.</p>
<p>“If they block the border,” he grumbles, “we’ll all die in this country.”</p>
<p>Domestic production advocates say that actually&#160;employment will rise and the country will be better off if the borders close. Damoclès Terméus works for the Ministry of Agriculture, running an experimental farm to see how poultry farmers can make money. He says if higher-ups decide to consistently put more of the agriculture budget into poultry, Haiti could be egg self-sufficient&#160;in 15 to 25 years.</p>
<p>Chancy objects, emphatically putting the number of years at five.</p>
<p>“We need to be optimistic,” he explains, in what sounds like as good a plan as any to break a vicious cycle, “because investment requires optimism. Investment is confidence.”</p>
<p>This story was produced in association with <a href="http://roundearthmedia.org/" type="external">Round Earth Media</a>, which is supporting the next generation of global journalists. Michel Joseph contributed to the report.</p> | false | 3 | given day along border splits island hispaniola haitians enter dominican republic buy eggs sneak back haiti trying evade customs agents haiti effectively banned import dominican eggs 2008 stepped enforcement years ago cited reason health concerns160following reports avian flu ban touted way protect domestic production yet egg imports keep flowing driven haitians demand cheap protein haitis difficulty producing 160 michel chancy agronomist advises government animal production policy explains way egg production expensive everywhere especially haiti thats largely much imported 160most feed cages160and even birds chancy says profitable farm least 10000 laying hens haitians afford banks confidence give loans phita give last name sells cooked eggs marché salomon portauprince haiti160 réginald louissaint juniorpri words haitis egg problem stark symptom 160and symbol 160of cycle poverty country stuck decades centuries interrupting cycle goal keeps eluding wellintended government officials advisors blocking imports border incurs ire many haitians make living like jocelyn lefevre selling dominican eggs portauprince market160he complains customs agents always taking stuff burn throw always chase us still keeps going back border twice week haitian eggs scarce expensive haiti heavily dependent imports dominican republic elsewhere little surprise influx cheap goods would continue regardless law country 60 percent population lives poverty 2015 many products barred crossing border haiti 160pasta snacks detergent 20 others 160and yet continue enter might surprise outside observer haiti 160a traditionally agricultural nation chickens seen scurrying everywhere 160cant meet demand something basic egg chancy wants see haiti dominican republic done banned import poultry products160so could protect investments says 15 20 years paid unlike haiti dominicans160are able meet needs population160and even surplus dump haitian market dominican republic160didnt start haitis problems cheap eggs flowing across border extreme lack resources haiti another big problem political instability according max antoine heads haitis government commission border management major reason border porous political instability affects materialization policies says citing frequent ousting highlevel officials gaps elected governments whenever start implement policy initiative things change160and start haitian customs workers inspect bus malpasse haiti near dominican border many dominican goods including eggs banned crossing haiti causing importers find ways avoid customs edine celestinpri recent years us canada helped haiti fortify border haitian government paid israeli firm 49 million develop border infrastructure160 results mixed customs house malpasse two hours portauprince courtyard full wooden boats impounded carrying eggs products across nearby lake official post says one boat small even fit surveillance task force antoine says agents often outmanned threatened attacked smugglers customs houses burned160and one agent even taken hostage two years ago egg ban paid according chancy says increased border enforcement 2011 encouraged investment result160domestic production went sevenfold 1 7 million eggs160per month reaching fifth overall consumption major reason increase chicken meat producer called haiti broilers began producing eggs near haitian capital160with investment comanagement large jamaican poultry company dominique charles jean haiti broilers hatchery manager says haiti operation 400000 laying hens employs 200 people started making profit last year still dominican imports concern says summer school tourism low dominican republic many cheap eggs enter haitian market haiti broilers loses customers man loads wheelbarrow dominican catsup haitian side border edine celestinpri jean max carinard runs family farm southern coastal town jacmel 10000 laying hens able make profit rails cheap competition brought haiti ocean nearest dominican city carinard worry domestic competition fact haitian egg companies could spur domestic feed production bulk purchases would bring costs160and could create lobby reduce tariffs inputs import carinard generally agrees chancy must done government incentivize banks give loans find ways make feed cheaper160and control border say also agree matter choice160that despite scarcity means government prioritize domestic poultry production border control state haitian society need know want chancy says want facilitate access cheap products want create work choice make haitians scraping want woman motorcycle carries goods dominican republic haiti edine celestinpri jorel hibart sells breakfast plates sidewalk portauprince laments fact ingredients uses dominican doesnt see way around block border grumbles well die country domestic production advocates say actually160employment rise country better borders close damoclès terméus works ministry agriculture running experimental farm see poultry farmers make money says higherups decide consistently put agriculture budget poultry haiti could egg selfsufficient160in 15 25 years chancy objects emphatically putting number years five need optimistic explains sounds like good plan break vicious cycle investment requires optimism investment confidence story produced association round earth media supporting next generation global journalists michel joseph contributed report | 717 |
<p>LONDON — Belief is a blog about the intersection of religion and politics. Over the last few decades this has become a very bloody crossroads.</p>
<p>Today in the Central African Republic, Mali, Nigeria, Darfur and Sudan it is Muslims versus Christians and animists.</p>
<p>In Syria and Iraq, it is Sunni versus Shi'a versus Christians versus secularists.</p>
<p>In Sri Lanka's civil war, the Tamil minority fighting for a separate state was overwhelmingly Hindu. The government forces that crushed them and allegedly committed one of the under-reported <a href="http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sri-lankas-killing-fields" type="external">war crimes</a> of this century were Buddhist.</p>
<p>In the Balkans, it was Catholic versus Orthodox versus Muslim.</p>
<p>People in the developed world are shocked by the savagery of these conflicts since our wars of religion ended 350 years ago and religion has been more or less separate from politics for the last two hundred.</p>
<p>But that's the historical exception rather than the rule.</p>
<p>From the beginning, most religious movements have had a political component. Indeed, playing politics was the only way for new faiths to survive.</p>
<p>I was reminded of this while on assignment in India and China recently reporting on the simultaneous origins of Buddhism and Confucianism.</p>
<p>In India, I was taken to <a href="http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_tktd_bihar_nalanda.asp" type="external">Nalanda</a>, the site of one of the world's first universities, by a Buddhist monk named Kabir Saxena.</p>
<p>Nalanda is one of the most impressive and best-kept archaeological sites in India. In its heyday,1,500 years ago, Buddhist scholars came from all over Asia to study here.</p>
<p>We sat in the remains of a monk's cell on the second floor and Saxena told me how the religion was founded.</p>
<p>We think of Buddhism as an unworldly faith but its founder was a shrewd political practitioner. Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, was born a prince of a warrior clan. He knew how to conduct himself at the highest levels of society.</p>
<p>Maghada in northern India, where Buddha lived, was going through tremendous social change during his lifetime—new kingdoms were forming, new cities were being built. The old religious order of Brahmanic Hinduism was being challenged.</p>
<p>The new rulers and their newly rich subjects happily listened to debates about the way of the world and about faith. Their patronage became essential for the Buddha's teachings to survive.</p>
<p>After his death, Buddha's disciples continued this competitive search for patronage. Two centuries later came the great moment of consolidation.</p>
<p>Ashoka, one of the greatest warrior kings in history, extended the Mauryan Empire to include almost all of India and modern Pakistan and westward deep into Afghanistan and Iran.</p>
<p>Ashoka did it with epic violence. Following the battle of Kalinga, where he slaughtered an estimated 100,000 people. Legend says he was deeply moved by the sufferings of the survivors and the families of the dead.</p>
<p>Buddhism is a peaceful teaching that offers a path to understanding suffering in the world. Ashoka converted to Buddhism and made it the official religion of his empire. He intertwined the leadership of the religious order with his government.</p>
<p>With this political endorsement Buddhism then spread rapidly along the trade routes that enriched the Mauryan Empire: south to Sri Lanka and east towards Thailand and Burma.</p>
<p>When Saxena had finished telling me this story I asked my monk friend if he was aware of the parallels with the establishment of Christianity.</p>
<p>Christianity was one of many faiths in the Roman Empire. After the early persecutions the church fathers specifically tried to convert the patrician class to their teachings. When the Emperor Constantine converted and made Christianity the official religion of Rome in 313 CE. it spread even more rapidly, like Buddhism.</p>
<p>"We would be rather naughty in Buddhism and say that Christ learned a lot of what he later expounded by traveling east and picking it up in Asia," Saxena says.</p>
<p>And as for the pursuit of political connections and influence, Saxena is sure that the disciples new how Buddhism had spread through its close connections to India's rulers. "There's no way his disciples in Palestine couldn't have known about what was happening here given the amount of trade that went on between India and the Roman world."</p>
<p>Over the Himalayas, in China, there was a similar intertwining of religion and politics.</p>
<p>Confucianism grew directly out of politics. Confucius was the son of a soldier and grew up in and around the royal court of the Kingdom of Lu and in the first part of his adult life worked as a civil servant.</p>
<p>He and Buddha were born at almost exactly the same time and just like Buddha he grew to manhood in a society going through tremendous social and political upheaval.</p>
<p>Confucius's teaching is about trying to create a harmonic political world in which all people from the highest to the lowest act properly "under heaven."</p>
<p>For a time after his death Confucius teachings fell into disfavor. But around the time Ashoka was making Buddhism the official religion of his empire, the Han rulers of China made Confucian teaching the official spiritual teaching of their empire.</p>
<p>Young rulers were taught the Confucian classics and the six Confucian arts: rites, music, arts, charioteering, archery and mathematics.</p>
<p>Peking University Professor Weiming Tu said, "the heir apparent would memorize the Confucian classics which emphasize 'self cultivation'. If there is no self-cultivation you cannot regulate your family, you cannot bring harmony to the world. You cannot be a moral person and no matter how powerful you are your influence will be negative."</p>
<p>Confucianism may or may not be a religion—but it is a system of belief and it has underpinned Chinese politics for more than 2,000 years.</p>
<p>Ironically, Buddhism eventually found its way to China where the two godless faith systems vied for political patronage. Sometimes the competition was bloody. Whether it was the politics that inspired the violence or faith is hard to say.</p>
<p>Today, the <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/globalpost-blogs/belief/china-economy-communist-party-plenum-confucius" type="external">competition between the two continues</a>. Buddhism is one of China's officially accepted religions. Confucianism is not official—many would say it is not a religion at all, although I'm not sure about that—but it is much more influential at a political level.</p>
<p>Politics, whether violent or of the more manageable kind, as it always has been, remains an essential component of religion in its relationship to society. &#160;</p> | false | 3 | london belief blog intersection religion politics last decades become bloody crossroads today central african republic mali nigeria darfur sudan muslims versus christians animists syria iraq sunni versus shia versus christians versus secularists sri lankas civil war tamil minority fighting separate state overwhelmingly hindu government forces crushed allegedly committed one underreported war crimes century buddhist balkans catholic versus orthodox versus muslim people developed world shocked savagery conflicts since wars religion ended 350 years ago religion less separate politics last two hundred thats historical exception rather rule beginning religious movements political component indeed playing politics way new faiths survive reminded assignment india china recently reporting simultaneous origins buddhism confucianism india taken nalanda site one worlds first universities buddhist monk named kabir saxena nalanda one impressive bestkept archaeological sites india heyday1500 years ago buddhist scholars came asia study sat remains monks cell second floor saxena told religion founded think buddhism unworldly faith founder shrewd political practitioner siddhartha gautama buddha born prince warrior clan knew conduct highest levels society maghada northern india buddha lived going tremendous social change lifetimenew kingdoms forming new cities built old religious order brahmanic hinduism challenged new rulers newly rich subjects happily listened debates way world faith patronage became essential buddhas teachings survive death buddhas disciples continued competitive search patronage two centuries later came great moment consolidation ashoka one greatest warrior kings history extended mauryan empire include almost india modern pakistan westward deep afghanistan iran ashoka epic violence following battle kalinga slaughtered estimated 100000 people legend says deeply moved sufferings survivors families dead buddhism peaceful teaching offers path understanding suffering world ashoka converted buddhism made official religion empire intertwined leadership religious order government political endorsement buddhism spread rapidly along trade routes enriched mauryan empire south sri lanka east towards thailand burma saxena finished telling story asked monk friend aware parallels establishment christianity christianity one many faiths roman empire early persecutions church fathers specifically tried convert patrician class teachings emperor constantine converted made christianity official religion rome 313 ce spread even rapidly like buddhism would rather naughty buddhism say christ learned lot later expounded traveling east picking asia saxena says pursuit political connections influence saxena sure disciples new buddhism spread close connections indias rulers theres way disciples palestine couldnt known happening given amount trade went india roman world himalayas china similar intertwining religion politics confucianism grew directly politics confucius son soldier grew around royal court kingdom lu first part adult life worked civil servant buddha born almost exactly time like buddha grew manhood society going tremendous social political upheaval confuciuss teaching trying create harmonic political world people highest lowest act properly heaven time death confucius teachings fell disfavor around time ashoka making buddhism official religion empire han rulers china made confucian teaching official spiritual teaching empire young rulers taught confucian classics six confucian arts rites music arts charioteering archery mathematics peking university professor weiming tu said heir apparent would memorize confucian classics emphasize self cultivation selfcultivation regulate family bring harmony world moral person matter powerful influence negative confucianism may may religionbut system belief underpinned chinese politics 2000 years ironically buddhism eventually found way china two godless faith systems vied political patronage sometimes competition bloody whether politics inspired violence faith hard say today competition two continues buddhism one chinas officially accepted religions confucianism officialmany would say religion although im sure thatbut much influential political level politics whether violent manageable kind always remains essential component religion relationship society 160 | 566 |
<p />
<p>MAY 27, 2010</p>
<p>By JOHN SEILER</p>
<p>Budget time. So I thought I would revisit an analytical tool I devised a few years ago to help better understand the California state budget.</p>
<p>Back in the early 2000s, I was pouring over state government budget documents and noticed something peculiar: whenever state general-fund spending rose above 6.2 percent of personal income, the state budget went into deficit. But so long as the general-fund spending stayed below 6.2 percent, things were OK.</p>
<p>It was sort of like a speed limit: Go beyond it and you get in trouble.</p>
<p>I wrote some articles on it for the Orange County Register, where I was an editorial writer. I then called it “the 6.2 percent solution” (to California’s budget problem). The name was a play on Sherlock Holmes’&#160;7 percent solution of cocaine he was addicted to, and for which he was cured by Sigmund Freud in the 1976 movie, “ <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven-Per-Cent_Solution" type="external">The Seven Percent Solution</a>.”</p>
<p>In early 2005, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Campbell_(California_politician)" type="external">Tom Campbell</a>, then the budget director for Gov. Schwarzenegger (and now running for U.S. Senate), visited us for an editorial board meeting. I showed him the graph.</p>
<p>“That’s Seiler’s Law,” Campbell said. “Like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moore's_law" type="external">Moore’s Law</a> in computing.” And I’ve kept the name ever since. The only earlier version of this analysis still online <a href="http://www.flashreport.org/special-reports0b.php?faID=2007061501303382" type="external">I did for for Jon Fleischman’s Flashreport</a> three years ago, before the economy fell apart and the deficits soared.</p>
<p>Here’s the graphic I showed Campbell, updated to the 2010-11 budget, as proposed by Gov. Schwarzenegger:</p>
<p />
<p>The data through fiscal 2009-10, ending this June 30, come from the governor’s <a href="http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/BudgetSummary/FullBudgetSummary.pdf" type="external">January budget proposal</a>, Section 6, Appendix Page 13, second column from the right.</p>
<p>And the revenue numbers for the next fiscal year come from the governor’s <a href="http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/Revised/BudgetSummary/FullBudgetSummary.pdf" type="external">May Revise</a>:&#160;A projected $91.5 billion in general-fund spending (p. 9) and personal income of $1,608.8 billion (p. 54).</p>
<p>It should be noted that the governor’s proposed numbers likely will be changed in the actual budget adopted later this year. But this estimate is good enough for now.</p>
<p>To understand where we are today with that 5.7 percent number for the proposed fiscal 2010-2011 budget, which currently is below Seiler’s Law, let’s first go through the budget history of the past 40 years. Look again at the graph above.</p>
<p>The first time the budget went over the 6.2 percent limit was in the early 1980s, as the <a href="http://www.caltax.org/member/digest/July2000/jul00-9.htm" type="external">Gann Limit</a>, passed by voters in November 1979, was kicking in, limiting spending increases to the increases in inflation plus population growth. Spending then leveled off through the rest of the 1980s, only a little above the 6.2 percent limit.</p>
<p>The budget was so tamed that in 1987 the state government refunded $1.1 billion to taxpayers.</p>
<p>Then, in 1990, voters passed Proposition 111, which was sold as a way to build more roads. In fact, it effectively gutted the Gann Limit.</p>
<p>The recession of the early 1990s forced budget cuts that kept the budget below the 6.2 percent limit. But the dot-com boom of the late 1990s brought incredible growth in tax receipts, leading Gov. Gray Davis — and the Legislatures of those days — to go on a spending binge.</p>
<p>In his first two budgets, for fiscal years 1999-2000 and 2000-2001, Davis jacked up spending an incredible 15 percent per year — each year.</p>
<p>In fiscal year 2000-01, the budget ratio shot up to 6.88 percent, way above the 6.2 percent limit.</p>
<p>It couldn’t last. It didn’t last. Davis quickly was running deficits of $40 billion a year, a major factor in his recall in 2003.</p>
<p>Schwarzenegger promised to do better, and for his first couple of years, he did. The ratio dropped below 6.2 percent by fiscal year 2005-06, even though this was a time of prosperity and rising tax receipts. Then, after losing getting wiped out with slate of four reform initiatives in November 2005, Schwarzenegger changed.</p>
<p>In his January 5, 2006 <a href="http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-01-05/news/17275401_1_new-year-californians-global-economy" type="external">State of the State address</a>, he announced:</p>
<p>I have absorbed my defeat and I have learned my lesson. And the people, who always have the last word, sent a clear message – cut the warfare, cool the rhetoric, find common ground and fix the problems together. So to my fellow Californians, I say, “Message received.”</p>
<p>The “message” Democratic Legislature received was: “I surrender.”</p>
<p>Soon, he was going on a Davis-style spending binge. The budget ratio raced up above the 6.2 percent limit. In Fiscal Year 2006-07, it soared to 6.78 percent. At the time, I predicted massive deficits would return once the economy turned sour.</p>
<p>The ongoing Great Recession hit in 20o8, producing the predictable deficits. To his credit, the governor cut spending last year (along with counterproductive tax cuts) to bring the ratio down below 6.2 percent.</p>
<p>As the budget battle ensues, it’s well to see why the 6.2 percent limit exists. It’s not numerology. It’s just the natural limit of spending the people of California will bear.</p>
<p>It’s like piling straw on a camel’s back. Stay below <a href="http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/87509" type="external">the 990 pounds most camels can carry</a>, and you can cross a desert. But add the proverbial “final straw” to the camel’s back and it collapses, leaving you to die of thirst far from an oasis.&#160;For California, the “straw that broke the camel’s back” is anything above the 6.2 percent limit.</p>
<p>That’s why tax increases, such as the record $13 billion last year, are so futile. The problem is that spending is so high.</p>
<p>A final methodological question remains: During a recession, as tax receipts drop, why is it necessary for the ratio to drop below the 6.2 percent ratio for a few years to bring the budget into balance? Why not just settle for cutting the budget to exactly the 6.2 percent ratio?</p>
<p>I puzzled over this for a while, and recently came up with the reason: It’s like blowing too much money in your family budget, say on an expensive vacation, by maxing out your credit cards. Afterward, you have to cut back for months, even years, to get your family budget back in the black.</p>
<p>Next time, if you’re smart, you’ll skip the trip to Paris and instead take the family to the Grand Canyon. If you don’t, your credit rating drops and you face bankruptcy — just like the state does today.</p>
<p>For the state, the binges of wild spending must be followed by the purges of cutting spending below the 6.2 percent limit.</p>
<p>But there’s good news. In the future, if the state makes sure it never goes above the 6.2 percent limit, then it won’t have massive budget deficits followed by painful cuts.</p>
<p>If it did so, surpluses again would happen. But instead of splurging on them, as Davis and Schwarzenegger did, some of the surplus tax receipts should be put in a “rainy day fund,” the rest refunded to taxpayers, who, after all, pay for everything.</p>
<p>If the extra money is used for more spending, then we would just repeat the budget roller coaster — and the pain of periodic cuts — of the past 20 years.</p>
<p>Seiler’s Law: It’s a limit we can live with.</p>
<p>John Seiler, an editorial writer with The Orange County Register for 19 years, is a reporter and analyst for <a href="" type="internal">CalWatchDog.com</a>. His email: <a href="mailto:writejohnseiler@gmail.com" type="external">writejohnseiler@gmail.com</a>.</p> | false | 3 | may 27 2010 john seiler budget time thought would revisit analytical tool devised years ago help better understand california state budget back early 2000s pouring state government budget documents noticed something peculiar whenever state generalfund spending rose 62 percent personal income state budget went deficit long generalfund spending stayed 62 percent things ok sort like speed limit go beyond get trouble wrote articles orange county register editorial writer called 62 percent solution californias budget problem name play sherlock holmes1607 percent solution cocaine addicted cured sigmund freud 1976 movie seven percent solution early 2005 tom campbell budget director gov schwarzenegger running us senate visited us editorial board meeting showed graph thats seilers law campbell said like moores law computing ive kept name ever since earlier version analysis still online jon fleischmans flashreport three years ago economy fell apart deficits soared heres graphic showed campbell updated 201011 budget proposed gov schwarzenegger data fiscal 200910 ending june 30 come governors january budget proposal section 6 appendix page 13 second column right revenue numbers next fiscal year come governors may revise160a projected 915 billion generalfund spending p 9 personal income 16088 billion p 54 noted governors proposed numbers likely changed actual budget adopted later year estimate good enough understand today 57 percent number proposed fiscal 20102011 budget currently seilers law lets first go budget history past 40 years look graph first time budget went 62 percent limit early 1980s gann limit passed voters november 1979 kicking limiting spending increases increases inflation plus population growth spending leveled rest 1980s little 62 percent limit budget tamed 1987 state government refunded 11 billion taxpayers 1990 voters passed proposition 111 sold way build roads fact effectively gutted gann limit recession early 1990s forced budget cuts kept budget 62 percent limit dotcom boom late 1990s brought incredible growth tax receipts leading gov gray davis legislatures days go spending binge first two budgets fiscal years 19992000 20002001 davis jacked spending incredible 15 percent per year year fiscal year 200001 budget ratio shot 688 percent way 62 percent limit couldnt last didnt last davis quickly running deficits 40 billion year major factor recall 2003 schwarzenegger promised better first couple years ratio dropped 62 percent fiscal year 200506 even though time prosperity rising tax receipts losing getting wiped slate four reform initiatives november 2005 schwarzenegger changed january 5 2006 state state address announced absorbed defeat learned lesson people always last word sent clear message cut warfare cool rhetoric find common ground fix problems together fellow californians say message received message democratic legislature received surrender soon going davisstyle spending binge budget ratio raced 62 percent limit fiscal year 200607 soared 678 percent time predicted massive deficits would return economy turned sour ongoing great recession hit 20o8 producing predictable deficits credit governor cut spending last year along counterproductive tax cuts bring ratio 62 percent budget battle ensues well see 62 percent limit exists numerology natural limit spending people california bear like piling straw camels back stay 990 pounds camels carry cross desert add proverbial final straw camels back collapses leaving die thirst far oasis160for california straw broke camels back anything 62 percent limit thats tax increases record 13 billion last year futile problem spending high final methodological question remains recession tax receipts drop necessary ratio drop 62 percent ratio years bring budget balance settle cutting budget exactly 62 percent ratio puzzled recently came reason like blowing much money family budget say expensive vacation maxing credit cards afterward cut back months even years get family budget back black next time youre smart youll skip trip paris instead take family grand canyon dont credit rating drops face bankruptcy like state today state binges wild spending must followed purges cutting spending 62 percent limit theres good news future state makes sure never goes 62 percent limit wont massive budget deficits followed painful cuts surpluses would happen instead splurging davis schwarzenegger surplus tax receipts put rainy day fund rest refunded taxpayers pay everything extra money used spending would repeat budget roller coaster pain periodic cuts past 20 years seilers law limit live john seiler editorial writer orange county register 19 years reporter analyst calwatchdogcom email writejohnseilergmailcom | 688 |
<p>Because of a senator’s action in 1954, churches have been included with certain other tax-exempt organizations restricted from electioneering — publicly endorsing or working against candidates for political office.</p>
<p>The prohibition against political campaign intervention by nonprofits that qualify under the tax exemption became part of the Internal Revenue Service tax code in 1954 when then-Texas Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson introduced it during a floor debate.</p>
<p>Although some groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom — formerly the Alliance Defense Fund — believe Johnson posited the tax code addition as a means to stop political challengers, no historical record of the senator’s reasoning exists.</p>
<p>The Senate held no hearings, neither asked for nor received testimony, and did not seek input from not-for-profit organizations before incorporating Johnson’s proposal into the tax code.</p>
<p>No proof exists that the prohibition was targeted at political campaign intervention by religious organizations, a 2008 Pew Forum study found.</p>
<p>How politically involved were churches in the past? People of faith have been involved politically, especially following the Great Awakenings or Great Revival of the late 18th and early 19th centuries.</p>
<p>First in Europe and then in America, religious leaders turned to social responsibility and socio-political activity, preaching against slavery and other societal ills. Fiery sermons and social treatises were widely circulated in printed form.</p>
<p>American pastors usually didn’t hesitate to criticize political leaders. Sermons berating Thomas Jefferson for being a deist and William Howard Taft as a Unitarian were common. During the 1928 presidential election, many vilified Al Smith because he was a Catholic.</p>
<p>Not only were religious leaders politically active. They also used the pen in an effort to communicate to as wide an audience as possible.</p>
<p>“It is almost forgotten in our more secular times that many of the early advocates of freedom of the press were preachers and proselytizers whose religious zeal — and the writings that poured from their pens — place them solidly in the tradition of the world’s first ‘journalists,’” noted Doug Underwood, a former political and legislative reporter for the Seattle Times and a congressional correspondent for the Gannett News Service, in his book, From Yahweh to Yahoo! The Religious Roots of the Secular Press.</p>
<p>Social and cultural concern among people of faith has taken two primary forms — volunteerism and political activism. Some believers exercise faith by serving the poor or victims of crime. Others organize interest groups to lobby local, state or national legislatures, or serve in public office.</p>
<p>All faith traditions teach their followers the acceptable marks of discipleship — lifestyle that resists compartmentalizing religious life from political and social life. There is no distinction and each is a part of the other.</p>
<p>“It is always good to feed the hungry; it is better if possible to eradicate the causes of hunger. So if we truly love our neighbors, and want to serve them, our service may oblige us to take (or solicit) political action on their behalf,” theologian John Stott wrote in Decisive Issues Facing Christians Today.</p>
<p>Separation of church and state</p>
<p>Organizations that support the IRS restrictions on churches and religious organizations cite separation of church and state as the primary reason.</p>
<p>Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty stress the need to keep the “wall of separation” in place between religion and the state. They concentrate primarily on houses of worship and ministers, rather than on religious not-for-profit organizations. Maintaining that wall will guarantee freedom for everyone, they insist.</p>
<p>That wall also maintains the integrity of houses of worship. “Pulpit politicking threatens to divide congregations and communities and replace the theological mission of the church with one focused on partisanship and division,” the AU notes on its website. Americans United also actively turns in houses of worship for IRS scrutiny whenever it believes any have broken the tax rules.</p>
<p>The Baptist Joint Committee emphasizes church-state separation as the political/constitutional means to protect religious liberty. Houses of worship should not try to influence government, and government should keep a neutral stance toward religion.</p>
<p>“The institutional and functional separation of church and state has resulted in a vibrant religion, a plush pluralism and a vital democracy,” the BJC says on its website.</p>
<p>Unconstitutional?</p>
<p>However, some conservative Christian legal activists, notably the Alliance Defending Freedom and the Liberty Council, have declared Johnson’s IRS amendment unconstitutional for four reasons.</p>
<p>First, they believe the amendment violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause because it requires the government to “excessively and pervasively monitor” speech that takes place in religious contexts. “The amendment allows the government to determine when truly religious speech becomes impermissibly ‘political,’” the Alliance Defending Freedom declared.</p>
<p>Second, it violates the Free Speech Clause “because it requires the government to discriminate against speech based solely on the content of the speech.”</p>
<p>Third, it further violates freedom of speech because a condition of receiving a tax exemption requires an organization to refrain from addressing certain topics.</p>
<p>Fourth, the Johnson amendment violates the Free Exercise Clause because “it substantially burdens a church’s exercise of religion” but without a “compelling reason” to do so, the Alliance notes on its website.</p>
<p>Vicki Brown ( <a href="mailto:vbrown@wordandway.org" type="external">vbrown@wordandway.org</a>) is managing editor of Word &amp; Way.</p> | false | 3 | senators action 1954 churches included certain taxexempt organizations restricted electioneering publicly endorsing working candidates political office prohibition political campaign intervention nonprofits qualify tax exemption became part internal revenue service tax code 1954 thentexas sen lyndon b johnson introduced floor debate although groups alliance defending freedom formerly alliance defense fund believe johnson posited tax code addition means stop political challengers historical record senators reasoning exists senate held hearings neither asked received testimony seek input notforprofit organizations incorporating johnsons proposal tax code proof exists prohibition targeted political campaign intervention religious organizations 2008 pew forum study found politically involved churches past people faith involved politically especially following great awakenings great revival late 18th early 19th centuries first europe america religious leaders turned social responsibility sociopolitical activity preaching slavery societal ills fiery sermons social treatises widely circulated printed form american pastors usually didnt hesitate criticize political leaders sermons berating thomas jefferson deist william howard taft unitarian common 1928 presidential election many vilified al smith catholic religious leaders politically active also used pen effort communicate wide audience possible almost forgotten secular times many early advocates freedom press preachers proselytizers whose religious zeal writings poured pens place solidly tradition worlds first journalists noted doug underwood former political legislative reporter seattle times congressional correspondent gannett news service book yahweh yahoo religious roots secular press social cultural concern among people faith taken two primary forms volunteerism political activism believers exercise faith serving poor victims crime others organize interest groups lobby local state national legislatures serve public office faith traditions teach followers acceptable marks discipleship lifestyle resists compartmentalizing religious life political social life distinction part always good feed hungry better possible eradicate causes hunger truly love neighbors want serve service may oblige us take solicit political action behalf theologian john stott wrote decisive issues facing christians today separation church state organizations support irs restrictions churches religious organizations cite separation church state primary reason americans united separation church state baptist joint committee religious liberty stress need keep wall separation place religion state concentrate primarily houses worship ministers rather religious notforprofit organizations maintaining wall guarantee freedom everyone insist wall also maintains integrity houses worship pulpit politicking threatens divide congregations communities replace theological mission church one focused partisanship division au notes website americans united also actively turns houses worship irs scrutiny whenever believes broken tax rules baptist joint committee emphasizes churchstate separation politicalconstitutional means protect religious liberty houses worship try influence government government keep neutral stance toward religion institutional functional separation church state resulted vibrant religion plush pluralism vital democracy bjc says website unconstitutional however conservative christian legal activists notably alliance defending freedom liberty council declared johnsons irs amendment unconstitutional four reasons first believe amendment violates first amendments establishment clause requires government excessively pervasively monitor speech takes place religious contexts amendment allows government determine truly religious speech becomes impermissibly political alliance defending freedom declared second violates free speech clause requires government discriminate speech based solely content speech third violates freedom speech condition receiving tax exemption requires organization refrain addressing certain topics fourth johnson amendment violates free exercise clause substantially burdens churchs exercise religion without compelling reason alliance notes website vicki brown vbrownwordandwayorg managing editor word amp way | 525 |
<p>The debate in California over public employee pensions has grown familiar in recent times. Those who demand reform finally appear to have momentum.</p>
<p>In Sacramento, Gov. Jerry Brown won passage of a pension reform measure in September 2012. While many thought it didn’t go nearly far enough, its approval showed an acceptance of a new conventional wisdom: that benefits were unnecessarily generous. In San Diego and San Jose, city voters overwhelmingly approved much more sweeping reforms.</p>
<p>But there is a hugely disruptive wild card in the pension debate that is rarely recognized. It is the growing consensus among longevity experts — a large number of whom are based in California — that they are nearing breakthroughs on several fronts that promise to dramatically expand how long humans live.</p>
<p>According to data released in 2009, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System expects public employees with a current age of 55 to live to be 81.4 if male and 85 if female. These actuarial assumptions are built into how much public agencies are expected to set aside for all employees, including new hires in their 20s.</p>
<p>The Golden State’s best-known anti-aging experts — Dr. <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/aubrey_de_grey_says_we_can_avoid_aging.html" type="external">Aubrey de Grey</a> and <a href="http://walterbortz.com/" type="external">Dr. Walter M. Bortz II</a>&#160; — are on the short list of the world’s leading authorities on the topic. Their analyses of anti-aging efforts build off sharply different approaches; de Grey is controversial and Bortz conventional. But both their assumptions suggest CalPERS’ actuarial assessment of its long-term funding needs is comically optimistic.</p>
<p>De Grey, a native of England, oversees the <a href="http://www.sens.org/" type="external">SENS Research Foundation</a>, a nonprofit organization based in Mountain View. SENS stands for&#160;Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence. His focus has been on the idea that the aging process can be “cured,” allowing humans to live far longer thanks to “regenerative medicine” that stops the deterioration of the body. Initially scorned by many gerontologists, de Grey’s views are taken <a href="http://inhumanexperiment.blogspot.com/2010/10/aubrey-de-grey-interview-in-wiredcom.html" type="external">more seriously</a> with each passing year. He believes that the average life expectancy of Americans who are now alive is likely to be the early 90s, and that in 25 years time, it could be far longer as “regenerative medicine” becomes practical.</p>
<p>Bortz, a native of Philadelphia, is a professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. His research has demonstrated the importance of physical exercise to “robust aging” — living long with full mental and physical faculties. Bortz sees <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Next-Medicine-Science-Civics-Health/dp/0195369688/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1379374207&amp;sr=1-2" type="external">vast progress ahead</a> in gaining an understanding of human metabolism and its relation to longevity. He believes average life expectancy of Americans could reach 100 in coming decades.</p>
<p>But de Grey and Bortz are only part of a wide array of longevity researchers in California, supported by a variety of public, nonprofit and private institutions.</p>
<p>The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine — the state stem-cell agency financed by a <a href="http://www.cirm.ca.gov/about-cirm/our-history" type="external">2004 bond</a> — has backed <a href="http://www.cirm.ca.gov/grants?field_public_web_disease_focus_tid[]=751&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=423&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=436&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=438&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=426&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=439&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=424&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=432&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=736&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=741&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=441&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=427&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=428&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=433&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=425&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=429&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=440&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=434&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=731&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=430&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=435&amp;field_program_type_tid[]=431" type="external">dozens of ambitious age-related research projects</a>, and agency officials are particularly excited about prospects for delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, which often reduces life expectancy by six years or more.</p>
<p><a href="http://longevity3.stanford.edu/about-the-center/" type="external">Stanford</a> and <a href="http://www.semel.ucla.edu/longevity" type="external">UCLA</a> each have a Center on Longevity. UC San Francisco is home to some of the most promising <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/humans-live-forever-longevity-research-suggests-longer-life/story?id=17100148&amp;singlePage=true" type="external">longevity research</a> in the world.</p>
<p>The J. Craig Venter Institute in San Diego — founded and run by the scientist who in 2001 became the first to complete sequencing and analysis of the human genome — by itself could change the world. Venter is pioneering the development of <a href="http://edge.org/conversation/a-dna-driven-world" type="external">synthetic genes</a>, which have stunning potential to remake life as we know it.</p>
<p>There’s also Google’s new “moon shot” — a project called <a href="http://techland.time.com/2013/09/18/google-vs-death/" type="external">Calico</a> that has as its goal nothing less than “solving death.” It’s expected to be based in Silicon Valley.</p>
<p>A list of California-based longevity research with transformational possibilities could go on at some length. But the point of providing this background isn’t to offer testament to the Golden State’s enduring strengths in the sciences. It’s to lay the groundwork for thinking about what life in our state might be like in a quarter-century if life expectancy does balloon to 100.</p>
<p>Having a defined-benefit government pension when you live on average until you are 81 or 85 is already an immensely lucrative and reassuring fact of life for public employees. But having such a pension when you live until 100 is a gilded gift, one that makes past complaints about government employees being a special protected class seem simply inadequate.</p>
<p>Barring a change in benefits or a dramatic increase in the minimum retirement age, public employees would enjoy an advantage so pronounced that it would be somewhat akin to that owned by the privileged elite who live in a satellite colony rotating around a decaying Earth in the science-fiction film “Elysium.”</p>
<p>Of course, a huge gain in life expectancy would affect public policy in many other ways as well. Funding for Social Security and Medicare already looks imperiled because of the retirements of millions of baby boomers and the declining birth rate. If life expectancy increased to 100, it is impossible to conceive of a federal budget in anything even vaguely resembling its present form.</p>
<p>The main hope of averting fiscal disaster then might be what economics writer Matt Yglesias and some futurists call the emergence of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-scarcity_economy" type="external">“post-scarcity” world</a> — one in which combinations of technology have sharply reduced the cost of material goods.</p>
<p>But if praying for a “post-scarcity” world is the best that most private-sector workers can do in contemplating how they’ll fare in a California with life expectancy of 100, that’s a striking contrast to the outlook of government workers. They can look forward to three or four decades of retired life at 75 percent to 90 percent of their final pay. The rest of us? We can pray our reverse mortgages prop up our lifestyles for a while before we’re forced to mooch off our children or to move into a new urban phenomenon: slums for the elderly.</p>
<p>“Elysium” writer-director Neill Blomkamp has said that income disparities he witnessed in California and Mexico helped inspire him in coming up with the story for his dystopia, a heavy-handed homage to the Occupy movement.</p>
<p>The version of “Elysium” we could be headed for may have California roots of a different sort. The haves vs. have-nots scenario of our future may not be the 1 percent vs. the 99 percent.</p>
<p>It will be the 10 percent or so of public employees who have defined-benefit pensions that last longer than their entire careers vs. the rest of us.</p> | false | 3 | debate california public employee pensions grown familiar recent times demand reform finally appear momentum sacramento gov jerry brown passage pension reform measure september 2012 many thought didnt go nearly far enough approval showed acceptance new conventional wisdom benefits unnecessarily generous san diego san jose city voters overwhelmingly approved much sweeping reforms hugely disruptive wild card pension debate rarely recognized growing consensus among longevity experts large number based california nearing breakthroughs several fronts promise dramatically expand long humans live according data released 2009 california public employees retirement system expects public employees current age 55 live 814 male 85 female actuarial assumptions built much public agencies expected set aside employees including new hires 20s golden states bestknown antiaging experts dr aubrey de grey dr walter bortz ii160 short list worlds leading authorities topic analyses antiaging efforts build sharply different approaches de grey controversial bortz conventional assumptions suggest calpers actuarial assessment longterm funding needs comically optimistic de grey native england oversees sens research foundation nonprofit organization based mountain view sens stands for160strategies engineered negligible senescence focus idea aging process cured allowing humans live far longer thanks regenerative medicine stops deterioration body initially scorned many gerontologists de greys views taken seriously passing year believes average life expectancy americans alive likely early 90s 25 years time could far longer regenerative medicine becomes practical bortz native philadelphia professor stanford university school medicine research demonstrated importance physical exercise robust aging living long full mental physical faculties bortz sees vast progress ahead gaining understanding human metabolism relation longevity believes average life expectancy americans could reach 100 coming decades de grey bortz part wide array longevity researchers california supported variety public nonprofit private institutions california institute regenerative medicine state stemcell agency financed 2004 bond backed dozens ambitious agerelated research projects agency officials particularly excited prospects delaying onset alzheimers disease often reduces life expectancy six years stanford ucla center longevity uc san francisco home promising longevity research world j craig venter institute san diego founded run scientist 2001 became first complete sequencing analysis human genome could change world venter pioneering development synthetic genes stunning potential remake life know theres also googles new moon shot project called calico goal nothing less solving death expected based silicon valley list californiabased longevity research transformational possibilities could go length point providing background isnt offer testament golden states enduring strengths sciences lay groundwork thinking life state might like quartercentury life expectancy balloon 100 definedbenefit government pension live average 81 85 already immensely lucrative reassuring fact life public employees pension live 100 gilded gift one makes past complaints government employees special protected class seem simply inadequate barring change benefits dramatic increase minimum retirement age public employees would enjoy advantage pronounced would somewhat akin owned privileged elite live satellite colony rotating around decaying earth sciencefiction film elysium course huge gain life expectancy would affect public policy many ways well funding social security medicare already looks imperiled retirements millions baby boomers declining birth rate life expectancy increased 100 impossible conceive federal budget anything even vaguely resembling present form main hope averting fiscal disaster might economics writer matt yglesias futurists call emergence postscarcity world one combinations technology sharply reduced cost material goods praying postscarcity world best privatesector workers contemplating theyll fare california life expectancy 100 thats striking contrast outlook government workers look forward three four decades retired life 75 percent 90 percent final pay rest us pray reverse mortgages prop lifestyles forced mooch children move new urban phenomenon slums elderly elysium writerdirector neill blomkamp said income disparities witnessed california mexico helped inspire coming story dystopia heavyhanded homage occupy movement version elysium could headed may california roots different sort haves vs havenots scenario future may 1 percent vs 99 percent 10 percent public employees definedbenefit pensions last longer entire careers vs rest us | 623 |
<p />
<p>Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin on Nov. 3, 2017, urged Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to “speak out” on anti-LGBT crackdowns that are underway around the world. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p />
<p>Griffin in <a href="" type="internal">a letter he wrote to Tillerson</a> referenced a bill that Egyptian lawmakers <a href="" type="internal">introduced last week</a> that would criminalize their country’s LGBT community. Griffin also noted the “onslaught of state-sponsored persecution of LGBTQ people in Chechnya, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Georgia, Tanzania, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.”</p>
<p>“We urge you to personally speak out,” wrote Griffin. “Doing so will save lives. When you are silent, the perpetrators of this violence see America not as a moral leader — but as a government that will look the other way.”</p>
<p>Tillerson in June in <a href="" type="internal">a Pride month statement</a> said the State Department “affirms its solidarity with the human rights defenders and civil society organizations working around the world to uphold the fundamental freedoms of LGBTI persons to live with dignity and freedom.” He also said “LGBTI persons continue to face the threat of violence and discrimination.”</p>
<p>“When all persons are protected on the basis of equality and with dignity, global stability is strengthened,” said Tillerson. “We will continue to support the human rights of LGBTI persons together with like-minded governments, businesses and civil society organizations globally.”</p>
<p>Tillerson himself has yet to publicly comment on the ongoing crackdown against LGBT Chechens, but the State Department told the Blade in September that <a href="" type="internal">he raised it</a> in a letter to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. A State Department spokesperson last week declined to comment on HRC’s Freedom of Information Act request for “all records” relating to Tillerson’s letter to Lavrov.</p>
<p>State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert last month <a href="" type="internal">expressed concern</a> over the anti-LGBT crackdowns in Egypt and Azerbaijan. She and U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley have also condemned the crackdown against LGBT Chechens that began earlier this year.</p>
<p>President Trump has yet to publicly comment on Chechnya.</p>
<p>White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told the Blade on Oct. 27 during her daily press briefing that <a href="" type="internal">she would have to “check into”</a> the Egyptian criminalization bill. She has yet to provide a follow-up statement.</p>
<p>“The U.S. response to this wave of anti-LGBTQ violence has been far too weak,” said Griffin in his letter to Tillerson. “While there have been important statements from Ambassador Haley, State Department spokesman Heather Nauert and a few other U.S. ambassadors, and while State Department staff continue to support civil society organizations and individuals under threat, it has not been nearly enough to focus international attention and create pressure to stop the surge in anti-LGBTQ violence.”</p>
<p>A State Department spokesperson on Friday said the agency remains “concerned by reports of detentions and arrests of LGBTI persons.” The spokesperson also referred the Blade to Tillerson’s Pride month statement.</p>
<p>“As Secretary Tillerson has stated, we affirm our solidarity with civil society organizations and human rights defenders working to uphold the fundamental freedoms of LGBTI persons,” said the spokesperson. “This holds true globally.”</p>
<p>“We urge countries to uphold and respect their international human rights obligations and commitments,” added the spokesperson. “The United States will continue to engage on issues of universal human rights and democracy.”</p>
<p>The promotion of LGBT and intersex rights around the world was a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy under the Obama administration.</p>
<p>Tillerson indicated <a href="" type="internal">the special U.S. envoy for the human rights of LGBT and intersex people will remain in place</a> under a State Department overhaul. The U.S., France and Brazil in recent weeks <a href="" type="internal">blocked Egyptian and Russian efforts</a> to remove a reference to discrimination that includes sexual orientation from an Olympics resolution at the U.N.</p>
<p>The U.S. on Sept. 29 voted against a U.N. Human Rights Council resolution that includes a provision condemning the death penalty for those found guilty of committing consensual same-sex sexual acts.</p>
<p>A U.S. official told the Blade after the vote the U.S. “did support language in the resolution against the discriminatory use of the death penalty based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity, while also requesting changes to make the larger resolution in accordance with U.S. law” that says the death penalty is legal. The official noted the resolution’s main sponsors “did not take those edits onboard, so we were unable to support the larger resolution, which called for a global moratorium on the death penalty, in spite of the fact that it included parts that we support.”</p>
<p>The State Department on Oct. 26 <a href="" type="internal">issued a statement that acknowledged Intersex Awareness Day.</a> Nauert a week earlier <a href="" type="internal">acknowledged Spirit Day,</a> which is a campaign that seeks to combat bullying.</p>
<p>Activists in Chile and Honduras with whom the Blade spoke in recent weeks said U.S. officials in their respective countries continue to work with them. Griffin in his letter to Tillerson asked him to increase U.S. funding for LGBT and intersex advocacy groups around the world and make “it clear to the American people, the international community and State Department staff that supporting and protecting the human rights of LGBTQ people remains a State Department commitment and priority.”</p>
<p>“The United States has long been a beacon of hope for oppressed people around the globe, and we are at our strongest when we affirm the values we hold dear before the rest of the world,” wrote Griffin. “On the global stage that means championing the dignity of all individuals, no matter how vulnerable or disenfranchised.”</p>
<p>“I urge you to speak out against the serious attacks on LGBTQ people around the world by loudly condemning these arbitrary arrests, detentions and persecution of LGBTQ people,” he added. “There are countless lives — in these countries and many others across the globe — depending on America’s action and leadership.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Azerbaijan</a> <a href="" type="internal">Bangladesh</a> <a href="" type="internal">bisexual</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chad Griffin</a> <a href="" type="internal">Chechnya</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">Egypt</a> <a href="" type="internal">gay</a> <a href="" type="internal">Georgia</a> <a href="" type="internal">Heather Nauert</a> <a href="" type="internal">Human Rights Campaign</a> <a href="" type="internal">Indonesia</a> <a href="" type="internal">intersex</a> <a href="" type="internal">lesbian</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nikki Haley</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rex Tillerson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Russia</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sarah Huckabee Sanders</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tajikistan</a> <a href="" type="internal">Tanzania</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a></p> | false | 3 | human rights campaign president chad griffin nov 3 2017 urged secretary state rex tillerson speak antilgbt crackdowns underway around world washington blade photo michael key griffin letter wrote tillerson referenced bill egyptian lawmakers introduced last week would criminalize countrys lgbt community griffin also noted onslaught statesponsored persecution lgbtq people chechnya bangladesh indonesia georgia tanzania azerbaijan tajikistan urge personally speak wrote griffin save lives silent perpetrators violence see america moral leader government look way tillerson june pride month statement said state department affirms solidarity human rights defenders civil society organizations working around world uphold fundamental freedoms lgbti persons live dignity freedom also said lgbti persons continue face threat violence discrimination persons protected basis equality dignity global stability strengthened said tillerson continue support human rights lgbti persons together likeminded governments businesses civil society organizations globally tillerson yet publicly comment ongoing crackdown lgbt chechens state department told blade september raised letter russian foreign minister sergey lavrov state department spokesperson last week declined comment hrcs freedom information act request records relating tillersons letter lavrov state department spokesperson heather nauert last month expressed concern antilgbt crackdowns egypt azerbaijan us ambassador un nikki haley also condemned crackdown lgbt chechens began earlier year president trump yet publicly comment chechnya white house press secretary sarah huckabee sanders told blade oct 27 daily press briefing would check egyptian criminalization bill yet provide followup statement us response wave antilgbtq violence far weak said griffin letter tillerson important statements ambassador haley state department spokesman heather nauert us ambassadors state department staff continue support civil society organizations individuals threat nearly enough focus international attention create pressure stop surge antilgbtq violence state department spokesperson friday said agency remains concerned reports detentions arrests lgbti persons spokesperson also referred blade tillersons pride month statement secretary tillerson stated affirm solidarity civil society organizations human rights defenders working uphold fundamental freedoms lgbti persons said spokesperson holds true globally urge countries uphold respect international human rights obligations commitments added spokesperson united states continue engage issues universal human rights democracy promotion lgbt intersex rights around world cornerstone us foreign policy obama administration tillerson indicated special us envoy human rights lgbt intersex people remain place state department overhaul us france brazil recent weeks blocked egyptian russian efforts remove reference discrimination includes sexual orientation olympics resolution un us sept 29 voted un human rights council resolution includes provision condemning death penalty found guilty committing consensual samesex sexual acts us official told blade vote us support language resolution discriminatory use death penalty based individuals sexual orientation gender identity also requesting changes make larger resolution accordance us law says death penalty legal official noted resolutions main sponsors take edits onboard unable support larger resolution called global moratorium death penalty spite fact included parts support state department oct 26 issued statement acknowledged intersex awareness day nauert week earlier acknowledged spirit day campaign seeks combat bullying activists chile honduras blade spoke recent weeks said us officials respective countries continue work griffin letter tillerson asked increase us funding lgbt intersex advocacy groups around world make clear american people international community state department staff supporting protecting human rights lgbtq people remains state department commitment priority united states long beacon hope oppressed people around globe strongest affirm values hold dear rest world wrote griffin global stage means championing dignity individuals matter vulnerable disenfranchised urge speak serious attacks lgbtq people around world loudly condemning arbitrary arrests detentions persecution lgbtq people added countless lives countries many others across globe depending americas action leadership azerbaijan bangladesh bisexual chad griffin chechnya donald trump egypt gay georgia heather nauert human rights campaign indonesia intersex lesbian nikki haley rex tillerson russia sarah huckabee sanders tajikistan tanzania transgender | 603 |
<p>FALLS CHURCH, Va. (ABP) — Baptists generally prefer to handle violations of religious freedom through quiet diplomacy instead of media headlines denouncing “persecution” of Christians, said a freedom-and-justice specialist for the <a href="http://www.bwanet.org/" type="external">Baptist World Alliance</a>.</p>
<p>That approach contrasts with well-known organizations like <a href="http://www.persecution.com/" type="external">Voice of the Martyrs</a> and <a href="http://www.opendoorsusa.org/" type="external">Open Doors</a> that publicize and advocate on behalf of the “persecuted church.”</p>
<p>Mistreatment in the name of religion isn’t limited to any particular faith. Protestants and Catholics have waged war in Northern Ireland for decades, and violence between Sunni and Shia Muslims erupted in Iraq following the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.</p>
<p>But observers say the majority of people suffering because of their faith today are Christians, typically at the hands of officially atheistic regimes or in Muslim majorities where fundamentalist Islam is enshrined in Sharia law.</p>
<p>By undocumented estimates, some 200 million Christians around the world are persecuted for their beliefs. Rick Warren recently cited a statistic claiming <a href="http://twitter.com/rickwarren/status/6226009441" type="external">146,000 Christians died last year</a> alone for their faith.</p>
<p>New figures compiled by the <a href="http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=491" type="external">Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion &amp; Public Life</a> report that 70 percent of the world’s 6.8 billion people live in countries where some citizens face high or very high restrictions on their religion.</p>
<p>Religious freedom belongs both to individuals and to religious groups. It includes a person’s right to walk down the street wearing a yarmulke or a headscarf, and it also includes rights of group to worship as they please.</p>
<p>The fundamental nature of religious freedom was enshrined in the 1948 <a href="http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/" type="external">Universal Declaration of Human Rights</a>, prompted in large part by the Nazi Holocaust against the Jewish people.</p>
<p>Since passage of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Religious_Freedom_Act_of_1998" type="external">International Religious Freedom Act</a> in 1998, religious freedom also has been a centerpiece of U.S. foreign policy.</p>
<p>Systematic religious persecution by governments takes three main forms—officially atheistic communist regimes like China, North Korea and Vietnam; repressive Islamic states like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Sudan; and nationalist authoritarian states such as Burma, Eritrea and Uzbekistan. Those eight countries have been listed by the U.S. State Department as “Countries of Particular Concern,” a designation for the world’s worst violators of religious freedom.</p>
<p>Other countries have high government restrictions that favor some religions over others. In Greece, for example, only Orthodox Christian, Jewish and Muslim organizations are legally recognized as a religion, putting minority sects at a disadvantage, including the right to own property.</p>
<p>Some states have more moderate restrictions. Cambodia, for example, prohibits Christians from going door to door to proselytize or hand out literature. Switzerland recently created controversy when it banned construction of minarets, reflecting cultural fears of a growing Muslim population but denounced as a violation of religious freedom.</p>
<p>Some countries have low restrictions on religious freedom. In the United Kingdom, for example, the head of state is also head of the Church of England, but the government does not always favor the established church.</p>
<p>In the United States, the free exercise of religion is guaranteed, but churches can be prohibited from things like endorsing political candidates in exchange for being exempt for paying taxes or subject to zoning laws that regulate the construction of buildings.</p>
<p>Because the First Amendment also prohibits the establishment of religion, a Christian majority cannot impose its views on society as a whole. This often results in court battles over issues like community Nativity displays at Christmas, displays of the Ten Commandments on public property and skirmishes like one recently in Georgia over whether football players at a public high school could rush onto the field bursting through paper banners bearing inspirational verses from the Bible.</p>
<p>In some parts of the world, persecution is not at the hands of the government, but social hostility related to factors like politics, ethnicity, the economy and religion cause segments of the population to be treated harshly.</p>
<p>An example is India, where riots late in 2007 by radical Hindu mobs in the state of Orissa were described as the worst attacks ever targeting Christians since India became a democracy.</p>
<p>Some countries, like China, are not officially anti-religion but crack down on particular beliefs that are declared illegal. Buddhism is regulated in China, in part because of its integral association with the Tibetan independence movement.</p>
<p>In 1999, China outlawed <a href="http://www.religioustolerance.org/falungong.htm" type="external">Falun Gong</a>, a movement that started in the early 1990s, branding it a “dangerous cult” that the government said posed a threat to Chinese society. Crackdowns on unregistered Christian groups that meet in private homes may reflect anxiety by local officials that secret meetings are a breeding ground for dissent or even revolution.</p>
<p>China’s mixed bag on religion also includes vestiges of the Cultural Revolution, a zealous crackdown in the late 1960s in which all religion was viewed as backward and contrary to social progress. China’s overall attitude toward religion is that a citizen’s No. 1 priority is to the state rather than to any religion.</p>
<p>In some places, religious minorities suffer just for being different. Because of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment, American’s don’t have a particular faith associated with national spirit. That isn’t true in places like the former Soviet Union, where the Orthodox Church is widely viewed as the only “Russian” form of Christianity.</p>
<p>“I think there are many different forms of religious persecution,” said Cindy Wiles of Arlington, executive director of <a href="http://gcpn.org/" type="external">Global Connection Partnership Network</a>, which helps involve congregations in humanitarian missions in various parts of the world, including nations where religious freedom is severely restricted.</p>
<p>“To me, any time you are oppressed for following God as you perceive him to be, that is a form of religious persecution.”</p>
<p>Julie Justus, the staff member assigned to the <a href="http://www.bwanet.org/default.aspx?pid=27" type="external">Freedom and Justice Division of the Baptist World Alliance</a>, said the BWA typically takes a low-key approach when responding to a report of a possible violation of religious liberty.</p>
<p>“Customarily the most supportive action for the parties involved is for the BWA to focus on mediation and conversation rather than on publicity,” she said. “An untimely and inappropriate external public protest can sometimes prove to be a bigger hindrance than help and could even put the case at risk.”</p>
<p>The BWA generally only publicizes a potential infraction if deemed completely necessary, she said. Customar-ily, that involves campaigning with other organizations, such as other church organizations, to issue statements supporting the religious freedom of those involved in the case.</p>
<p>“Christians around the world are committed to the cause,” she said. “Consequently, a compromise is sometimes made in order to help pursue what is a manageable outcome. The BWA wants to assist and is committed to asking for guidance on how we can be most helpful.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | falls church va abp baptists generally prefer handle violations religious freedom quiet diplomacy instead media headlines denouncing persecution christians said freedomandjustice specialist baptist world alliance approach contrasts wellknown organizations like voice martyrs open doors publicize advocate behalf persecuted church mistreatment name religion isnt limited particular faith protestants catholics waged war northern ireland decades violence sunni shia muslims erupted iraq following overthrow saddam hussein observers say majority people suffering faith today christians typically hands officially atheistic regimes muslim majorities fundamentalist islam enshrined sharia law undocumented estimates 200 million christians around world persecuted beliefs rick warren recently cited statistic claiming 146000 christians died last year alone faith new figures compiled pew research centers forum religion amp public life report 70 percent worlds 68 billion people live countries citizens face high high restrictions religion religious freedom belongs individuals religious groups includes persons right walk street wearing yarmulke headscarf also includes rights group worship please fundamental nature religious freedom enshrined 1948 universal declaration human rights prompted large part nazi holocaust jewish people since passage international religious freedom act 1998 religious freedom also centerpiece us foreign policy systematic religious persecution governments takes three main formsofficially atheistic communist regimes like china north korea vietnam repressive islamic states like saudi arabia iran sudan nationalist authoritarian states burma eritrea uzbekistan eight countries listed us state department countries particular concern designation worlds worst violators religious freedom countries high government restrictions favor religions others greece example orthodox christian jewish muslim organizations legally recognized religion putting minority sects disadvantage including right property states moderate restrictions cambodia example prohibits christians going door door proselytize hand literature switzerland recently created controversy banned construction minarets reflecting cultural fears growing muslim population denounced violation religious freedom countries low restrictions religious freedom united kingdom example head state also head church england government always favor established church united states free exercise religion guaranteed churches prohibited things like endorsing political candidates exchange exempt paying taxes subject zoning laws regulate construction buildings first amendment also prohibits establishment religion christian majority impose views society whole often results court battles issues like community nativity displays christmas displays ten commandments public property skirmishes like one recently georgia whether football players public high school could rush onto field bursting paper banners bearing inspirational verses bible parts world persecution hands government social hostility related factors like politics ethnicity economy religion cause segments population treated harshly example india riots late 2007 radical hindu mobs state orissa described worst attacks ever targeting christians since india became democracy countries like china officially antireligion crack particular beliefs declared illegal buddhism regulated china part integral association tibetan independence movement 1999 china outlawed falun gong movement started early 1990s branding dangerous cult government said posed threat chinese society crackdowns unregistered christian groups meet private homes may reflect anxiety local officials secret meetings breeding ground dissent even revolution chinas mixed bag religion also includes vestiges cultural revolution zealous crackdown late 1960s religion viewed backward contrary social progress chinas overall attitude toward religion citizens 1 priority state rather religion places religious minorities suffer different us constitutions first amendment americans dont particular faith associated national spirit isnt true places like former soviet union orthodox church widely viewed russian form christianity think many different forms religious persecution said cindy wiles arlington executive director global connection partnership network helps involve congregations humanitarian missions various parts world including nations religious freedom severely restricted time oppressed following god perceive form religious persecution julie justus staff member assigned freedom justice division baptist world alliance said bwa typically takes lowkey approach responding report possible violation religious liberty customarily supportive action parties involved bwa focus mediation conversation rather publicity said untimely inappropriate external public protest sometimes prove bigger hindrance help could even put case risk bwa generally publicizes potential infraction deemed completely necessary said customarily involves campaigning organizations church organizations issue statements supporting religious freedom involved case christians around world committed cause said consequently compromise sometimes made order help pursue manageable outcome bwa wants assist committed asking guidance helpful 160 160 | 661 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Oct. 19, 2012</p>
<p>By Wayne Lusvardi</p>
<p>Re: Some California Water Policies to Avoid for the Next President</p>
<p>Dear President (Obama or Romney):</p>
<p>Congratulations on gaining the trust of a majority of the American people in your election victory.&#160;&#160; The people of California will also place trust in you as the top decision maker on the organization chart for the federal portion of California’s water system, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Valley_Project" type="external">Central Valley Project</a>.</p>
<p>Most Californians don’t realize that about half of the state’s water system is financed and run by the federal government.&#160; As you probably already know, this came about during the Great Depression of the 1930s. California was so broke it couldn’t borrow money with bonds for water projects.&#160; So the U.S. government had to take over California’s planned expansion to its water system.&#160; This was also the only way at the time to resolve the conflict over water between farmers and growing cities.&#160; The Central Valley Project mainly serves farmers. The State Water Project and the Colorado River Aqueduct mostly serves cities.</p>
<p>There are some&#160; <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-h-gleick/16-water-recommendations-_b_1971408.html" type="external">water policy experts</a>, such as Peter Gleick of the Pacific Institute on Water Policy, who believe: 1) a 21st&#160;century water policy should be developed; 2) the spotlight should be on national security issues related to water; 3) the role of the United States in addressing global warming problems should be expanded; and 4) climate change risks should be integrated into all federal water planning and activity.</p>
<p>But it is all gobbledygook to say that water policy needs to form more blue ribbon water commissions composed of elite experts, conduct more studies and hire more consultants like themselves.&#160; We had a phrase we used to say when I worked for one of the largest regional water agencies in California: “Government agencies hire consultants to tell them what they already know but want to have validated.”</p>
<p>Contrary to the establishment water experts, here is where federal water policy could be reoriented toward for greater prosperity for all in California and the United States:</p>
<p>Water experts are calling for a new water policy to replace state and local water governance by: 1) forming blue ribbon water commissions to usurp representative government; 2) “strengthening” the <a href="http://farmfutures.com/blogs.aspx/epa-still-threat-property-owners-3124" type="external">abusive Clean Water Act</a> and Safe Drinking Water Act; 3) socializing water infrastructure financing, contradicting the “user-pays” principle; 4) using the Farm Bill, trade laws, and plumbing and tax codes purportedly to improve water productivity by nationalizing it; and 5) having the Federal government enforce “environmental flows” for all major river systems. &#160;These all are nice sounding platitudes that have little to do with the reality of federal and state water policy in California.&#160; Such policies literally <a href="http://www.klamathbasincrisis.org/mcclintock/waterabundant060811.htm" type="external">let our prosperity flow out to the ocean</a>.</p>
<p>As Rep.&#160; <a href="http://mcclintock.house.gov/2012/02/opening-statement-water-and-power-subcommittee-hearing.shtml" type="external">Tom McClintock</a>, R-Calif., has pointed out, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation built more than 600 dams and reservoirs in the last century, most more than 50 years ago.&#160; The Bureau has built 15 reservoirs in California since 1910, but the last one was in 1979.&#160; Lack of new reservoirs is not due to a shortage of potential rainfall.&#160; Even in a dry year such as 2001, California had “only” 145 million acre-feet of rainfall and imports.&#160; In a typical dry year, that is enough water for <a href="" type="internal">290 million urban households or 145 million acres of farming</a> (Cal State University, Stanislaus).</p>
<p>The problem is capture, storage, and treatment — not drought, not waste by cities or farmers, not global warming, and not necessarily population growth. California only has about <a href="" type="internal">six months</a>&#160;of excess water storage in its combined state-and-federal water system even in a wet year.&#160; What serves as the critical drought buffer for California is water stored in the Sacramento Delta — which once was an inland sea.</p>
<p>Nationalizing state and local water regulations and enforcement is a non-solution.&#160; All this will do is socialize the financing of water infrastructure projects and create more <a href="" type="internal">artificial jobs programs that do not increase our economy</a>. &#160;Such policies will also put a bigger hole in our national debt.</p>
<p>Again, there are those water consultants who apparently are targeting the public purse used to prevent potential terrorist threats to our water system.&#160; Most of this has already been addressed by the Drinking Water Security Act of 2009 and by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s <a href="http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/publications.cfm" type="external">Water Security Department</a>. &#160;This includes <a href="http://cfpub.epa.gov/safewater/watersecurity/publications.cfm?sort=TITLE&amp;view=doctype_results&amp;document_type_id=619" type="external">Homeland Security Presidential Directives</a>.</p>
<p>Though I am no security expert, I have some familiarity with the subject. I worked at one of California’s largest water agencies for 20 years.&#160; I once conducted a mass valuation of probable damage losses to thousands of private properties in the event of breach or failure of its dams or reservoirs by accident or by intentional acts. &#160;The valuation was conducted for insurance purposes and included a statistical probability analysis of the risk of dam failure.</p>
<p>First, it is difficult to contaminate large regional water storage reservoirs because most contaminants would likely dissolve (“the solution to pollution is dilution”). How any contaminant would get by urban water treatment plants is another dubious issue.</p>
<p>My understanding is that the greatest water security risk is not at the national, state, or regional level, but at the <a href="http://www.ionizers.org/water-terrorism.html" type="external">local level</a>.&#160; Thus, any such terrorist acts could likely be used for psychological terrorism.&#160; Most law enforcement agencies in California have undergone training in rapid helicopter deployment to protect dams and reservoirs should such any threat arise.&#160; I have witnessed such training exercises first hand.</p>
<p>Once again, featherbedding for unneeded consulting contracts for water security should not be given a greater priority than it already has.</p>
<p>Water quality experts are calling for greater U.S. international aid in meeting basic water needs, preventing outbreaks of water-related diseases such as the cholera “perfect storm” in Haiti in 2010, and expanding funding for water scientists and educators.</p>
<p>Certainly, U.S. foreign policy should include aid where possible to ameliorate outbreaks of water-borne diseases in poverty-stricken areas of the world. &#160;The cholera epidemic of 2010 in Haiti, which killed 7,500 people, is cited as the reason for greater international water quality funding. However, epidemiologist <a href="http://www.caribjournal.com/2012/10/17/op-ed-what-role-did-the-environment-play-in-haitis-cholera-epidemic/http:/www.caribjournal.com/2012/10/17/op-ed-what-role-did-the-environment-play-in-haitis-cholera-epidemic/" type="external">Dr. Renaud Piarroux</a> of France points out that conventional water quality policy is misguided.&#160; The cholera outbreak in Haiti was not, as commonly believed, due to a <a href="file://localhost/ttp/::weill.cornell.edu:globalhealth:online-global-health-journal:global_health_news:a_perfect_storm_for_haiti_hurricane_tomas_and_cholera:" type="external">“perfect storm”</a> of an earthquake and hurricane followed by a hot summer.&#160; The source of the cholera probably came from human waste from an encampment of U.N. disaster relief peacekeepers from Nepal that were deployed near a tributary to the Artibonite River.</p>
<p>Contrary to the experts, apparently the outbreak was facilitated by the “environment” — the river environment — that proliferated and spread cholera. &#160;The river environment was the killer, not solely the cholera bacteria.&#160; This is the reverse of U.S. water-quality policy that focuses on toxic substances to the exclusion of the “environment.” Mistaken U.S. environmental policy is based on the notion that the environment is pure and that man-made substances despoil it.&#160; For after all, if you can’t sue a river or shake it down for money by a lawsuit, how can it be at fault?</p>
<p>Like many “environmental” health issues, it is not some toxic substance that is the sole cause. Rather, it is the environment that traps the substance and concentrates it at harmful levels. It is not the environment that needs protection; it is humans who need protection from the environment.</p>
<p>The main principle in toxicology is: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Dose-Makes-Poison-Plain-Language/dp/0470381124/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1350615779&amp;sr=1-1-spell&amp;keywords=ottobani+dose+makes+poison" type="external">“the poison is the dosage.”</a>&#160; Pollutants trapped in stagnant urban air basins, natural or man-made chemicals trapped in underground water basins, and asbestos trapped in energy-tight buildings all can lead to health threats.&#160; The focus on chemicals and toxic substances, instead of entrapping environments, is misplaced.&#160; Nearly every substance is potentially harmful — including pure H20 ingested by humans — if it is concentrated at toxic levels.&#160; Thus, both federal and state water quality regulation is misplaced.</p>
<p>The U.S. should re-focus its misplaced water quality policies at home — especially its misguided policies on <a href="" type="internal">perchlorate regulation</a> — before exporting such misinformed and potentially harmful policies abroad.</p>
<p>Again, water experts are lobbying to “integrate climate change risks into all federal water planning and activity.”&#160; They want to: 1) expand efforts to assess the growing impacts of unavoidable climate change on U.S. water resources; 2) improve the “smart management” of both energy and water resources; and 3) integrate strategies for adapting to “climate change” in new construction and operation of existing water systems and reservoirs.</p>
<p>Mr. President, what planet do such experts come from? Certainly not Planet California, where climate change is something we have been trying to manage forever.&#160; Certainly, not from the Colorado River Basin, the Southeastern United States — which is experiencing drought — or anywhere else on Planet Earth.</p>
<p>Elitist water policy in California is like a futuristic scene out of the Edgar Rice Burroughs science fiction novel,&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Princess_of_Mars" type="external">“A Princess of Mars,”</a> where&#160;“water which supplies the farms of Mars is collected in immense underground reservoirs at either pole from the melting ice caps, and pumped through long conduits to the various population centers.”</p>
<p>The above absurd description, based on early belief in “ <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martian_canal" type="external">canals</a>” on Mars, sounds like Gov. Jerry Brown’s current proposal <a href="http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/jul/25/california-governor-unveils-delta-water-tunnel-pla/" type="external">to construct massive tunnels</a> under the Sacramento Delta as part of the state’s “climate change” policy. Southern California needs water, but doesn’t need the massive cost of tunnels required to avoid the environmental vetting process.</p>
<p>So-called “climate change” science is a modern version of a religious-like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-fulfilling_prophecy" type="external">self-fulfilling prophecy</a>.&#160; The more you study it, the more you will find it.&#160; California’s cyclical dry spells are often used as proof of global warming.&#160; The public’s attention is focused on feeling that it is hotter, then they believe it.</p>
<p>California experiences wet monsoon-like rainfall every few years that fills its lakes, reservoirs and the Sacramento Delta.&#160; This is followed by dry spells, where we rely on water stored during the wet years.&#160;&#160; The climate has always changed in California. The water system has been built to convey water from the Delta or the Colorado River to lessen the probability of impact from regional droughts.</p>
<p>Like most of modern day environmentalism, climate change science is just the re-branding of something state and federal water agencies have been doing for more than a century.&#160; Climate change science is an industry full of would-be technocratic elites who want to grab funding and take power away from the process of representative government.</p>
<p>We should not place our precious natural resources in the hands of elite technocrats pluming for federal funds for environmental overkill of our economy and representative form of government.</p>
<p>Sincerely,</p>
<p>Wayne Lusvardi</p>
<p>The views expressed are those of the author and not CalWatchDog.com or the Pacific Research Institute.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | false | 3 | oct 19 2012 wayne lusvardi california water policies avoid next president dear president obama romney congratulations gaining trust majority american people election victory160160 people california also place trust top decision maker organization chart federal portion californias water system central valley project californians dont realize half states water system financed run federal government160 probably already know came great depression 1930s california broke couldnt borrow money bonds water projects160 us government take californias planned expansion water system160 also way time resolve conflict water farmers growing cities160 central valley project mainly serves farmers state water project colorado river aqueduct mostly serves cities some160 water policy experts peter gleick pacific institute water policy believe 1 21st160century water policy developed 2 spotlight national security issues related water 3 role united states addressing global warming problems expanded 4 climate change risks integrated federal water planning activity gobbledygook say water policy needs form blue ribbon water commissions composed elite experts conduct studies hire consultants like themselves160 phrase used say worked one largest regional water agencies california government agencies hire consultants tell already know want validated contrary establishment water experts federal water policy could reoriented toward greater prosperity california united states water experts calling new water policy replace state local water governance 1 forming blue ribbon water commissions usurp representative government 2 strengthening abusive clean water act safe drinking water act 3 socializing water infrastructure financing contradicting userpays principle 4 using farm bill trade laws plumbing tax codes purportedly improve water productivity nationalizing 5 federal government enforce environmental flows major river systems 160these nice sounding platitudes little reality federal state water policy california160 policies literally let prosperity flow ocean rep160 tom mcclintock rcalif pointed us bureau reclamation built 600 dams reservoirs last century 50 years ago160 bureau built 15 reservoirs california since 1910 last one 1979160 lack new reservoirs due shortage potential rainfall160 even dry year 2001 california 145 million acrefeet rainfall imports160 typical dry year enough water 290 million urban households 145 million acres farming cal state university stanislaus problem capture storage treatment drought waste cities farmers global warming necessarily population growth california six months160of excess water storage combined stateandfederal water system even wet year160 serves critical drought buffer california water stored sacramento delta inland sea nationalizing state local water regulations enforcement nonsolution160 socialize financing water infrastructure projects create artificial jobs programs increase economy 160such policies also put bigger hole national debt water consultants apparently targeting public purse used prevent potential terrorist threats water system160 already addressed drinking water security act 2009 us environmental protection agencys water security department 160this includes homeland security presidential directives though security expert familiarity subject worked one californias largest water agencies 20 years160 conducted mass valuation probable damage losses thousands private properties event breach failure dams reservoirs accident intentional acts 160the valuation conducted insurance purposes included statistical probability analysis risk dam failure first difficult contaminate large regional water storage reservoirs contaminants would likely dissolve solution pollution dilution contaminant would get urban water treatment plants another dubious issue understanding greatest water security risk national state regional level local level160 thus terrorist acts could likely used psychological terrorism160 law enforcement agencies california undergone training rapid helicopter deployment protect dams reservoirs threat arise160 witnessed training exercises first hand featherbedding unneeded consulting contracts water security given greater priority already water quality experts calling greater us international aid meeting basic water needs preventing outbreaks waterrelated diseases cholera perfect storm haiti 2010 expanding funding water scientists educators certainly us foreign policy include aid possible ameliorate outbreaks waterborne diseases povertystricken areas world 160the cholera epidemic 2010 haiti killed 7500 people cited reason greater international water quality funding however epidemiologist dr renaud piarroux france points conventional water quality policy misguided160 cholera outbreak haiti commonly believed due perfect storm earthquake hurricane followed hot summer160 source cholera probably came human waste encampment un disaster relief peacekeepers nepal deployed near tributary artibonite river contrary experts apparently outbreak facilitated environment river environment proliferated spread cholera 160the river environment killer solely cholera bacteria160 reverse us waterquality policy focuses toxic substances exclusion environment mistaken us environmental policy based notion environment pure manmade substances despoil it160 cant sue river shake money lawsuit fault like many environmental health issues toxic substance sole cause rather environment traps substance concentrates harmful levels environment needs protection humans need protection environment main principle toxicology poison dosage160 pollutants trapped stagnant urban air basins natural manmade chemicals trapped underground water basins asbestos trapped energytight buildings lead health threats160 focus chemicals toxic substances instead entrapping environments misplaced160 nearly every substance potentially harmful including pure h20 ingested humans concentrated toxic levels160 thus federal state water quality regulation misplaced us refocus misplaced water quality policies home especially misguided policies perchlorate regulation exporting misinformed potentially harmful policies abroad water experts lobbying integrate climate change risks federal water planning activity160 want 1 expand efforts assess growing impacts unavoidable climate change us water resources 2 improve smart management energy water resources 3 integrate strategies adapting climate change new construction operation existing water systems reservoirs mr president planet experts come certainly planet california climate change something trying manage forever160 certainly colorado river basin southeastern united states experiencing drought anywhere else planet earth elitist water policy california like futuristic scene edgar rice burroughs science fiction novel160 princess mars where160water supplies farms mars collected immense underground reservoirs either pole melting ice caps pumped long conduits various population centers absurd description based early belief canals mars sounds like gov jerry browns current proposal construct massive tunnels sacramento delta part states climate change policy southern california needs water doesnt need massive cost tunnels required avoid environmental vetting process socalled climate change science modern version religiouslike selffulfilling prophecy160 study find it160 californias cyclical dry spells often used proof global warming160 publics attention focused feeling hotter believe california experiences wet monsoonlike rainfall every years fills lakes reservoirs sacramento delta160 followed dry spells rely water stored wet years160160 climate always changed california water system built convey water delta colorado river lessen probability impact regional droughts like modern day environmentalism climate change science rebranding something state federal water agencies century160 climate change science industry full wouldbe technocratic elites want grab funding take power away process representative government place precious natural resources hands elite technocrats pluming federal funds environmental overkill economy representative form government sincerely wayne lusvardi views expressed author calwatchdogcom pacific research institute 160 | 1,045 |
<p>In the federal government’s relentless and futile pursuit to control what Americans can and cannot put into their own bodies, all too often, innocent people become the victims of state-sponsored violence. Since its inception&#160;during the Nixon&#160;years, the drug war has not only failed at its task but it’s served to create a massive opioid epidemic and eviscerated rights—all while fostering corruption and violence within the government. At the head of this violent and corrupt beast is the government office known as the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA.</p>
<p>A scathing new <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/the-dea-says-it-came-under-fire-during-a-deadly-drug-raid-its-own-video-suggests-otherwise" type="external">report</a>out of ProPublica has just shined some light on the DEA’s dark and violent history. This new evidence, accompanied with a video, shows that for the past five years, the DEA has been lying about an incident that resulted in them killing four innocent civilians, including two women and a child.</p>
<p>The incident happened in Honduras during an operation carried out under the cover of darkness in one of many futile attempts to stop people from selling arbitrary substances.</p>
<p>According to the report from ProPublica:</p>
<p>In the DEA’s view, the dead — one man, two women and a 14-year-old boy — were among those on a boat that shot at a canoe carrying a joint DEA-Honduran anti-drug team. The DEA said it had evidence in the form of night-vision video taken from a surveillance plane showing an “exchange of gunfire” between the two vessels after the larger boat collided with the canoe carrying the agents.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Now, for the first time, the three-hour video has been released to the public. It strongly suggests that the DEA’s account of crossfire in the May 2012 mission was not accurate. The release of the video, under a Freedom of Information Act request, follows&#160; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/24/us/politics/dea-honduras-drugs.html" type="external">a scathing report published by the inspectors general of the Departments of Justice and State</a>&#160;earlier this year that challenged the DEA’s version of events.</p>
<p>ProPublica, along with the NY Times hired a forensic expert to analyze said video. According to the expert, Bruce Koenig, the video shows numerous flashes originating from the DEA and not the family who was murdered.</p>
<p>Just prior to the release of this video—in a likely attempt to quell backlash beforehand—the DEA disbanded the agency’s program that carried out this attack in Honduras. The operation was named the Foreign-Deployed Advisory Support Teams, or FAST, and it provided&#160; <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/world/americas/honduran-drug-raid-deaths-wont-alter-us-policy.html" type="external">military-style training to law enforcement officers in other countries</a>&#160;to counter drug traffickers.</p>
<p>According to ProPublica, the inspector’s general report, which found no evidence to support the DEA’s account that its agents were fired upon, has also drawn attention from lawmakers. A bipartisan group of four senators asserted that the DEA and State Department “repeatedly and knowingly misled members of Congress and congressional staff.”</p>
<p>“The DEA convinced themselves of a false version of events due to arrogance, false assumptions, and ignorance,” said Tim Rieser, an aide to Sen. Patrick Leahy and one of the staff members who has spent years delving into the shooting. “They rushed to judgment and then stuck to their story.”</p>
<p>For over five years, the DEA kept this video secret despite claiming that it exonerated&#160;the officers in the killing of the mand, two women, and one child.&#160;Peter Quilter, a former staff member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who attended some of the initial briefings explained the DEA’s deception from the beginning. “It was very difficult to second-guess them,” he said, adding, “They very simply misled the Congress. The video did not back up their story of what happened.”</p>
<p>ProPublica detailed the events of the video which sounds like a scene straight out of Hollywood.</p>
<p>In the video, the cocaine-filled pickup truck can be seen driving through the village to a landing on the twisting Patuca River. There the traffickers offload the drugs into a motorized canoe.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Four government helicopters appear and chaos erupts. The traffickers quickly abandon their task. One of them pushes the drug-laden canoe into the middle of the river and flees into the jungle with the others. Three members of the anti-drug team — two Honduran police and one DEA agent — ignore the men and pursue the canoe downstream.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The three men manage to climb on board. The DEA agent, sitting in the back, begins to pilot it back toward the landing. But the motor stalls and the canoe starts to drift downstream. The DEA agent can be seen vainly jerking the starter rope to try to restart the engine.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>As he does this a second boat appears in the frame. It seems to be maneuvering directly toward the drifting canoe carrying the drugs. This second boat would turn out to be a water taxi, carrying a dozen passengers and cargo upriver to Ahuas.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The passengers and pilot on the civilian boat would later say they were terrified by the helicopters and did not intend to steer toward the canoe containing the law enforcement agents. For their part, the drug agents assumed the second boat was trying to recover the drugs.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>It remains unclear why the civilian craft steered directly into the boat with the agents, but the boats collided.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The video clearly shows gunfire from the anti-drug agents. As passengers leap into the water, the anti-drug team continues to fire at them. An eight-second burst of machine gun fire comes from one of the helicopters. (The inspectors general report said a DEA agent ordered a Honduran door gunner to fire.)</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The footage cuts away for a moment, and the edges of the video are blocked by DEA redactions, obscuring the surveillance plane’s altitude and other technical intelligence-gathering data the agency deemed sensitive.</p>
<p>The DEA was unable to show that anyone in the boat had been armed as no bullets struck the agents, the helicopters, or their canoe. In total, three people were injured and four were killed.</p>
<p>Below is a video illustrating how the government can quite literally get away with murder and justify it by claiming to keep you safe from substances they deem illegal.</p>
<p>ProPublica reached out to one of the victims of the shooting who still has no idea why the DEA shot at them. Hilda Lezama, who operated the boat with her husband says she is no longer able to work as both of her legs suffered debilitating bullet wounds.&#160;“I can’t afford to support my daughters,” she said. “We still don’t know why this happened.”</p> | false | 3 | federal governments relentless futile pursuit control americans put bodies often innocent people become victims statesponsored violence since inception160during nixon160years drug war failed task served create massive opioid epidemic eviscerated rightsall fostering corruption violence within government head violent corrupt beast government office known drug enforcement administration dea scathing new reportout propublica shined light deas dark violent history new evidence accompanied video shows past five years dea lying incident resulted killing four innocent civilians including two women child incident happened honduras operation carried cover darkness one many futile attempts stop people selling arbitrary substances according report propublica deas view dead one man two women 14yearold boy among boat shot canoe carrying joint deahonduran antidrug team dea said evidence form nightvision video taken surveillance plane showing exchange gunfire two vessels larger boat collided canoe carrying agents 160 first time threehour video released public strongly suggests deas account crossfire may 2012 mission accurate release video freedom information act request follows160 scathing report published inspectors general departments justice state160earlier year challenged deas version events propublica along ny times hired forensic expert analyze said video according expert bruce koenig video shows numerous flashes originating dea family murdered prior release videoin likely attempt quell backlash beforehandthe dea disbanded agencys program carried attack honduras operation named foreigndeployed advisory support teams fast provided160 militarystyle training law enforcement officers countries160to counter drug traffickers according propublica inspectors general report found evidence support deas account agents fired upon also drawn attention lawmakers bipartisan group four senators asserted dea state department repeatedly knowingly misled members congress congressional staff dea convinced false version events due arrogance false assumptions ignorance said tim rieser aide sen patrick leahy one staff members spent years delving shooting rushed judgment stuck story five years dea kept video secret despite claiming exonerated160the officers killing mand two women one child160peter quilter former staff member house foreign affairs committee attended initial briefings explained deas deception beginning difficult secondguess said adding simply misled congress video back story happened propublica detailed events video sounds like scene straight hollywood video cocainefilled pickup truck seen driving village landing twisting patuca river traffickers offload drugs motorized canoe 160 four government helicopters appear chaos erupts traffickers quickly abandon task one pushes drugladen canoe middle river flees jungle others three members antidrug team two honduran police one dea agent ignore men pursue canoe downstream 160 three men manage climb board dea agent sitting back begins pilot back toward landing motor stalls canoe starts drift downstream dea agent seen vainly jerking starter rope try restart engine 160 second boat appears frame seems maneuvering directly toward drifting canoe carrying drugs second boat would turn water taxi carrying dozen passengers cargo upriver ahuas 160 passengers pilot civilian boat would later say terrified helicopters intend steer toward canoe containing law enforcement agents part drug agents assumed second boat trying recover drugs 160 remains unclear civilian craft steered directly boat agents boats collided 160 video clearly shows gunfire antidrug agents passengers leap water antidrug team continues fire eightsecond burst machine gun fire comes one helicopters inspectors general report said dea agent ordered honduran door gunner fire 160 footage cuts away moment edges video blocked dea redactions obscuring surveillance planes altitude technical intelligencegathering data agency deemed sensitive dea unable show anyone boat armed bullets struck agents helicopters canoe total three people injured four killed video illustrating government quite literally get away murder justify claiming keep safe substances deem illegal propublica reached one victims shooting still idea dea shot hilda lezama operated boat husband says longer able work legs suffered debilitating bullet wounds160i cant afford support daughters said still dont know happened | 596 |
<p>&#160;Story from&#160; <a href="http://www.theworld.org/2011/10/afghanistan-woman-president-fawzia-koofi/" type="external">PRI's The World</a>. Listen to the above audio for a complete report.</p>
<p>From the day she was born, Fawzia Koofi’s life has been marked by a struggle to survive.</p>
<p>Hers is a life story that in many ways mirrors the history of Afghanistan over the last three decades. Now she is embracing a new dream for herself and her country. Koofi wants to become the next president.</p>
<p>Koofi’s story, the story of a life lived on the edge of death in Afghanistan, begins with a letter written to her two daughters.</p>
<p>Dear Shurha and Shahrazad,</p>
<p>Today, I am going on political business to Faizabad and Darwaz. I hope I will come back soon and see you again but I have to tell you I may not. There have been threats to kill me on this trip. Maybe this time these people will be successful.</p>
<p>Koofi’s letter is included in her new memoir. The words are touching, intimate and frightening. It reflects the threats, assassination attempts and danger she has faced throughout her life, most recently from Taliban fighters.</p>
<p>Koofi and her daughters live in a house just off a busy road in Kabul that is choked with traffic day and night.</p>
<p>She invited me to meet her there, behind the high concrete walls. As I approached the front gate, an armed guard apologized for searching my bag.</p>
<p>It is a tense time in Kabul. A senior politician was recently assassinated and when Koofi greeted me, she looked visibly fatigued. She shared a dream she had the night before.</p>
<p>“I couldn’t sleep the whole night and I had different kinds of dreams,” she said. “I believe in dreams. So I dreamed that I could not see. I’m struggling to see.”</p>
<p>Struggling could be a word that defines Koofi’s existence.</p>
<p>As a newborn, the 19th of 23 children in the household, her mother left her out in the sun to die.</p>
<p>Koofi survived that and the trials and violence that followed. In the rugged terrain of the northern province where she grew up, she watched her father beat her mother.</p>
<p>She knew from an early age that politics was a dangerous game.</p>
<p>Her father, a member of the Soviet backed parliament was killed by mujahedeen warriors before she turned four. She also lost her husband and two brothers through the years of conflict.</p>
<p>Now, she has become her father’s political heir.</p>
<p>Another excerpt from the letter</p>
<p>For me, now what I say that if you want to really stick to your values and don’t change on a daily basis, don’t become a political game player you have to pay a price. It means if I want to continue with what I am doing now, I need to see the sacrifice is there in one minute time, in hundred days time, I don’t know... But it is there, I have to keep that in mind.</p>
<p>At a committee meeting inside the heavily fortified parliamentary compound, Koofi’s political skills were on display.</p>
<p>The justice minister arrived for questioning about the condition of women’s prisons, taking his place at the far end of a long conference table. As chairwoman, Koofi dominated the hearing, almost lecturing the minister. She controlled the questioning by handing other committee members written questions she wanted them to ask.</p>
<p>After half-an-hour the minister began banging the table with his hand, defending his attempts to overhaul prisons despite the country’s security challenges.</p>
<p>It is a bit of political theatre, one provoked by Koofi’s interrogation.</p>
<p>Measured in votes, she is a successful politician, having won re-election just last year.</p>
<p>Still, that doesn’t mean she is immune from criticism.</p>
<p>Women’s rights activist Selay Ghaffar believes MPs, women included, are selfish when they should be selfless – it’s all about me, me, me, she said.</p>
<p>“All the topics of discussion in the parliament is to increase their salary to increase the number of bodyguards they have, to give them bulletproof cars, to give them better expense accounts, pocket money,” Ghaffar said. “This is what I am always hearing from our MPs. They are thinking of themselves, rather than what they need to do for their people.”</p>
<p>Koofi bristled at the accusation, saying she does not even own her own home. Displaying a flash of impatience herself, Koofi puts it down to the electorate’s inexperience.</p>
<p>“They expect you to get a passport for them, to get an Iranian or Pakistani visa for them. A job, a school or divorce from their husband. A high position job for their husbands or for themselves, if they are men. If they are police officers in Helmand they want to be shifted to Mazar because it’s more secure. You name it. They want you to help them financially for their marriage. Everything. It’s just such high expectations,” Koofi said.</p>
<p>The expectations seem even higher for a woman aspiring to the presidency, especially a woman who is raising her children alone. In fact, Koofi’s concern for her children could be the only thing that might hold her back.</p>
<p>“This is the only thing that makes me worry sometimes. What happens to my daughters because they don’t have a father as well. Let’s see if God wants me to be the mother of my daughters with all the things I want to do, I will. Otherwise, they will find their way,” she said. “I was three years old when my father was killed. I was 18-years-old when my mother died. We found our way. So my daughters will find their way as well.”</p>
<p>As far as the children are concerned, their mother’s ambitions are cause for both pride and worry.</p>
<p>Twelve-year-old Shaharazad spends time almost everyday working on her mother’s Facebook campaign page. Eleven-year-old Shuhra supports her mother’s political aspirations and admits she too would like to be president of Afghanistan one day.</p>
<p>Though they lost their father at a young age, they have enjoyed lives of relative peace and privilege. Still, it is easy for Shahrazad to summon the memory of the day her mother left that letter.</p>
<p>“One morning I woke up and saw a letter on my pillow. I read it and I started crying. Then Shuhra woke up and we were both crying, because my mom said that if I don’t come back make certain you get an education. We were both crying because we don’t want to lose our mom, “ Shaharazad said.</p>
<p>In many ways, Koofi embodies the Afghan experience of the last decade, of the ways the country has and hasn’t changed.</p>
<p>She plans to run for president, but sometimes still wears the head to toe burka she hates for disguise and protection. Her life is under threat, but she says she worries more about rumors — some have suggested, wrongly, that she goes bare headed outside the country — that could harm her reputation.</p>
<p>The life Koofi wants for her country, for her daughters, still seems a distant dream.</p>
<p>Another excerpt from the letter</p>
<p>Be brave, don’t be afraid of anything in life. All of us human beings will die one day. Maybe today is the day I will die. But if I do, please know it was for a purpose. Don’t die without achieving something. Take pride in trying to help people and in trying to make our country and our world a better place. I kiss you both. I love you both. Your mother.</p>
<p />
<p>----------------------------------------------------------</p>
<p />
<p>PRI's "The World" is a one-hour, weekday radio news magazine offering a mix of news, features, interviews, and music from around the globe. "The World" is a co-production of the BBC World Service, PRI and WGBH Boston.&#160; <a href="the-world.html" type="external">More about The World</a>.</p> | false | 3 | 160story from160 pris world listen audio complete report day born fawzia koofis life marked struggle survive life story many ways mirrors history afghanistan last three decades embracing new dream country koofi wants become next president koofis story story life lived edge death afghanistan begins letter written two daughters dear shurha shahrazad today going political business faizabad darwaz hope come back soon see tell may threats kill trip maybe time people successful koofis letter included new memoir words touching intimate frightening reflects threats assassination attempts danger faced throughout life recently taliban fighters koofi daughters live house busy road kabul choked traffic day night invited meet behind high concrete walls approached front gate armed guard apologized searching bag tense time kabul senior politician recently assassinated koofi greeted looked visibly fatigued shared dream night couldnt sleep whole night different kinds dreams said believe dreams dreamed could see im struggling see struggling could word defines koofis existence newborn 19th 23 children household mother left sun die koofi survived trials violence followed rugged terrain northern province grew watched father beat mother knew early age politics dangerous game father member soviet backed parliament killed mujahedeen warriors turned four also lost husband two brothers years conflict become fathers political heir another excerpt letter say want really stick values dont change daily basis dont become political game player pay price means want continue need see sacrifice one minute time hundred days time dont know keep mind committee meeting inside heavily fortified parliamentary compound koofis political skills display justice minister arrived questioning condition womens prisons taking place far end long conference table chairwoman koofi dominated hearing almost lecturing minister controlled questioning handing committee members written questions wanted ask halfanhour minister began banging table hand defending attempts overhaul prisons despite countrys security challenges bit political theatre one provoked koofis interrogation measured votes successful politician reelection last year still doesnt mean immune criticism womens rights activist selay ghaffar believes mps women included selfish selfless said topics discussion parliament increase salary increase number bodyguards give bulletproof cars give better expense accounts pocket money ghaffar said always hearing mps thinking rather need people koofi bristled accusation saying even home displaying flash impatience koofi puts electorates inexperience expect get passport get iranian pakistani visa job school divorce husband high position job husbands men police officers helmand want shifted mazar secure name want help financially marriage everything high expectations koofi said expectations seem even higher woman aspiring presidency especially woman raising children alone fact koofis concern children could thing might hold back thing makes worry sometimes happens daughters dont father well lets see god wants mother daughters things want otherwise find way said three years old father killed 18yearsold mother died found way daughters find way well far children concerned mothers ambitions cause pride worry twelveyearold shaharazad spends time almost everyday working mothers facebook campaign page elevenyearold shuhra supports mothers political aspirations admits would like president afghanistan one day though lost father young age enjoyed lives relative peace privilege still easy shahrazad summon memory day mother left letter one morning woke saw letter pillow read started crying shuhra woke crying mom said dont come back make certain get education crying dont want lose mom shaharazad said many ways koofi embodies afghan experience last decade ways country hasnt changed plans run president sometimes still wears head toe burka hates disguise protection life threat says worries rumors suggested wrongly goes bare headed outside country could harm reputation life koofi wants country daughters still seems distant dream another excerpt letter brave dont afraid anything life us human beings die one day maybe today day die please know purpose dont die without achieving something take pride trying help people trying make country world better place kiss love mother pris world onehour weekday radio news magazine offering mix news features interviews music around globe world coproduction bbc world service pri wgbh boston160 world | 643 |
<p>Anti-LGBT TV ads are airing in Houston. (Image courtesy YouTube)</p>
<p>As&#160;Houston residents prepare to vote on an LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinance, anti-LGBT forces are taking the offensive with fear-mongering advertisements aimed at defeating the measure.</p>
<p>The Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, or HERO, will be presented to&#160;voters on Nov. 3 as Proposition 1 — a ballot initiative seen as <a href="" type="internal">a crucial fight in the battle to win LGBT non-discrimination protections across the country</a>.</p>
<p>The measure would prohibit discrimination in the nation’s fourth largest city on the basis of several categories, including sexual orientation and gender identity, in the areas of employment, services, contracting practices, housing and public accommodations.</p>
<p>A slew of ads from the anti-LGBT Campaign for Houston went online late last week targeting the potential use of bathrooms by transgender people consistent with their gender identity as a reason to defeat the measure.</p>
<p>In one 40-second advertisement, a female voice says even transgender sex offenders would be allowed to use a bathroom, suggesting all trans people would use this right for devious purposes.</p>
<p>“Any man at any time could enter a women’s bathroom simply by claiming to be a woman that day,” says the voice.</p>
<p>The ending of the advertisement shows a young girl entering a bathroom stall. A male hiding in a neighboring stall follows the girl in and slams the door behind him.</p>
<p />
<p>In another ad&#160;that went online Monday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick comes out against the ordinance and erroneously says the ordinance isn’t about equal rights, but allowing men to use the women’s restroom. Texas is among the 33 states without explicit statewide LGBT non-discrimination protections in all areas of the law.</p>
<p>“The City of Houston Prop 1 is not about equality,” Patrick says. “That’s already the law. It’s about allowing men in women’s locker rooms and bathrooms. Whether you’re a grandmother, mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister or have one, no one should have to share a public restroom or locker room with a man.”</p>
<p />
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/dan.patrick.texas/videos/10153050039836836/" type="external">Vote NO on Houston Prop 1</a>The City of Houston’s Prop 1 would allow men into women’s locker rooms and bathrooms. This defies common decency! I urge you to vote NO on Houston Prop 1.</p>
<p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dan.patrick.texas" type="external">Dan Patrick</a> on Monday, October 19, 2015</p>
<p>Another 90-second ad&#160;that went public last week builds off the first ad, telling the story of&#160;a transgender sex offender in Dallas who was charged with disorderly conduct for inappropriate behavior with underage girls in a women’s locker room. The ad&#160;repeats a clip of lesbian Mayor Annise Parker saying, “This just doesn’t happen.”</p>
<p>Yet another ad&#160;is a cartoon stoking fears about transgender women using public restrooms. The TV spot, which features a gym owner jailed for refusing access to a female locker room for a transgender person, is almost identical to an ad&#160;that ran in Anchorage, Alaska, prior to a vote in September in favor of a pro-LGBT non-discrimination ordinance in that city.</p>
<p>Richard Carlbom, campaign manager for the pro-LGBT Houston Unites, said the new ads&#160;aren’t a new offensive from the other side, but a continuation of earlier efforts.</p>
<p>“Let’s be clear: They’ve been on the offensive for 18 months talking about this issue,” Carlbom said, saying supporters of the ordinance are in fact ahead in the polls and spending.</p>
<p>According to a SurveyUSA poll commissioned by local news affiliate KPRC 2 News, 45 percent of Houston voters say they intend to vote in favor of HERO, followed by 36 percent who plan to vote “no” and 20 percent who are undecided.</p>
<p>“We certainly feel like it’s going to be a dogfight down to the end, so don’t get me wrong,” Carlbom added. “I think absolutely we’re not taking anything for granted.”</p>
<p>Carlbom also pushed back on assertions made in the anti-LGBT ads about the ordinance enabling inappropriate behavior in the bathrooms, saying the arguments are “absolutely unfounded and just baseless.”</p>
<p>“It’s illegal to harm and harass somebody in a restroom and anyone who does so will be arrested and prosecuted,” Carlbom said.</p>
<p>Opponents of the ordinance, Carlbom said, are “struggling to get their ads up on the air” and as a result of missing a deadline, had time this week in which their ads didn’t appear&#160;on TV.</p>
<p>The ads went up online following an announcement of a high-profile $10,000 donation to the anti-LGBT campaign by billionaire and Houston Texans football team owner Robert McNair.</p>
<p>Jeff Raines, media associate for ReThink Media, said the donation demonstrates big donors in political campaigns wield influence that affects people’s daily lives.</p>
<p>“If the pro-discrimination group succeeds, McNair’s contribution will get credit for legalized discrimination in Houston,” Raines said. “LGBTQ workers shouldn’t have to worry about their boss firing them for their sexual orientation — let alone a single billionaire who is completely unaffiliated with their place of employment.”</p>
<p>On Tuesday, the Faith Family Freedom Fund, which seeks&#160;to defeat the Houston ordinance and was established by the anti-LGBT Family Research Council, sent an email seeking more donations. The subject line reads, “Help the ‘Houston Five’ Defeat Mayor Parker’s Ordinance,” and reminds potential supporters of an order seeking to subpoena sermons from Houston pastors before it was later rescinded.</p>
<p>“We are producing a TV ad through our Faith Family Freedom Fund and doing alerts to the city’s voters that will make sure they’re informed about the truth of this ordinance,” the email says. “It is imperative that they hear from our side — not just what City Hall is telling them.”</p>
<p>According to the <a href="http://www.houstonchronicle.com/politics/election/local/article/HERO-supporters-rake-in-1-26-million-in-donations-6552535.php" type="external">Houston Chronicle</a>, supporters of the equal rights ordinance raised more than $1.26 million for the campaign as of early this month, more than double the funds raised by opponents. Both sides reportedly spent more than $555,000, but the $521,000 the supporters of the measure have in cash-on-hand exceeds the $58,000 in coffers of opponents.</p>
<p>Houston United has already been airing TV ads&#160;in support of the ordinance. One ad&#160;depicts “Steven,” a carpenter, who has come to terms with “Dylan,” a transgender colleague and contractor.</p>
<p>“When I learned Dylan was transgender and had transitioned from female to male, I was uncomfortable at first,” Steven says. “But over time, we all got past it. Dylan is a great plumber — still works just as hard as the rest of us.”</p>
<p />
<p>Carlbom made his own pitch for fundraising, saying the vote on the Houston ordinance will be “really close” and his campaign needs help to get out the counter message.</p>
<p>“I believe we can win,” Carlbom said. “We have a lot more money to raise in order to fully fund this campaign. If we don’t raise that money, I’ll be very concerned about the outcome.”</p>
<p>Early voting began on Monday and will continue until Oct. 30, so voters in Houston are already able to cast their votes on the ordinance.</p>
<p>The campaign seeking to defeat the ordinance didn’t respond to the Washington Blade’s request to contribute to this article.</p>
<p>Dan Quinn, spokesperson for the pro-LGBT Texas Freedom Network, said anti-LGBT forces have “run a deeply deceitful campaign,” but was optimistic the ordinance would nonetheless succeed — provided turnout is strong on Election Day.</p>
<p>“My feeling has been that most Houstonians think it’s wrong to discriminate against anyone because of who they are or whom they love, and so far the polling on HERO shows that’s the case,” Quinn said. “But city elections are typically low-turnout affairs, especially in Texas. So who actually goes to the polls is the critical factor now.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Dan Quinn</a> <a href="" type="internal">Houston</a> <a href="" type="internal">Houston Equal Rights Ordinance</a> <a href="" type="internal">Richard Carlbom</a> <a href="" type="internal">Texas Freedom Network</a></p> | false | 3 | antilgbt tv ads airing houston image courtesy youtube as160houston residents prepare vote lgbtinclusive nondiscrimination ordinance antilgbt forces taking offensive fearmongering advertisements aimed defeating measure houston equal rights ordinance hero presented to160voters nov 3 proposition 1 ballot initiative seen crucial fight battle win lgbt nondiscrimination protections across country measure would prohibit discrimination nations fourth largest city basis several categories including sexual orientation gender identity areas employment services contracting practices housing public accommodations slew ads antilgbt campaign houston went online late last week targeting potential use bathrooms transgender people consistent gender identity reason defeat measure one 40second advertisement female voice says even transgender sex offenders would allowed use bathroom suggesting trans people would use right devious purposes man time could enter womens bathroom simply claiming woman day says voice ending advertisement shows young girl entering bathroom stall male hiding neighboring stall follows girl slams door behind another ad160that went online monday texas lt gov dan patrick comes ordinance erroneously says ordinance isnt equal rights allowing men use womens restroom texas among 33 states without explicit statewide lgbt nondiscrimination protections areas law city houston prop 1 equality patrick says thats already law allowing men womens locker rooms bathrooms whether youre grandmother mother daughter granddaughter sister one one share public restroom locker room man vote houston prop 1the city houstons prop 1 would allow men womens locker rooms bathrooms defies common decency urge vote houston prop 1 posted dan patrick monday october 19 2015 another 90second ad160that went public last week builds first ad telling story of160a transgender sex offender dallas charged disorderly conduct inappropriate behavior underage girls womens locker room ad160repeats clip lesbian mayor annise parker saying doesnt happen yet another ad160is cartoon stoking fears transgender women using public restrooms tv spot features gym owner jailed refusing access female locker room transgender person almost identical ad160that ran anchorage alaska prior vote september favor prolgbt nondiscrimination ordinance city richard carlbom campaign manager prolgbt houston unites said new ads160arent new offensive side continuation earlier efforts lets clear theyve offensive 18 months talking issue carlbom said saying supporters ordinance fact ahead polls spending according surveyusa poll commissioned local news affiliate kprc 2 news 45 percent houston voters say intend vote favor hero followed 36 percent plan vote 20 percent undecided certainly feel like going dogfight end dont get wrong carlbom added think absolutely taking anything granted carlbom also pushed back assertions made antilgbt ads ordinance enabling inappropriate behavior bathrooms saying arguments absolutely unfounded baseless illegal harm harass somebody restroom anyone arrested prosecuted carlbom said opponents ordinance carlbom said struggling get ads air result missing deadline time week ads didnt appear160on tv ads went online following announcement highprofile 10000 donation antilgbt campaign billionaire houston texans football team owner robert mcnair jeff raines media associate rethink media said donation demonstrates big donors political campaigns wield influence affects peoples daily lives prodiscrimination group succeeds mcnairs contribution get credit legalized discrimination houston raines said lgbtq workers shouldnt worry boss firing sexual orientation let alone single billionaire completely unaffiliated place employment tuesday faith family freedom fund seeks160to defeat houston ordinance established antilgbt family research council sent email seeking donations subject line reads help houston five defeat mayor parkers ordinance reminds potential supporters order seeking subpoena sermons houston pastors later rescinded producing tv ad faith family freedom fund alerts citys voters make sure theyre informed truth ordinance email says imperative hear side city hall telling according houston chronicle supporters equal rights ordinance raised 126 million campaign early month double funds raised opponents sides reportedly spent 555000 521000 supporters measure cashonhand exceeds 58000 coffers opponents houston united already airing tv ads160in support ordinance one ad160depicts steven carpenter come terms dylan transgender colleague contractor learned dylan transgender transitioned female male uncomfortable first steven says time got past dylan great plumber still works hard rest us carlbom made pitch fundraising saying vote houston ordinance really close campaign needs help get counter message believe win carlbom said lot money raise order fully fund campaign dont raise money ill concerned outcome early voting began monday continue oct 30 voters houston already able cast votes ordinance campaign seeking defeat ordinance didnt respond washington blades request contribute article dan quinn spokesperson prolgbt texas freedom network said antilgbt forces run deeply deceitful campaign optimistic ordinance would nonetheless succeed provided turnout strong election day feeling houstonians think wrong discriminate anyone love far polling hero shows thats case quinn said city elections typically lowturnout affairs especially texas actually goes polls critical factor dan quinn houston houston equal rights ordinance richard carlbom texas freedom network | 752 |
<p>Citi recently published its 80-page Global Economic Outlook and Strategy report, which provides up-to-date commentary and forecasts for the major economies covered by the bank's army of economists.</p>
<p>In it, Citi slashed its global growth outlook:</p>
<p>"Global growth prospects are worsening, reflecting the euro area crisis and emerging market slowdown," wrote Citi Chief Economist Willem Buiter.&#160; "We now expect global growth of 2.6% this year and 2.7% in 2013, down by 0.1% for 2012 and down by 0.2% for 2013 from last month."</p>
<p>Buiter's team breaks down what's going on in each economy.&#160; We pulled the highlights.</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Robert DiClementi notes that recent economic data has been disappointing.&#160; Nevertheless, the U.S. economy is being bolstered by low gas prices, improving housing indicators and an easy Federal Reserve.&#160; Citi assumes the U.S. will "avoid a fiscal calamity in 2013."</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Dana Peterson notes that despite tighter fiscal policies, confidence is strong, the housing market is up, and consumer spending is robust.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Sergio Luna Martinez notes that external demand is slowing, but private consumption is resilient.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Marcelo Kfoury recently slashed his growth estimate for Brazil, but he expects growth to accelerate again quickly.&#160; This could be helped by an interest rate cut.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Joaquin Cottani sees a long period of low growth and high inflation.&#160; CPI stood at a staggering 23.9 percent in May.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>From Citi's Munir Jalli: "Although everything seems to be about politics these days in Venezuela, some dark clouds are forming in the economic outlook as oil prices have been stuck below US$100/barrel, reducing oil revenues."</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Jurgen Michaels recently slashed Germany's growth forecast due to falling business sentiment.&#160; However, strength in domestic demand is offsetting weakness in its exports.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Guillaume Menuet notes that the government's strategy to meet deficit targets relies on higher taxes.&#160; However, he thinks France will nevertheless miss those targets.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Jurgen Michels thinks weak consumption and high unemployment rates will persist though 2013.&#160; "We expected Italy to request external support before the end of this year or in early 2013," he wrote.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Ebrahim Rahbari recently upped his 2012 growth outlook following the application for the bank bail-out.&#160; But it won't end there.&#160; He expects Spain to accept a "troika bail-out with sovereign conditionality to follow the bank bail-out in due course."</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Jurgen Michels sees a 50-75 percent chance that Greece exits the euro.&#160; Greece will eventually get its next bail out.&#160; But eventually, Greece won't be able to meet the requirements to secure bail-out funds.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Michael Saunders sees Ireland contracting in 2012, which is much more bearish than the government's and IMF's forecasts for growth.&#160; Saunders sees a second bail out coming.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>Citi's Jurgen Michels slashed his growth outlook on Portugal due to weakening trade prospects.&#160; He expects another bail out in Q3 or Q4.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>Citi's Jurgen Michels sees a value-added tax (VAT) rate hike coming that will help the country get closer to its GDP deficit target.&#160; However, sentiment measures and housing metrics look unfavorable.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Guillaume Menuet expects the Belgium economy to get his by fiscal tightening.&#160; Business confidence is declining and the housing market may be 15 percent overvalued.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Michael Saunders recently cuts his forecast for the UK due to weak retail sales, industrial production, and exports.&#160; Also, debt levels remain high and credit is tight.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Michael Saunders recently lifted his growth forecast on Switzerland thanks to improvement in sentiment surveys.&#160; The strong Swiss franc has been bad for exports, but low interest rates are helping consumer spending.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Tina mortenson notes that Sweden's exports are weakening, consumer spending is slow, and the housing market is softening.&#160; However, she expects the government to introduce expansionary policies and the Riksbank (central bank) to cut rates.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Tina Mortensen highlights the incredible amount of buying in the Danish kroner, which many consider to be a safe-haven currency.&#160; "There is a real possibility of rates going negative," she writes.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Tina Mortenson notes that the oil sector is booming, spending is increasing, jobs are looking good, and incomes are gaining.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>David Lubin notes that the heated consumer spending surrounding the presidential election is wearing off.&#160; Also, Russia's economy is largely tied to oil prices, which have been well off of their highs.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Ilker Domac recently revised his growth estimate for Turkey due to lower oil prices.&#160; However, low oil prices are credited for causing the currency (lira) to strengthen.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>Citi's Plotr Kallaz notes growth is decelerating in Poland. Private spending is slowing, the government is cutting back on infrastructure spending, and exports are shrinking due to the euro zone crisis.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Kiichi Murashima notes that post-earthquake reconstruction and stimulus is tapering.&#160; The export driven economy will suffer due to its heavy exposure to a slowing China.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Minggao Shen sees growth accelerating in the second half of this year.&#160; The big concern is the sovereign debt crisis in Europe.&#160; However, China is expected to use its financial flexibility to roll out more interest rate cuts and reserve requirement ratio reductions.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Rohini Malkani notes that GDP growth has been disappointing. Unfortunately, India's central bank is unwilling to cut rates because inflation continues to be high.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Jaechul Chang recently slashed his growth estimate for the export-driven economy due to slowing in both China and Europe.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Heimi Arman notes that falling commodity prices, especially for coal, has caused its trade balance to worsen.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
<p>GDP Growth Forecast</p>
<p>Citi's Paul Brennan forecasts slowing among Australia's trade partners.&#160; Also, the housing market is showing recessionary levels of activity.&#160; Nevertheless, it's mining sector is still surging.</p>
<p>Source: Citi</p>
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policies confidence strong housing market consumer spending robust source citi gdp growth forecast citis sergio luna martinez notes external demand slowing private consumption resilient source citi gdp growth forecast citis marcelo kfoury recently slashed growth estimate brazil expects growth accelerate quickly160 could helped interest rate cut source citi gdp growth forecast citis joaquin cottani sees long period low growth high inflation160 cpi stood staggering 239 percent may source citi gdp growth forecast citis munir jalli although everything seems politics days venezuela dark clouds forming economic outlook oil prices stuck us100barrel reducing oil revenues source citi gdp growth forecast citis jurgen michaels recently slashed germanys growth forecast due falling business sentiment160 however strength domestic demand offsetting weakness exports source citi gdp growth forecast citis guillaume menuet notes governments strategy meet deficit targets relies higher taxes160 however thinks france nevertheless miss targets source citi gdp growth forecast citis jurgen michels thinks weak consumption high unemployment rates persist though 2013160 expected italy request external support end year early 2013 wrote source citi gdp growth forecast citis ebrahim rahbari recently upped 2012 growth outlook following application bank bailout160 wont end there160 expects spain accept troika bailout sovereign conditionality follow bank bailout due course source citi gdp growth forecast citis jurgen michels sees 5075 percent chance greece exits euro160 greece eventually get next bail out160 eventually greece wont able meet requirements secure bailout funds source citi gdp growth forecast citis michael saunders sees ireland contracting 2012 much bearish governments imfs forecasts growth160 saunders sees second bail coming source citi citis jurgen michels slashed growth outlook portugal due weakening trade prospects160 expects another bail q3 q4 source citi citis jurgen michels sees valueadded tax vat rate hike coming help country get closer gdp deficit target160 however sentiment measures housing metrics look unfavorable source citi gdp growth forecast citis guillaume menuet expects belgium economy get fiscal tightening160 business confidence declining housing market may 15 percent overvalued source citi gdp growth forecast citis michael saunders recently cuts forecast uk due weak retail sales industrial production exports160 also debt levels remain high credit tight source citi gdp growth forecast citis michael saunders recently lifted growth forecast switzerland thanks improvement sentiment surveys160 strong swiss franc bad exports low interest rates helping consumer spending source citi gdp growth forecast citis tina mortenson notes swedens exports weakening consumer spending slow housing market softening160 however expects government introduce expansionary policies riksbank central bank cut rates source citi gdp growth forecast citis tina mortensen highlights incredible amount buying danish kroner many consider safehaven currency160 real possibility rates going negative writes source citi gdp growth forecast citis tina mortenson notes oil sector booming spending increasing jobs looking good incomes gaining source citi gdp growth forecast david lubin notes heated consumer spending surrounding presidential election wearing off160 also russias economy largely tied oil prices well highs source citi gdp growth forecast citis ilker domac recently revised growth estimate turkey due lower oil prices160 however low oil prices credited causing currency lira strengthen source citi citis plotr kallaz notes growth decelerating poland private spending slowing government cutting back infrastructure spending exports shrinking due euro zone crisis source citi gdp growth forecast citis kiichi murashima notes postearthquake reconstruction stimulus tapering160 export driven economy suffer due heavy exposure slowing china source citi gdp growth forecast citis minggao shen sees growth accelerating second half year160 big concern sovereign debt crisis europe160 however china expected use financial flexibility roll interest rate cuts reserve requirement ratio reductions source citi gdp growth forecast citis rohini malkani notes gdp growth disappointing unfortunately indias central bank unwilling cut rates inflation continues high source citi gdp growth forecast citis jaechul chang recently slashed growth estimate exportdriven economy due slowing china europe source citi gdp growth forecast citis heimi arman notes falling commodity prices especially coal caused trade balance worsen source citi gdp growth forecast citis paul brennan forecasts slowing among australias trade partners160 also housing market showing recessionary levels activity160 nevertheless mining sector still surging source citi partners business insider business insider 17 equations changed world business insider yes us could probably learn lot french healthcare system business insider see londoners hate enormous new skyscraper160 business insider america seen almost half century stagnation business insider160 german courts anticircumcision ruling seen antisemitic | 810 |
<p>JINDO, South Korea — Divers retrieved 18 more bodies on Sunday, all from inside the sunken ferry Sewol, as hopes were fading rapidly for any survivors among hundreds of people who still remained missing.</p>
<p>This brought to 58 the total number of people who have been confirmed dead since the 6,825-ton ferry sank off Jindo, an island off South Korea's southwest coast, on Wednesday, on its way to the southern resort island of Jeju.</p>
<p>Of the 476 people on board, 176 have been rescued but 244 others still remained missing. Officials believe that most of the missing are trapped inside the submerged vessel.</p>
<p>Navy and Coast Guard divers combing the submerged ship brought out the first body on Saturday night, and by Sunday afternoon, 15 more had been retrieved, anti-disaster officials in Seoul said.</p>
<p>Divers focused on searching passenger compartments of the ship. Strong currents and low visibility underwater have hampered diving operations, and officials said they will take maximum advantage of brief periods occurring a few times a day when currents slow down.</p>
<p>Weather in the area was relatively good on Sunday.</p>
<p>About 560 divers were taking turns to go underwater while 204 Navy, Coast Guard and private vessels and 34 aircraft scoured the area, officials said.</p>
<p>More than four days since the sinking, hopes were quickly diminishing of finding any survivors.</p>
<p>Earlier Sunday, dozens of angry families of those missing staged a sit-in for about two hours on this island after being blocked by police from making a protest visit to the presidential office in Seoul.</p>
<p>Some of them scuffled with police, shouting, "Save my children!"</p>
<p>Families are angry, claiming that the government mishandled the disaster and has not done enough to save possible survivors. They later met with Prime Minister Chung Hong-won for two hours for discussions on how to raise the submerged ship. Chung made no comment as he left after the meeting.</p>
<p>The government has been under strong public fire for bungling its initial response to the accident. Even a day after the accident, it could not give the exact number of people on board the ship.</p>
<p>Anger was also running high that such a high number of people are missing when there was enough time to save the passengers because it took nearly two hours for the ferry to sink. Families are also outraged that diving operations have been slow and that it took five days to pull the first body from inside the ship.</p>
<p>The captain and some of the sailors have also been a target of public outrage as they were among the first to leave the sinking ferry. Survivors also said that they were told to stay put where they were several times even when the ship was tilting and sinking.</p>
<p>Investigators looking into the disaster said Sunday that the ferry maintained radio communication with the vessel traffic service (VTS) on the island of Jindo for 31 minutes after it first sent a distress call to the VTS on the destination island of Jeju at 8:55 a.m. Wednesday.</p>
<p>At the start of the communication, the Jindo VTS ordered the ferry to take emergency steps to evacuate passengers, but the crew took no such measures during the communication. The communication was cut off at 9:37 a.m., and the crew appears to have immediately started escaping from the ferry, leaving hundreds of passengers behind, investigators said.</p>
<p>Investigators also banned 30 to 40 people, including the surviving crew members, from leaving the country, while Prosecutor General Kim Jin-tae ordered investigators to launch a probe into the ship's owner and the shipping firm Chonghaejin Marine Co. that operated the ferry.</p>
<p>Prosecutors said they also expanded their probe into financial scams related to the disaster</p>
<p>Cases of SMishing attempts were reported shortly after the accident, luring innocent people to log onto bogus news websites and reveal their personal information to be used for financial scams, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said.</p>
<p>Early Sunday, the first funerals were held for students from Danwon High School in Ansan near Seoul. The three 17-year-olds were among the 325 students aboard the ship on a school trip to Jeju. Dozens of the students have been confirmed dead, and most of the missing are also students from the same school.</p>
<p>Funerals for two teachers were also held.</p>
<p>The vice principal of the school, who led the students on the ferry trip, killed himself last Friday apparently out of guilt that he has been rescued while hundreds of his students remain unaccounted for.</p>
<p>Also on Sunday, the government designated Ansan, home of Danwon High School, as well as Jindo, the site of the ship sinking, as special disaster zones, a move that makes them eligible for special government financial and other support for the families of the victims.</p>
<p>After an inexperienced third mate was found steering the ferry at the time of the sinking, police arrested the ship's 69-year-old captain, Lee Joon-seok, and two other crew members Saturday on suspicions of negligence and violation of maritime law.</p>
<p>An initial focus of the probe has been on suspicions that the ship made too sharp a turn for unclear reasons, leading its cargo, which has not been fastened tightly enough, to shift to one side and getting the entire ship to lose its balance.</p>
<p>Investigators said they have almost ruled out the possibility of the boat hitting a submerged rock.</p> | false | 3 | jindo south korea divers retrieved 18 bodies sunday inside sunken ferry sewol hopes fading rapidly survivors among hundreds people still remained missing brought 58 total number people confirmed dead since 6825ton ferry sank jindo island south koreas southwest coast wednesday way southern resort island jeju 476 people board 176 rescued 244 others still remained missing officials believe missing trapped inside submerged vessel navy coast guard divers combing submerged ship brought first body saturday night sunday afternoon 15 retrieved antidisaster officials seoul said divers focused searching passenger compartments ship strong currents low visibility underwater hampered diving operations officials said take maximum advantage brief periods occurring times day currents slow weather area relatively good sunday 560 divers taking turns go underwater 204 navy coast guard private vessels 34 aircraft scoured area officials said four days since sinking hopes quickly diminishing finding survivors earlier sunday dozens angry families missing staged sitin two hours island blocked police making protest visit presidential office seoul scuffled police shouting save children families angry claiming government mishandled disaster done enough save possible survivors later met prime minister chung hongwon two hours discussions raise submerged ship chung made comment left meeting government strong public fire bungling initial response accident even day accident could give exact number people board ship anger also running high high number people missing enough time save passengers took nearly two hours ferry sink families also outraged diving operations slow took five days pull first body inside ship captain sailors also target public outrage among first leave sinking ferry survivors also said told stay put several times even ship tilting sinking investigators looking disaster said sunday ferry maintained radio communication vessel traffic service vts island jindo 31 minutes first sent distress call vts destination island jeju 855 wednesday start communication jindo vts ordered ferry take emergency steps evacuate passengers crew took measures communication communication cut 937 crew appears immediately started escaping ferry leaving hundreds passengers behind investigators said investigators also banned 30 40 people including surviving crew members leaving country prosecutor general kim jintae ordered investigators launch probe ships owner shipping firm chonghaejin marine co operated ferry prosecutors said also expanded probe financial scams related disaster cases smishing attempts reported shortly accident luring innocent people log onto bogus news websites reveal personal information used financial scams ministry science ict future planning said early sunday first funerals held students danwon high school ansan near seoul three 17yearolds among 325 students aboard ship school trip jeju dozens students confirmed dead missing also students school funerals two teachers also held vice principal school led students ferry trip killed last friday apparently guilt rescued hundreds students remain unaccounted also sunday government designated ansan home danwon high school well jindo site ship sinking special disaster zones move makes eligible special government financial support families victims inexperienced third mate found steering ferry time sinking police arrested ships 69yearold captain lee joonseok two crew members saturday suspicions negligence violation maritime law initial focus probe suspicions ship made sharp turn unclear reasons leading cargo fastened tightly enough shift one side getting entire ship lose balance investigators said almost ruled possibility boat hitting submerged rock | 520 |
<p>Chicago Public Schools has a record number of students— close to 140,000— enrolled in summer school this year. More than 30,000 are enrolled in Summer Bridge, a mandatory program for 3rd-, 6th- and 8th-graders whose scores on the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills are too low for them to be promoted to the next level.</p>
<p>Last year, Bridge enrollment was 25,072. School Board officials attribute the increase to the higher cut-off scores required for promotion this year.</p>
<p>Other remedial programs, such as Early Intervention for 1st- and 2nd-graders, account for another 20,000 students. Another 15,000 are enrolled in academic enrichment programs, such as elementary school geometry and high school journalism. The rest are in bilingual programs, special education classes or CPS-run summer camps.</p>
<p>Summer school is also booming this year in other big city school districts, such as New York, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.</p>
<p>But at least one Chicago grade school is bucking the trend. Summer school enrollment at Hans Christian Andersen Elementary in Wicker Park is 204, down 50 percent from last year, says Principal Suzanne Dunaway, who credits rising test scores. Over the last five years, the school has doubled the number of students who score at or above national norms. This spring, most of Andersen’s 3rd-graders passed and the school did not have enough students for 3rd-grade Bridge. The few who didn’t pass were sent to nearby Pritzker Elementary or to a school closer to their homes.</p>
<p>Hallways at Andersen are quiet and empty, save for a security guard seated at a desk by the front entrance, positioned so he can keep an eye on both the school’s main hallway to his right and the entry straight ahead. Classrooms are neat, students are orderly. One or two writing tutors assist teachers in the two 8th-grade classrooms by checking classwork and helping students one-on-one.</p>
<p>In contrast, summer school has taken over Florence B. Price Elementary School in Bronzeville. Hallways are constantly abuzz with teachers and students and tutors and volunteers and anyone else Principal Carl Lawson has invited into the school.</p>
<p>Lawson prides himself on his big-tent approach to summer school, encouraging students who don’t have to be there to help out as tutors or teacher aides. Many do, and on any given day, there can be five or six student helpers in a classroom of a dozen kids. Lawson himself is comfortable in a crowd, often juggling a few conversations—with students, visiting teachers and parents—outside the front office.</p>
<p>Price’s summer school enrollment swelled to 339 this year, up 53 percent from last year. Most of the increase is due to Lawson agreeing to accommodate 88 8th- and 9th-graders from nearby Dyett Middle School, who needed to catch up in math and reading.</p>
<p>Only 40 students who signed up for a dance and drama program at Price are at the school by choice. The rest are taking remedial classes, including 36 students for 3rd-grade Bridge, enough to fill two classrooms.</p>
<p>While Price and Andersen are, in some ways, on opposite ends of the summer school scale, they also share a couple key traits. For one, teachers at both schools complain about the board-mandated curriculum used in Bridge and other remedial programs. “These children need more basic training than these programs provide,” says Mark Wigler, a kindergarten teacher at Andersen who is teaching a low-achieving 1st-graders this summer.</p>
<p>The schools other common trait: Sweltering classrooms with no air-conditioners.</p>
<p>June 18-20</p>
<p />
<p>Monday, June 18</p>
<p>The calm before the storm</p>
<p>Price Principal Carl Lawson gathers 16 teachers and six staffers into the cafeteria at 8:30 a.m. for a pre-summer school pep talk. Classes start tomorrow.</p>
<p>“Patience is probably the most important thing,” he tells them. “You’ll be dealing with students who don’t want to be here.”</p>
<p>Lawson notes that the teachers will have some extra help from university students who have been hired by CPS as tutors for the summer. He then polls the room to find out if coffee should be prepared every morning. Teachers’ overwhelming response: “Yes.”</p>
<p>He reminds them that there are no field trips. Also, if teachers want to take their students for a walk around school grounds, they must keep them together, he says.</p>
<p>“Good luck and have a great summer,” says Lawson.</p>
<p>Later in the afternoon at Andersen, Principal Suzanne Dunaway is in her office examining class rosters and making sure she’s prepared in case of any last-minute crises. Just then, teacher Michael Flynn pops in to tell Dunaway he doesn’t have enough reading workbooks for his 8th grade class.</p>
<p>Dunaway immediately hits the phone trying to get Flynn more workbooks. “My assistant principal, who’s the summer school coordinator, is on vacation this week,” says a distracted Dunaway.</p>
<p>This summer, Dunaway is particularly interested in her 8th graders. Many scored well enough on the Iowa test to graduate, but they failed to do their classwork. “It’s not that they can’t do the work; it’s will they do the work?”</p>
<p>Tuesday, June 19</p>
<p>Homework and</p>
<p>higher test scores</p>
<p>On this, the first day of summer school, Andersen teacher Rebecca Gipson has a rhetorical question for her 8th-grade math class. “We have two goals this summer. Anyone want to guess what they are?”</p>
<p>As one student quietly answers “pass,” Gipson continues. “Number one for some of you is to graduate in August. That means you need the Iowa scores. Number two is classwork. Some need classwork to leave because they neglected to do the work during the year.”</p>
<p>“We will meet these goals,” Gibson says.</p>
<p>Nathan Martinez and Abraham Franco are two of the students who need the classwork. Both failed reading and math classes during the school year. Nathan says he failed because he tested into a higher level class than he had in previous years and the work was too difficult.</p>
<p>Abraham has a different reason. “I knew how to do the work,” he says. “I would do it and leave it at home. That was a problem.”</p>
<p>This summer, Nathan and Abraham must attend class regularly, complete all of their assignments and get a grade no lower than a C to move on to high school.</p>
<p>Wednesday, June 20</p>
<p>Second year in summer school</p>
<p>Price teacher Lestine Vines’ 3rd-grade classroom is crowded. Along with her 13 students, she has five tutors in her classroom—four of them are upper-grade Price students, who are volunteers; the fifth is a university student, one of six CPS-funded tutors working at the school this summer.</p>
<p>Vines’ lesson today is straight out of the School Board’s 3rd-grade Bridge reading comprehension workbook. Students read a short passage on African elephants, then must recall specific facts. How much does the elephant weighs? What does it eat?</p>
<p>Vines moves around the room asking questions, tossing in a bit of math as well. “If the male elephant weighs 6 tons and the female weighs 4 tons, how many more tons does the male weigh?” she asks. “Two,” says 9-year-old Rozelle Milton. “Good. Very good,” says Vines.</p>
<p>During the regular school year, Vines teaches 5th grade. This is her second year teaching 3rd-graders in summer school. “If I can keep up the pace, 85 percent will pass—if they come every day,” she says. Last year, most of her 3rd-graders attended class regularly and nine out of 12 moved on to 4th grade.</p>
<p>Brandi McCambry, 10, is one of the three who didn’t. She’s back in Vines summer school class for a second year, and she’s off to an shaky start. Vines singles her out for talking during the lesson, her voice switching from breezy to stern. “I’m not here to play, I’m here to help you.” Brandi says nothing.</p>
<p>Vines is at a loss for what to do for Brandi. In only six weeks, Vines has to do what another teacher couldn’t do in 10 months. She uses the board’s curriculum, but wishes she had supplemental materials—additional 3rd-grade storybooks, for instance—to help Brandi and other struggling students. “I’ll do the best I can.”</p>
<p />
<p>Monday, June 25</p>
<p>Success for some</p>
<p>Early Intervention is the board’s attempt to help struggling 1st- and 2nd-grade students before they are subject to high-stakes testing in 3rd grade. Classes are held four days a week for five weeks; in Bridge, students attend five days a week for six weeks.</p>
<p>Early Intervention is in its second year, but the program’s track record is uncertain. This spring, 3rd-grade test scores dropped, a sign that last summer’s crop of struggling 2nd-graders didn’t fare well even with extra help. On July 19, this year’s students will be tested in reading and math, but their scores will be used solely to assess skill level.</p>
<p>Today, Andersen teacher Mark Wigler’s 1st-graders are simply eager to draw in their workbooks and keep cool in the steamy classroom. Andersen does not require summer school students to wear uniforms. Still, the 1st-graders in Wigler’s fan-cooled class wear similar outfits: T-shirts, shorts and sandals.</p>
<p>Wigler follows suit. His T-shirt, emblazoned “Success For All,” is as much a choice for comfort as a declaration of his teaching expertise.</p>
<p>Success For All is a well-regarded, structured reading program developed by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. The program is geared toward early reading development and centers on 90 minutes of uninterrupted daily reading instruction.</p>
<p>Before joining Andersen as a kindergarten teacher last year, Wigler spent a year as a Success For All trainer on the East Coast. He was introduced to the curriculum model in 1995 as a teacher at Reed Elementary in Englewood.</p>
<p>Andersen began using Success for All about the same time, says Dunaway. Since then, the school’s test scores have improved dramatically. In 1996, only 17 percent of Andersen students scored at or above national norms on the Iowa reading test. By 2001, 35 percent were scoring at or above national norms on the test.</p>
<p>Wigler says Success For All works, particularly at the kindergarten level, because it’s an all-day program—students are completely immersed. In June, 22 of his 24 kindergartners ended the year reading above a 1st-grade level. “The program does work,” he emphasizes.</p>
<p>But Wigler is not allowed to use Success For All’s reading strategies in summer school. The board requires summer school teachers to follow its mandated curriculum. “I do not, at this point, particularly care for it,” Wigler says.</p>
<p>Upstairs, in a second-floor classroom, Michael Flynn is not satisfied with the School Board’s summer curriculum either. Yet, in fitting irony, he has had to photocopy pages from the lone reading workbook he has because the school did not get enough books to distribute to students. (Additional workbooks arrive at Andersen the next day, a week after classes had started.)</p>
<p>During the regular school year, Flynn often goes beyond traditional strategies to teach his Otis Elementary 5th-graders reading. He will invite local newscasters and journalists to read stories to the class. Or he’ll take students on a field trip to a nearby cemetery to see the graves of people they’re studying.</p>
<p>Teaching 8th-graders this summer is his way of sharpening his teaching skills. “You can get isolated at one school and wonder if you can relate to all kids,” he says.</p>
<p>Flynn wants to keep students on their toes. Today they are getting practice in answering questions fast. Speed is important, says Flynn, because quickness will count when they retake the Iowa tests at the end of July.</p>
<p>Students read a comic book story, then they have 10 minutes to answer 12 questions that Flynn has written on the board. “I want complete sentences,” he says. “This should be easy for you. Some of these [questions] are gimmes.”</p>
<p>“I’m opposed to the way the board does summer school,” Flynn says. “All you’re doing is getting kids to retrieve information.”</p>
<p>Test-taking strategy includes teaching students how to recognize wrong answers. “If the underlined word is negative, you can rule out all positive answer choices,” according to a test prep workbook.</p>
<p>“It’s not teaching right answers,” Flynn notes.</p>
<p>June 29 – July 11</p>
<p>Friday, June 29</p>
<p>Price teacher sweetens the pot</p>
<p>For the past week, Vines has been using carrots and sticks, or rather, candy and sticks, to motivate her 3rd-graders at Price. If they complete all of their assignments, they will get a bag of goodies at week’s end.</p>
<p>This morning, Vines is asking students about a story they were supposed to read for homework. What was the most important point, she asks. Some have an answer when Vines calls on them, others return her question with a blank stare.</p>
<p>“If you spend 15, 20, 30 minutes a day reading, you’ll do well,” Vines admonishes. “If you go home and do nothing, you’ll stay in 3rd grade.”</p>
<p>Vines continues the lesson, which calls for the students to take a short test on the story being discussed. While the students are busy taking the test, Vines unveils a mountain of goodies stacked on a cluttered desk. Cheese curls, candy bars, sweet rolls, lollipops, cotton candy and three enormous jars of pickles.</p>
<p>She takes a quick survey of the room to find out which students completed all of the homework assignments. Only five raise their hands. Brandi is not one of them. Vines says Brandi did not turn in homework last summer either.</p>
<p>Vines tells the tutor and the student volunteers to decide which students deserve to share in the bounty of sweets. The tutor and the volunteers step into the hallway for several minutes while the students sit silently in the classroom.</p>
<p>The jurors return swiftly with a verdict: “Only the [students] who did all of their work will get the treats,” says tutor Joseph Stovall.</p>
<p>Stovall, a 21-year-old education major at Allen University in South Carolina, offers a promise to those who missed out. “Next week, if you others do your work, then you’ll get treats,” he says.</p>
<p>The volunteers hand out brown paper bags stuffed with goodies to the five students who completed their assignments. The other students look on—some calmly, a few visibly upset. “The other kids will absolutely do their work next week,” Vines says later.</p>
<p>The following week more students—though not all—complete their assignments, including Brandi. This time Vines asks each student if they think they deserve treats. Some say “no,” explaining that they didn’t finish their work. Still, Vines, feeling generous, doles out goodies to everyone.</p>
<p>Tuesday, July 3</p>
<p>Everybody dance now</p>
<p>Forty Price students have signed up for a free dance and drama enrichment program. The students, who range from 4th to 8th grades, are split into two classes. One group takes drama for 90 minutes, then switches to dance; the other group begins with dance then takes drama. The five-week program, which runs four days a week from 8 a.m to 11 a.m., culminates with a dance and drama performance.</p>
<p>About 10 students have been showing up regularly for the voluntary courses, say teachers Elizabeth Rich and Lin Shook, who work with Urban Gateways, a nonprofit arts education group. Today, there are only eight students in Shook’s first dance class.</p>
<p>Shook reviews what they learned yesterday, leading students through a fairly complex routine of spinning, jumping and posing variations. “…five, six, seven, eight. Walk, one, two …”</p>
<p>For a while, the kids follow along. Then, their attention wanes. A few begin to talk and goof off. One girl leans against the wall, her arms folded stubbornly across her chest. By the end of class, most have lost interest.</p>
<p>Still, Shook says her students are doing better—at least they’ve mastered some of the routine. “It’s not an easy dance combination,” she says.</p>
<p>Her second dance class is a bit more advanced. They will perform a dance interpretation of the Chicago Fire. The recital is in two weeks.</p>
<p>Thursday, July 5</p>
<p>Following directions</p>
<p>Today, Flynn continues drilling his 8th-graders at Andersen. The task: Write a sentence for each of the vocabulary words written on the board.</p>
<p>Student Nathan Martinez begins writing definitions for each word. Flynn, who is meandering around the room, does not catch Nathan’s error until he and the rest of the class are finishing up. “You didn’t follow the directions,” Flynn says.</p>
<p>Nathan smiles and laughs. Flynn takes away Nathan’s answer sheet and instructs him to complete the assignment for homework. “Nathan, it would be a Shakespearean tragedy if you had all this ability and I had to fail you,” Flynn threatens.</p>
<p>Nathan smiles and laughs again, but later he says he is annoyed by Flynn’s badgering. “I don’t like him [but] I know I can do the work,” he says.</p>
<p>Wednesday, July 11</p>
<p>Things get serious</p>
<p>Nathan is making more headway in math. He and his colleague Abraham Franco usually finish their in-class assignment before the rest of the class, says teacher Rebecca Gipson. So she has them studying pre-Algebra. “They’ve been working on it fairly diligently,” she says.</p>
<p>So far, Nathan and Abraham have perfect attendance and, for the most part, they’ve been doing they’re work, say two of their teachers. But the clock is ticking for those who have to retake the Iowa tests.</p>
<p>Today, Gipson’s math class reflects the get-serious atmosphere at the school. Desks that had previously been loosely arranged in small groups are now lined up in five even rows facing the front of the room. Students are hunched over their workbooks, concentrating on a word problem.</p>
<p>Test prep has kicked into high gear. Gipson describes it as a necessary evil. “It’s too bad the test is weighted so heavily, but the Bridge workbook is totally geared toward taking the test and passing,” she says.</p>
<p>Next: How will students at Andersen and Price fare on the Iowa tests?</p> | false | 3 | chicago public schools record number students close 140000 enrolled summer school year 30000 enrolled summer bridge mandatory program 3rd 6th 8thgraders whose scores iowa tests basic skills low promoted next level last year bridge enrollment 25072 school board officials attribute increase higher cutoff scores required promotion year remedial programs early intervention 1st 2ndgraders account another 20000 students another 15000 enrolled academic enrichment programs elementary school geometry high school journalism rest bilingual programs special education classes cpsrun summer camps summer school also booming year big city school districts new york los angeles washington dc least one chicago grade school bucking trend summer school enrollment hans christian andersen elementary wicker park 204 50 percent last year says principal suzanne dunaway credits rising test scores last five years school doubled number students score national norms spring andersens 3rdgraders passed school enough students 3rdgrade bridge didnt pass sent nearby pritzker elementary school closer homes hallways andersen quiet empty save security guard seated desk front entrance positioned keep eye schools main hallway right entry straight ahead classrooms neat students orderly one two writing tutors assist teachers two 8thgrade classrooms checking classwork helping students oneonone contrast summer school taken florence b price elementary school bronzeville hallways constantly abuzz teachers students tutors volunteers anyone else principal carl lawson invited school lawson prides bigtent approach summer school encouraging students dont help tutors teacher aides many given day five six student helpers classroom dozen kids lawson comfortable crowd often juggling conversationswith students visiting teachers parentsoutside front office prices summer school enrollment swelled 339 year 53 percent last year increase due lawson agreeing accommodate 88 8th 9thgraders nearby dyett middle school needed catch math reading 40 students signed dance drama program price school choice rest taking remedial classes including 36 students 3rdgrade bridge enough fill two classrooms price andersen ways opposite ends summer school scale also share couple key traits one teachers schools complain boardmandated curriculum used bridge remedial programs children need basic training programs provide says mark wigler kindergarten teacher andersen teaching lowachieving 1stgraders summer schools common trait sweltering classrooms airconditioners june 1820 monday june 18 calm storm price principal carl lawson gathers 16 teachers six staffers cafeteria 830 presummer school pep talk classes start tomorrow patience probably important thing tells youll dealing students dont want lawson notes teachers extra help university students hired cps tutors summer polls room find coffee prepared every morning teachers overwhelming response yes reminds field trips also teachers want take students walk around school grounds must keep together says good luck great summer says lawson later afternoon andersen principal suzanne dunaway office examining class rosters making sure shes prepared case lastminute crises teacher michael flynn pops tell dunaway doesnt enough reading workbooks 8th grade class dunaway immediately hits phone trying get flynn workbooks assistant principal whos summer school coordinator vacation week says distracted dunaway summer dunaway particularly interested 8th graders many scored well enough iowa test graduate failed classwork cant work work tuesday june 19 homework higher test scores first day summer school andersen teacher rebecca gipson rhetorical question 8thgrade math class two goals summer anyone want guess one student quietly answers pass gipson continues number one graduate august means need iowa scores number two classwork need classwork leave neglected work year meet goals gibson says nathan martinez abraham franco two students need classwork failed reading math classes school year nathan says failed tested higher level class previous years work difficult abraham different reason knew work says would leave home problem summer nathan abraham must attend class regularly complete assignments get grade lower c move high school wednesday june 20 second year summer school price teacher lestine vines 3rdgrade classroom crowded along 13 students five tutors classroomfour uppergrade price students volunteers fifth university student one six cpsfunded tutors working school summer vines lesson today straight school boards 3rdgrade bridge reading comprehension workbook students read short passage african elephants must recall specific facts much elephant weighs eat vines moves around room asking questions tossing bit math well male elephant weighs 6 tons female weighs 4 tons many tons male weigh asks two says 9yearold rozelle milton good good says vines regular school year vines teaches 5th grade second year teaching 3rdgraders summer school keep pace 85 percent passif come every day says last year 3rdgraders attended class regularly nine 12 moved 4th grade brandi mccambry 10 one three didnt shes back vines summer school class second year shes shaky start vines singles talking lesson voice switching breezy stern im play im help brandi says nothing vines loss brandi six weeks vines another teacher couldnt 10 months uses boards curriculum wishes supplemental materialsadditional 3rdgrade storybooks instanceto help brandi struggling students ill best monday june 25 success early intervention boards attempt help struggling 1st 2ndgrade students subject highstakes testing 3rd grade classes held four days week five weeks bridge students attend five days week six weeks early intervention second year programs track record uncertain spring 3rdgrade test scores dropped sign last summers crop struggling 2ndgraders didnt fare well even extra help july 19 years students tested reading math scores used solely assess skill level today andersen teacher mark wiglers 1stgraders simply eager draw workbooks keep cool steamy classroom andersen require summer school students wear uniforms still 1stgraders wiglers fancooled class wear similar outfits tshirts shorts sandals wigler follows suit tshirt emblazoned success much choice comfort declaration teaching expertise success wellregarded structured reading program developed researchers johns hopkins university program geared toward early reading development centers 90 minutes uninterrupted daily reading instruction joining andersen kindergarten teacher last year wigler spent year success trainer east coast introduced curriculum model 1995 teacher reed elementary englewood andersen began using success time says dunaway since schools test scores improved dramatically 1996 17 percent andersen students scored national norms iowa reading test 2001 35 percent scoring national norms test wigler says success works particularly kindergarten level allday programstudents completely immersed june 22 24 kindergartners ended year reading 1stgrade level program work emphasizes wigler allowed use success alls reading strategies summer school board requires summer school teachers follow mandated curriculum point particularly care wigler says upstairs secondfloor classroom michael flynn satisfied school boards summer curriculum either yet fitting irony photocopy pages lone reading workbook school get enough books distribute students additional workbooks arrive andersen next day week classes started regular school year flynn often goes beyond traditional strategies teach otis elementary 5thgraders reading invite local newscasters journalists read stories class hell take students field trip nearby cemetery see graves people theyre studying teaching 8thgraders summer way sharpening teaching skills get isolated one school wonder relate kids says flynn wants keep students toes today getting practice answering questions fast speed important says flynn quickness count retake iowa tests end july students read comic book story 10 minutes answer 12 questions flynn written board want complete sentences says easy questions gimmes im opposed way board summer school flynn says youre getting kids retrieve information testtaking strategy includes teaching students recognize wrong answers underlined word negative rule positive answer choices according test prep workbook teaching right answers flynn notes june 29 july 11 friday june 29 price teacher sweetens pot past week vines using carrots sticks rather candy sticks motivate 3rdgraders price complete assignments get bag goodies weeks end morning vines asking students story supposed read homework important point asks answer vines calls others return question blank stare spend 15 20 30 minutes day reading youll well vines admonishes go home nothing youll stay 3rd grade vines continues lesson calls students take short test story discussed students busy taking test vines unveils mountain goodies stacked cluttered desk cheese curls candy bars sweet rolls lollipops cotton candy three enormous jars pickles takes quick survey room find students completed homework assignments five raise hands brandi one vines says brandi turn homework last summer either vines tells tutor student volunteers decide students deserve share bounty sweets tutor volunteers step hallway several minutes students sit silently classroom jurors return swiftly verdict students work get treats says tutor joseph stovall stovall 21yearold education major allen university south carolina offers promise missed next week others work youll get treats says volunteers hand brown paper bags stuffed goodies five students completed assignments students look onsome calmly visibly upset kids absolutely work next week vines says later following week studentsthough allcomplete assignments including brandi time vines asks student think deserve treats say explaining didnt finish work still vines feeling generous doles goodies everyone tuesday july 3 everybody dance forty price students signed free dance drama enrichment program students range 4th 8th grades split two classes one group takes drama 90 minutes switches dance group begins dance takes drama fiveweek program runs four days week 8 11 culminates dance drama performance 10 students showing regularly voluntary courses say teachers elizabeth rich lin shook work urban gateways nonprofit arts education group today eight students shooks first dance class shook reviews learned yesterday leading students fairly complex routine spinning jumping posing variations five six seven eight walk one two kids follow along attention wanes begin talk goof one girl leans wall arms folded stubbornly across chest end class lost interest still shook says students betterat least theyve mastered routine easy dance combination says second dance class bit advanced perform dance interpretation chicago fire recital two weeks thursday july 5 following directions today flynn continues drilling 8thgraders andersen task write sentence vocabulary words written board student nathan martinez begins writing definitions word flynn meandering around room catch nathans error rest class finishing didnt follow directions flynn says nathan smiles laughs flynn takes away nathans answer sheet instructs complete assignment homework nathan would shakespearean tragedy ability fail flynn threatens nathan smiles laughs later says annoyed flynns badgering dont like know work says wednesday july 11 things get serious nathan making headway math colleague abraham franco usually finish inclass assignment rest class says teacher rebecca gipson studying prealgebra theyve working fairly diligently says far nathan abraham perfect attendance part theyve theyre work say two teachers clock ticking retake iowa tests today gipsons math class reflects getserious atmosphere school desks previously loosely arranged small groups lined five even rows facing front room students hunched workbooks concentrating word problem test prep kicked high gear gipson describes necessary evil bad test weighted heavily bridge workbook totally geared toward taking test passing says next students andersen price fare iowa tests | 1,715 |
<p>Gay congressional candidates Dan Innis (left) and Shawn O’Connor could compete against each other in the general election. (Washington Blade photo of Innis by Michael Key; photo of O’Connor courtesy of CreagerCole Communications)</p>
<p>MANCHESTER, N.H. — In the week of the presidential primary in New Hampshire, another race is brewing in the state that could pit two openly gay candidates — one Democrat, one Republican — against each other.</p>
<p>In a bid to represent New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district, Shawn O’Connor, a gay businessperson and lawyer who founded <a href="https://stratusprep.com/" type="external">the college admission advisory firm Stratus Prep</a>before selling the company, is competing against former Rep. Carol Shea-Porter for the Democratic nomination.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, on the Republican side, gay business professor Dan Innis — the former dean of the business school at the University of New Hampshire — is for a second time challenging incumbent Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.) after having lost the Republican nomination to the lawmaker in 2014.</p>
<p>If both candidates succeed in winning&#160;their party’s&#160;nomination on the day of the congressional primary on Sept. 13, New Hampshire’s 1st congressional district would be home to a national first: Two openly gay congressional candidates nominated by major parties competing against each other for a U.S. House seat.</p>
<p>In separate interviews with the Washington Blade, the two candidates outlined their visions if elected to Congress — and their plans reveal&#160;stark differences.</p>
<p>O’Connor said he formed an exploratory committee to pursue a congressional bid in February 2015 before Shea-Porter announced she’d pursue a sixth run because “people are ready for a change.”</p>
<p>“When this race went Republican last time, it’s gone back-and-forth between the same two members of Congress for about 10 years: Carol Shea-Porter and Frank Guinta,” O’Connor said. “I think it’s a seat that the right Democrat can definitely hold, and therefore, I decided to toss my hat into the ring without knowing who else might run.”</p>
<p>Among the items on O’Connor’s agenda are what he called “bread-and-butter” issues: Making it easier for small business owners to succeed and investing in infrastructure. According to O’Connor, 351 of the bridges in New Hampshire are designated as “red list,” which means they have a series of documented deficiencies getting worse over time.</p>
<p>But O’Connor, who has endorsed Bernard Sanders in the presidential election, also identified income inequality as among the issues he wants to tackle.</p>
<p>Until the minimum wage is raised to $15 an hour, O’Connor said he’ll only accept the current minimum wage as a salary from Congress, which would be $15,080 a year, and donate the remaining $159,000 to New Hampshire charities.</p>
<p>“I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is, and I just think it’s immoral to accept a salary of $174,000 a year and go around telling people it’s OK to live on $7.25 an hour,” O’Connor said.</p>
<p>Innis said he’s pursuing another bid for Congress because he had a good showing in the 2014 Republican congressional primary, earning 41 percent of the vote in the race against Guinta.</p>
<p>“Coming in at 41 percent as a first-time candidate against a semi-incumbent? That ain’t bad.” Innis said, adding he thinks he took that percentage of the vote because he ran as “a problem solver, not a political insider.”</p>
<p>But Innis took Guinta to task for allegedly violating campaign finance laws by taking $355,000 donated to him by his parents during his first House campaign in 2010. As a result of a settlement with the Federal Election Commission, Guinta in May 2015 paid a $15,000 fine and agreed to return his parents’ money.</p>
<p>Innis said the donation was unlawful and shamed Guinta for calling his opponents liars for bringing it up.</p>
<p>“And the liar was Frank. Period,” Innis said. “He broke the law, he knew he broke the law. He denied it for years, and when he was fined, he tried to further cover it up.”</p>
<p>In terms of policy differences, Innis said he differs with Guinta in some areas, although he doesn’t think the difference is terribly dramatic.</p>
<p>“I sit closer to New Hampshire on a number of social issues, and I’d further argue I’m more fiscally conservative than just about anyone you’d meet,” Innis said.</p>
<p>For Innis, the No. 1 crisis facing the country — in contrast to the views of others who say it’s the Islamic State of Iraq &amp; Syria or climate change — is the nation’s $19 trillion debt.</p>
<p>“It’s money, and we don’t have enough,” Innis said. “And we spend too much. We’ve got to bring these two things in balance, and if we don’t the country — and I’m not overstating this — the country is doomed, right? I understand business. I studied business. I’ve got an advanced degree in this stuff. So, I’m not blowing smoke. I know what I’m talking about. We’re doomed.”</p>
<p>Innis was coy about whom he’s backing in the presidential election, but said the way candidates approach LGBT rights is something he factors into his support.</p>
<p>“There are certain candidates that are more open to equality issues, and those are the candidates that I’d certainly get behind,” Innis said. “There are other candidates who are clearly closed to equality and it’s very, very difficult to support them, and you know who those are.”</p>
<p>In terms of LGBT rights, O’Connor identified as a priority a federal LGBT non-discrimination bill known as the Equality Act to “make sure LGBT equality is complete,” but also said we must ensure&#160;the United States is “a real social, moral leader” on international LGBT rights.</p>
<p>“Once we get full equality nationwide, and we’ve accomplished marriage, I think that incorporating LGBT rights more fully into our international policy would be really important, particularly in Africa,” O’Connor said.</p>
<p>Innis said if he’s elected, he’d “push for” a federal prohibition on employment discrimination against LGBT people, arguing his position in the Republican caucus would hasten its passage.</p>
<p>“If you’ve got a majority party that has the ability to bring that thing forward, and then you add someone to the party who is gay and who’s affected by this stuff, who can speak to the other members and leadership, I think the dynamic changes,” Innis said. “It always changes when you get to know someone and when you’ve got them sitting there with you dealing with the issue, and I do think we’ll have more success in pushing that forward if candidates like me are elected.”</p>
<p>Innis said he couldn’t immediately commit to co-sponsoring the Equality Act, but based on what he heard on the legislation as described by the Blade said it “sounds like something that is easy to support.”</p>
<p>Both candidates had differing takes on the idea of facing off in the general election as a gay candidate against a gay opponent.</p>
<p>O’Connor said it would be “exciting” and reflect the progress made on acceptance of LGBT people in New Hampshire.</p>
<p>“I think the nice thing about it in a way is in a purple state like New Hampshire — trending blue, but purple — to have two LGBT candidates face off in a general election really demonstrates that we’re becoming fully integrated into the political system, which I think is wonderful,” O’Connor said.</p>
<p>But O’Connor said the national LGBT community should support him if they both were to receive their nominations if Innis won’t back affirmative action, support women’s reproductive freedom or fight income inequality.</p>
<p>“Dan Innis has a very conservative — he doesn’t have a voting record — but based on his statements, he’s a pretty conservative candidate,” O’Connor said. “I believe the LGBT community as a community has been marginalized for decades, if not centuries, and there’s a responsibility to help others.”</p>
<p>Innis expressed skepticism O’Connor would be able to beat Shea-Porter. If he had to face off against him in the general election, Innis said the gay vs. gay nature of the race “wouldn’t matter” to him.</p>
<p>“I think I’ve defined myself as a candidate on the issues and on my background and my experience, and people now are used to the idea and more interested in what I have to say on the issues,” Innis said.</p>
<p>They both face challenges in defeating an incumbent on one hand and one-time incumbent on the other who have name recognition in New Hampshire. Innis has the added challenge of facing another potential competitor for the Republican nomination: State Rep. Pamela Tucker.</p>
<p>Nathan Gonzalez, editor of the Rothenberg &amp; Gonzalez Political Report, said it’s hard to put specific odds on an O’Connor vs. Innis matchup, but it’s “unlikely” both candidates will make it to the general election.</p>
<p>“Guinta is in an incredibly precarious electoral position, so it’s not hard to see him losing the primary,” Gonzalez said. “But Innis doesn’t have a clean shot at winning the nomination with Tucker in the race. Shea-Porter has her fair share of general election losses, but I have a hard time believing she is going to lose in a primary, until proven otherwise.”</p>
<p>One question is which candidate national LGBT groups — the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay &amp; Lesbian Victory Fund — will support. In the 2014 election, the Victory Fund endorsed Innis and the Human Rights Campaign endorsed Shea-Porter.</p>
<p>O’Connor said he applied for endorsements with both organizations, but was told by both they were staying out of the race at the time. Innis said he’ll likely seek support from the Victory Fund again, but had harsh words for the Human Rights Campaign.</p>
<p>“They endorsed Hillary, I’m not sure they should be playing in this,” Innis said. “To me, their job is to advocate for rights for equality; it’s not to pick candidates at a presidential level. Part of the problem here is I’ve never thought of HRC as so political, but it clearly is, but HRC I always thought was more politically driven rather than agenda driven, and they seem to be moving more toward the politics.”</p>
<p>Jarod Keith, spokesperson for the Victory Fund, said his organization usually stays out of races if multiple candidates apply for support and meet endorsement criteria.</p>
<p>“We typically don’t endorse a candidate if they’re running against another candidate who also qualifies for our endorsement,” Keith said. “In order to qualify, candidates have to be openly LGBT, support LGBT rights and a woman’s right to choose, and demonstrate a clear path to victory. Endorsements are made by the Victory Fund’s Victory Campaign Board.”</p>
<p>Brandon Lorenz, a Human Rights Campaign spokesperson,&#160;didn’t&#160;say when his organization would make an endorsement in the race.</p>
<p>“HRC has not made an endorsement in this race at this time,” Lorenz said. “In the 2014 cycle, HRC supported incumbent Rep. Carol Shea-Porter.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Dan Innis</a> <a href="" type="internal">election 2016</a> <a href="" type="internal">Gay &amp; Lesbian Victory Fund</a> <a href="" type="internal">Human Rights Campaign</a> <a href="" type="internal">Nathan Gonzalez</a> <a href="" type="internal">New Hampshire</a> <a href="" type="internal">Rothenberg &amp; Gonzalez Political Report</a> <a href="" type="internal">Shawn O'Connor</a></p> | false | 3 | gay congressional candidates dan innis left shawn oconnor could compete general election washington blade photo innis michael key photo oconnor courtesy creagercole communications manchester nh week presidential primary new hampshire another race brewing state could pit two openly gay candidates one democrat one republican bid represent new hampshires 1st congressional district shawn oconnor gay businessperson lawyer founded college admission advisory firm stratus prepbefore selling company competing former rep carol sheaporter democratic nomination meanwhile republican side gay business professor dan innis former dean business school university new hampshire second time challenging incumbent rep frank guinta rnh lost republican nomination lawmaker 2014 candidates succeed winning160their partys160nomination day congressional primary sept 13 new hampshires 1st congressional district would home national first two openly gay congressional candidates nominated major parties competing us house seat separate interviews washington blade two candidates outlined visions elected congress plans reveal160stark differences oconnor said formed exploratory committee pursue congressional bid february 2015 sheaporter announced shed pursue sixth run people ready change race went republican last time gone backandforth two members congress 10 years carol sheaporter frank guinta oconnor said think seat right democrat definitely hold therefore decided toss hat ring without knowing else might run among items oconnors agenda called breadandbutter issues making easier small business owners succeed investing infrastructure according oconnor 351 bridges new hampshire designated red list means series documented deficiencies getting worse time oconnor endorsed bernard sanders presidential election also identified income inequality among issues wants tackle minimum wage raised 15 hour oconnor said hell accept current minimum wage salary congress would 15080 year donate remaining 159000 new hampshire charities im willing put money mouth think immoral accept salary 174000 year go around telling people ok live 725 hour oconnor said innis said hes pursuing another bid congress good showing 2014 republican congressional primary earning 41 percent vote race guinta coming 41 percent firsttime candidate semiincumbent aint bad innis said adding thinks took percentage vote ran problem solver political insider innis took guinta task allegedly violating campaign finance laws taking 355000 donated parents first house campaign 2010 result settlement federal election commission guinta may 2015 paid 15000 fine agreed return parents money innis said donation unlawful shamed guinta calling opponents liars bringing liar frank period innis said broke law knew broke law denied years fined tried cover terms policy differences innis said differs guinta areas although doesnt think difference terribly dramatic sit closer new hampshire number social issues id argue im fiscally conservative anyone youd meet innis said innis 1 crisis facing country contrast views others say islamic state iraq amp syria climate change nations 19 trillion debt money dont enough innis said spend much weve got bring two things balance dont country im overstating country doomed right understand business studied business ive got advanced degree stuff im blowing smoke know im talking doomed innis coy hes backing presidential election said way candidates approach lgbt rights something factors support certain candidates open equality issues candidates id certainly get behind innis said candidates clearly closed equality difficult support know terms lgbt rights oconnor identified priority federal lgbt nondiscrimination bill known equality act make sure lgbt equality complete also said must ensure160the united states real social moral leader international lgbt rights get full equality nationwide weve accomplished marriage think incorporating lgbt rights fully international policy would really important particularly africa oconnor said innis said hes elected hed push federal prohibition employment discrimination lgbt people arguing position republican caucus would hasten passage youve got majority party ability bring thing forward add someone party gay whos affected stuff speak members leadership think dynamic changes innis said always changes get know someone youve got sitting dealing issue think well success pushing forward candidates like elected innis said couldnt immediately commit cosponsoring equality act based heard legislation described blade said sounds like something easy support candidates differing takes idea facing general election gay candidate gay opponent oconnor said would exciting reflect progress made acceptance lgbt people new hampshire think nice thing way purple state like new hampshire trending blue purple two lgbt candidates face general election really demonstrates becoming fully integrated political system think wonderful oconnor said oconnor said national lgbt community support receive nominations innis wont back affirmative action support womens reproductive freedom fight income inequality dan innis conservative doesnt voting record based statements hes pretty conservative candidate oconnor said believe lgbt community community marginalized decades centuries theres responsibility help others innis expressed skepticism oconnor would able beat sheaporter face general election innis said gay vs gay nature race wouldnt matter think ive defined candidate issues background experience people used idea interested say issues innis said face challenges defeating incumbent one hand onetime incumbent name recognition new hampshire innis added challenge facing another potential competitor republican nomination state rep pamela tucker nathan gonzalez editor rothenberg amp gonzalez political report said hard put specific odds oconnor vs innis matchup unlikely candidates make general election guinta incredibly precarious electoral position hard see losing primary gonzalez said innis doesnt clean shot winning nomination tucker race sheaporter fair share general election losses hard time believing going lose primary proven otherwise one question candidate national lgbt groups human rights campaign gay amp lesbian victory fund support 2014 election victory fund endorsed innis human rights campaign endorsed sheaporter oconnor said applied endorsements organizations told staying race time innis said hell likely seek support victory fund harsh words human rights campaign endorsed hillary im sure playing innis said job advocate rights equality pick candidates presidential level part problem ive never thought hrc political clearly hrc always thought politically driven rather agenda driven seem moving toward politics jarod keith spokesperson victory fund said organization usually stays races multiple candidates apply support meet endorsement criteria typically dont endorse candidate theyre running another candidate also qualifies endorsement keith said order qualify candidates openly lgbt support lgbt rights womans right choose demonstrate clear path victory endorsements made victory funds victory campaign board brandon lorenz human rights campaign spokesperson160didnt160say organization would make endorsement race hrc made endorsement race time lorenz said 2014 cycle hrc supported incumbent rep carol sheaporter dan innis election 2016 gay amp lesbian victory fund human rights campaign nathan gonzalez new hampshire rothenberg amp gonzalez political report shawn oconnor | 1,029 |
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>On Aug. 14, the three litigants in the case to halt California’s high-speed rail project, Kings County and two local residents, filed a Petition for Rehearing. They challenged the July 31 ruling against them by Sacramento’s 3rd District Court of Appeal. The ruling, which reversed a lower-court decision, greenlighted the project.</p>
<p>The rehearing also would be with the 3rd District Court of Appeal.</p>
<p>Depending on the results of the rehearing, Stuart Flashman, the counsel for Kings County and the two residents, said the litigants could&#160;file an action with the California Supreme Court by Sept.&#160;2 because of the precedent-setting nature of the arguments the justices made about bond measures in general.</p>
<p>The litigants insisted the Appeals Court&#160;decision made factual errors by raising two issues not brought up by the state of California during the trial.</p>
<p>First issue: The litigants said the decision included issues of fact and law that were neither proposed nor briefed by any party to the proceeding. They said, “The court’s decision asserted that the Preliminary Funding Plan was only an ‘interlocutory and preliminary step in a multistep process.’’’</p>
<p>However, according to the litigants, “[T]hat issue had neither been proposed nor briefed by any party.” They cited <a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=gov&amp;group=68001-69000&amp;file=68070-68114.10" type="external">Government Code Section 68081</a>:</p>
<p>“Before the Supreme Court, a court of appeal, or the appellate division of a superior court renders a decision in a proceeding other than a summary denial of a petition for an extraordinary writ, based upon an issue which was not proposed or briefed by any party to the proceeding, the court shall afford the parties an opportunity to present their views on the matter through supplemental briefing. If the court fails to afford that opportunity, a rehearing shall be ordered upon timely petition of any party.”</p>
<p>Second issue: The litigants said the court decision contained errors in its identification and discussion of facts, which affected the validity of the decision.</p>
<p>They contended that, according the court, “ <a href="http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_1A,_High-Speed_Rail_Act_(2008)" type="external">Proposition 1A</a> did not in any way constrain the Legislature’s discretion in approving an appropriation for the high-speed rail project.” In fact, Prop. 1A, the 2008 initiative voters approved for $9 billion in bonds to fund the project, includes many stipulations how the Legislature can spend the bond money.</p>
<p>The litigants also contended that both these points were brought up in court by the justices during the arguments at the May 23, 2014 hearing, with no chance for rebuttal, effectively helping the state’s defense of the high-speed rail spending.</p>
<p>The decision the 3rd District Court of Appeal overturned was Superior Court Judge Kenny’s <a href="http://transdef.org/HSR/Taxpayer_assets/Ruling%20on%20Remedies.pdf" type="external">remedy decision</a> on Nov.&#160;25, 2013, essentially halted the high-speed rail project. Kenny required the California High-Speed Rail Authority to redo its funding plan because the plan had not followed the “plain language” in the bond measure. The CHSRA had not completed environmental work, nor did it have commitments to fund the first 300 miles of the estimated $68 billion project.</p>
<p>Kenny also ruled in a separate decision that bonds needed for construction could not be allocated since the CHSRA failed to provide evidence to the High Speed Passenger Train Finance Committee that the bonds were necessary or desirable.</p>
<p>The 3rd District Court of Appeal&#160;also ruled July 31&#160;that, without specific language in a ballot measure that forbade legislative tampering, the appellate court could not interfere with the appropriation process of the Legislature. They said there was no remedy, even though the CHSRA’s Funding Plan did not meet the requirements of the bond measure.</p>
<p>In their final ruling, though, the appeals&#160;court offered a window of hope to the litigants, writing that the litigants could protest the final funding plan if it was inadequate. Before spending any Prop. 1A bond funds, the CHSRA is required to have all environmental work completed and funding in place from Madera down to the San Fernando Valley, as well as requiring a financial consultant deem the project viable.</p>
<p>The appeals&#160;court also noted, “[T]he voters clearly intended to place the Authority in a financial straight-jacket by establishing a mandatory multi-step process to ensure the financial viability of the project.”&#160; So even to the court, it was clear what the voters chose. Despite that, the court said, in effect: It doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>Flashman insisted that, whether the language is explicit or implicit, a bond measure must be honored. He said it is a contract and everybody, the voters and the government, had to agree before any changes were made. That would mean a new ballot measure would be needed to change the project.</p>
<p>He also said that, if this ruling stands, in the future someone with another bond could “intentionally mislead the public or even commit fraud” if the bond measure could easily be changed by the Legislature after voter approval.</p>
<p>The appeals&#160;court will have until the end of October to reply to the request for the Petition for Rehearing.</p>
<p>Kathy Hamilton is the Ralph Nader of high-speed rail, continually uncovering hidden aspects of the project and revealing them to the public. &#160;She started writing in order to tell local communities how the project affects them and her reach grew statewide.&#160;&#160;She has written more than 225 articles on high-speed rail and attended hundreds of state and local meetings. She is a board member of the Community Coalition on High-Speed Rail; has testified at government hearings; has provided public testimony and court declarations on public records act requests; has given public testimony; and has provided transcripts for the validation of court cases.&#160;</p> | false | 3 | 160 aug 14 three litigants case halt californias highspeed rail project kings county two local residents filed petition rehearing challenged july 31 ruling sacramentos 3rd district court appeal ruling reversed lowercourt decision greenlighted project rehearing also would 3rd district court appeal depending results rehearing stuart flashman counsel kings county two residents said litigants could160file action california supreme court sept1602 precedentsetting nature arguments justices made bond measures general litigants insisted appeals court160decision made factual errors raising two issues brought state california trial first issue litigants said decision included issues fact law neither proposed briefed party proceeding said courts decision asserted preliminary funding plan interlocutory preliminary step multistep process however according litigants issue neither proposed briefed party cited government code section 68081 supreme court court appeal appellate division superior court renders decision proceeding summary denial petition extraordinary writ based upon issue proposed briefed party proceeding court shall afford parties opportunity present views matter supplemental briefing court fails afford opportunity rehearing shall ordered upon timely petition party second issue litigants said court decision contained errors identification discussion facts affected validity decision contended according court proposition 1a way constrain legislatures discretion approving appropriation highspeed rail project fact prop 1a 2008 initiative voters approved 9 billion bonds fund project includes many stipulations legislature spend bond money litigants also contended points brought court justices arguments may 23 2014 hearing chance rebuttal effectively helping states defense highspeed rail spending decision 3rd district court appeal overturned superior court judge kennys remedy decision nov16025 2013 essentially halted highspeed rail project kenny required california highspeed rail authority redo funding plan plan followed plain language bond measure chsra completed environmental work commitments fund first 300 miles estimated 68 billion project kenny also ruled separate decision bonds needed construction could allocated since chsra failed provide evidence high speed passenger train finance committee bonds necessary desirable 3rd district court appeal160also ruled july 31160that without specific language ballot measure forbade legislative tampering appellate court could interfere appropriation process legislature said remedy even though chsras funding plan meet requirements bond measure final ruling though appeals160court offered window hope litigants writing litigants could protest final funding plan inadequate spending prop 1a bond funds chsra required environmental work completed funding place madera san fernando valley well requiring financial consultant deem project viable appeals160court also noted voters clearly intended place authority financial straightjacket establishing mandatory multistep process ensure financial viability project160 even court clear voters chose despite court said effect doesnt matter flashman insisted whether language explicit implicit bond measure must honored said contract everybody voters government agree changes made would mean new ballot measure would needed change project also said ruling stands future someone another bond could intentionally mislead public even commit fraud bond measure could easily changed legislature voter approval appeals160court end october reply request petition rehearing kathy hamilton ralph nader highspeed rail continually uncovering hidden aspects project revealing public 160she started writing order tell local communities project affects reach grew statewide160160she written 225 articles highspeed rail attended hundreds state local meetings board member community coalition highspeed rail testified government hearings provided public testimony court declarations public records act requests given public testimony provided transcripts validation court cases160 | 522 |
<p>ON THE MOVE</p>
<p>Katie McKown, to Scottsville (Va.) Baptist Church, as pastor.</p>
<p>Joe Holland, to Hunton Baptist Church, Glen Allen, Va., as interim pastor.</p>
<p>Horace Scruggs, to Effort (Va.) Baptist Church, as interim worship pastor.</p>
<p>Chris Kurtz, resigning as associate pastor at Hampton (Va.) Baptist Church, to become senior associate pastor at Morningside Baptist Church in Spartansburg, S.C.</p>
<p>Doug Odle, resigning as youth minister at Green Valley Baptist Church, Lebanon, Va., to accept the pastorate of Lyttleton Baptist Church, Manchester, Ky.</p>
<p>Rosemary Blankenship, to Rhoadesville (Va.) Baptist Church, as senior adult ministry intern.</p>
<p>Allen York, resigning as pastor of music and worship at Viewmont Baptist Church, Hickory, N.C.</p>
<p>Krista Manuel, to Tomahawk Baptist Church, Midlothian, Va., as children’s ministry intern.</p>
<p>Lauren Deer, resigning as associate pastor of youth and children at First Baptist Church, Wallace, N.C., to pursue a military chaplaincy.</p>
<p>Shawn McBride, to Mount Ararat Baptist Church, Stafford, Va., as student pastor.</p>
<p>Kris Pennigar, to Mill Creek Baptist Church, Monroe, N.C., as youth minister.</p>
<p>ORDINATIONS</p>
<p>Shelby Jones, minister of outreach at Lakeside Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., was ordained to the ministry by the church on Sept. 30.</p>
<p>Scott Looney was ordained to the ministry by Northwest Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C., on Sept. 23.</p>
<p>Brandon Scott McGuire was ordained to the ministry by Ginter Park Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., on Sept. 16.</p>
<p>30 YEARS</p>
<p>David Collyer, celebrating 30 years as co-pastor of Crozet (Va.) Baptist Church.</p>
<p>Linda Faulk, celebrating 30 years in the music ministry of First Baptist Church, Morganton, N.C., as organist and music assistant.</p>
<p>25 YEARS</p>
<p>Mark A. Croston, celebrating 25 years as senior pastor of East End Baptist Church, Suffolk, Va. An anniversary banquet is planned for Oct. 21.</p>
<p>15 YEARS</p>
<p>Clark Sorrells, celebrating 15 years as minister of music at First Baptist Church, Asheville, N.C.</p>
<p>5 YEARS</p>
<p>Stephen J. Crane, celebrating 5 years as pastor of Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.</p>
<p>SUN., SEPT. 30-OCT. 3</p>
<p>United Baptist Church, Danville, Va.; revival with David Henry, evangelist; Sunday 11 a.m. and nightly at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>SUN., OCT. 7</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Weber City, Va.; homecoming at 10:45 a.m.; Dean Smith, guest speaker; former pastors invited; covered-dish dinner.</p>
<p>Furnace Creek Baptist Church, Rocky Mount, Va.; 59th anniversary with homecoming at 11 a.m.; J. Larry Holland, guest speaker; lunch served.</p>
<p>James River Baptist Church, Williamsburg, Va.; homecoming at 10:30 a.m.; Chuck Harrison, director of missions for Peninsula Baptist Association, guest speaker; music by Greater Joy; potluck lunch on the grounds.</p>
<p>Kensington (Md.) Baptist Church; 90th anniversary celebration at 10 a.m.; worship at 11 a.m. followed by food and fellowship.</p>
<p>Mechanicsville Baptist Church, Gordonsville, Va.; 184th anniversary with homecoming at 11 a.m.; James Riddell, guest speaker; covered-dish lunch.</p>
<p>SUN., OCT. 7-10</p>
<p>Burkeville (Va.) Baptist Church; revival with Jay Carey, evangelist.</p>
<p>Rustburg (Va.) Baptist Church; revival with Roger Roller, evangelist; Sunday at 11 a.m. and each evening at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, West Point, Va.; Heritage Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; voices from the past and focus on the future; lunch will be served.</p>
<p>Penuel Baptist Church, Altavista, Va.; homecoming at 10:30 a.m.; Carl Burger, guest speaker; music by the Durocher Family; covered-dish meal.</p>
<p>SUN., OCT. 14</p>
<p>Mechanicsville (Va.) Baptist Church; 35th anniversary; celebration service at 11 a.m.; former youth pastor Sterling Severns, guest speaker; lunch following.</p>
<p>NorthStar Church, Blacksburg, Va.; 1st homecoming service at 9 and 11 a.m.; founding pastor Robert Jackson, guest speaker.</p>
<p>Victoria (Va.) Baptist Church; 105th anniversary with homecoming at 11 a.m.; former pastor John Dean, guest speaker; followed by lunch.</p>
<p>SUN., OCT. 14-17</p>
<p>Waverly Place Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; fall revival with Tom Stocks, evangelist.</p>
<p>MON., OCT. 15</p>
<p>First Baptist Church, Martinsville, Va.; United States Air Force Woodwind Quintet in concert at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>Virginia Baptist Male Chorale; in concert at Heritage Baptist Church, Farmville, Va., at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>TUES., OCT. 16</p>
<p>Virginia Baptist Male Chorale; in concert at Hatcher Memorial Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., at 7 p.m.</p>
<p>SAT.-SUN., OCT. 20-21</p>
<p>Lakewood Baptist Church, Durham, N.C.; 100th anniversary; reception at 5 p.m. on Saturday followed by concert at 6 p.m.; anniversary service at 11 a.m. on Sunday followed by luncheon.</p>
<p>SUN., OCT. 21</p>
<p>Calvary Baptist Church, Concord, Va.; homecoming with former pastor Bob Davis, guest speaker.</p>
<p>Grace Baptist Fellowship Church, Hiwassee, Va.; homecoming at 10:45 a.m.; special guests, gospel music group New Direction; dinner following service.</p>
<p>North Run Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; 180th anniversary.</p>
<p>Southside Baptist Association; 50th anniversary celebration service at 3 p.m. at Crewe (Va.) Baptist Church; music by the Chancel Choir of Crewe Baptist.</p>
<p>SUN.-WED., OCT. 21-24</p>
<p>Dan River Baptist Church, Halifax, Va.; revival with Tom Stocks, evangelist; special music nightly.</p>
<p>Green Ridge Baptist Church, Roanoke, Va.; awakening services with Tim St. Clair, former team leader with Life Action Ministries.</p>
<p>Mentow Baptist Church, Huddleston, Va.; homecoming on Sunday with former pastor Bert Browning, guest speaker; revival services each evening.</p>
<p>MON.-WED., OCT. 22-24</p>
<p>Calvary Baptist Church, Concord, Va.; revival with Bob Davis as evangelist.</p>
<p>Pioneer Baptist Church, Richmond, Va.; revival with Roger Roller, evangelist.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Chesterfield (Va.) Community Church held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on its newly acquired land following worship on Sept. 23. Constituted in 2007, the congregation meets on the campus of The Children’s Home of Virginia Baptist, Inc., in Petersburg.</p>
<p>CrossPointe Church, a second campus of Franklin Heights Baptist Church, Rocky Mount, Va., held its first service on Sept. 23. The new campus is located in Burnt Chimney across from Homestead Creamery.</p>
<p>Real Life Community Church, Fredericksburg, Va., celebrated worship in its new location on Sept. 30. The church was holding services at Gayle Middle School and has relocated to an office complex at 11 Smokehouse Drive, Suite 103, in Fredericksburg.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Beulah Baptist Church celebrates 200th Beulah Baptist Church, Aylett, Va., was constituted on Sept. 26, 1812, in the upper area of King William County. Until then its members had been part of Upper College Church, now Sharon Baptist Church. From its beginning Robert B. Semple preached for the church once a month. In 1816 William Hatchett became pastor, later Andrew Broaddus was pastor until his death in 1848. C. Edward Shepard is now serving in his 29th year as pastor. During its 200 year history, Beulah has worshipped continuously, except for a few Sundays during the Civil War when the minutes record that the “enemy” was in the territory. After the Civil War, the black members desired their own church and Providence Baptist Church was organized, financed and built under the auspices of Beulah Church. On April 9, 2012, construction began at Beulah to add a handicap-accessible vestibule with restrooms on the first floor, an all-purpose room and restroom on the second floor and an extended church portico. Beulah Baptist Church celebrates its 200th anniversary on Sunday, Sept. 30.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>Woodlawn Baptist Church celebrates 125 years Woodlawn Baptist Church, Colonial Heights, Va., was established in 1887 as a mission of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Petersburg. Its first building was located just off the Richmond-Petersburg Turnpike. The building was dedicated in May of 1895. The present building is located on 3120 Woodlawn Avenue and was dedicated in 1957, as the Matthews Memorial Chapel of Woodlawn Baptist Church. The educational wing was completed in 1967. Through the years Woodlawn Baptist has been led by 22 pastors. The congregation has been led by the ministerial team of John and Terri Mason for the past 14 years. In recent years the church’s focus has been on missions, including local, national and overseas. In 2004 the congregation raised money for one of seven boats given by Virginia Baptists to fishermen in Indonesia after the tsunami.</p> | false | 3 | move katie mckown scottsville va baptist church pastor joe holland hunton baptist church glen allen va interim pastor horace scruggs effort va baptist church interim worship pastor chris kurtz resigning associate pastor hampton va baptist church become senior associate pastor morningside baptist church spartansburg sc doug odle resigning youth minister green valley baptist church lebanon va accept pastorate lyttleton baptist church manchester ky rosemary blankenship rhoadesville va baptist church senior adult ministry intern allen york resigning pastor music worship viewmont baptist church hickory nc krista manuel tomahawk baptist church midlothian va childrens ministry intern lauren deer resigning associate pastor youth children first baptist church wallace nc pursue military chaplaincy shawn mcbride mount ararat baptist church stafford va student pastor kris pennigar mill creek baptist church monroe nc youth minister ordinations shelby jones minister outreach lakeside baptist church richmond va ordained ministry church sept 30 scott looney ordained ministry northwest baptist church winstonsalem nc sept 23 brandon scott mcguire ordained ministry ginter park baptist church richmond va sept 16 30 years david collyer celebrating 30 years copastor crozet va baptist church linda faulk celebrating 30 years music ministry first baptist church morganton nc organist music assistant 25 years mark croston celebrating 25 years senior pastor east end baptist church suffolk va anniversary banquet planned oct 21 15 years clark sorrells celebrating 15 years minister music first baptist church asheville nc 5 years stephen j crane celebrating 5 years pastor poplar springs baptist church richmond va sun sept 30oct 3 united baptist church danville va revival david henry evangelist sunday 11 nightly 7 pm sun oct 7 first baptist church weber city va homecoming 1045 dean smith guest speaker former pastors invited covereddish dinner furnace creek baptist church rocky mount va 59th anniversary homecoming 11 j larry holland guest speaker lunch served james river baptist church williamsburg va homecoming 1030 chuck harrison director missions peninsula baptist association guest speaker music greater joy potluck lunch grounds kensington md baptist church 90th anniversary celebration 10 worship 11 followed food fellowship mechanicsville baptist church gordonsville va 184th anniversary homecoming 11 james riddell guest speaker covereddish lunch sun oct 710 burkeville va baptist church revival jay carey evangelist rustburg va baptist church revival roger roller evangelist sunday 11 evening 7 pm first baptist church west point va heritage day 9 2 pm voices past focus future lunch served penuel baptist church altavista va homecoming 1030 carl burger guest speaker music durocher family covereddish meal sun oct 14 mechanicsville va baptist church 35th anniversary celebration service 11 former youth pastor sterling severns guest speaker lunch following northstar church blacksburg va 1st homecoming service 9 11 founding pastor robert jackson guest speaker victoria va baptist church 105th anniversary homecoming 11 former pastor john dean guest speaker followed lunch sun oct 1417 waverly place baptist church roanoke va fall revival tom stocks evangelist mon oct 15 first baptist church martinsville va united states air force woodwind quintet concert 7 pm virginia baptist male chorale concert heritage baptist church farmville va 7 pm tues oct 16 virginia baptist male chorale concert hatcher memorial baptist church richmond va 7 pm satsun oct 2021 lakewood baptist church durham nc 100th anniversary reception 5 pm saturday followed concert 6 pm anniversary service 11 sunday followed luncheon sun oct 21 calvary baptist church concord va homecoming former pastor bob davis guest speaker grace baptist fellowship church hiwassee va homecoming 1045 special guests gospel music group new direction dinner following service north run baptist church richmond va 180th anniversary southside baptist association 50th anniversary celebration service 3 pm crewe va baptist church music chancel choir crewe baptist sunwed oct 2124 dan river baptist church halifax va revival tom stocks evangelist special music nightly green ridge baptist church roanoke va awakening services tim st clair former team leader life action ministries mentow baptist church huddleston va homecoming sunday former pastor bert browning guest speaker revival services evening monwed oct 2224 calvary baptist church concord va revival bob davis evangelist pioneer baptist church richmond va revival roger roller evangelist chesterfield va community church held ribboncutting ceremony newly acquired land following worship sept 23 constituted 2007 congregation meets campus childrens home virginia baptist inc petersburg crosspointe church second campus franklin heights baptist church rocky mount va held first service sept 23 new campus located burnt chimney across homestead creamery real life community church fredericksburg va celebrated worship new location sept 30 church holding services gayle middle school relocated office complex 11 smokehouse drive suite 103 fredericksburg beulah baptist church celebrates 200th beulah baptist church aylett va constituted sept 26 1812 upper area king william county members part upper college church sharon baptist church beginning robert b semple preached church month 1816 william hatchett became pastor later andrew broaddus pastor death 1848 c edward shepard serving 29th year pastor 200 year history beulah worshipped continuously except sundays civil war minutes record enemy territory civil war black members desired church providence baptist church organized financed built auspices beulah church april 9 2012 construction began beulah add handicapaccessible vestibule restrooms first floor allpurpose room restroom second floor extended church portico beulah baptist church celebrates 200th anniversary sunday sept 30 woodlawn baptist church celebrates 125 years woodlawn baptist church colonial heights va established 1887 mission mount calvary baptist church petersburg first building located richmondpetersburg turnpike building dedicated may 1895 present building located 3120 woodlawn avenue dedicated 1957 matthews memorial chapel woodlawn baptist church educational wing completed 1967 years woodlawn baptist led 22 pastors congregation led ministerial team john terri mason past 14 years recent years churchs focus missions including local national overseas 2004 congregation raised money one seven boats given virginia baptists fishermen indonesia tsunami | 943 |
<p>Yolanda Guevara knows she could be called up at any moment.</p>
<p>Guevara is a rear detachment commander for her Army Reserve unit, which has already been deployed to Kuwait. It’s a matter of time before she would have to leave her husband and three children in North Carolina to join her unit. Even now, she is sent away from home for anywhere from three days to two weeks to various places in the country–”a job she says would be difficult to manage without the support of her husband.</p>
<p>“He works part time but whenever I have to go out –¦ he’s there for me,” Yolanda says. “I don’t think I could be in the military without him.”</p>
<p>For many military families, the thought of being deployed would be enough to deal with, but Guevara also faces the possibility that her husband, Juan, will be deported back to El Salvador in a few months.</p>
<p>Juan crossed the border into Arizona without inspection in 2000. A year later, severe earthquakes hit El Salvador, and he was able to apply for “Temporary Protected Status” that gives him permission to live and work in the U.S. Every year, the two fill out forms to renew this status.</p>
<p>In 2007, after saving up enough money, they decided to apply for Juan’s permanent residency. But at the immigration appointment late last year, they were told he is ineligible for citizenship because he crossed illegally.</p>
<p>When Guevara explained her situation to the immigration officer, the response was less than helpful. “I told him, –˜My unit is going to be deployed, so I’m afraid–” what if I’m gone and I’m stationed over in Iraq or Kuwait, and my husband’s [status] expires?'” she says. “What’s going to happen to my kids?”</p>
<p>She says the officer responded, “You worry about that when that happens.” Advocates say many military families are in the same boat. Though official figures aren’t collected, Lt. Col. Margaret Stock, an immigration attorney who helped establish the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s Military Assistance Program, says she gets at least one phone call a day from military personnel with immigration troubles.</p>
<p>Stock says it is a problem that not only interferes with the lives of soldiers and their families, but ultimately also hampers military readiness. “You would not believe the amount of resources that are being spent right now trying to deal with these problems,” says Stock, whose program provides military families with pro bono assistance. “We just have soldiers who are in tears–”soldiers and sailors who just can’t deal with their family situation being unsettled.”</p>
<p>Most problems stem from the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, which established a strict set of changes in immigration laws, including a rule that does not provide waivers for any offenses–”such as crossing the border illegally–”for immigrants who are seeking permanent residence or other legal status.</p>
<p>Stock says the ’96 law is responsible for a large chunk of undocumented immigrants that the country has today. In testifying before Congress earlier this year, she referred to the “parole” policy for undocumented Cubans and said putting a similar policy in place for the military families could provide a solution.</p>
<p>In May, U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren introduced a bill, H.R. 6020, that would provide such relief–”by allowing for discretion that currently lacks in immigration law in handling noncitizen military families members.</p>
<p>But Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a Washington, D.C.-based think-tank that advocates for controlled immigration, says making exceptions for the noncitizen spouses of soldiers is like giving a criminal a “get-out-of-jail-free card.” With 12 million undocumented immigrants, the country can’t afford to look at each case and keep making exceptions.</p>
<p>“If you’re saying the law needs to have wiggle room, I agree,” he says. “But our immigration law is nothing but wiggle room. The immigration lawyers have a motto: –˜It ain’t over ’til the alien wins.'”</p>
<p>Stock says that people who tend to make that argument never actually intend to let immigrants through. “The irony of the whole immigration debate is that [they] don’t want anything to change,” she says.</p>
<p>Deborah Notkin, an immigration lawyer in New York and member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s board of governors, says the country will always have a high number of immigrants, but that shouldn’t be a reason why these families aren’t helped.</p>
<p>“We don’t want to be a country that turns its back on human compassion,” she says. “It’s not okay to take a woman who’s been here for 20 years and has four children and say we have to turn our back on them because we have too many here already.”</p>
<p>Rather than sit back and wait to see what would happen, Guevara decided to look for help. She discussed the issue with her commander who then talked to her battalion commander. They decided to put her in charge of her unit from a station in the U.S. After two months of pushing for help, a battalion lawyer referred her to Stock’s program. She’s now working with a lawyer to find a way to reverse the deportation process.</p>
<p>Unless the case succeeds, the family’s only hope is for the protected status for El Salvadorians to be extended before it expires in March. If it’s extended, Juan would be able to reapply for his stay. If it’s not, he faces his deportation proceeding. The deportation, Guevara says, would mean she’d have to quit the military and consider moving with her family to either El Salvador or Mexico. “I don’t really want to leave the military because I’ve only been with it for seven years,” she says. “I want to stay and get a career in it, but my family comes first. So it’s kind of hard for me, but I will have to leave. There’s no other way.”</p> | false | 3 | yolanda guevara knows could called moment guevara rear detachment commander army reserve unit already deployed kuwait matter time would leave husband three children north carolina join unit even sent away home anywhere three days two weeks various places countrya job says would difficult manage without support husband works part time whenever go hes yolanda says dont think could military without many military families thought deployed would enough deal guevara also faces possibility husband juan deported back el salvador months juan crossed border arizona without inspection 2000 year later severe earthquakes hit el salvador able apply temporary protected status gives permission live work us every year two fill forms renew status 2007 saving enough money decided apply juans permanent residency immigration appointment late last year told ineligible citizenship crossed illegally guevara explained situation immigration officer response less helpful told unit going deployed im afraid im gone im stationed iraq kuwait husbands status expires says whats going happen kids says officer responded worry happens advocates say many military families boat though official figures arent collected lt col margaret stock immigration attorney helped establish american immigration lawyers associations military assistance program says gets least one phone call day military personnel immigration troubles stock says problem interferes lives soldiers families ultimately also hampers military readiness would believe amount resources spent right trying deal problems says stock whose program provides military families pro bono assistance soldiers tearssoldiers sailors cant deal family situation unsettled problems stem illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act 1996 established strict set changes immigration laws including rule provide waivers offensessuch crossing border illegallyfor immigrants seeking permanent residence legal status stock says 96 law responsible large chunk undocumented immigrants country today testifying congress earlier year referred parole policy undocumented cubans said putting similar policy place military families could provide solution may us rep zoe lofgren introduced bill hr 6020 would provide reliefby allowing discretion currently lacks immigration law handling noncitizen military families members mark krikorian executive director center immigration studies washington dcbased thinktank advocates controlled immigration says making exceptions noncitizen spouses soldiers like giving criminal getoutofjailfree card 12 million undocumented immigrants country cant afford look case keep making exceptions youre saying law needs wiggle room agree says immigration law nothing wiggle room immigration lawyers motto aint til alien wins stock says people tend make argument never actually intend let immigrants irony whole immigration debate dont want anything change says deborah notkin immigration lawyer new york member american immigration lawyers associations board governors says country always high number immigrants shouldnt reason families arent helped dont want country turns back human compassion says okay take woman whos 20 years four children say turn back many already rather sit back wait see would happen guevara decided look help discussed issue commander talked battalion commander decided put charge unit station us two months pushing help battalion lawyer referred stocks program shes working lawyer find way reverse deportation process unless case succeeds familys hope protected status el salvadorians extended expires march extended juan would able reapply stay faces deportation proceeding deportation guevara says would mean shed quit military consider moving family either el salvador mexico dont really want leave military ive seven years says want stay get career family comes first kind hard leave theres way | 538 |
<p>By Greg Warner</p>
<p>No one objects when missions personnel feed the hungry or attend to the sick. But is advocacy on behalf of immigrants and refugees also part of the gospel?</p>
<p>For Cooperative Baptists who minister among Hispanic immigrants, the gospel means not only meeting human needs but making sure the government does its part, too.</p>
<p>“It’s justice,” said Linda Jones, missions coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina, whose churches have been particularly proactive about reforming U.S. immigration policy. She said the mandate is biblical.</p>
<p>“All through Scripture, it tells us to welcome the ‘alien,’ the immigrant,” Jones said.</p>
<p>“It’s easy to say ‘we stand up for justice and fairness,’ but it really comes down to action,” said Sue Smith, who with her husband, Greg, founded a nonprofit organization in Fredericksburg, Va., that helps new immigrants adjust to American culture and the U.S. legal system.</p>
<p>The Smiths are CBF field personnel and also minister to Latinos on behalf of the Virginia Baptist Mission Board.</p>
<p>Immigration reform is the primary focus of the Smiths’ advocacy work. “It’s so big,” Greg said. “Who knows how much difference it can make?”</p>
<p>A broken system</p>
<p>CBF Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter wants to see more Cooperative Baptists advocating for immigration reform and searching for solutions to the problems that many immigrants face.</p>
<p>“Our immigration system is broken,” said Paynter, whose pre-CBF career focused on immigration, predatory lending, anti-human trafficking, hunger and poverty. “We have laws that don’t work anymore.”</p>
<p>It is essential that Christians become visible advocates for immigrants and reform, Paynter said, if only because they have no vested interest.</p>
<p>“Most voices in the public square are speaking for selfish reasons,” Paynter said. “To have voices in the public square who are speaking for someone else is pretty rare.”</p>
<p>Looming on the horizon — and affecting immigration ministry on almost every level — is the possibility of immigration reform. The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that updates antiquated laws and improves the circumstances of the 12 million people in the United States without proper documentation. There is a push in the House of Representatives to take up the Senate bill or similar legislation.</p>
<p>The Senate bill allows for immigrants already here to apply for temporary worker status, reducing the fears of deportation; provides a “path to citizenship” that will take immigrants 10-plus years to complete; and protects the borders from illegal entry.</p>
<p>“You have to address the systemic issues or nothing is going to change,” Jones said of reform. “Is it not justice to give [undocumented immigrants] a path to citizenship? Not the ones who have just hopped over the fence, but the ones who have lived here a long time.”</p>
<p>Keeping families together</p>
<p>Advocates say the greatest benefit of reform is keeping families together. Immigrant families live in constant fear of deportation, which often splits up families, several field personnel said.</p>
<p>“That’s not justice and that’s not serving us well as a nation,” Jones said. “Not all immigrants will want to become citizens. They just don’t want to be thrown out of the country.”</p>
<p>“So many people don’t understand,” Greg Smith added, “the kind of worries and stresses that [undocumented immigrants] have each and every day — worries that documented residents and citizens do not routinely have. Worries of being detained and deported because of not having the right papers. Worries of not being paid for a job they do because of thinking — wrongfully so, but nevertheless widespread — that undocumented immigrants have no recourse when an employer simply refuses to pay you.”</p>
<p>The Smiths’ organization, LUCHA Ministries, helps immigrants — legal residents and undocumented ones — adjust to the “struggle” (lucha in Spanish) of living in a new country. LUCHA represents “the presence of Christ” by providing Latinos with English classes, school tutoring and guidance through the American legal, educational and medical systems.</p>
<p>In recent years, the Smiths sponsored groups of teenagers from their program to attend Passport summer camps. Such an opportunity is rare for immigrant teens. But the prospect of sending their young people by themselves to a camp in Massachusetts was too scary for some undocumented parents, who feared a sudden encounter with law enforcement could leave them separated from their children.</p>
<p>“It took a whole lot of convincing on our part to get the parents to place their kids in our care for that week,” Greg recalled. “They had never allowed that to happen before.”</p>
<p>Trust, but …</p>
<p>Eventually the parents consented because they trusted the Smiths. “Without that trust having already been built, they would never have allowed us to take their kids so far away.” But in 2011, when LUCHA took youth to a camp in Georgia, some would not relent.</p>
<p>“The parents were doubly concerned because of the bad press that Georgia and other southern states had — rightfully — received for some of their draconian attitudes and laws toward immigrants,” Greg said, noting an alternate site was not available. “Parents, and frankly us too, to a large degree, were concerned about their kids going to a state that was widely seen as not friendly to immigrants.”</p>
<p>One family’s fear seemed especially justified, Sue Smith said, because the father had been deported two months earlier. He was able to return to his family only after paying a smuggler to get him in illegally. “But he lived in constant fear,” she said, “because if you get caught a second time the penalties are stiffer” — including jail time.</p>
<p>Sending their two teenage boys away to camp in Georgia “was just more than they could take,” Sue said. “It was very sad because the parents said, ‘We just can’t do that. That could be my kid getting deported.’”</p>
<p>“Immigration reform, at its root, is a moral issue and not simply a legal or economic issue,” Greg emphasized. The reason is because immigrants face widespread discrimination in America — “a society that happily tolerates one segment of the population living in the shadows as essentially second-class people,” he said.</p>
<p>Immigrants encounter discrimination and profiling based not only on skin color, Greg said, but also on “accent, appearance, the kind of car you drive, the decals on the car you drive, the way your home looks, the dirty shoes sitting outside your front door — which means you are a day laborer and ‘obviously’ undocumented.”</p>
<p>Contentious conversation</p>
<p>Greg understands not everyone is in favor of reform or advocacy at all. In fact, the whole topic of social justice stirs strong feelings.</p>
<p>“It’s a conversation we still need to have — what is the church’s role in immigration, deportation and national security?” he said.</p>
<p>“Not everyone wants to have that conversation,” Greg acknowledged. For many Baptists, the gospel is about salvation, and ministry should be evangelistic. “I’m not sure that’s as much theological as it is cultural,” he said.</p>
<p>“It’s much safer to deal on a spiritual level,” he said, because then “issues of social justice and poverty don’t come into the conversation.” As difficult as it is to accomplish politically, Greg predicted, immigration reform “will become law.”</p>
<p>Recently the Smiths and other field personnel who minister with Hispanics started collaborating more closely to step up CBF’s advocacy on behalf of various immigrant populations</p>
<p>“Though our ministries are very different,” Sue said, “immigration and immigration reform affect all of us. We can all learn from each other.”</p> | false | 3 | greg warner one objects missions personnel feed hungry attend sick advocacy behalf immigrants refugees also part gospel cooperative baptists minister among hispanic immigrants gospel means meeting human needs making sure government part justice said linda jones missions coordinator cooperative baptist fellowship north carolina whose churches particularly proactive reforming us immigration policy said mandate biblical scripture tells us welcome alien immigrant jones said easy say stand justice fairness really comes action said sue smith husband greg founded nonprofit organization fredericksburg va helps new immigrants adjust american culture us legal system smiths cbf field personnel also minister latinos behalf virginia baptist mission board immigration reform primary focus smiths advocacy work big greg said knows much difference make broken system cbf executive coordinator suzii paynter wants see cooperative baptists advocating immigration reform searching solutions problems many immigrants face immigration system broken said paynter whose precbf career focused immigration predatory lending antihuman trafficking hunger poverty laws dont work anymore essential christians become visible advocates immigrants reform paynter said vested interest voices public square speaking selfish reasons paynter said voices public square speaking someone else pretty rare looming horizon affecting immigration ministry almost every level possibility immigration reform us senate passed bill updates antiquated laws improves circumstances 12 million people united states without proper documentation push house representatives take senate bill similar legislation senate bill allows immigrants already apply temporary worker status reducing fears deportation provides path citizenship take immigrants 10plus years complete protects borders illegal entry address systemic issues nothing going change jones said reform justice give undocumented immigrants path citizenship ones hopped fence ones lived long time keeping families together advocates say greatest benefit reform keeping families together immigrant families live constant fear deportation often splits families several field personnel said thats justice thats serving us well nation jones said immigrants want become citizens dont want thrown country many people dont understand greg smith added kind worries stresses undocumented immigrants every day worries documented residents citizens routinely worries detained deported right papers worries paid job thinking wrongfully nevertheless widespread undocumented immigrants recourse employer simply refuses pay smiths organization lucha ministries helps immigrants legal residents undocumented ones adjust struggle lucha spanish living new country lucha represents presence christ providing latinos english classes school tutoring guidance american legal educational medical systems recent years smiths sponsored groups teenagers program attend passport summer camps opportunity rare immigrant teens prospect sending young people camp massachusetts scary undocumented parents feared sudden encounter law enforcement could leave separated children took whole lot convincing part get parents place kids care week greg recalled never allowed happen trust eventually parents consented trusted smiths without trust already built would never allowed us take kids far away 2011 lucha took youth camp georgia would relent parents doubly concerned bad press georgia southern states rightfully received draconian attitudes laws toward immigrants greg said noting alternate site available parents frankly us large degree concerned kids going state widely seen friendly immigrants one familys fear seemed especially justified sue smith said father deported two months earlier able return family paying smuggler get illegally lived constant fear said get caught second time penalties stiffer including jail time sending two teenage boys away camp georgia could take sue said sad parents said cant could kid getting deported immigration reform root moral issue simply legal economic issue greg emphasized reason immigrants face widespread discrimination america society happily tolerates one segment population living shadows essentially secondclass people said immigrants encounter discrimination profiling based skin color greg said also accent appearance kind car drive decals car drive way home looks dirty shoes sitting outside front door means day laborer obviously undocumented contentious conversation greg understands everyone favor reform advocacy fact whole topic social justice stirs strong feelings conversation still need churchs role immigration deportation national security said everyone wants conversation greg acknowledged many baptists gospel salvation ministry evangelistic im sure thats much theological cultural said much safer deal spiritual level said issues social justice poverty dont come conversation difficult accomplish politically greg predicted immigration reform become law recently smiths field personnel minister hispanics started collaborating closely step cbfs advocacy behalf various immigrant populations though ministries different sue said immigration immigration reform affect us learn | 692 |
<p>How would God structure an economy? This may be an odd question for a Baptist who believes in the separation of church and state, but it’s a question that I can’t help but ask.</p>
<p>State religion does not have a good history of working out. The monarchies of our Christian past are riddled with violence and economies that produced more revolution than stability. In our modern American experiment, capitalist structures are continuing to create a small economic elite and a large race to the bottom with a disappearing middle class. The communism of China doesn’t offer a better solution, and the communist governments that attempted economic equality produced more dictators than moral examples.</p>
<p>Most arguments that I hear fluctuate between these two models and don’t pay much attention to more socialist models. What all of these have in common, however, is that they are completely secular experiences. America, as far as I know, was the first country in the world that was founded without an official state religion. I may be wrong on this, so my politico-historical friends can give me alternate examples. Communism, based mostly on Marxist principles, denies religion a legitimate social function for the most part, so there is no attempt at a theologically based economy. So, neither American capitalism, nor global capitalism for that matter, nor communism attempt to formulate an economy based on theological principles (and I’m not arguing that they should).</p>
<p>I am just raising the question: how would God structure an economy? Or maybe there’s an even more pointed question I have in mind: Does God promote economic equality?</p>
<p>While I live right in the middle of the financial capital of the world, I am from the poorest region in America. It is an interesting perspective to be among the financial gurus that lead hedge funds and investment banking entities. I’ve learned a lot here about leadership, trust and business; but the contrast between Fairfield County, Conn., and the Mississippi Delta cannot be exaggerated. It is hard to believe that these two places exist in the same country.</p>
<p>The contrast is a perfect example of capitalism at work in America. While the North American Free Trade Act was a boon to business leaders and owners, it completely decimated the fragile economy of the greater Mississippi Delta, which includes Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. In Mississippi alone, it is estimated that there was a loss of nearly 30,000 jobs due to factories closing and moving to other countries that had cheaper labor. Both factories that employed my mother and father closed and moved to Mexico. This may have provided jobs in parts of Mexico, but it looks like NAFTA hasn’t worked out so well for Mexico either.</p>
<p>When I go home, the devastated economy of the Mississippi Delta looks like the refuse of capitalism. There are hard working people in Mississippi that work their fingers to the bone and can’t pay all their bills. This is not because they are lazy; it’s because they live in a system that does not favor them. When I see this, I do not see the Kingdom of God. I cannot believe that this is an economy that God would endorse. I cannot believe that God would structure such an economy.</p>
<p>It’s is hard to look at communism as a good alternative. I may be too steeped in anti-Russian propaganda all my life as a child of the Cold War, but it’s hard to miss the failure of communism. I was talking about the ideals of communism with a friend who worked for a major Fortune 100 company, and he said, correctly, if the ideals don’t work, there’s something wrong with the ideals.</p>
<p>This has always tempered my Marxian drive. Other friends of mine who escaped Hungary before the fall of the Iron Curtain ensure me that the utopia of communism wasn’t as utopic as described. Life with food rations was not easy, and an economy that squashed the human spirit did more harm than good. This is an unavoidable truth about the failure of communism beyond the anti-religious sentiment deep in the heart of it.</p>
<p>As I write this, I am reminded of a Methodist pastor friend from Argentina who was abducted by the government and tortured for four months because he was a revolutionary. He said his favorite picture was his young daughter holding a picture of Che Guevara in one hand and the Bible in the other. He suffered for his beliefs, but overall, communism has failed to produce any high level humanitarian successes — as far as I can tell.</p>
<p>Is there a useful utopia? Is there a better way? I am really trying to think this through and put into practice the ideas that come to mind while seriously seeking alternatives that are popping up around the world — usually in micro enterprises. Working in rural poverty/development over the past 15 years I have been amazed at people’s ingenuity. How they can figure out a way forward through all the muck that life throws at them? In the poorest communities that I’ve visited, there is a deep-seated hope that there is a better way and that God has not abandoned them to destitution. This is one reason why the prosperity gospel tends to be so popular among the poor. They all agree: Of course God wants something better than this for us.</p>
<p>I’m certainly no proponent of the prosperity gospel, but I absolutely believe that God wants something better for us than this. I’m doing my best to pay close attention to the good people in our world that are working hard on what “this” may be. In fact, I’m working with them. God loves all of us too much for so many to live in destitution. God doesn’t want children going hungry or parents working to death to make sure their kids don’t go hungry. I believe God loves us too much for that, so I continue to seek new ways we can order our economy so that it may reflect the best of the Kingdom of God.</p> | false | 3 | would god structure economy may odd question baptist believes separation church state question cant help ask state religion good history working monarchies christian past riddled violence economies produced revolution stability modern american experiment capitalist structures continuing create small economic elite large race bottom disappearing middle class communism china doesnt offer better solution communist governments attempted economic equality produced dictators moral examples arguments hear fluctuate two models dont pay much attention socialist models common however completely secular experiences america far know first country world founded without official state religion may wrong politicohistorical friends give alternate examples communism based mostly marxist principles denies religion legitimate social function part attempt theologically based economy neither american capitalism global capitalism matter communism attempt formulate economy based theological principles im arguing raising question would god structure economy maybe theres even pointed question mind god promote economic equality live right middle financial capital world poorest region america interesting perspective among financial gurus lead hedge funds investment banking entities ive learned lot leadership trust business contrast fairfield county conn mississippi delta exaggerated hard believe two places exist country contrast perfect example capitalism work america north american free trade act boon business leaders owners completely decimated fragile economy greater mississippi delta includes missouri indiana kentucky tennessee arkansas louisiana mississippi mississippi alone estimated loss nearly 30000 jobs due factories closing moving countries cheaper labor factories employed mother father closed moved mexico may provided jobs parts mexico looks like nafta hasnt worked well mexico either go home devastated economy mississippi delta looks like refuse capitalism hard working people mississippi work fingers bone cant pay bills lazy live system favor see see kingdom god believe economy god would endorse believe god would structure economy hard look communism good alternative may steeped antirussian propaganda life child cold war hard miss failure communism talking ideals communism friend worked major fortune 100 company said correctly ideals dont work theres something wrong ideals always tempered marxian drive friends mine escaped hungary fall iron curtain ensure utopia communism wasnt utopic described life food rations easy economy squashed human spirit harm good unavoidable truth failure communism beyond antireligious sentiment deep heart write reminded methodist pastor friend argentina abducted government tortured four months revolutionary said favorite picture young daughter holding picture che guevara one hand bible suffered beliefs overall communism failed produce high level humanitarian successes far tell useful utopia better way really trying think put practice ideas come mind seriously seeking alternatives popping around world usually micro enterprises working rural povertydevelopment past 15 years amazed peoples ingenuity figure way forward muck life throws poorest communities ive visited deepseated hope better way god abandoned destitution one reason prosperity gospel tends popular among poor agree course god wants something better us im certainly proponent prosperity gospel absolutely believe god wants something better us im best pay close attention good people world working hard may fact im working god loves us much many live destitution god doesnt want children going hungry parents working death make sure kids dont go hungry believe god loves us much continue seek new ways order economy may reflect best kingdom god | 515 |
<p>BERLIN, Germany — Sitting in a diner in the working-class suburb of Spandau, Raed Saleh smiles and nods to acquaintances as he reels off plans for transforming this city.</p>
<p>Getting them right would require finding a balance between tackling social issues and creating wealth, says the 36-year-old Palestinian-born politician. He hopes to be the first immigrant to become mayor of a major German city.</p>
<p>“Social democracy is the art of keeping the gap as small as possible between rich and poor, top and bottom, men and women, healthy and sick,” he says.</p>
<p>That leftist message may not sound like part of a winning strategy for Saleh’s once venerable Social Democratic Party (SPD), which has seen its position in German politics decline in the last decade.</p>
<p>Although the party still controls nine of 16 German state governments, its fortunes have steadily declined under the country’s leadership by the very popular Chancellor Angela Merkel and her conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU).</p>
<p>Now with Berlin’s current mayor, the SPD’s Klaus Wowereit, slipping in the polls almost daily, the Social Democrats risk losing even in their stronghold Berlin.</p>
<p>But Saleh, a slim, handsome man with a quick, crooked smile, isn't your typical immigrant — or your average Social Democrat.</p>
<p>Known for singing German folk songs and a tough love strategy for the city's welfare moms, he’s becoming the SPD’s newest hope.</p>
<p>One of nine siblings, Saleh moved here with his family at age 5 and flipped burgers at Burger King before rising to become manager then entering politics.</p>
<p>His street cred may help the SPD, which was once virtually unassailable in Berlin, but is now fighting a rearguard action against the CDU across the country.</p>
<p>Merkel's party extended its lead to 42 percent of the popular vote during last year’s national election compared with 34 percent in 2009, while the SPD flatlined.</p>
<p>“It used to be the party of the urban voters,” says Peter Matuschek, head of political research at the Forsa Polling Institute. “But in general, the SPD is far from the strength it had two or three decades ago.”</p>
<p>Voters believe the party is preoccupied with internecine battles and divorced from community issues, according to a recent <a href="http://www.berliner-zeitung.de/berlin/spd-in-der-krise-zwei-drittel-der-berliner-lehnen-wowereit-ab,10809148,27025110.html" type="external">Forsa poll</a> conducted for the daily Berliner Zeitung.</p>
<p>In Berlin, no less than two-thirds of respondents say Wowereit has to go.</p>
<p>That has as much to do with the party’s performance as his own mistakes, Matuschek says.</p>
<p>“So far the voters don't see that they're focusing on the everyday issues like education, infrastructure and all the problems the city has,” he says.</p>
<p>An openly gay politician once considered chancellor material, Wowereit presided over Berlin's economic comeback since becoming mayor in 2001. But his fortunes have flagged amid accusations he’s something of a champagne socialist and his tarring by a tax evasion scandal involving his culture secretary, who resigned in February.</p>
<p>However, he’s been hurt the most by his showcase public works project, the building of a new Berlin airport, which is hopelessly behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget.</p>
<p>That doesn’t mean the going will be easy for Saleh. Polls show him trailing two other SPD candidates in the race to replace “Wowie.”</p>
<p>But Saleh — arguably the city’s most charismatic Social Democrat who’s been the party's parliamentary leader since December 2011 — is only just now hitting the headlines. The state elections that will determine the next mayor are scheduled for 2016, more than a year away. And in an increasingly immigrant-oriented city, the candidate promises more than a clean slate.</p>
<p>An old-school grassroots candidate, he's focusing on bread-and-butter issues and community activities polls suggest voters are keen on.</p>
<p>He has already spearheaded a move to <a href="http://www.tni.org/article/remunicipalisation-water-sector-unstoppable-wave" type="external">buy back</a> the city water infrastructure after a partial privatization in 1999 saw prices skyrocket.</p>
<p>And he's pushing a <a href="http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-referendum-on-buying-electricity-grid-from-vattenfall-fails-a-931609.html" type="external">similar move</a> for the electricity grid.</p>
<p>However, with Merkel's conservatives in ascendance, his biggest appeal, in an unexpected way, could be the color of his skin.</p>
<p>Along with conventional but popular initiatives such as a midnight soccer program that keeps youngsters off the streets and a huge boost in funding for special schools for children from immigrant backgrounds, Saleh's street cred has freed him to push the SPD toward pragmatic policies that sound, well, conservative.</p>
<p>He started a program called “Strong Without Violence” that sends immigrant teenagers on ride-alongs with policemen and trips to Auschwitz in order to make them see themselves as part of Germany's past as well as its future.</p>
<p>After a meeting with Rotterdam's Morocco-born mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb last year, he's also leveraged his immigrant status to push for “tough love” for the city's welfare recipients.</p>
<p>He wants to require families to send their children to nursery school in exchange for receiving benefits, and institute language-proficiency tests for parents like the ones given children.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost:&#160; <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/140512/three-things-everyone-should-know-about-ukraine" type="external">3 things everyone should know about Ukraine</a></p>
<p>The party has already agreed on a $3,500 fine for parents whose children fail to take the test.</p>
<p>That’s a radical change for a party that’s always preached integration but never made much headway achieving it. But such policies work in Rotterdam, says Saleh, who believes they would do just as well here.</p>
<p>“Too often, if you ask a teenager in Berlin where he’s from, he’ll say, 'I'm Serbian' or 'I'm Turkish,' or 'I'm from Nigeria,'” he says. “But if you ask people in Rotterdam, whether they’re children or adults, they’ll tell you they’re Rotterdamers.”</p>
<p>“That's what I want for Berlin.”&#160;</p> | false | 3 | berlin germany sitting diner workingclass suburb spandau raed saleh smiles nods acquaintances reels plans transforming city getting right would require finding balance tackling social issues creating wealth says 36yearold palestinianborn politician hopes first immigrant become mayor major german city social democracy art keeping gap small possible rich poor top bottom men women healthy sick says leftist message may sound like part winning strategy salehs venerable social democratic party spd seen position german politics decline last decade although party still controls nine 16 german state governments fortunes steadily declined countrys leadership popular chancellor angela merkel conservative christian democratic union cdu berlins current mayor spds klaus wowereit slipping polls almost daily social democrats risk losing even stronghold berlin saleh slim handsome man quick crooked smile isnt typical immigrant average social democrat known singing german folk songs tough love strategy citys welfare moms hes becoming spds newest hope one nine siblings saleh moved family age 5 flipped burgers burger king rising become manager entering politics street cred may help spd virtually unassailable berlin fighting rearguard action cdu across country merkels party extended lead 42 percent popular vote last years national election compared 34 percent 2009 spd flatlined used party urban voters says peter matuschek head political research forsa polling institute general spd far strength two three decades ago voters believe party preoccupied internecine battles divorced community issues according recent forsa poll conducted daily berliner zeitung berlin less twothirds respondents say wowereit go much partys performance mistakes matuschek says far voters dont see theyre focusing everyday issues like education infrastructure problems city says openly gay politician considered chancellor material wowereit presided berlins economic comeback since becoming mayor 2001 fortunes flagged amid accusations hes something champagne socialist tarring tax evasion scandal involving culture secretary resigned february however hes hurt showcase public works project building new berlin airport hopelessly behind schedule billions dollars budget doesnt mean going easy saleh polls show trailing two spd candidates race replace wowie saleh arguably citys charismatic social democrat whos partys parliamentary leader since december 2011 hitting headlines state elections determine next mayor scheduled 2016 year away increasingly immigrantoriented city candidate promises clean slate oldschool grassroots candidate hes focusing breadandbutter issues community activities polls suggest voters keen already spearheaded move buy back city water infrastructure partial privatization 1999 saw prices skyrocket hes pushing similar move electricity grid however merkels conservatives ascendance biggest appeal unexpected way could color skin along conventional popular initiatives midnight soccer program keeps youngsters streets huge boost funding special schools children immigrant backgrounds salehs street cred freed push spd toward pragmatic policies sound well conservative started program called strong without violence sends immigrant teenagers ridealongs policemen trips auschwitz order make see part germanys past well future meeting rotterdams moroccoborn mayor ahmed aboutaleb last year hes also leveraged immigrant status push tough love citys welfare recipients wants require families send children nursery school exchange receiving benefits institute languageproficiency tests parents like ones given children globalpost160 3 things everyone know ukraine party already agreed 3500 fine parents whose children fail take test thats radical change party thats always preached integration never made much headway achieving policies work rotterdam says saleh believes would well often ask teenager berlin hes hell say im serbian im turkish im nigeria says ask people rotterdam whether theyre children adults theyll tell theyre rotterdamers thats want berlin160 | 551 |
<p>Ebola has dominated headlines for the past few weeks, as government officials and health care workers struggled to cope with the handful of cases identified here in the United States.</p>
<p>While the panic seems to be subsiding, there have been fierce debates over who should be quarantined and how to protect medical workers who treat gravely ill Ebola patients.</p>
<p>Canada's faced similar questions back in 2003 when cases of Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome or <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/sars/about/fs-SARS.html" type="external">SARS</a>began to spread in the city of Toronto. Before the epidemic was contained, nearly 400 people became&#160;sick, and 44 Canadians died.</p>
<p>When I went to Toronto 11 years ago to <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1279429" type="external">cover the SARS epidemic</a>, I found people there baffled and terrified by the new disease. Thousands of people were already under quarantine.&#160; And much like the Ebola crisis, many of the people who got sick from SARS were doctors and nurses.&#160;Hospitals were even being closed.</p>
<p>Back in 2003, a deadly outbreak of SARS forced some hospitals in Toronto to close emergency facilities.</p>
<p>REUTERS/Mike Cassese</p>
<p>At the time, I spoke with Dr. Rex Verschuren at Lapsley Family Doctors Clinic, where three of four physicians were in quarantine.</p>
<p>“There are people who are quarantined and not allowed to go to work,” Dr. Verschuren told me in 2003.&#160;“You've got surgeons who have hospital closures so they can't do surgery, nurses who get sick. It's devastating lots of people.”</p>
<p>A few months after I spoke with Dr. Verschuren, <a href="http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/en/e_records/sars/report/v2-pdf/Vol2Chp3ix.pdf" type="external">one of the other doctors at his clinic died from SARS</a>.</p>
<p>When I returned to Toronto last month to see what lessons were learned from the SARS outbreak, Dr. Verschuren declined to speak with me. But I did meet a nurse who was also on the SARS frontlines. Susan Sorrenti is an emergency room and ICU nurse at Mount Sinai hospital. Sitting over a cup of coffee, she told me that it has been hard for her to watch the news stories about healthcare workers in the US getting infected with Ebola, especially the two nurses at Texas Presbyterian Hospital who contracted Ebola after caring for a sick patient from Liberia.</p>
<p>“As far as Dallas is concerned, I empathize with nurses who went through that whole fiasco,” says Sorrenti. “If I was a nurse working in that environment, I would have wanted to know, why aren't we protecting ourselves?</p>
<p>Both of the nurses from Texax Presbyterian recovered (although the patient from Liberia died from the disease) and the hospital has since <a href="http://texashealth.org/images/letter-to-the-community-101914.jpg" type="external">apologized</a>for “mistakes” made in responding to Ebola.</p>
<p>For Sorrenti, this all feels personal. When SARS struck her hospital in 2003, she says nurses lacked basic equipment and training. They got instructions for dealing with the disease via a fax machine.</p>
<p>She recalls&#160;the day when the first SARS patient arrived by ambulance at her hospital. She said ambulance crews were wearing full isolation gear.</p>
<p>"So here we were with our mask, gown and gloves and these guys were covered head to toe," she says. "That made the hair stand up on your neck, because [you wonder] are we really prepared for what this is going to be?"</p>
<p>In the end, five front-line medical workers in Canada died; and Sorrenti was nearly the sixth.</p>
<p>“I had severe vomiting, diarrhea ...&#160;from the anti-virals. I had symptoms like that for a full week.&#160;They could not bring my fever down," she recalls.</p>
<p>Roughly half the people who contracted SARS in Toronto were medical workers. According to Andy Summers, a nurse and member of the board of the Ontario Nurses Association, it shocked people in Canada that their public health system —&#160;often described as one of the best in the world —&#160;couldn’t cope with SARS.</p>
<p>“I don't think we'd really thought that something like this could have happened, not here in this advanced medical world that we were living in,” says Summers.&#160;“Lots of nurses were scared.”</p>
<p>"Plague City" was a 2005 TV movie from CTV in Canada about the fear and uncertainty surrounding Toronto's SARS outbreak.</p>
<p>Courtesy of CTV</p>
<p>Summers says one of the biggest lessons that should have been learned from SARS is that healthcare workers have to be protected, which means having stringent safety protocols in place before patients start arriving in emergency rooms.</p>
<p>It also means buying the best safety suits and goggles and providing rigorous training so that doctors and nurses know how to use that gear while dealing with extremely sick patients.</p>
<p>“We do not want to be part of this problem. With SARS, we found out that we were part of the problem,” Summers says. “We were not safe, we got infected.”</p>
<p>Summers says progress has been made in Canada since 2003. New guidelines implemented after the SARS outbreak require that hospitals follow stricter quarantine procedures when dealing with some diseases. &#160;</p>
<p>But Summers says most hospitals there still don’t have the right training and equipment to deal with extremely high-risk pathogens.</p>
<p>"We are not ready. We are not prepared," he says.&#160;</p>
<p>A worst-case scenario would be for hospitals to be seen by the public as dangerous places, he says, which is what happened back in 2003 with SARS.</p>
<p>“I think we lost control of it in Canada. We should learn from that moment and be prepared,” he adds.</p>
<p>So far, more than 300 healthcare workers have died from this Ebola outbreak, according to the World Health Organization, the vast majority of them in West Africa. One part of Canada’s response has been to announce it would <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/ebola-outbreak-visa-limits-need-to-be-justified-who-tells-canada-1.2824590" type="external">stop issuing travel and residency visas</a> to people in those West African countries hit by the disease, a move criticized by the WHO.</p>
<p>When I asked Sorrenti, the nurse who nearly died from SARS, what advice she has for nurses and doctors here who find themselves on the front lines during disease outbreaks, she paused.&#160;“Follow your instincts," she says. "If you don’t feel that you are given enough equipment, find a way. Protect yourself.”</p>
<p>Sorrenti says that means demanding better equipment, training and working conditions before treating patients.</p> | false | 3 | ebola dominated headlines past weeks government officials health care workers struggled cope handful cases identified united states panic seems subsiding fierce debates quarantined protect medical workers treat gravely ill ebola patients canadas faced similar questions back 2003 cases sudden acute respiratory syndrome sarsbegan spread city toronto epidemic contained nearly 400 people became160sick 44 canadians died went toronto 11 years ago cover sars epidemic found people baffled terrified new disease thousands people already quarantine160 much like ebola crisis many people got sick sars doctors nurses160hospitals even closed back 2003 deadly outbreak sars forced hospitals toronto close emergency facilities reutersmike cassese time spoke dr rex verschuren lapsley family doctors clinic three four physicians quarantine people quarantined allowed go work dr verschuren told 2003160youve got surgeons hospital closures cant surgery nurses get sick devastating lots people months spoke dr verschuren one doctors clinic died sars returned toronto last month see lessons learned sars outbreak dr verschuren declined speak meet nurse also sars frontlines susan sorrenti emergency room icu nurse mount sinai hospital sitting cup coffee told hard watch news stories healthcare workers us getting infected ebola especially two nurses texas presbyterian hospital contracted ebola caring sick patient liberia far dallas concerned empathize nurses went whole fiasco says sorrenti nurse working environment would wanted know arent protecting nurses texax presbyterian recovered although patient liberia died disease hospital since apologizedfor mistakes made responding ebola sorrenti feels personal sars struck hospital 2003 says nurses lacked basic equipment training got instructions dealing disease via fax machine recalls160the day first sars patient arrived ambulance hospital said ambulance crews wearing full isolation gear mask gown gloves guys covered head toe says made hair stand neck wonder really prepared going end five frontline medical workers canada died sorrenti nearly sixth severe vomiting diarrhea 160from antivirals symptoms like full week160they could bring fever recalls roughly half people contracted sars toronto medical workers according andy summers nurse member board ontario nurses association shocked people canada public health system 160often described one best world 160couldnt cope sars dont think wed really thought something like could happened advanced medical world living says summers160lots nurses scared plague city 2005 tv movie ctv canada fear uncertainty surrounding torontos sars outbreak courtesy ctv summers says one biggest lessons learned sars healthcare workers protected means stringent safety protocols place patients start arriving emergency rooms also means buying best safety suits goggles providing rigorous training doctors nurses know use gear dealing extremely sick patients want part problem sars found part problem summers says safe got infected summers says progress made canada since 2003 new guidelines implemented sars outbreak require hospitals follow stricter quarantine procedures dealing diseases 160 summers says hospitals still dont right training equipment deal extremely highrisk pathogens ready prepared says160 worstcase scenario would hospitals seen public dangerous places says happened back 2003 sars think lost control canada learn moment prepared adds far 300 healthcare workers died ebola outbreak according world health organization vast majority west africa one part canadas response announce would stop issuing travel residency visas people west african countries hit disease move criticized asked sorrenti nurse nearly died sars advice nurses doctors find front lines disease outbreaks paused160follow instincts says dont feel given enough equipment find way protect sorrenti says means demanding better equipment training working conditions treating patients | 544 |
<p>First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.</p>
<p>Two other money-in-politics stories to watch in the 2016 race</p>
<p>With all the attention on the Clinton Foundation story -- and with its potential conflicts of interest ( <a href="" type="internal">see our piece on it yesterday</a>) -- there are two other money-in-politics that should be on everyone’s radar screens:</p>
<p>And it’s just not the Koch Primary. This coming Saturday, at least two Republican presidential contenders -- <a href="http://www.rjchq.org/rjc_spring_leadership_meeting" type="external">Ted Cruz and Rick Perry</a> -- are going to Las Vegas to speak at the Sheldon Adelson-backed Republican Jewish Coalition confab. In the 2012 cycle, Adelson and his wife <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/outsidespending/summ.php?cycle=2012&amp;disp=D" type="external">donated nearly $100 million</a> to GOP outside groups, including Super PACs supporting Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney.</p>
<p>2. Jeb Bush in uncharted Super PAC waters: On Tuesday, <a href="http://bigstory.ap.org/article/409837aa09ee405493ad64a94b8c2c3d/bush-preparing-delegate-many-campaign-tasks-super-pac" type="external">the AP</a> reported that Jeb Bush plans to outsource his TV ads, direct mail, and data gathering to his Super PAC, Right to Rise. What’s noteworthy here is that, according to campaign-finance laws, there is supposed to be NO coordination between a candidate and a Super PAC. But Jeb Bush is exploiting a loophole -- and potentially violating at least the SPIRIT of these laws -- because he’s not officially a presidential candidate. So he’s raising money for this Super PAC and putting his key personnel there. The moment he declares his candidacy (in June?), he’ll stop his role with the Super PAC. But by then, it will have all the money (through unlimited donations) and infrastructure it needs.</p>
<p>Bank on it: The Super PACs will outspend the campaigns -- at least during the primary season</p>
<p>When it comes to Jeb Bush’s Super PAC, maybe the biggest consequence of it is that, in 2016, we’re going to see the Super PACs outspend the actual campaigns, at least during the primary season. As the <a href="https://twitter.com/nickconfessore/status/590531175657164800" type="external">New York Times’ Nick Confessore</a> points out, the Romney campaign spent about $76 million in the 2012 primary season, while the main pro-Romney Super PAC spent $49 million. As Confessore mused, it’s easy to see how that ratio shifts for Jeb Bush -- and perhaps the other GOP candidates as well.</p>
<p>Obama visits Florida Everglades to mark Earth Day</p>
<p><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/theoval/2015/04/22/obama-earth-day-florida-everglades-climate-change/26168501/" type="external">USA Today</a>: “President Obama spends Earth Day on Wednesday in the Florida Everglades, promoting his climate change policies. After touring Everglades National Park in the afternoon, Obama will speak ‘on the threat that climate change poses to our economy and to the world,’ says the White House schedule. The president will stress his efforts to reduce carbon emissions, while criticizing congressional Republicans for opposing his environmental policies.” Obama delivers his remarks at 3:55 pm ET.</p>
<p>Hillary vague on trade deal</p>
<p>Turning back to the 2016 race, Hillary Clinton was incredibly vague when talking about the political fight over the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. "Any trade deal has to produce jobs and raise wages and increase prosperity and protect our security," <a href="" type="internal">she said in New Hampshire yesterday</a>. "And we need to do our part to make sure we have the capacity and the skills to be competitive." As we’ve written before, this trade deal -- as well as a battle over “fast-track” trade authority for President Obama -- puts Hillary in a tough spot. Does she back Obama and her husband Bill? Or does she side with organized labor, as well as the likes of Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders, who have come out against it? Other questions: Will Hillary be able to look credible if she opposes the TPP? Would it add to a perception she'll say or do anything? Could the better position for her actually be supporting it, showing that she's willing to buck her base (especially since Obama is for it)? Also on the trade-deal front, <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/putting-congress-in-charge-on-trade-1429659409" type="external">here’s a Wall Street Journal op-ed</a> by Paul Ryan and Ted Cruz supporting giving Obama fast-track authority.</p>
<p>Walker comes out against LEGAL immigration?</p>
<p>Don’t miss this piece by <a href="http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/scott-walkers-turn-against-legal-immigration-shakes-2016" type="external">MSNBC’s Benjy Sarlin</a>: “Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s newfound skepticism of legal immigration levels is a potential turning point in the still nascent presidential race, potentially dragging the Republican Party further to the right than Mitt Romney’s hardline immigration platform in 2012. ‘In terms of legal immigration, how we need to approach that going forward is saying – the next president and the next Congress need to make decisions about a legal immigration system that’s based on, first and foremost, on protecting American workers and American wages,’ Walker said Monday in an interview with Glenn Beck. ‘It is a fundamentally lost issue by many in elected positions today – what is this doing for American workers looking for jobs, what is this doing to wages, and we need to have that be at the forefront of our discussion going forward.’” A Walker spokeswoman told the <a href="http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/walkers-bizarre-drift-to-immigration-protectionism/article/2563376" type="external">Washington Examiner's Philip Klein</a>: "Gov. Walker supports American workers' wages and the U.S. economy and thinks both should be considered when crafting a policy for legal immigration. He strongly supports legal immigration, and like many Americans, believes that our economic situation should be considered instead of arbitrary caps on the amount of immigrants that can enter."</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Click here to sign up for First Read emails.</a> Check us out on <a href="http://is.gd/TzuR1b" type="external">Facebook</a>and also on <a href="http://is.gd/hkhSDT" type="external">Twitter</a>. Follow us @ <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/chucktodd" type="external">chucktodd</a>, @ <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/mmurraypolitics" type="external">mmurraypolitics</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/CarrieNBCNews" type="external">@carrienbcnews</a></p> | false | 3 | first read morning briefing meet press nbc political unit days important political stories matter two moneyinpolitics stories watch 2016 race attention clinton foundation story potential conflicts interest see piece yesterday two moneyinpolitics everyones radar screens koch primary coming saturday least two republican presidential contenders ted cruz rick perry going las vegas speak sheldon adelsonbacked republican jewish coalition confab 2012 cycle adelson wife donated nearly 100 million gop outside groups including super pacs supporting newt gingrich mitt romney 2 jeb bush uncharted super pac waters tuesday ap reported jeb bush plans outsource tv ads direct mail data gathering super pac right rise whats noteworthy according campaignfinance laws supposed coordination candidate super pac jeb bush exploiting loophole potentially violating least spirit laws hes officially presidential candidate hes raising money super pac putting key personnel moment declares candidacy june hell stop role super pac money unlimited donations infrastructure needs bank super pacs outspend campaigns least primary season comes jeb bushs super pac maybe biggest consequence 2016 going see super pacs outspend actual campaigns least primary season new york times nick confessore points romney campaign spent 76 million 2012 primary season main proromney super pac spent 49 million confessore mused easy see ratio shifts jeb bush perhaps gop candidates well obama visits florida everglades mark earth day usa today president obama spends earth day wednesday florida everglades promoting climate change policies touring everglades national park afternoon obama speak threat climate change poses economy world says white house schedule president stress efforts reduce carbon emissions criticizing congressional republicans opposing environmental policies obama delivers remarks 355 pm et hillary vague trade deal turning back 2016 race hillary clinton incredibly vague talking political fight transpacific partnership tpp trade deal trade deal produce jobs raise wages increase prosperity protect security said new hampshire yesterday need part make sure capacity skills competitive weve written trade deal well battle fasttrack trade authority president obama puts hillary tough spot back obama husband bill side organized labor well likes martin omalley bernie sanders come questions hillary able look credible opposes tpp would add perception shell say anything could better position actually supporting showing shes willing buck base especially since obama also tradedeal front heres wall street journal oped paul ryan ted cruz supporting giving obama fasttrack authority walker comes legal immigration dont miss piece msnbcs benjy sarlin wisconsin gov scott walkers newfound skepticism legal immigration levels potential turning point still nascent presidential race potentially dragging republican party right mitt romneys hardline immigration platform 2012 terms legal immigration need approach going forward saying next president next congress need make decisions legal immigration system thats based first foremost protecting american workers american wages walker said monday interview glenn beck fundamentally lost issue many elected positions today american workers looking jobs wages need forefront discussion going forward walker spokeswoman told washington examiners philip klein gov walker supports american workers wages us economy thinks considered crafting policy legal immigration strongly supports legal immigration like many americans believes economic situation considered instead arbitrary caps amount immigrants enter click sign first read emails check us facebookand also twitter follow us chucktodd mmurraypolitics carrienbcnews | 515 |
<p>On Saturday morning I woke to texts from my friend Denise Ajiri, asking if I knew anything about this ban on green card holders from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Syria. Ajiri is a data journalist. She loves facts and spreadsheets. I’ve never known her to panic.</p>
<p>“To be honest I am a bit worried…” she texted.</p>
<p>Here’s how it all played out over the weekend: On Friday evening, President Donald Trump signed an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/us/politics/refugee-muslim-executive-order-trump.html?_r=1" type="external">executive order</a> banning travelers from these seven countries, as well as refugees from anywhere. Starting Friday night, refugees, visa holders and legal permanent residents were detained at airports or blocked from boarding flights in other countries. By Saturday evening, <a href="" type="internal">federal judges began putting temporary holds on parts of the order</a>, ordering immigration agencies to allow those with valid visas and green cards to be allowed into the country, without detentions or extra screenings per the Trump directive.</p>
<p>Early Sunday morning, the Department of Homeland Security said it would comply with judges’ rulings, but also continue to follow the executive order. DHS Secretary John Kelly also issued a <a href="https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/01/29/statement-secretary-john-kelly-entry-lawful-permanent-residents-united-states" type="external">short statement</a> affirming that allowing the entry of legal permanent residents is “in the national interest,” but will continue with “case-by-case determinations.”</p>
<p>White House Chief of Staff <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/full-priebus-interview-immigration-ban-could-include-more-countries-865258563844" type="external">Reince Priebus told Meet the Press on Sunday</a> that legal permanent residents would not be part of the ban, but that border agents still have “discretionary authority” to detain people traveling from these countries “when they suspect they’re up to no good.”</p>
<p>There is a lot of confusion about how this order will be implemented and challenged. So those outside the country, like Ajiri, are still worried.</p>
<p>When I spoke to Ajiri, she was in the small town of Melnik in the Czech Republic. Ajiri had gone to Czech to visit friends; she had landed only two days ago. When she first read about the executive order, she didn’t believe it. Only when she saw on Reuters that green card holders from those seven countries would be blocked for at least 90 days did she get nervous.</p>
<p>“I don't get the logic,” Ajiri explained. “I have been living and working [in the US] and I have been paying taxes, I have been studying there. I just don't know what else I should do.”</p>
<p>Ajiri has had a green card since 2011. She’s a journalist&#160;in her early 30s who&#160;left Iran in 2008&#160;to work at Radio Free Europe, a massive news agency backed by the US government.</p>
<p>The Iranian government considers journalists who work for Radio Free Europe spies. So Ajiri and others like her cannot return to their countries of origin. The US government allows them to apply for green cards for this reason.</p>
<p>“I don't have another home, that's the thing,” Ajiri told me. “When I came to Radio Free Europe, I made a conscious &#160;choice. I am not saying I sacrificed, I made a conscious choice. But I was not expecting this.”</p>
<p>Ajiri moved to the US in 2013. She got a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and started working as independent journalist, a freelancer.</p>
<p>There are likely thousands of people like Ajiri. <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-executive-order-could-block-legal-residents-from-returning-to-america" type="external">According to the Department of Homeland Security</a>, around 500,000 people from the seven countries listed in the ban have received green cards in the past decade.</p>
<p>Right now, Ajiri is trying not to panic, but she is making backup plans. She has contacted a former police officer from the New York Police Department who she knows from her reporting. She’s checking the websites of American embassies and the US State Department. She’s planning to go to Radio Free Europe on Monday to see if they can do anything to help make sure she can return to the US.</p>
<p>More about the State Department: <a href="" type="internal">These are the new instructions the State Department rushed to embassies worldwide</a></p>
<p>She has a visa to be in Europe until mid-March. But after that, she’s not sure.</p>
<p>“The worst case scenario — I can’t go back to Iran, there is no way, so I don’t know. Maybe I should go to Turkey? I don’t know.”</p>
<p>Ajiri’s parents are US citizens. Her father is in Iran visiting family. He messaged her not to worry, that everything would be fine. Her mother is in Los Angeles, so Ajiri asked her boyfriend to call and make sure she was fine.</p>
<p>Ajiri says she understands that Trump wants to protect the country from terrorism, but she doesn’t understand why this was so sudden and why people who have been following the rules and waiting for years were suddenly told they can no longer come home.</p>
<p>“How else can I show that I am loyal to the country that I consider — that I was hoping to consider my home?” &#160;she wondered. “I was hoping that it was going to be welcoming enough if I follow the rules. Maybe in some part of the world things are chaotic, but this is the US. Follow the rules, follow the steps and they are welcoming. This is the only time I am super confused. I feel like I am back in Tehran and things can change in a second.”</p>
<p>Today in a press briefing, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said that Trump’s view on security is that he wants to “get ahead” of terrorism. Over 90 days, he said, the administration will begin to put in place a system to “extreme vet” people from the seven countries and potentially more countries.</p>
<p>“You don’t know when the next threat is coming,” Spicer said. “The president is not going to wait. He’s going to do make sure he does everything in his power when he can to protect the homeland and its people.”</p>
<p>“If we announced this a lot earlier, it would have given people plenty of time to flood into the country who could have done us harm,” he said.</p>
<p>Currently, the vetting process for refugees and immigrants is lengthy. For Syrian refugees, for example, <a href="" type="internal">gaining permission to come to the US can take 18 to 24 months</a>, and very few applicants are admitted. People seeking visas or green cards also go through long vetting processes.</p>
<p>Ajiri hopes that by the time she is supposed to come home, there will be more clarity to the order. It’s not the end of the world, she says. It just feels deeply unethical and unfair.</p> | false | 3 | saturday morning woke texts friend denise ajiri asking knew anything ban green card holders iran iraq yemen sudan somalia libya syria ajiri data journalist loves facts spreadsheets ive never known panic honest bit worried texted heres played weekend friday evening president donald trump signed executive order banning travelers seven countries well refugees anywhere starting friday night refugees visa holders legal permanent residents detained airports blocked boarding flights countries saturday evening federal judges began putting temporary holds parts order ordering immigration agencies allow valid visas green cards allowed country without detentions extra screenings per trump directive early sunday morning department homeland security said would comply judges rulings also continue follow executive order dhs secretary john kelly also issued short statement affirming allowing entry legal permanent residents national interest continue casebycase determinations white house chief staff reince priebus told meet press sunday legal permanent residents would part ban border agents still discretionary authority detain people traveling countries suspect theyre good lot confusion order implemented challenged outside country like ajiri still worried spoke ajiri small town melnik czech republic ajiri gone czech visit friends landed two days ago first read executive order didnt believe saw reuters green card holders seven countries would blocked least 90 days get nervous dont get logic ajiri explained living working us paying taxes studying dont know else ajiri green card since 2011 shes journalist160in early 30s who160left iran 2008160to work radio free europe massive news agency backed us government iranian government considers journalists work radio free europe spies ajiri others like return countries origin us government allows apply green cards reason dont another home thats thing ajiri told came radio free europe made conscious 160choice saying sacrificed made conscious choice expecting ajiri moved us 2013 got masters degree journalism columbia university started working independent journalist freelancer likely thousands people like ajiri according department homeland security around 500000 people seven countries listed ban received green cards past decade right ajiri trying panic making backup plans contacted former police officer new york police department knows reporting shes checking websites american embassies us state department shes planning go radio free europe monday see anything help make sure return us state department new instructions state department rushed embassies worldwide visa europe midmarch shes sure worst case scenario cant go back iran way dont know maybe go turkey dont know ajiris parents us citizens father iran visiting family messaged worry everything would fine mother los angeles ajiri asked boyfriend call make sure fine ajiri says understands trump wants protect country terrorism doesnt understand sudden people following rules waiting years suddenly told longer come home else show loyal country consider hoping consider home 160she wondered hoping going welcoming enough follow rules maybe part world things chaotic us follow rules follow steps welcoming time super confused feel like back tehran things change second today press briefing white house press secretary sean spicer said trumps view security wants get ahead terrorism 90 days said administration begin put place system extreme vet people seven countries potentially countries dont know next threat coming spicer said president going wait hes going make sure everything power protect homeland people announced lot earlier would given people plenty time flood country could done us harm said currently vetting process refugees immigrants lengthy syrian refugees example gaining permission come us take 18 24 months applicants admitted people seeking visas green cards also go long vetting processes ajiri hopes time supposed come home clarity order end world says feels deeply unethical unfair | 578 |
<p>Hillary Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook speaks at the Human Rights Campaign Equality Convention at the Capital Hilton on March 11, 2016. (Washington Blade photo by Chris Johnson)</p>
<p>For Robby Mook, electing a Democrat to the White House to ensure the progress seen under President Obama continues for LGBT rights and other issues is of paramount importance.</p>
<p>Mook, Hillary Clinton’s campaign manager, said in an interview Friday with the Washington Blade the contrast between Republicans and Clinton couldn’t be clearer in terms of his expectations for the campaign ahead.</p>
<p>The interview, which took place at the Capital Hilton in D.C. after Mook <a href="" type="internal">addressed</a> the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Equality Convention, came&#160;moments before Clinton stirred controversy with her remarks praising Nancy Reagan’s HIV efforts, so that issue wasn’t discussed with the Blade. Clinton later <a href="" type="internal">apologized</a> for the remarks.</p>
<p>Mook, who’s gay, touted in his speech the “important mission” of electing Clinton to ensure continued progress on LGBT issues, but&#160;wouldn’t directly say whether Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.) was deficient on those&#160;issues, instead criticizing&#160;Republicans.</p>
<p>“I think both he and Secretary Clinton stand in tremendous contrast to the Republican candidates, none of whom support marriage equality, none of whom support the Equality Act,” Mook said. “So, I think having a Democrat in the White House is the imperative here. I’ll let Sen. Sanders speak to his own record on LGBT equality, but I’m just proud of&#160;the Democratic Party, all of our candidates support marriage equality in contrast to the Republicans, where none of them do.”</p>
<p>When the Blade asked what LGBT voters should look for when going to the polls in crucial primaries on “Mini-Tuesday,” Mook spoke broadly about Clinton’s capacity as a leader, making only an implicit contrast with Sanders.</p>
<p>“I think first and foremost, she is by far the smartest and most hard working person I’ve ever encountered in my life, and extremists are going to try to do everything they can to take over the Supreme Court, take away the right to marry, take away protections against discrimination,” Mook said. “And we need someone who can go toe-to-toe with them, and Hillary throughout her career has demonstrated her ability, despite very difficult circumstances, to get something done.”</p>
<p>Mook also cited Clinton’s history on LGBT rights, which he called a “real record of accomplishment.” Among other things, Mook pointed to Clinton’s expansion of same-sex partner benefits for Foreign Service officers during her tenure as secretary of state.</p>
<p>Prior to Clinton’s tenure, as Mook noted, the State Department wouldn’t pay to move same-sex partners overseas or, in the event of an emergency, take the same responsibility for evacuating them as it would for the spouses of straight Foreign Service officers. Clinton changed that during the Obama administration.</p>
<p>“This is someone who has actually gotten real things done for the LGBT community, and for that reason, people can depend on her to fight for them when she’s elected,” Mook said.</p>
<p>In an early March memo, Mook wrote that a win for Sanders in the Democratic primary would be “eventually mathematically impossible” based on the delegate count. As of Saturday, the count stood at 1,223 for Clinton, 574 for Sanders. A total of 2,383 is needed to cinch the nomination.</p>
<p>The memo was written before <a href="" type="internal">Sanders’ surprise narrow win</a> in Michigan and Mook declined to&#160;predict&#160;the outcome for the upcoming contests on “Mini-Tuesday” — when North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, Florida and Illinois are up for grabs.</p>
<p>“As you know, the delegate process is proportional,” Mook said. “We don’t have ‘winner-take-all’ like the Republicans. What that means is once you establish a formidable lead the way she has — her lead is now bigger than President Obama’s ever was in 2008 — once you establish a lead like that, it’s very hard for someone to overtake it.”</p>
<p>Still, Mook said the focus of the Clinton campaign now is working to “earn every delegate, earn every vote, and we know that if we to do that, we’re going to prevail.”</p>
<p>Asked about how confident he is Sanders’ supporters would back Clinton in the general election if she bests him for the Democratic nomination, Mook made the case “the stakes are incredibly high,” especially for LGBT people.</p>
<p>“It is important that we all come together around the nominee when the time comes,” Mook said. “This has been a great primary and it’s been fought over substance and issues. You look at the Republicans, they’re calling each other names, they’re trying to outdo each other through insults and so we know what is going to happen on other side, and that’s why it’s so imperative that we work hard to come together. And I know, by the way, whether it’s Secretary Clinton or Sen. Sanders, that they will work to do that.”</p>
<p>In some circles, there’s a perception Donald Trump over the course of his campaign has spared LGBT people from derogatory attacks, unlike women, the disabled, Muslims, immigrants and the media. Mook said he doesn’t think that distinction is important.</p>
<p>“I would argue discrimination against someone for their national origins, the color of their skin, for their gender, for their disability is just as abhorrent as discriminating against someone because of their sexual orientation,” Mook said. “So to me, I don’t think it’s OK to say that just because he hasn’t said something about one community, it doesn’t make him an acceptable candidate to another. I completely reject that.”</p>
<p>Mook pointed to the LGBT positions of Trump, who has urged conservatives to “trust” him to oppose same-sex marriage and said he would consider appointing justices to the Supreme Court who would reverse marriage equality. (Trump said in 2000 he would support adding non-discrimination protections based on sexual orientation to federal civil rights law, but hasn’t commented on the Equality Act this election cycle.)</p>
<p>“He does not support marriage equality,” Mook said. “He has not been out there advocating for the Equality Act. It is very clear where he stands on these issues. This is not ambiguous, and so the choice is not ambiguous.”</p>
<p>Clinton has said she’d make the Equality Act a “priority” during her administration, but Mook said the makeup of Congress will determine her ability to guide the legislation into law.</p>
<p>“The big question is what will the Congress look like, and will leaders in Congress have the forethought and courage to pass that,” Mook said. “If we had a Democratic majority, I’m completely confident that it would be passed, and passed almost immediately.”</p>
<p>Mook tamped down expectations Clinton would be able to sign the Equality Act into law if Republicans still controlled one or both chambers of Congress after her inauguration, but he wouldn’t rule out the possibility.</p>
<p>“If the Republicans continue to control one or both chambers, it will be significantly more difficult, but when you look at Hillary Clinton’s record, Tom DeLay tried to impeach her husband and then she was elected to the Senate and worked with him to pass an overhaul of the foster care system,” Mook said. “This is the person who worked with Lindsey Graham to provide Tricare benefits to national guardspeople and reservists. So she has a record of working with Republicans to get things done, that’s part of why, I think, she is the best choice for our next president. But it will be significantly more challenging if Republicans control one or both chambers.”</p>
<p>Mook said he sees a possibility the Equality Act will become law with Republicans in control of either the House or Senate because he thinks the GOP will get wise on LGBT rights.</p>
<p>“I think the Republican Party has to get up to speed, or they will soon become irrelevant,” Mook said. “And I’m confident they will change, I’m confident they will embrace what the majority of Americans embrace, which is basic equality for LGBT Americans.”</p>
<p>One issue that <a href="" type="internal">neither Clinton nor Sanders has commented on</a> over the course of their campaign is HIV criminalization laws, which in 32 states penalize perceived exposure to the disease by a partner in sexual relations. Mook said he didn’t have immediate knowledge of Clinton’s position on the issue but would seek information from&#160;the campaign’s press shop.</p>
<p>Mook, who’s the first openly gay person to manage the campaign of a major presidential race, played down the milestone when asked about its significance in terms of both Clinton’s outlook and the advancement of LGBT rights.</p>
<p>“I was really honored that she asked me to manage her campaign,” Mook said. “I think we’re seeing LGBT Americans come into leadership all throughout our society, and I think that’s a really good thing. I think what I’d keep in mind is gay and lesbian Americans have been in these roles forever, they just weren’t able to be honest about who they were.”</p>
<p>Mook acknowledged his role is a sign of progress, but noted others are playing important roles and the real achievement would be electing Clinton to the White House.</p>
<p>“I think it’s a sign of how much progress we’re making as a society, and so I’m proud of all the different people who are in different roles, and I’m proud of Hillary and going to be proud to not only make history on this campaign, but see her as the first woman president,” Mook said.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">election 2016</a> <a href="" type="internal">Hillary Clinton</a> <a href="" type="internal">Robby Mook</a></p> | false | 3 | hillary clinton campaign manager robby mook speaks human rights campaign equality convention capital hilton march 11 2016 washington blade photo chris johnson robby mook electing democrat white house ensure progress seen president obama continues lgbt rights issues paramount importance mook hillary clintons campaign manager said interview friday washington blade contrast republicans clinton couldnt clearer terms expectations campaign ahead interview took place capital hilton dc mook addressed human rights campaigns annual equality convention came160moments clinton stirred controversy remarks praising nancy reagans hiv efforts issue wasnt discussed blade clinton later apologized remarks mook whos gay touted speech important mission electing clinton ensure continued progress lgbt issues but160wouldnt directly say whether sen bernard sanders ivt deficient those160issues instead criticizing160republicans think secretary clinton stand tremendous contrast republican candidates none support marriage equality none support equality act mook said think democrat white house imperative ill let sen sanders speak record lgbt equality im proud of160the democratic party candidates support marriage equality contrast republicans none blade asked lgbt voters look going polls crucial primaries minituesday mook spoke broadly clintons capacity leader making implicit contrast sanders think first foremost far smartest hard working person ive ever encountered life extremists going try everything take supreme court take away right marry take away protections discrimination mook said need someone go toetotoe hillary throughout career demonstrated ability despite difficult circumstances get something done mook also cited clintons history lgbt rights called real record accomplishment among things mook pointed clintons expansion samesex partner benefits foreign service officers tenure secretary state prior clintons tenure mook noted state department wouldnt pay move samesex partners overseas event emergency take responsibility evacuating would spouses straight foreign service officers clinton changed obama administration someone actually gotten real things done lgbt community reason people depend fight shes elected mook said early march memo mook wrote win sanders democratic primary would eventually mathematically impossible based delegate count saturday count stood 1223 clinton 574 sanders total 2383 needed cinch nomination memo written sanders surprise narrow win michigan mook declined to160predict160the outcome upcoming contests minituesday north carolina missouri ohio florida illinois grabs know delegate process proportional mook said dont winnertakeall like republicans means establish formidable lead way lead bigger president obamas ever 2008 establish lead like hard someone overtake still mook said focus clinton campaign working earn every delegate earn every vote know going prevail asked confident sanders supporters would back clinton general election bests democratic nomination mook made case stakes incredibly high especially lgbt people important come together around nominee time comes mook said great primary fought substance issues look republicans theyre calling names theyre trying outdo insults know going happen side thats imperative work hard come together know way whether secretary clinton sen sanders work circles theres perception donald trump course campaign spared lgbt people derogatory attacks unlike women disabled muslims immigrants media mook said doesnt think distinction important would argue discrimination someone national origins color skin gender disability abhorrent discriminating someone sexual orientation mook said dont think ok say hasnt said something one community doesnt make acceptable candidate another completely reject mook pointed lgbt positions trump urged conservatives trust oppose samesex marriage said would consider appointing justices supreme court would reverse marriage equality trump said 2000 would support adding nondiscrimination protections based sexual orientation federal civil rights law hasnt commented equality act election cycle support marriage equality mook said advocating equality act clear stands issues ambiguous choice ambiguous clinton said shed make equality act priority administration mook said makeup congress determine ability guide legislation law big question congress look like leaders congress forethought courage pass mook said democratic majority im completely confident would passed passed almost immediately mook tamped expectations clinton would able sign equality act law republicans still controlled one chambers congress inauguration wouldnt rule possibility republicans continue control one chambers significantly difficult look hillary clintons record tom delay tried impeach husband elected senate worked pass overhaul foster care system mook said person worked lindsey graham provide tricare benefits national guardspeople reservists record working republicans get things done thats part think best choice next president significantly challenging republicans control one chambers mook said sees possibility equality act become law republicans control either house senate thinks gop get wise lgbt rights think republican party get speed soon become irrelevant mook said im confident change im confident embrace majority americans embrace basic equality lgbt americans one issue neither clinton sanders commented course campaign hiv criminalization laws 32 states penalize perceived exposure disease partner sexual relations mook said didnt immediate knowledge clintons position issue would seek information from160the campaigns press shop mook whos first openly gay person manage campaign major presidential race played milestone asked significance terms clintons outlook advancement lgbt rights really honored asked manage campaign mook said think seeing lgbt americans come leadership throughout society think thats really good thing think id keep mind gay lesbian americans roles forever werent able honest mook acknowledged role sign progress noted others playing important roles real achievement would electing clinton white house think sign much progress making society im proud different people different roles im proud hillary going proud make history campaign see first woman president mook said election 2016 hillary clinton robby mook | 854 |
<p>OWL’S HEAD, Maine — Was it only a couple of weeks ago the Sochi Olympics were wrapped up? $50 billion, and unless you won a medal, the only thing anyone will remember about the event is that it took place just before Russia invaded the Crimea.</p>
<p>That's the bad news.</p>
<p>But the good news is that now, nearly a week after Russia's military takeover of a part of the Ukraine, the key parties to this conflict, Russia and the US, are on hold. It's hard to imagine a win-win solution here, but to Secretary of State Kerry's credit, he's playing the offended-party hand with the appropriate mixture of rhetoric and caution, trying at least to prevent a lose-lose situation.</p>
<p>Critics of the administration's go-slow approach abound.</p>
<p>A Washington Post editorial last Saturday, the day after the crisis peaked, mocked President Obama. It said that while Ukraine's new pro-western president had publicly decried the Russian "invasion, the US had ‘responded with phone calls.’" The Post demanded that Obama threaten Putin with immediate "economic and diplomatic sanctions." And all-around commentator David Gergen, referring to Obama's announcement that there would be "costs" for Russia's behavior, was similarly dismissive: "You can't bring a baguette to a knife-fight."</p>
<p>The usually level-headed Post columnist Roger Cohen was even more apoplectic several days later: "Every form of diplomatic, trade and economic pressure should now be mustered by Obama to isolate Putin; every political means used to buttress the Kyev government; and NATO's readiness to defend its members should be ostentatiously underscored."</p>
<p>Cohen's proposed ostentatious NATO flag-waving poses the risk of miscalculation. Meanwhile, hardly surprisingly, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham attacked Obama by somehow tying in the killing of the American ambassador in Benghazi in 2012 to Russia's move into the Crimea.</p>
<p>The welcome news, which in fact illustrates the difficulty in finding a solution, is that no one—not even the wild-eyes on the Republican right-wing fringe—wants the US to respond militarily.</p>
<p>Senator Ted Cruz, Tea Party apostle par excellence, bloviated that Obama's "abdication of global leadership is making the world a more dangerous place," but he steered away from any suggestion of military action. It's easy to portray Putin as a vicious autocrat—''thug'' seems to be the preferred term—a reincarnation of the dictatorial rulers from Russia's past.</p>
<p>Russia has always been ruled by autocrats, with the exception of Mikhail Gorbachev, who oversaw the collapse of the Soviet Union, and Boris Yeltsin, who embarrassed himself and his country with his drunken escapades.</p>
<p>Regardless of what we and other western democracies think of strong-arm leaders, the Russians certainly approve. Putin's approval ratings, even before this most recent appeal to the nationalism that citizens of all countries applaud, was double that of President Obama.</p>
<p>New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote a thoughtful piece in which he attempted to analyze Russian, and Putin's, behavior on the basis of a Russian philosopher that Putin has aligned himself with.</p>
<p>Brooks noted that the philosopher, Ivan Ilyin, stressed three great ideas: Russian exceptionalism, its devotion to its Orthodox faith, and its belief in autocracy.</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, the first two are not dissimilar from views of the US that our politicians continue to espouse: American exceptionalism and our Christian faith.</p>
<p>It's autocracy, the third element then, that makes all the difference for Brooks, who concludes "that we may not be dealing with a 'normal' regime, which can be manipulated by economic and diplomatic carrots and sticks."</p>
<p>Not so fast.</p>
<p>Putin does indeed embody the tough-minded one-man rule of 99 percent of Russia's leaders during its thousand-year history. But until the tragic fault lines of Ukraine exploded, Putin had shown no inclination to intervene.</p>
<p>Indeed, the $50 billion Putin spent on Sochi was a clear message that he wanted to be accepted on the world scene, not as a renegade but as an equal. Putin's Sochi was a hopeful announcement to the world that a revitalized, and socially acceptable, Russia had emerged on the world scene.</p>
<p>The Ukraine debacle forced the inelegant Putin to act, not in typical autocratic Russian fashion blundering in with force, but rather as any sufficiently powerful country would do if faced with what it considered a serious threat to its strategic interests.</p>
<p>The Crimea houses Russia's only warm-water port.</p>
<p>Without its Black Sea fleet, and a naval base to accommodate it, Russia would be a further diminished power. Viewed from the Kremlin, the anti-Russian successor to President Yanukovych put at potential risk the treaty giving Russia access to its base in Crimea until 2042. Obviously, such a strategic threat was to be dealt with immediately.</p>
<p>The US really doesn't have much of a dog in this fight, other than our expressed concern about Russia's violating international law and our overall distaste for Putin getting his way.</p>
<p>Russia is more and more tied to Europe. While Russian natural gas exports are a significant factor in Europe's economy, so similarly are the financial transactions of Gazprom and Russia's oligarchs a key element of today's Russian economy.</p>
<p>Severe economic sanctions that affected its banking relationships with the West would be a serious blow to Putin's Russia. The fact that its stock market fell 12 percent the day after the Russian move into Crimea was perhaps as effective a message as any threatened sanctions.</p>
<p>Observers on both the right and the left may be concerned that if the West looks the other way on this, as it essentially did on Putin's move against Georgia in 2008, it will set the stage for greater Russian aggression against the rest of Ukraine.</p>
<p>That seems an exaggerated concern.</p>
<p>The Crimean parliament is calling for a public referendum to see if the already autonomous republic should become an independent state. Such a proposal offers one way out of the impasse. But with Crimea under Russian military control, a legitimate referendum would require hordes of outside observers. Even so, such a plan would hardly be acceptable to Kyev.</p>
<p>Secretary of State Kerry just spent a day in Kyev, an obvious effort to bolster the new pro-European, anti-Russian government.</p>
<p>One hopes he talked about the possibility of an inclusive government that would at least attempt to bring the eastern half of Ukraine closer to Kyev.</p>
<p>Perhaps the outlines of a deal may be already emerging: Ukraine will lose effective control over Crimea, and Russia will have its Black Sea naval base more secure than ever.</p>
<p>Putin wins in the Crimea, but on the international scene, he will be shunned as a pariah for a while. And the world will breathe a big sigh of relief. Not a bad outcome.</p>
<p>If only the disaster in Syria could be resolved so peacefully.</p>
<p>Mac Deford is retired after a career as a Foreign Service officer, an international banker, and a museum director. He lives at Owls Head, Maine and still travels frequently to the Middle East &#160;</p> | false | 3 | owls head maine couple weeks ago sochi olympics wrapped 50 billion unless medal thing anyone remember event took place russia invaded crimea thats bad news good news nearly week russias military takeover part ukraine key parties conflict russia us hold hard imagine winwin solution secretary state kerrys credit hes playing offendedparty hand appropriate mixture rhetoric caution trying least prevent loselose situation critics administrations goslow approach abound washington post editorial last saturday day crisis peaked mocked president obama said ukraines new prowestern president publicly decried russian invasion us responded phone calls post demanded obama threaten putin immediate economic diplomatic sanctions allaround commentator david gergen referring obamas announcement would costs russias behavior similarly dismissive cant bring baguette knifefight usually levelheaded post columnist roger cohen even apoplectic several days later every form diplomatic trade economic pressure mustered obama isolate putin every political means used buttress kyev government natos readiness defend members ostentatiously underscored cohens proposed ostentatious nato flagwaving poses risk miscalculation meanwhile hardly surprisingly republican senator lindsey graham attacked obama somehow tying killing american ambassador benghazi 2012 russias move crimea welcome news fact illustrates difficulty finding solution onenot even wildeyes republican rightwing fringewants us respond militarily senator ted cruz tea party apostle par excellence bloviated obamas abdication global leadership making world dangerous place steered away suggestion military action easy portray putin vicious autocratthug seems preferred terma reincarnation dictatorial rulers russias past russia always ruled autocrats exception mikhail gorbachev oversaw collapse soviet union boris yeltsin embarrassed country drunken escapades regardless western democracies think strongarm leaders russians certainly approve putins approval ratings even recent appeal nationalism citizens countries applaud double president obama new york times columnist david brooks wrote thoughtful piece attempted analyze russian putins behavior basis russian philosopher putin aligned brooks noted philosopher ivan ilyin stressed three great ideas russian exceptionalism devotion orthodox faith belief autocracy interestingly enough first two dissimilar views us politicians continue espouse american exceptionalism christian faith autocracy third element makes difference brooks concludes may dealing normal regime manipulated economic diplomatic carrots sticks fast putin indeed embody toughminded oneman rule 99 percent russias leaders thousandyear history tragic fault lines ukraine exploded putin shown inclination intervene indeed 50 billion putin spent sochi clear message wanted accepted world scene renegade equal putins sochi hopeful announcement world revitalized socially acceptable russia emerged world scene ukraine debacle forced inelegant putin act typical autocratic russian fashion blundering force rather sufficiently powerful country would faced considered serious threat strategic interests crimea houses russias warmwater port without black sea fleet naval base accommodate russia would diminished power viewed kremlin antirussian successor president yanukovych put potential risk treaty giving russia access base crimea 2042 obviously strategic threat dealt immediately us really doesnt much dog fight expressed concern russias violating international law overall distaste putin getting way russia tied europe russian natural gas exports significant factor europes economy similarly financial transactions gazprom russias oligarchs key element todays russian economy severe economic sanctions affected banking relationships west would serious blow putins russia fact stock market fell 12 percent day russian move crimea perhaps effective message threatened sanctions observers right left may concerned west looks way essentially putins move georgia 2008 set stage greater russian aggression rest ukraine seems exaggerated concern crimean parliament calling public referendum see already autonomous republic become independent state proposal offers one way impasse crimea russian military control legitimate referendum would require hordes outside observers even plan would hardly acceptable kyev secretary state kerry spent day kyev obvious effort bolster new proeuropean antirussian government one hopes talked possibility inclusive government would least attempt bring eastern half ukraine closer kyev perhaps outlines deal may already emerging ukraine lose effective control crimea russia black sea naval base secure ever putin wins crimea international scene shunned pariah world breathe big sigh relief bad outcome disaster syria could resolved peacefully mac deford retired career foreign service officer international banker museum director lives owls head maine still travels frequently middle east 160 | 649 |
<p>Are you ready for some campaigning?</p>
<p>In recent days voters have received in the mail&#160; <a href="http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/" type="external">Official Voter Information Guide</a> for the June 3 primary election. It conveniently lists every candidate for office and the two propositions on the ballot: Proposition 41, $600 million for veterans’ housing bonds. And Proposition 42, altering the state open-meetings law.</p>
<p>It also includes statements from the candidates, but only from those who have accepted California’s voluntary limits on campaign spending, which vary by office. For example, gubernatorial candidates’ limit is $8.2 million. Incumbent Gov. Jerry Brown already has at least&#160;doubled that with <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/us/brown-to-run-for-re-election-as-california-governor.html?_r=0" type="external">more than $17 million</a> and counting raised so far. So there’s no statement included&#160;from him.</p>
<p>The reason is that candidates with a lot of campaign cash already have the means to get their message out to voters.</p>
<p>The voluntary limit for&#160;the other statewide offices — lieutenant governor, attorney general, etc. — is $5.4 million. For candidates for the board of equalization, the limit is $1.4 million.</p>
<p>This is the first campaign for these offices under the new Top Two system. The two candidates with the most votes June, regardless of party (or no party), go on to the November runoff.</p>
<p>Fifteen candidates are running for governor. All&#160;the <a href="http://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/candidates/governor.htm" type="external">included statements</a> are worth reading just to get an idea of what’s going on in the state. A couple are worth reporting on here.</p>
<p>Beside Brown,&#160;the two best know are the top Republicans, Neel Kashkari, a financial executive, who is not running under the voluntary limit, so he has no statement; and Assemblyman Tim Donnelly, R-Hesperia, who has accepted the voluntary limit.</p>
<p>Donnelly, a traditional conservative Republican, filled up the full 250 words allowed, part of which said:</p>
<p>“I’m a Patriot not a Politician. At 19 when I came to California with $300 in my pocket, California was the land of opportunity. The only limitation on your dreams was what you could imagine and how hard you were willing to work. …&#160;I was living the California dream until oppressive regulations drove my customers out of the state and regulated me out of business. An ever-increasing government has become the greatest threat to our future. …&#160;</p>
<p>“As Governor, I will:&#160;Veto&#160;all new restrictions on your business, your freedom, and your constitutional civil rights. Never submit a budget that spends more than we take in. Treat jobs like we treat endangered species — protect them by any means necessary. Fight to lower tax rates for all hard-working Californians.”</p>
<p>Except in 2011 Donnelly voted to keep redevelopment agencies, which use eminent domain laws to take the property of homeowners and small businesses, often giving it to big box developments.</p>
<p>Of the other candidates for governor, the best known is anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, who is running as a Peace and Freedom party candidate. She&#160;wrote a short piece:</p>
<p>“I&#160;am committed to all the people of California. Let’s work together to create a peaceful, prosperous, and environmentally clean and sustainable State with high quality education and health care for all, living wages, and community control of abusive police and prisons. I vow to tax the super-rich more to end poverty.”</p>
<p>A curious candidate is “Bo” Bogdan Ambrozewicz, running as an independent. He wrote:</p>
<p>“Independent: Non partisan, Uniting Californians.&#160;‘Bo,’ Designer, builder, 35 years experience. Immigrated to California at age 10. Women’s and minority rights. No fees for new businesses for first year. 25% fee reduction for existing businesses. Accelerate business investment depreciation by 50%. Reduce property tax 50%. Reduce building permits 50%. Repeal fire tax. Reduce college tuition 25%. Senior discount plan. Immigration Reform. Repeal train and water tunnel to solve water issue.”</p>
<p>It’s a curious mix of libertarian and left-wing proposals. He doesn’t mention that it would mean cutting spending at least 25 percent.</p>
<p>Among the eight candidates for lieutenant governor, incumbent Democrat Gavin Newsom is not following the voluntary campaign contribution limit of $5.4 million. But the top Republican candidate, former state GOP chairman Ron Nehring, has accepted the limit and wrote:</p>
<p>“California is home to the world’s most innovative and hard-working people, yet we’re crushed by high taxes and unemployment, plus the nation’s worst business climate for jobs. Let’s put Republican ideas into action and set clear priorities: Reform taxes to make them lower, simple and fair; Limit government spending; Set high standards and move control over education back to our local schools; Protect homeowners and seniors by safeguarding Proposition 13 and keep property taxes down….”</p>
<p>It’s pretty standard Republican rhetoric that used to win elections but hasn’t done so well in recent years.</p>
<p>Wrote Eric Korevaar, a Democrat:</p>
<p>“As a Ph.D. scientist rather than a career politician, I will bring needed analytical capabilities and innovative thinking to Sacramento. While simultaneously being the father of young children and a successful entrepreneur relying on good money management skills, I believe strongly that funding for schoolteachers and higher education should take precedence over spending on government overhead. Therefore, to set an example of fiscal restraint for other state officials, I will cut the Lieutenant Governor’s staff and budget by 50% and accept no pension.”</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.publicpay.ca.gov/Reports/PositionDetail.aspx?employeeid=5396108" type="external">the state treasurer’s data site</a>, as of 2012, the last year available, the lieutenant governor’s compensation included $17,077 for his defined-benefit pension plan.</p>
<p>Refusing to take a pension contribution is about the only thing&#160;the lieutenant governor, whose position is so irrelevant even <a href="http://blog.sfgate.com/nov05election/2012/02/24/california-lt-gov-gavin-newsom-says-his-job-should-be-dissolved-unless-changes-made/" type="external">Newsom has quipped it</a> might be best to eliminate it, has control over.</p> | false | 3 | ready campaigning recent days voters received mail160 official voter information guide june 3 primary election conveniently lists every candidate office two propositions ballot proposition 41 600 million veterans housing bonds proposition 42 altering state openmeetings law also includes statements candidates accepted californias voluntary limits campaign spending vary office example gubernatorial candidates limit 82 million incumbent gov jerry brown already least160doubled 17 million counting raised far theres statement included160from reason candidates lot campaign cash already means get message voters voluntary limit for160the statewide offices lieutenant governor attorney general etc 54 million candidates board equalization limit 14 million first campaign offices new top two system two candidates votes june regardless party party go november runoff fifteen candidates running governor all160the included statements worth reading get idea whats going state couple worth reporting beside brown160the two best know top republicans neel kashkari financial executive running voluntary limit statement assemblyman tim donnelly rhesperia accepted voluntary limit donnelly traditional conservative republican filled full 250 words allowed part said im patriot politician 19 came california 300 pocket california land opportunity limitation dreams could imagine hard willing work 160i living california dream oppressive regulations drove customers state regulated business everincreasing government become greatest threat future 160 governor will160veto160all new restrictions business freedom constitutional civil rights never submit budget spends take treat jobs like treat endangered species protect means necessary fight lower tax rates hardworking californians except 2011 donnelly voted keep redevelopment agencies use eminent domain laws take property homeowners small businesses often giving big box developments candidates governor best known antiwar activist cindy sheehan running peace freedom party candidate she160wrote short piece i160am committed people california lets work together create peaceful prosperous environmentally clean sustainable state high quality education health care living wages community control abusive police prisons vow tax superrich end poverty curious candidate bo bogdan ambrozewicz running independent wrote independent non partisan uniting californians160bo designer builder 35 years experience immigrated california age 10 womens minority rights fees new businesses first year 25 fee reduction existing businesses accelerate business investment depreciation 50 reduce property tax 50 reduce building permits 50 repeal fire tax reduce college tuition 25 senior discount plan immigration reform repeal train water tunnel solve water issue curious mix libertarian leftwing proposals doesnt mention would mean cutting spending least 25 percent among eight candidates lieutenant governor incumbent democrat gavin newsom following voluntary campaign contribution limit 54 million top republican candidate former state gop chairman ron nehring accepted limit wrote california home worlds innovative hardworking people yet crushed high taxes unemployment plus nations worst business climate jobs lets put republican ideas action set clear priorities reform taxes make lower simple fair limit government spending set high standards move control education back local schools protect homeowners seniors safeguarding proposition 13 keep property taxes pretty standard republican rhetoric used win elections hasnt done well recent years wrote eric korevaar democrat phd scientist rather career politician bring needed analytical capabilities innovative thinking sacramento simultaneously father young children successful entrepreneur relying good money management skills believe strongly funding schoolteachers higher education take precedence spending government overhead therefore set example fiscal restraint state officials cut lieutenant governors staff budget 50 accept pension according state treasurers data site 2012 last year available lieutenant governors compensation included 17077 definedbenefit pension plan refusing take pension contribution thing160the lieutenant governor whose position irrelevant even newsom quipped might best eliminate control | 556 |
<p>President Trump’s administration continues to fight orders transgender military ban. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)</p>
<p>No fewer than three courts have ruled against President Trump’s transgender military ban, but the Trump administration isn’t done fighting potential transgender enlistments, which are set to take place Jan. 1 as the result of the rulings.</p>
<p>On Thursday, the U.S. Justice Department filed a <a href="" type="internal">request</a> before the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals seeking a stay on <a href="" type="internal">a ruling issued by U.S. District Judge Marvin Garbis against the transgender ban</a>. The request is limited to the order requiring the U.S. military to allow qualified transgender people to enlist starting Jan. 1.</p>
<p>“Absent further relief from this court…the military will be forced to implement a significant change to its accession standards before it decides how to resolve this issue,” the request says. “As military leadership has explained, this timetable will place extraordinary burdens on our armed forces and may harm military readiness.”</p>
<p>The Garbis ruling, as well as the two other court decisions against the transgender ban, made Jan. 1 the target date for transgender accessions. That was the date Defense Secretary James Mattis selected in a June 30 memo before Trump announced in July via Twitter he would ban transgender people from the military and followed that up with a directive in August.</p>
<p>The Justice Department proposes several ways the Fourth Circuit could stay Garbis’ ruling. The first option is staying the ruling as it pertains to constraining Mattis’ own ability to extend the delay on transgender military service. Also proposed is scaling back the nationwide scope of the injunction, which could mean staying transgender accessions except the one transgender plaintiff who was a potential enlistee and found to have standing in the case.</p>
<p>Finally, the Justice Department suggests staying accessions in their entirety on the basis the Garbis order “rests on legal errors concerning jurisdiction, the equities, and the merits.”</p>
<p>“Without a stay, the military will, at the risk of harming its readiness posture, have to rush to provide the requisite training to the tens of thousands of service members across the country responsible for implementing accession standards,” the brief says.</p>
<p>Notably, the request doesn’t seek a stay on parts of the Garbis order that barred the U.S. military from kicking out openly transgender people currently in service or refusing payments for gender reassignment surgeries. The request, however, adds the U.S. government “may seek a stay of these aspects of the injunction at a later date after a final policy determination.”</p>
<p>The Justice Department had already appealed the Garbis decision to the Fourth Circuit after the judge ruled against Trump’s ban as result of the litigation, which was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. The stay request would halt the portion of the order pertaining to enlistments as the litigation moves forward.</p>
<p>The Trump administration is also seeking a stay on transgender accessions from the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for D.C. in response to an order from U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. The court has ordered the National Center for Lesbian Rights and GLBTQ Advocates &amp; Defenders, which filed the lawsuit, to respond by the end of Friday.</p>
<p>Another judge in Washington State, U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman, also ruled against the transgender ban. The Justice Department has yet to take action in response to this decision.</p>
<p>A fourth lawsuit challenging the transgender ban filed by Equality California is pending before a district court in that state. The court held oral arguments earlier this week, but has yet to render a decision.</p>
<p>Jon Davidson, former legal director for Lambda Legal, said the Fourth Circuit only has authority to stay the trial court order within its jurisdiction, so even if a stay were granted, transgender accessions would begin as a result of other court orders.</p>
<p>“A court of appeals stay would only stay the preliminary injunction granted in that circuit,” Davidson said. “It would therefore take grants of stay motions by the D.C., Fourth, and Ninth Circuits to stay all of the current preliminary injunctions against the trans military ban.”</p>
<p>Regardless of the decision of the appellate courts on a stay, the losing party can appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. If a stay is denied, for example, the Justice Department can seek relief from the Supreme Court. If a stay is granted, transgender rights advocate can seek a reversal.</p>
<p>A Supreme Court stay in one case would “only indirectly” stay the orders in the other cases, Davidson said, but would nonetheless likely result in a global stay.</p>
<p>“Judges hearing stay motions in those cases would likely grant a stay in them if the Supreme Court stayed an injunction in another case because, if they didn’t, the Supreme Court likely would issue a stay in their cases as well, if brought up to them,” Davidson said.</p>
<p>Davidson added, “That did not happen in all the marriage cases, however, so it’s not a sure thing.”</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Colleen Kollar-Kotelly</a> <a href="" type="internal">D.C.</a> <a href="" type="internal">DOD</a> <a href="" type="internal">DOJ</a> <a href="" type="internal">Donald Trump</a> <a href="" type="internal">Equality California</a> <a href="" type="internal">Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals</a> <a href="" type="internal">James Mattis</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jon Davidson</a> <a href="" type="internal">Lambda Legal</a> <a href="" type="internal">Marsha Pechman</a> <a href="" type="internal">Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals</a> <a href="" type="internal">trans</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender</a> <a href="" type="internal">transgender military ban</a> <a href="" type="internal">Trump administration</a> <a href="" type="internal">twitter</a> <a href="" type="internal">U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals</a> <a href="" type="internal">United States Department of Defense</a> <a href="" type="internal">United States Department of Justice</a> <a href="" type="internal">United States Supreme Court</a> <a href="" type="internal">Washington state</a></p> | false | 3 | president trumps administration continues fight orders transgender military ban washington blade file photo michael key fewer three courts ruled president trumps transgender military ban trump administration isnt done fighting potential transgender enlistments set take place jan 1 result rulings thursday us justice department filed request us fourth circuit court appeals seeking stay ruling issued us district judge marvin garbis transgender ban request limited order requiring us military allow qualified transgender people enlist starting jan 1 absent relief courtthe military forced implement significant change accession standards decides resolve issue request says military leadership explained timetable place extraordinary burdens armed forces may harm military readiness garbis ruling well two court decisions transgender ban made jan 1 target date transgender accessions date defense secretary james mattis selected june 30 memo trump announced july via twitter would ban transgender people military followed directive august justice department proposes several ways fourth circuit could stay garbis ruling first option staying ruling pertains constraining mattis ability extend delay transgender military service also proposed scaling back nationwide scope injunction could mean staying transgender accessions except one transgender plaintiff potential enlistee found standing case finally justice department suggests staying accessions entirety basis garbis order rests legal errors concerning jurisdiction equities merits without stay military risk harming readiness posture rush provide requisite training tens thousands service members across country responsible implementing accession standards brief says notably request doesnt seek stay parts garbis order barred us military kicking openly transgender people currently service refusing payments gender reassignment surgeries request however adds us government may seek stay aspects injunction later date final policy determination justice department already appealed garbis decision fourth circuit judge ruled trumps ban result litigation filed american civil liberties union stay request would halt portion order pertaining enlistments litigation moves forward trump administration also seeking stay transgender accessions us circuit court appeals dc response order us district judge colleen kollarkotelly court ordered national center lesbian rights glbtq advocates amp defenders filed lawsuit respond end friday another judge washington state us district judge marsha pechman also ruled transgender ban justice department yet take action response decision fourth lawsuit challenging transgender ban filed equality california pending district court state court held oral arguments earlier week yet render decision jon davidson former legal director lambda legal said fourth circuit authority stay trial court order within jurisdiction even stay granted transgender accessions would begin result court orders court appeals stay would stay preliminary injunction granted circuit davidson said would therefore take grants stay motions dc fourth ninth circuits stay current preliminary injunctions trans military ban regardless decision appellate courts stay losing party appeal us supreme court stay denied example justice department seek relief supreme court stay granted transgender rights advocate seek reversal supreme court stay one case would indirectly stay orders cases davidson said would nonetheless likely result global stay judges hearing stay motions cases would likely grant stay supreme court stayed injunction another case didnt supreme court likely would issue stay cases well brought davidson said davidson added happen marriage cases however sure thing colleen kollarkotelly dc dod doj donald trump equality california fourth circuit court appeals james mattis jon davidson lambda legal marsha pechman ninth circuit court appeals trans transgender transgender military ban trump administration twitter us fourth circuit court appeals united states department defense united states department justice united states supreme court washington state | 554 |
<p>Sophie B. Hawkins will sing hits and new songs at her Saturday evening concert in Vienna, Va. (Photo by Shervin Lainez; courtesy No Big Deal PR)</p>
<p>Ellis Paul and Sophie B. Hawkins</p>
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<p>Saturday, Oct. 28</p>
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<p>6:30 p.m. (doors, 5:30)</p>
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<p>Jammin Java</p>
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<p>227 Maple Ave. E</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Vienna, Va.</p>
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<p>$25</p>
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<p><a href="http://ticketfly.com" type="external">ticketfly.com</a></p>
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<p><a href="http://sophiebhawkins.com" type="external">sophiebhawkins.com</a></p>
<p>Singer/songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins is at a place in her life where she’s being highly deliberate about what she does.</p>
<p>She’s sitting on a finished album but wants to figure out a way to release it strategically for maximum impact. A recurring theme in our lengthy phone chat last week is that there are lots of great ideas, but several are just not high on her priority list right now.</p>
<p>Newly single after nearly two decades in a same-sex relationship, the 52-year-old singer known for ‘90s radio staples “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover” and “As I Lay Me Down” is back in New York focusing on her art and raising her two young children, Dashiell, 8, and Esther, 2.</p>
<p>She makes a rare D.C.-area appearance this weekend at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, Va., on her fall mini-tour. Her comments have been edited for length.</p>
<p>WASHINGTON BLADE: How does it feel to be back in New York again after so many years in Los Angeles?</p>
<p>SOPHIE B. HAWKINS: Well I was born and raised in Manhattan so when I get home to New York or anywhere near, I feel a certain accessibility to my soul. I feel like this is where I came into the world, where I’m coming back to and where I’m allowed to be me. I can be my age here, I can be a single woman, so exotic and excited to be alive, just in the day, and it’s not weird. I don’t have to drive a fancy car, I don’t have to wear makeup, I can just live and enjoy everyone’s energy and creativity. That’s the difference between L.A. and New York. In California, it’s harder to connect with people and harder to connect with people’s creativity. In New York, it’s very much coming up from the ground.</p>
<p>BLADE: What can we expect at your show this weekend and why are you doing a mini-tour now?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: This mini-tour came about for a very specific reason. I wanted to go out and do solo shows without one single musician, just me because I’d never done that before until weekend before last. I did it in Massachusetts and Maine and I really felt like this was the time for me to just go on stage and really see if I’m a good-enough musician and good-enough artist and good-enough storyteller to get out there and be the person that I am (in my home studio) working and writing songs. … I loved the last two shows. They were my favorites in a very long time because I just got up there with my instruments, my banjo, my drums, my guitar and my piano, and I sang the songs and it was so relaxed and emotional and, of course, intimate, but it was something more. Sort of a heightened experience. … I wouldn’t say it’s me being me because I’m always me, but it’s really one on one. It’s scary but that’s where I really like it the best.</p>
<p>BLADE: How was it received?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: Both audiences, and not that this should ever happen again, but they both gave me standing ovations and they all came back and it was a different conversation after the show. … It really could have gone terribly — that’s why I didn’t do it in New York. I could have walked off the stage and said, “I’m never doing that again,” and called my guitar player. But I’m actually excited to do it more.</p>
<p>BLADE: You’re working on a musical, you have a new album in the can, you did the Janis Joplin play a few years ago and said you even wrote some songs as Janis. What all will you be singing? Stuff from your albums or some of that stuff as well?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: Well, OK, first of all, I’m always going to do my hits. They’re beautiful and I just want people to know they won’t get deprived of that. The second thing is I’m definitely doing some new songs. People seem to really love the new songs and I’m doing one I just wrote a couple weeks ago that’s a brand new original Christmas song so it’s going to be exciting to do one that I just wrote. As for the album, I’m going to be totally candid because I always am, I don’t quite know how to get it out. I don’t want it to just be the same old process of putting all this effort into something and then making no money from it. I’m trying to find a new way and really taking my time. I really love it, I put a ton of energy into it and the songs are, in my opinion, phenomenal so I don’t want to just throw it out and have it go nowhere. The musical is still a work in progress. … I may put the Christmas song out just to have a little something but … I can’t just throw things out there anymore.</p>
<p>BLADE: You did some shows in New York back in June that you said you were going to record to try to capture something elusive you said doesn’t always show up on your studio work. Did you?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: Yes, well, I don’t know if I captured that elusive whatever but I did record all three shows and they were filmed. I don’t know if the filming was good because I haven’t seen it yet. … I’m not sure if I’m going to edit them and put anything out because that takes so much work. I wish I had another me to do that kind of work. And sometimes you’re just too close to it. I thought it sounded terrible when I listened to it in June but then I heard it again in September by accident and I was like, “No, that sounds pretty good, I should get to editing that.” … But again, it goes back to not wanting to just put stuff out just to do it. I’m looking for a right connection. I’m not dying for people to say, “Oh she’s great, listen to this,” and then move on to the next thing. There’s no reason for that. Maybe once I figure out when the album is coming out, the live stuff could be like the thank you for being part of my life and here is this gift.</p>
<p>BLADE: What has it been like rebuilding after going through the break-up of a 17-year relationship?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: Oh, it was awful. Just so incredibly sad, I can’t even tell you. … It’s still so difficult to understand how that could have happened. … I felt like I was saved when I got back to New York … by the skin of my teeth. There’s this amazing other part of yourself that says, “I’ve got to move before the tsunami hits, I gotta get out of my bed and start running” and that’s what happened. The tsunami was coming down on me and my son and I actually got out of bed and said, “We’re getting up now, move, move, move, get the dogs,” and we got to New York and boom, we would have been dead if we’d stayed a moment longer. And I mean completely dead emotionally, psychologically, financially, everything. It’s scary to think about. That’s one aspect of it. But thank God I landed and … could begin again. … There is still a reckoning I’m dealing with in my art and in conversations with close friends, you know, walking around going, “I can’t believe this is part of my story now.” … I never thought it would happen — a betrayal on that level.</p>
<p>BLADE: One song of yours that’s always haunted me is “I Need Nothing Else.” I know songwriters hate to explain what songs are about but can you illuminate us at all on that one?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: I love that song too because of the combination of the visceral and the spiritual and accepting it all as one and knowing that all things go together with no boundaries. All these things need each other and pull each other and tug each other and there’s that feeling of passion that I really love and then the phrase, “I need nothing else,” is what you do — you go through your life and you eliminate, you start to realize what you need and what you don’t need and you come back to this very essential quality. … You bring the drama on when you don’t know what you need and you do so many things to mask and then you find it and it’s unmasked — that’s that song, it’s unmasked, here it is.</p>
<p>BLADE: It’s taboo to say you wanna have sex with Jesus but pop music is kind of this nice place where you can entertain both the spiritual and the carnal, which is forbidden in gospel music. Is that a fair interpretation or am I off base?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: No, you’re so on base and I love that you said have sex with Jesus. Yes, it’s so true and in a way, that’s sort of what we’re doing. … And yes, that is the great thing about pop music and great poetry, it connects all these things. … There’s actually a movie out now that’s about all this called “The Novitiate.” Have you heard of it?</p>
<p>BLADE: No.</p>
<p>HAWKINS: It’s not out yet but I saw a screening and it’s really a brilliant movie but it’s not with men, it’s with nuns. Oh my God.</p>
<p>BLADE: How long did it take to make “Tongues and Tales” (1992) and “Whaler” (1994)? How long did you spend recording vocals and how long were the whole projects?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: OK, well, “Whaler” took shorter than “Tongues and Tales” because I worked with Stephen Lipson and he was — well, for both albums by the way, we used my demos a lot, which was interesting, so we’d have to include that time. I’d recorded those songs at home first. Like in “Did We Not Choose Each Other” when you hear the frying pans and all the crazy percussion and the keyboards, all that stuff was done at home. “As I Lay Me Down,” the percussion, the keyboards, all that was taken from my original demo and we just overlaid and built upon it.</p>
<p>BLADE: You felt you’d captured something on those that couldn’t be bettered?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: Yeah. There were periods where different producers would try to get away from it but even the head of the record company, Don Ienner at the time, the head of Sony, he said, “No, you’ve got to use the vocal on her demo, that’s why I signed her.” So there were always those moments where we would go back to that. … So “Whaler” didn’t take a long time ‘cause Stephen works fast. “Tongues and Tales” took a long time because I’d never made a record before and Rick Chertoff is known for taking a really long time. He wanted demo after demo after demo after demo. He could spend years on just a thought. It takes him hours to get a freaking sentence out. But in some ways, that’s also why he’s brilliant. He’s like an old-fashioned director. He’ll take you to dinner and you have to include all that in the process. So on “Tongues and Tales,” they didn’t spend anytime on me. It was all about the radio, what will happen to the album, and Rick Chertoff takes everything into consideration but then when it came time for vocals, believe it or not, they gave me like a day. I was really upset about that inside, but I did not wanna complain because they didn’t make me write with anybody, they completely stayed true to my vision so I thought, “Well, OK, I have a day, I’m just gonna use a day.” So the vocals were very fast. … But that worked out OK because I’m one of those people you can’t overdo things too much with. On “Whaler,” though, he did take much more time with the vocals.</p>
<p>BLADE: What happens to all the alternate takes and photo and video outtakes when a major label project like that wraps? Do you get it all or is it sitting in box in a warehouse somewhere?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: I think Sony probably trashed it all because, you know, I fought with them by the third album. I have all the demos, which is shocking. … But they didn’t care about what they didn’t use so I would think by this time they would have trashed everything. I did get a bunch of pictures. … Great outtakes from sessions by David LaChapelle, Bruce Weber and Mark Hanauer. It would be fun to do something with those but at this point in my career, I don’t want to spend the time looking through photos.</p>
<p>BLADE: I sense from what you’re saying there was some frustration with the release of “The Crossing,” your last album in 2012. Was the rollout underwhelming? How do you feel about it now that you have a little distance from it?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: Well that’s why I don’t want to put out another record the same way. I think there are some songs on it that are amazing. I just love “The Land, the Sea and the Sky.” It’s so raw, I don’t know, I just love the feel of it. And I love “A Child.” There are some songs I love. But certain songs I think are terrible on “The Crossing” and those are the ones I actually worked the most on. Like “Betchya Got a Cure,” I think could have been a great song but I think it’s just terribly done. … My manager-slash-partner had lost interest in me as a person and as an artist or whatever and I couldn’t really — I mean, I did it totally alone. No producer, no nothing. I even engineered the goddamn record. It was a beautiful studio, but still. I put it out with zero, and I mean zero, support, so in a way, it’s amazing it sounds as good as it does and it’s as lively as it is. There’s no way really I could have done better in that situation.</p>
<p>BLADE: What was your cover of “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” from? I found it later on a compilation and wasn’t sure.</p>
<p>HAWKINS: That was for a charity album. It might have been breast cancer because they wanted songs by women and I chose that because Joan Baez sang it and I loved it. I recorded it in my apartment where I was at the time on Christopher Street and I just did it at the piano with all those crazy vocals and the djembe drum and that was basically it. But people seem to like it. Sony was pretty mad at me. They said it wasn’t professional enough. I was like, “Well, then, you know, give me some money and I’ll do it more professionally.”</p>
<p>BLADE: Melissa Etheridge’s VH-1 “Duets” special now seems like this amazing time capsule of great ‘90s women rockers. What was it like taping it?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: Well, the first memory is when she called. … I dove to the floor to pick up the land line at a house in L.A. where I was staying and I couldn’t believe I was talking to Melissa Etheridge because this was at the time when she was having her huge, breakout like big, big moment, and I hit my head on the closet door when I went for the phone so I was pretending to be completely with it and cool and obviously I wasn’t. … I remember rehearsing with her and just thinking she was so amazing, her guitar playing and her presence. I loved her and felt like I would have loved her even if she wasn’t Melissa Etheridge, but I never would have because she’s from such a different part of the world. So then we got to the show and I really thought I’d botched it and I was kind of embarrassed. But I loved being with her and Paula Cole was super nice too.</p>
<p>BLADE: I get what you’re saying about prioritizing certain projects over others but it’s been 25 years this year since “Tongues and Tales” and “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover.” Are you doing anything to commemorate that?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: No, I didn’t really realize it was exactly 25 years. See that’s where it would be nice to have a team to help me remember those things.</p>
<p>BLADE: It’s so cool that you’re able to still devote yourself to art. New York and L.A. are both so insanely expensive and you’re raising two kids. Do you ever feel practical or financial concerns encroaching on your art? How do you soldier on?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: You do have to soldier on as an artist no matter what and as a mother because you cannot let those people down. It doesn’t matter if you have any money or not. The thing about being an artist in this day and age is that you cannot expect any kind of support if you’re in the music business. I’m lucky to have the support and recognition that I do. I see young people I’ve met and let open for me who have these amazing songs, they’re young and beautiful and talented and they’re in a way worse position than me. I’m doing really well, I actually am. … I could make a choice. I could make a lot of money, I mean relative to what I’m going to get back, and throw it in my career right now, but I really do feel the timing isn’t right and it would be a complete waste. I feel it’s a time to be really selective. … I learned with “The Crossing,” it’s not good enough to just stay afloat. It’s actually better almost to disappear and for everyone to think you’re gone forever and you were so beautiful and great then and if you have a rebirth or even if you don’t, then at least your work stands on its own. That’s a big concept. I hadn’t even really thought about it, I was just kind of talking out of my ass but yeah. I’m maintaining an amazing lifestyle in this amazing city and my children and art are doing amazingly well and I will tell you the honest truth — I’ve never been so happy in my life.</p>
<p>BLADE: How has being a mom shifted your artistic lens or has it?</p>
<p>HAWKINS: It’s made me more appreciative and patient with myself. … It’s moved me away from trying to be a perfectionist. … It’s also been fun to see how some things that I thought were just about me, they’re sort of genetic. Like the singing and stuff. … Not so much the creation of a song, but my son is like this amazing little walking poet and he says things that blow me away, but I think maybe he gets it from my mother. There’s some quality about it that’s really fun to see.</p>
<p>Sophie B. Hawkins at a 2004 Pittsburgh concert. (Washington Blade file photo by Joey DiGuglielmo)</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Ellis Paul</a> <a href="" type="internal">Jammin' Java</a> <a href="" type="internal">Sophie B Hawkins</a></p> | false | 3 | sophie b hawkins sing hits new songs saturday evening concert vienna va photo shervin lainez courtesy big deal pr ellis paul sophie b hawkins 160 saturday oct 28 160 630 pm doors 530 160 jammin java 160 227 maple ave e 160 vienna va 160 25 160 ticketflycom 160 sophiebhawkinscom singersongwriter sophie b hawkins place life shes highly deliberate shes sitting finished album wants figure way release strategically maximum impact recurring theme lengthy phone chat last week lots great ideas several high priority list right newly single nearly two decades samesex relationship 52yearold singer known 90s radio staples damn wish lover lay back new york focusing art raising two young children dashiell 8 esther 2 makes rare dcarea appearance weekend jammin java vienna va fall minitour comments edited length washington blade feel back new york many years los angeles sophie b hawkins well born raised manhattan get home new york anywhere near feel certain accessibility soul feel like came world im coming back im allowed age single woman exotic excited alive day weird dont drive fancy car dont wear makeup live enjoy everyones energy creativity thats difference la new york california harder connect people harder connect peoples creativity new york much coming ground blade expect show weekend minitour hawkins minitour came specific reason wanted go solo shows without one single musician id never done weekend last massachusetts maine really felt like time go stage really see im goodenough musician goodenough artist goodenough storyteller get person home studio working writing songs loved last two shows favorites long time got instruments banjo drums guitar piano sang songs relaxed emotional course intimate something sort heightened experience wouldnt say im always really one one scary thats really like best blade received hawkins audiences ever happen gave standing ovations came back different conversation show really could gone terribly thats didnt new york could walked stage said im never called guitar player im actually excited blade youre working musical new album janis joplin play years ago said even wrote songs janis singing stuff albums stuff well hawkins well ok first im always going hits theyre beautiful want people know wont get deprived second thing im definitely new songs people seem really love new songs im one wrote couple weeks ago thats brand new original christmas song going exciting one wrote album im going totally candid always dont quite know get dont want old process putting effort something making money im trying find new way really taking time really love put ton energy songs opinion phenomenal dont want throw go nowhere musical still work progress may put christmas song little something cant throw things anymore blade shows new york back june said going record try capture something elusive said doesnt always show studio work hawkins yes well dont know captured elusive whatever record three shows filmed dont know filming good havent seen yet im sure im going edit put anything takes much work wish another kind work sometimes youre close thought sounded terrible listened june heard september accident like sounds pretty good get editing goes back wanting put stuff im looking right connection im dying people say oh shes great listen move next thing theres reason maybe figure album coming live stuff could like thank part life gift blade like rebuilding going breakup 17year relationship hawkins oh awful incredibly sad cant even tell still difficult understand could happened felt like saved got back new york skin teeth theres amazing part says ive got move tsunami hits got ta get bed start running thats happened tsunami coming son actually got bed said getting move move move get dogs got new york boom would dead wed stayed moment longer mean completely dead emotionally psychologically financially everything scary think thats one aspect thank god landed could begin still reckoning im dealing art conversations close friends know walking around going cant believe part story never thought would happen betrayal level blade one song thats always haunted need nothing else know songwriters hate explain songs illuminate us one hawkins love song combination visceral spiritual accepting one knowing things go together boundaries things need pull tug theres feeling passion really love phrase need nothing else go life eliminate start realize need dont need come back essential quality bring drama dont know need many things mask find unmasked thats song unmasked blade taboo say wan na sex jesus pop music kind nice place entertain spiritual carnal forbidden gospel music fair interpretation base hawkins youre base love said sex jesus yes true way thats sort yes great thing pop music great poetry connects things theres actually movie thats called novitiate heard blade hawkins yet saw screening really brilliant movie men nuns oh god blade long take make tongues tales 1992 whaler 1994 long spend recording vocals long whole projects hawkins ok well whaler took shorter tongues tales worked stephen lipson well albums way used demos lot interesting wed include time id recorded songs home first like choose hear frying pans crazy percussion keyboards stuff done home lay percussion keyboards taken original demo overlaid built upon blade felt youd captured something couldnt bettered hawkins yeah periods different producers would try get away even head record company ienner time head sony said youve got use vocal demo thats signed always moments would go back whaler didnt take long time cause stephen works fast tongues tales took long time id never made record rick chertoff known taking really long time wanted demo demo demo demo could spend years thought takes hours get freaking sentence ways thats also hes brilliant hes like oldfashioned director hell take dinner include process tongues tales didnt spend anytime radio happen album rick chertoff takes everything consideration came time vocals believe gave like day really upset inside wan na complain didnt make write anybody completely stayed true vision thought well ok day im gon na use day vocals fast worked ok im one people cant overdo things much whaler though take much time vocals blade happens alternate takes photo video outtakes major label project like wraps get sitting box warehouse somewhere hawkins think sony probably trashed know fought third album demos shocking didnt care didnt use would think time would trashed everything get bunch pictures great outtakes sessions david lachapelle bruce weber mark hanauer would fun something point career dont want spend time looking photos blade sense youre saying frustration release crossing last album 2012 rollout underwhelming feel little distance hawkins well thats dont want put another record way think songs amazing love land sea sky raw dont know love feel love child songs love certain songs think terrible crossing ones actually worked like betchya got cure think could great song think terribly done managerslashpartner lost interest person artist whatever couldnt really mean totally alone producer nothing even engineered goddamn record beautiful studio still put zero mean zero support way amazing sounds good lively theres way really could done better situation blade cover night drove old dixie found later compilation wasnt sure hawkins charity album might breast cancer wanted songs women chose joan baez sang loved recorded apartment time christopher street piano crazy vocals djembe drum basically people seem like sony pretty mad said wasnt professional enough like well know give money ill professionally blade melissa etheridges vh1 duets special seems like amazing time capsule great 90s women rockers like taping hawkins well first memory called dove floor pick land line house la staying couldnt believe talking melissa etheridge time huge breakout like big big moment hit head closet door went phone pretending completely cool obviously wasnt remember rehearsing thinking amazing guitar playing presence loved felt like would loved even wasnt melissa etheridge never would shes different part world got show really thought id botched kind embarrassed loved paula cole super nice blade get youre saying prioritizing certain projects others 25 years year since tongues tales damn wish lover anything commemorate hawkins didnt really realize exactly 25 years see thats would nice team help remember things blade cool youre able still devote art new york la insanely expensive youre raising two kids ever feel practical financial concerns encroaching art soldier hawkins soldier artist matter mother let people doesnt matter money thing artist day age expect kind support youre music business im lucky support recognition see young people ive met let open amazing songs theyre young beautiful talented theyre way worse position im really well actually could make choice could make lot money mean relative im going get back throw career right really feel timing isnt right would complete waste feel time really selective learned crossing good enough stay afloat actually better almost disappear everyone think youre gone forever beautiful great rebirth even dont least work stands thats big concept hadnt even really thought kind talking ass yeah im maintaining amazing lifestyle amazing city children art amazingly well tell honest truth ive never happy life blade mom shifted artistic lens hawkins made appreciative patient moved away trying perfectionist also fun see things thought theyre sort genetic like singing stuff much creation song son like amazing little walking poet says things blow away think maybe gets mother theres quality thats really fun see sophie b hawkins 2004 pittsburgh concert washington blade file photo joey diguglielmo ellis paul jammin java sophie b hawkins | 1,536 |
<p>Human rights icon, anti-apartheid hero, world statesman and former South African president Nelson Mandela died Thursday at age 95. Mandela will be remembered not only for the movement he helped inspire against apartheid and all forms of oppression in South Africa but also for the power of his words.</p>
<p>In 1964 as a member of the armed wing of the African National Congress, he faced a capital charge of sabotage for his efforts to end white minority rule. The Rivonia Trial was the setting of one of his most famous speeches. The message still resonates today. Here is an excerpt:</p>
<p>“The African National Congress was formed in 1912 to defend the rights of the African people which had been seriously curtailed by the South Africa Act, and which were then being threatened by the Native Land Act. For 37 years – that is until 1949 – it adhered strictly to a constitutional struggle. It put forward demands and resolutions; it sent delegations to the Government in the belief that African grievances could be settled through peaceful discussion and that Africans could advance gradually to full political rights. But White Governments remained unmoved, and the rights of Africans became less instead of becoming greater. …</p>
<p>“We had no doubt that we had to continue the fight. Anything else would have been abject surrender. Our problem was not whether to fight, but was how to continue the fight. We of the ANC had always stood for a non-racial democracy, and we shrank from any action which might drive the races further apart than they already were. But the hard facts were that 50 years of non-violence had brought the African people nothing but more and more repressive legislation, and fewer and fewer rights. It may not be easy for this Court to understand, but it is a fact that for a long time the people had been talking of violence – of the day when they would fight the White man and win back their country – and we, the leaders of the ANC, had nevertheless always prevailed upon them to avoid violence and to pursue peaceful methods. …</p>
<p>“Today I am attracted by the idea of a classless society, an attraction which springs in part from Marxist reading and, in part, from my admiration of the structure and organization of early African societies in this country. The land, then the main means of production, belonged to the tribe. There were no rich or poor and there was no exploitation. …</p>
<p>“South Africa is the richest country in Africa, and could be one of the richest countries in the world. But it is a land of extremes and remarkable contrasts. The whites enjoy what may well be the highest standard of living in the world, whilst Africans live in poverty and misery. Forty per cent of the Africans live in hopelessly overcrowded and, in some cases, drought-stricken Reserves, where soil erosion and the overworking of the soil makes it impossible for them to live properly off the land. Thirty per cent are laborers, labor tenants, and squatters on white farms and work and live under conditions similar to those of the serfs of the Middle Ages. The other 30 percent live in towns where they have developed economic and social habits, which bring them closer in many respects to white standards. Yet most Africans, even in this group, are impoverished by low incomes and high cost of living. …</p>
<p>“The complaint of Africans, however, is not only that they are poor and the whites are rich, but that the laws which are made by the whites are designed to preserve this situation. There are two ways to break out of poverty. The first is by formal education, and the second is by the worker acquiring a greater skill at his work and thus higher wages. As far as Africans are concerned, both these avenues of advancement are deliberately curtailed by legislation.</p>
<p>“The present Government has always sought to hamper Africans in their search for education. One of their early acts, after coming into power, was to stop subsidies for African school feeding. Many African children who attended schools depended on this supplement to their diet. This was a cruel act. …</p>
<p>“Africans want to be paid a living wage. Africans want to perform work which they are capable of doing, and not work which the Government declares them to be capable o Africans want to be allowed to live where they obtain work, and not be endorsed out of an area because they were not born there. Africans want to be allowed to own land in places where they work, and not to be obliged to live in rented houses which they can never call their own. Africans want to be part of the general population, and not confined to living in their own ghettoes. African men want to have their wives and children to live with them where they work, and not be forced into an unnatural existence in men’s hostels. African women want to be with their men folk and not be left permanently widowed in the Reserves. … Africans want a just share in the whole of South Africa; they want security and a stake in society.</p>
<p>“Above all, we want equal political rights, because without them our disabilities will be permanent. I know this sounds revolutionary to the whites in this country, because the majority of voters will be Africans. This makes the white man fear democracy.</p>
<p>“But this fear cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the only solution which will guarantee racial harmony and freedom for all. It is not true that the enfranchisement of all will result in racial domination. Political division, based on color, is entirely artificial and, when it disappears, so will the domination of one color group by another. The ANC has spent half a century fighting against racialism. When it triumphs it will not change that policy.</p>
<p>“This then is what the ANC is fighting. Their struggle is a truly national one. It is a struggle of the African people, inspired by their own suffering and their own experience. It is a struggle for the right to live.</p>
<p>“During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal, which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”</p> | false | 3 | human rights icon antiapartheid hero world statesman former south african president nelson mandela died thursday age 95 mandela remembered movement helped inspire apartheid forms oppression south africa also power words 1964 member armed wing african national congress faced capital charge sabotage efforts end white minority rule rivonia trial setting one famous speeches message still resonates today excerpt african national congress formed 1912 defend rights african people seriously curtailed south africa act threatened native land act 37 years 1949 adhered strictly constitutional struggle put forward demands resolutions sent delegations government belief african grievances could settled peaceful discussion africans could advance gradually full political rights white governments remained unmoved rights africans became less instead becoming greater doubt continue fight anything else would abject surrender problem whether fight continue fight anc always stood nonracial democracy shrank action might drive races apart already hard facts 50 years nonviolence brought african people nothing repressive legislation fewer fewer rights may easy court understand fact long time people talking violence day would fight white man win back country leaders anc nevertheless always prevailed upon avoid violence pursue peaceful methods today attracted idea classless society attraction springs part marxist reading part admiration structure organization early african societies country land main means production belonged tribe rich poor exploitation south africa richest country africa could one richest countries world land extremes remarkable contrasts whites enjoy may well highest standard living world whilst africans live poverty misery forty per cent africans live hopelessly overcrowded cases droughtstricken reserves soil erosion overworking soil makes impossible live properly land thirty per cent laborers labor tenants squatters white farms work live conditions similar serfs middle ages 30 percent live towns developed economic social habits bring closer many respects white standards yet africans even group impoverished low incomes high cost living complaint africans however poor whites rich laws made whites designed preserve situation two ways break poverty first formal education second worker acquiring greater skill work thus higher wages far africans concerned avenues advancement deliberately curtailed legislation present government always sought hamper africans search education one early acts coming power stop subsidies african school feeding many african children attended schools depended supplement diet cruel act africans want paid living wage africans want perform work capable work government declares capable africans want allowed live obtain work endorsed area born africans want allowed land places work obliged live rented houses never call africans want part general population confined living ghettoes african men want wives children live work forced unnatural existence mens hostels african women want men folk left permanently widowed reserves africans want share whole south africa want security stake society want equal political rights without disabilities permanent know sounds revolutionary whites country majority voters africans makes white man fear democracy fear allowed stand way solution guarantee racial harmony freedom true enfranchisement result racial domination political division based color entirely artificial disappears domination one color group another anc spent half century fighting racialism triumphs change policy anc fighting struggle truly national one struggle african people inspired suffering experience struggle right live lifetime dedicated struggle african people fought white domination fought black domination cherished ideal democratic free society persons live together harmony equal opportunities ideal hope live achieve needs ideal prepared die | 533 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />April 1, 2103&#160;</p>
<p>By Wayne Lusvardi</p>
<p>As with the fish eating Jonah in the Bible story, salmon now are eating California farmers.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Joaquin_River" type="external">San Joaquin River</a> is California’s longest river, running 366 miles from the Sierra Nevadas through the Central Valley, then flowing out into San Francisco Bay.</p>
<p>According a recent green account by environmentalists recited in the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-san-joaquin-20130329-m,0,2468645,full.story" type="external">Los Angeles Times</a>, the San Joaquin River’s Chinook salmon,&#160;“once numbered in the hundreds of thousands … were so plentiful that farmers fed them to hogs … and settlers were kept awake at night by splashing fish as they struggled upstream to their spawning grounds.”</p>
<p>The reality of the old San Joaquin River was ugly: periodic natural flooding — called the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Joaquin_River" type="external">“June Rise”</a> — made the San Joaquin area an inland sea that <a href="http://www.thinksalmon.com/learn/item/what_are_the_impacts_of_flooding_on_salmon1/" type="external">“drowned”</a> salmon, wiped out cropland, and destroyed human structures and life.&#160; Historically, salmon runs have <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/01/130114153426.htm?+Climate+News+--+Geography)" type="external">boomed and busted</a> over the centuries due to natural — not man-made — climate-change cycles.&#160; Dikes and dams built by farm irrigation districts were the only way that massive flooding was contained.&#160; But farmers are now being shaken down for their share of river water purportedly to restore salmon runs (and green jobs) to the seasonal dry portion of the San Joaquin River.&#160;</p>
<p>Environmentalists armed with court orders want to restore the dry portions of the river purportedly to renew the salmon runs.&#160; But the real story is not about the fish at all. It is about how environmental jobs programs are pushing farmers out of the dry reach of the San Joaquin River.</p>
<p>The Times story, “ <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-san-joaquin-20130329-m,0,2468645,full.story" type="external">In a long, dry stretch of the San Joaquin, a sign of hope for salmon,”</a>&#160;tells how environmentalists have experimentally relocated 104 salmon by tanker truck to the upper river to see if the fish would spawn there.&#160; Fish biologists are reported giddy over discovering 11 salmon nests, called <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/redd" type="external">REDDs</a>.&#160;&#160; But this is not so much an experiment as it is a photo op for continuing the funding for environmentalists jobs. &#160;Quipped Cannon Michael, the vice president of a local farm company, &#160;“You get the same photo ops by trapping fish.”</p>
<p>What environmentalists are using the photo ops for is to push Congress into funding U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein’s $1 billion <a href="" type="internal">San Joaquin River Restoration Act</a>&#160;that is stalled in Congress because of the sequestration budget cutbacks.&#160;The San Joaquin River Restoration Project is essentially a redevelopment program to create 11,000 jobs.</p>
<p>Ninety percent of these jobs, about 9,900 jobs, would be temporary construction jobs.&#160; Six percent of the jobs, or 660 of them, would be long-term government-funded fish monitoring jobs.&#160; The remaining 4 percent of jobs, or 440 jobs, would be in tourism, river real estate sales, and tourist-related retail business. &#160;These jobs would not appear for another 10 or 15 years, however.</p>
<p>In other words, 60 percent of the permanent jobs would be for artificial green jobs funded by government and 40 percent would go to commercial businesses related to restoring the flows of the river along the old San Joaquin river bed. The cost per private sector permanent job created maybe 10 years from now would be more than $2 million per job.</p>
<p>Restoring salmon runs to the San Joaquin River is superfluous because the proposed <a href="" type="internal">Klamath River “wilding” and dam removal project</a> would end up bringing salmon back into California’s rivers anyway.</p>
<p>As sure as salmon migrate back and forth from the ocean to upstream spawning grounds, real estate speculation, residential subdivision, and tourism will drive out farming.&#160; But right now all this is being touted as <a href="" type="internal">“river restoration.”</a></p>
<p>The L.A. Times reports how releasing upstream water from Friant Dam to restore river flows for salmon runs has created seepage under farm fields near the river. That caused high salt content of the water and the ruination of crops and, worse, the cropland.&#160;&#160; Farmers have had to install interceptor drains at a cost of $250,000 each, paid for by higher Central Valley agricultural water rates.</p>
<p>The article fails to explain how, if there is no river water for irrigation,&#160;farming has thrived along the dry portion of the San Joaquin River.</p>
<p>The reason: The introduction of reliable water pumps and hydroelectric power in the 1920s allowed farmers to reclaim former salt-accumulated land for irrigated farmland by tapping large underground water tables.</p>
<p>But <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=_wznCWUkQbwC&amp;pg=PA983&amp;lpg=PA983&amp;dq=interceptor+drain+san+joaquin+river&amp;source=bl&amp;ots=tFmUc_Fitt&amp;sig=eRk6" type="external">large-scale water resource redevelopment plans</a> along the San Joaquin River have not included salt management. &#160;So Central Valley farmers are having their irrigation water allocation reduced and having their water rates increased to pay for farmers who have been negatively impacted by rising soil salinity along the dry portions of the San Joaquin River.</p>
<p>The assumption by politicians is that the San Joaquin River can be re-engineered so that irrigated farming and artificial fish monitoring jobs, tourism, and water-oriented real estate development can all coexist.&#160; But as the Wall Street Journal has recently pointed out, the guiding principle of California policy is <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324582804578344500414630778.html?KEYWORDS=california" type="external">“regulate first, think later.”</a>&#160;&#160; Applied to the proposed San Joaquin River restoration, this might be re-stated: create artificial jobs programs first, deal with the consequences to farmers later.</p>
<p>But then it might be too late to “restore” farming later due to high land salinity.&#160; Or the costs of de-salinizing farmland might be prohibitive.&#160; And the speculative commercial fishing, tourism, and real estate development businesses that might replace farming would be highly prone to economic cycles and unsustainability.</p>
<p>This is why salmon are eating farm jobs along the San Joaquin River.&#160; And why in California the “fish catches the man.”</p> | false | 3 | april 1 2103160 wayne lusvardi fish eating jonah bible story salmon eating california farmers san joaquin river californias longest river running 366 miles sierra nevadas central valley flowing san francisco bay according recent green account environmentalists recited los angeles times san joaquin rivers chinook salmon160once numbered hundreds thousands plentiful farmers fed hogs settlers kept awake night splashing fish struggled upstream spawning grounds reality old san joaquin river ugly periodic natural flooding called june rise made san joaquin area inland sea drowned salmon wiped cropland destroyed human structures life160 historically salmon runs boomed busted centuries due natural manmade climatechange cycles160 dikes dams built farm irrigation districts way massive flooding contained160 farmers shaken share river water purportedly restore salmon runs green jobs seasonal dry portion san joaquin river160 environmentalists armed court orders want restore dry portions river purportedly renew salmon runs160 real story fish environmental jobs programs pushing farmers dry reach san joaquin river times story long dry stretch san joaquin sign hope salmon160tells environmentalists experimentally relocated 104 salmon tanker truck upper river see fish would spawn there160 fish biologists reported giddy discovering 11 salmon nests called redds160160 much experiment photo op continuing funding environmentalists jobs 160quipped cannon michael vice president local farm company 160you get photo ops trapping fish environmentalists using photo ops push congress funding us senator dianne feinsteins 1 billion san joaquin river restoration act160that stalled congress sequestration budget cutbacks160the san joaquin river restoration project essentially redevelopment program create 11000 jobs ninety percent jobs 9900 jobs would temporary construction jobs160 six percent jobs 660 would longterm governmentfunded fish monitoring jobs160 remaining 4 percent jobs 440 jobs would tourism river real estate sales touristrelated retail business 160these jobs would appear another 10 15 years however words 60 percent permanent jobs would artificial green jobs funded government 40 percent would go commercial businesses related restoring flows river along old san joaquin river bed cost per private sector permanent job created maybe 10 years would 2 million per job restoring salmon runs san joaquin river superfluous proposed klamath river wilding dam removal project would end bringing salmon back californias rivers anyway sure salmon migrate back forth ocean upstream spawning grounds real estate speculation residential subdivision tourism drive farming160 right touted river restoration la times reports releasing upstream water friant dam restore river flows salmon runs created seepage farm fields near river caused high salt content water ruination crops worse cropland160160 farmers install interceptor drains cost 250000 paid higher central valley agricultural water rates article fails explain river water irrigation160farming thrived along dry portion san joaquin river reason introduction reliable water pumps hydroelectric power 1920s allowed farmers reclaim former saltaccumulated land irrigated farmland tapping large underground water tables largescale water resource redevelopment plans along san joaquin river included salt management 160so central valley farmers irrigation water allocation reduced water rates increased pay farmers negatively impacted rising soil salinity along dry portions san joaquin river assumption politicians san joaquin river reengineered irrigated farming artificial fish monitoring jobs tourism wateroriented real estate development coexist160 wall street journal recently pointed guiding principle california policy regulate first think later160160 applied proposed san joaquin river restoration might restated create artificial jobs programs first deal consequences farmers later might late restore farming later due high land salinity160 costs desalinizing farmland might prohibitive160 speculative commercial fishing tourism real estate development businesses might replace farming would highly prone economic cycles unsustainability salmon eating farm jobs along san joaquin river160 california fish catches man | 572 |
<p>SURABAYA and JAKARTA, Indonesia — Divers and ships will search for the wreckage and the all important black boxes of a doomed AirAsia plane on Wednesday after Indonesian rescuers found several bodies and debris floating in shallow waters off the coast of Borneo.</p>
<p>Aviation experts believe the fuselage may be easily found as the aircraft probably only broke up when it hit the water.</p>
<p>"The fact that the debris appears fairly contained suggests the aircraft broke up when it hit the water, rather than in the air," Neil Hansford, a former pilot and chairman of consultancy firm Strategic Aviation Solutions, said on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501 lost contact with air traffic control early on Sunday during bad weather on a flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore.</p>
<p>The Airbus A320-200 was carrying 162 people, mostly Indonesians. No survivors have been found.</p>
<p>More from GlobalPost: <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/asia-pacific/indonesia/141230/whats-next-the-families-airasia-flight-8501-pass" type="external">What's next for the families of AirAsia Flight 8501 passengers?</a></p>
<p>Indonesian President Joko Widodo said his priority was getting bodies off the bottom of the Karimata Strait in the Java Sea, where rescuers retrieved a plane door and other debris on Tuesday, so victims could be identified.</p>
<p>"I feel a deep loss over this disaster and pray for the families to be given fortitude and strength," Widodo said in Surabaya on Tuesday after grim images of the scene in the Java Sea were broadcast on television.</p>
<p>AirAsia Chief Executive Tony Fernandes, who has described the crash as his "worst nightmare", was rushing to Surabaya where relatives of the missing are gathered at a crisis center in Indonesia's second-largest city.</p>
<p>Widodo said AirAsia would pay an immediate advance of money to the families, many of whom collapsed in grief when they saw the television pictures of debris.</p>
<p>The navy initially said 40 bodies had been recovered, although other media later quoted the head of the search and rescue agency, Fransiskus Bambang Soelistyo, as saying only three bodies had been retrieved.</p>
<p>Dozens of Indonesian navy divers were expected to begin the underwater search at first light on Wednesday, a source close to the investigation said.</p>
<p>The United States said its missile-guided destroyer USS Sampson and combat ship USS Fort Worth were awaiting instructions from the Indonesian search command on the recovery operation. Singapore said it was sending two underwater beacon detectors to try to pick up pings from the black boxes, which contain cockpit voice and flight data recorders.</p>
<p>About 30 ships and 21 aircraft from Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and the United States have been involved in the search.</p>
<p>No distress call</p>
<p>The plane, which did not issue a distress signal, disappeared after its pilot failed to get permission to fly higher to avoid bad weather because of heavy air traffic.</p>
<p>It was traveling at 32,000 feet (9,753 meters) and had asked to fly at 38,000 feet. When air traffic controllers granted permission for a rise to 34,000 feet a few minutes later, they received no response from the aircraft.</p>
<p>Online discussion among pilots has centered on unconfirmed secondary radar data from Malaysia that suggested the aircraft was climbing at a speed of 353 knots, about 100 knots too slow, and that it might have stalled.</p>
<p>Investigators are focusing initially on whether the crew took too long to request permission to climb, or could have ascended on their own initiative earlier, said a source close to the probe, adding that poor weather could have played a part as well.</p>
<p>A Qantas pilot with 25 years of experience flying in the region said the discovery of the debris field relatively close to the last known radar plot of the plane pointed to an aerodynamic stall, most likely due to bad weather. One possibility is that the plane's instruments iced up in a tropical thunderstorm, giving the pilots inaccurate readings.</p>
<p>The lack of a distress call indicated the pilots may have realized too late they were in trouble and were too busy struggling to control the aircraft to issue a call, the Qantas pilot said.</p>
<p>The Indonesian pilot, a former Air Force jet fighter pilot with 6,100 flying hours under his belt, was experienced and the plane last underwent maintenance in mid-November, said the airline, which is 49 percent owned by Malaysia-based budget carrier AirAsia.</p>
<p>Grim year for Malaysia aviation</p>
<p>Three airline disasters involving Malaysian-affiliated carriers in less than a year have dented confidence in the country's aviation industry and spooked travelers across the region.</p>
<p>Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 went missing in March on a trip from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 passengers and crew and has not been found. On July 17, the same airline's Flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board.</p>
<p>In an additional incident, an AirAsia plane from Manila overshot the runway on landing at Kalibo in the central Philippines on Tuesday. No one was hurt.</p>
<p>On board Flight QZ8501 were 155 Indonesians, three South Koreans, and one person each from Singapore, Malaysia and Britain. The co-pilot was French.</p>
<p>The AirAsia group, including affiliates in Thailand, the Philippines and India, had not suffered a crash since its Malaysian budget operations began in 2002.</p>
<p>(Additional reporting by Fergus Jensen, Wilda Asmarini, Charlotte Greenfield, Fransiska Nangoy, Cindy Silviana, Kanupriya Kapoor, Michael Taylor, Nilufar Rizki and Siva Govindasamy in JAKARTA/SURABAYA, Al-Zaquan Amer Hamzah and Praveen Menon in KUALA LUMPUR, Saeed Azhar, Rujun Shen and Anshuman Daga in SINGAPORE, Jane Wardell in SYDNEY, Andrew Callus and Tim Hepher in PARIS; Writing by Dean Yates and Jane Wardell; Editing by Michael Perry)</p> | false | 3 | surabaya jakarta indonesia divers ships search wreckage important black boxes doomed airasia plane wednesday indonesian rescuers found several bodies debris floating shallow waters coast borneo aviation experts believe fuselage may easily found aircraft probably broke hit water fact debris appears fairly contained suggests aircraft broke hit water rather air neil hansford former pilot chairman consultancy firm strategic aviation solutions said wednesday indonesia airasia flight qz8501 lost contact air traffic control early sunday bad weather flight indonesian city surabaya singapore airbus a320200 carrying 162 people mostly indonesians survivors found globalpost whats next families airasia flight 8501 passengers indonesian president joko widodo said priority getting bodies bottom karimata strait java sea rescuers retrieved plane door debris tuesday victims could identified feel deep loss disaster pray families given fortitude strength widodo said surabaya tuesday grim images scene java sea broadcast television airasia chief executive tony fernandes described crash worst nightmare rushing surabaya relatives missing gathered crisis center indonesias secondlargest city widodo said airasia would pay immediate advance money families many collapsed grief saw television pictures debris navy initially said 40 bodies recovered although media later quoted head search rescue agency fransiskus bambang soelistyo saying three bodies retrieved dozens indonesian navy divers expected begin underwater search first light wednesday source close investigation said united states said missileguided destroyer uss sampson combat ship uss fort worth awaiting instructions indonesian search command recovery operation singapore said sending two underwater beacon detectors try pick pings black boxes contain cockpit voice flight data recorders 30 ships 21 aircraft indonesia australia malaysia singapore south korea united states involved search distress call plane issue distress signal disappeared pilot failed get permission fly higher avoid bad weather heavy air traffic traveling 32000 feet 9753 meters asked fly 38000 feet air traffic controllers granted permission rise 34000 feet minutes later received response aircraft online discussion among pilots centered unconfirmed secondary radar data malaysia suggested aircraft climbing speed 353 knots 100 knots slow might stalled investigators focusing initially whether crew took long request permission climb could ascended initiative earlier said source close probe adding poor weather could played part well qantas pilot 25 years experience flying region said discovery debris field relatively close last known radar plot plane pointed aerodynamic stall likely due bad weather one possibility planes instruments iced tropical thunderstorm giving pilots inaccurate readings lack distress call indicated pilots may realized late trouble busy struggling control aircraft issue call qantas pilot said indonesian pilot former air force jet fighter pilot 6100 flying hours belt experienced plane last underwent maintenance midnovember said airline 49 percent owned malaysiabased budget carrier airasia grim year malaysia aviation three airline disasters involving malaysianaffiliated carriers less year dented confidence countrys aviation industry spooked travelers across region malaysia airlines flight 370 went missing march trip kuala lumpur beijing 239 passengers crew found july 17 airlines flight mh17 shot ukraine killing 298 people board additional incident airasia plane manila overshot runway landing kalibo central philippines tuesday one hurt board flight qz8501 155 indonesians three south koreans one person singapore malaysia britain copilot french airasia group including affiliates thailand philippines india suffered crash since malaysian budget operations began 2002 additional reporting fergus jensen wilda asmarini charlotte greenfield fransiska nangoy cindy silviana kanupriya kapoor michael taylor nilufar rizki siva govindasamy jakartasurabaya alzaquan amer hamzah praveen menon kuala lumpur saeed azhar rujun shen anshuman daga singapore jane wardell sydney andrew callus tim hepher paris writing dean yates jane wardell editing michael perry | 570 |
<p>Photo by Max Herman</p>
<p>The Justice Department launched its civil rights investigation of the Chicago Police Department in the aftermath of the release of video showing the police shooting of Laquan McDonald, which sparked mass protests in Chicago, including a downtown march disrupting Black Friday shopping on Nov. 27, 2015.</p>
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<p>Photo by Marc Monaghan</p>
<p>Mayor Rahm Emanuel appears at a press conference with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson announcing a partnership to work towards a consent decree for CPD on Aug. 29, 2017.</p>
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<p>Photo by Max Herman</p>
<p>The Justice Department published a scathing report on “systemic deficiencies” in the Chicago Police Department on Jan. 13, 2017, and urged the city to enter a consent decree to work toward its recommended reforms.</p>
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<p>Photo by Stacey Rupolo</p>
<p>The Justice Department held several public forums for Chicago residents to speak about their experiences with the police department. Emily Gunston of the DOJ’s civil rights division speaks to an audience of almost 400 who came to a forum at KROC Center in West Pullman on July 14, 2016.</p>
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<p>Photo by Stacey Rupolo</p>
<p>Audience members cheer as demands for reform are made at a public forum held as part of the Department of Justice’s civil rights yearlong investigation of the Chicago Police Department on July 14, 2016.</p>
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<p>Photo by Stacey Rupolo</p>
<p>Justice Department officials listen to Aqueelah Ali, an Uptown resident who speaks about her son dying in police custody in 2012, at a public forum held on July 12, 2016, at Truman City College as part of a yearlong federal civil rights investigation of the Chicago Police Department.</p>
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<p>Photo by Max Herman</p>
<p>The Justice Department launched its civil rights investigation of the Chicago Police Department in the aftermath of the release of video showing the police shooting of Laquan McDonald, which sparked mass protests in Chicago, including a downtown march disrupting Black Friday shopping on Nov. 27, 2015.</p>
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<p>Photo by Marc Monaghan</p>
<p>Mayor Rahm Emanuel appears at a press conference with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson announcing a partnership to work towards a consent decree for CPD on Aug. 29, 2017.</p>
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<p>Eight months after the U.S. Department of Justice recommended nearly one hundred reforms for the Chicago Police Department, the city has made progress on less than one-third of them.</p>
<p>The DOJ’s 99 recommendations were included in its <a href="/justice-department-report-on-chicago-police-annotated/" type="external">highly critical report on CPD</a>, released in January following a year-long investigation that found a widespread pattern of police misconduct in the city.</p>
<p>Using CPD’s public statements and reporting from news organizations, the Chicago Reporter is monitoring progress on the recommended reforms in an <a href="" type="internal">online tracker</a> released today.</p>
<p>So far, the city has fully implemented just six of the 99 recommendations and partially implemented 23 others. Twenty-eight recommendations have not been implemented at all. The recommendations cover a range of topics including use-of-force policies, training, community engagement, data collection, and officer wellness.</p>
<p>Christy Lopez, a former DOJ lawyer who worked on the CPD investigation and helped draft the report, noted that “not all requirements [recommendations] are created equal. It can make it less meaningful to say they’ve completed 30 percent of their requirements, if they’ve completed the 30 percent that are easy to accomplish and they haven’t completed the other ones.”</p>
<p>The reforms CPD has implemented thus far include changes to its Field Training program, increased staff for the Bureau of Internal Affairs, creation of a training oversight committee, and increased transparency of merit promotions. The department also revised its use-of-force policies and is in the process of training officers on it, which it says it will complete by October.</p>
<p>Some of the remaining reforms are low-hanging fruit, such as reinstituting regular public reporting on crime trends and policing activities. In October, CPD <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-annual-reports-cpd-10172016-20161017-story.html" type="external">promised</a> a 2016 annual report by February, but has yet to publish one.</p>
<p>Other recommendations are far more difficult, both to implement and to track. One example: more consistent accountability for officers who file false reports and discipline for supervisors who fail to report misconduct. While Superintendent Eddie Johnson has moved to fire several officers and supervisors for filing false reports to cover up the Laquan McDonald shooting, it may take years to know for sure if accountability for this type of misconduct has increased.</p>
<p>“These processes take a long time in every city,” said Karen Sheley, director of the police practices project for the ACLU of Illinois.</p>
<p>Lack of consent decree makes tracking more difficult</p>
<p>Typically, this many months after a DOJ investigation, the city and DOJ would be well on their way to negotiating a consent decree to enact reforms. But just days after the release of Chicago’s report, President Donald Trump took office. A few weeks later, Jeff Sessions, an outspoken critic of federal intervention in local law enforcement, became attorney general. Negotiations on a consent decree for Chicago—to the extent that there ever were any—stalled completely.</p>
<p>In late August, Mayor Rahm Emanuel backtracked on his months-long stance that the city didn’t need a consent decree and appeared at a press conference with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan to announce a “partnership” to work toward one. Madigan had filed a lawsuit against the city, forcing the issue.</p>
<p>It’s likely to take months for negotiations on the decree and the appointment of an independent monitor, who is typically an expert in police reform with a staff, a budget that <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2015/06/how_much_it_will_cost_clevelan.html" type="external">could reach into the millions</a>&#160;and access to internal documents and records. Independent monitors usually publish regular progress reports.</p>
<p>The Reporter’s tracker, in comparison, is based only on what the city has already made publicly available. For that reason, there are 25 recommendations marked as “unclear,” because the city hasn’t released enough information on them. (The Reporter gave CPD, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, and the mayor’s office the opportunity to provide information about the “unclear” recommendations, and to contest the statuses of the other recommendations.)</p>
<p>“It’s going to be impossible for me to say how the city is doing until there is public reporting from an independent monitor,” Sheley said. “Reporters and not-for-profit institutions can do FOIA requests, they can ask questions, but they don’t have the level of access that a monitor would have.”</p>
<p>Until there is an independent monitor in place, the Reporter will continue to update its tracker with available information about CPD’s progress toward reform.</p> | false | 3 | photo max herman justice department launched civil rights investigation chicago police department aftermath release video showing police shooting laquan mcdonald sparked mass protests chicago including downtown march disrupting black friday shopping nov 27 2015 permalink photo marc monaghan mayor rahm emanuel appears press conference illinois attorney general lisa madigan chicago police supt eddie johnson announcing partnership work towards consent decree cpd aug 29 2017 permalink photo max herman justice department published scathing report systemic deficiencies chicago police department jan 13 2017 urged city enter consent decree work toward recommended reforms permalink photo stacey rupolo justice department held several public forums chicago residents speak experiences police department emily gunston dojs civil rights division speaks audience almost 400 came forum kroc center west pullman july 14 2016 permalink photo stacey rupolo audience members cheer demands reform made public forum held part department justices civil rights yearlong investigation chicago police department july 14 2016 permalink photo stacey rupolo justice department officials listen aqueelah ali uptown resident speaks son dying police custody 2012 public forum held july 12 2016 truman city college part yearlong federal civil rights investigation chicago police department permalink photo max herman justice department launched civil rights investigation chicago police department aftermath release video showing police shooting laquan mcdonald sparked mass protests chicago including downtown march disrupting black friday shopping nov 27 2015 permalink photo marc monaghan mayor rahm emanuel appears press conference illinois attorney general lisa madigan chicago police supt eddie johnson announcing partnership work towards consent decree cpd aug 29 2017 permalink eight months us department justice recommended nearly one hundred reforms chicago police department city made progress less onethird dojs 99 recommendations included highly critical report cpd released january following yearlong investigation found widespread pattern police misconduct city using cpds public statements reporting news organizations chicago reporter monitoring progress recommended reforms online tracker released today far city fully implemented six 99 recommendations partially implemented 23 others twentyeight recommendations implemented recommendations cover range topics including useofforce policies training community engagement data collection officer wellness christy lopez former doj lawyer worked cpd investigation helped draft report noted requirements recommendations created equal make less meaningful say theyve completed 30 percent requirements theyve completed 30 percent easy accomplish havent completed ones reforms cpd implemented thus far include changes field training program increased staff bureau internal affairs creation training oversight committee increased transparency merit promotions department also revised useofforce policies process training officers says complete october remaining reforms lowhanging fruit reinstituting regular public reporting crime trends policing activities october cpd promised 2016 annual report february yet publish one recommendations far difficult implement track one example consistent accountability officers file false reports discipline supervisors fail report misconduct superintendent eddie johnson moved fire several officers supervisors filing false reports cover laquan mcdonald shooting may take years know sure accountability type misconduct increased processes take long time every city said karen sheley director police practices project aclu illinois lack consent decree makes tracking difficult typically many months doj investigation city doj would well way negotiating consent decree enact reforms days release chicagos report president donald trump took office weeks later jeff sessions outspoken critic federal intervention local law enforcement became attorney general negotiations consent decree chicagoto extent ever anystalled completely late august mayor rahm emanuel backtracked monthslong stance city didnt need consent decree appeared press conference illinois attorney general lisa madigan announce partnership work toward one madigan filed lawsuit city forcing issue likely take months negotiations decree appointment independent monitor typically expert police reform staff budget could reach millions160and access internal documents records independent monitors usually publish regular progress reports reporters tracker comparison based city already made publicly available reason 25 recommendations marked unclear city hasnt released enough information reporter gave cpd civilian office police accountability mayors office opportunity provide information unclear recommendations contest statuses recommendations going impossible say city public reporting independent monitor sheley said reporters notforprofit institutions foia requests ask questions dont level access monitor would independent monitor place reporter continue update tracker available information cpds progress toward reform | 665 |
<p>A week after four Marines and a sailor were shot and killed at a military installation in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the dead Marines were shipped home.</p>
<p>The four men died on July 16, when 24-year-old Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez, at loose ends and possibly under the influence&#160;of radical Islam, opened fire on the reserve center where they were working. In the days following the shooting, their bodies had&#160;been under the care of FBI investigators at Delaware’s Dover Air Force Base, home of the military’s largest mortuary.</p>
<p>With the forensic work completed, the Marines&#160;— Sergeant Carson Holmquist, Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan, Lance Corporal Squire Wells, and Staff Sergeant David Wyatt — began their journeys back to their families. But they did not travel alone. The Marines provide a uniformed escort for all casualties, whether they’re killed at war or at home, to ensure they are delivered safely and treated with dignity along the way.</p>
<p>Each escort — a Marine&#160;of the same rank or higher,&#160;chosen from the men’s&#160;Battalion HQ in Bristol, Pennsylvania — meets his charge at&#160;Dover AFB. The body is dressed in “Blues,” the Marines’ ceremonial uniform, and the escort makes sure that his ribbons are placed in proper order.</p>
<p>Sullivan, 40, who had fought in Iraq, wore two Purple Hearts and a Combat Action Ribbon. Holmquist, 25, did two tours of duty in Afghanistan, and wore a Campaign Medal and two Sea Service Deployment ribbons. Wyatt, 37, a veteran of both wars, wore a Good Conduct Medal and a Humanitarian Service Medal. Wells, 21, had never seen combat, but wore a National Defense Service Medal, a designation for serving honorably. The escort checks that each ribbon is pinned one-quarter of an inch above the left breast pocket.</p>
<p>Each of the Marines is taken from Dover AFB to the Philadelphia airport. When the service member’s body has been loaded onto a hearse and is ready to leave the Dover mortuary, an announcement is made over the building’s intercom. With that, all of the service members working at the facility drop what they’re doing. They form a line along the mortuary driveway and, as the hearse departs, give a ceremonial salute, palms stiff, fingertips pointing north.</p>
<p>Upon arriving at the airport, the escort makes his way to the gate and introduces himself to the counter agent, who leads him out onto the tarmac. There, a mechanical elevator loads a shipping container that holds the casket into the belly of the plane. As it goes up and in, the escort holds a long salute until his Marine settles into place. He watches the crew members shut the cargo bay doors before heading back up to board the plane.</p>
<p>Holmquist’s trip takes him across across the Great Lakes and on to Grantsburg, Wisconsin. Sullivan travels up the East Coast to Springfield, Massachusetts. Wells flies over the Mason-Dixon line to Marietta, Georgia. Wyatt’s grim round trip returns him to Chattanooga.</p>
<p>When the escort and the body arrive at their destination, another&#160;team is there to meet them on the runway. As the casket is unloaded from the plane, there is what is called a dignified transfer: The head of the detail, which can include six or eight Marines, gives orders to lift the casket and march it to the next&#160;hearse, which&#160;is idling nearby. The escort drapes a flag over the casket, performs another salute, and rides with the body to the funeral home. Before parting ways, he checks the Marine’s uniform one last&#160;time.</p>
<p>Often, the escort will stay and attend the funeral, where, perhaps for the first time, he learns about the man with whom he’s been traveling — the facts and details that make up a soldier’s story.</p>
<p>Lance Corporal Squire Wells, for instance, was known&#160;as Skip to his family and close friends. He participated in Civil War Reenactments and played in the high school band. He had enlisted in the Marines less than a year ago.</p>
<p>Sargent Carson Holmquist liked to fish, and played defensive back in high school for the Grantsburg Pirates. He had a wife and a two-year-old son, who held up a sign when his father returned from his final combat tour in 2014 that read: “Welcome home, Daddy.”</p>
<p>Gunnery Sergeant Thomas Sullivan, who returned from his most recent deployment only this January, had a brother named Joe. He owns a bar in Springfield called Nathan Bill’s, where a party was held in his brother’s honor the weekend after he died. A man dressed in a kilt played the bagpipes, and a group of guys sang “America the Beautiful.”</p>
<p>Staff Sergeant David Wyatt had a reputation for kindness, and like Holmquist, was a father and a husband. His funeral procession begins at the Hixson Methodist Church and finishes at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. His hearse is led by a motorcade, and all the roads are closed along the way. A memorial is held on Amnicola Highway, filled with people who want to say goodbye.</p>
<p>For a moment, the procession pauses so Wyatt’s family can view the tribute. Marines play taps at the funeral, and there is also a 21-gun salute. The soldiers then pick up the spent shells and tuck them into a folded American flag, which is given to Wyatt’s family. It is yet one more show of respect in a chain that began hundreds of miles away at Dover AFB, when an escort first ensured that his ribbons were the regulation quarter-inch above the pocket, an effort to bring order to the senselessness of it all.</p>
<p>[Photo:&#160; <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:U.S._Marine_Corps_Cpl._Jon-Luke_Bateman_returns_home_120125-F-KX404-177.jpg" type="external">Senior Airman Brett Clashman</a>]</p> | false | 3 | week four marines sailor shot killed military installation chattanooga tennessee dead marines shipped home four men died july 16 24yearold mohammad youssuf abdulazeez loose ends possibly influence160of radical islam opened fire reserve center working days following shooting bodies had160been care fbi investigators delawares dover air force base home militarys largest mortuary forensic work completed marines160 sergeant carson holmquist gunnery sergeant thomas sullivan lance corporal squire wells staff sergeant david wyatt began journeys back families travel alone marines provide uniformed escort casualties whether theyre killed war home ensure delivered safely treated dignity along way escort marine160of rank higher160chosen mens160battalion hq bristol pennsylvania meets charge at160dover afb body dressed blues marines ceremonial uniform escort makes sure ribbons placed proper order sullivan 40 fought iraq wore two purple hearts combat action ribbon holmquist 25 two tours duty afghanistan wore campaign medal two sea service deployment ribbons wyatt 37 veteran wars wore good conduct medal humanitarian service medal wells 21 never seen combat wore national defense service medal designation serving honorably escort checks ribbon pinned onequarter inch left breast pocket marines taken dover afb philadelphia airport service members body loaded onto hearse ready leave dover mortuary announcement made buildings intercom service members working facility drop theyre form line along mortuary driveway hearse departs give ceremonial salute palms stiff fingertips pointing north upon arriving airport escort makes way gate introduces counter agent leads onto tarmac mechanical elevator loads shipping container holds casket belly plane goes escort holds long salute marine settles place watches crew members shut cargo bay doors heading back board plane holmquists trip takes across across great lakes grantsburg wisconsin sullivan travels east coast springfield massachusetts wells flies masondixon line marietta georgia wyatts grim round trip returns chattanooga escort body arrive destination another160team meet runway casket unloaded plane called dignified transfer head detail include six eight marines gives orders lift casket march next160hearse which160is idling nearby escort drapes flag casket performs another salute rides body funeral home parting ways checks marines uniform one last160time often escort stay attend funeral perhaps first time learns man hes traveling facts details make soldiers story lance corporal squire wells instance known160as skip family close friends participated civil war reenactments played high school band enlisted marines less year ago sargent carson holmquist liked fish played defensive back high school grantsburg pirates wife twoyearold son held sign father returned final combat tour 2014 read welcome home daddy gunnery sergeant thomas sullivan returned recent deployment january brother named joe owns bar springfield called nathan bills party held brothers honor weekend died man dressed kilt played bagpipes group guys sang america beautiful staff sergeant david wyatt reputation kindness like holmquist father husband funeral procession begins hixson methodist church finishes chattanooga national cemetery hearse led motorcade roads closed along way memorial held amnicola highway filled people want say goodbye moment procession pauses wyatts family view tribute marines play taps funeral also 21gun salute soldiers pick spent shells tuck folded american flag given wyatts family yet one show respect chain began hundreds miles away dover afb escort first ensured ribbons regulation quarterinch pocket effort bring order senselessness photo160 senior airman brett clashman | 519 |
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